11–20 of 89 posts
You can tell that they're well seasoned professional troops by the fact that they were comfortable enough to stop and get pizza.
"Benny told us later that the patrol had been menaced on several occasions by armed men, but a few well aimed shots above the heads of the mob had convinced them to melt away and not to mess with the patrol."
That's a cool site. As someone who spent most of my childhood overseas, it warms my heart to see this kind of thing get a bit more exposure. My father was in the CIA, then was an administrator for NGOs. I grew up in some... interesting places.
Yes, an "administrator" I'm sure.
Interesting how quick the squad was able to deploy, clearly bypassed any diplomatic decision making
They were probably prepared to deploy for some time (assuming this was 1998 and not 1997): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_Civil_War
Interesting how quick the squad was able to deploy, clearly bypassed any diplomatic decision making
They landed a transport plane on an airport. That's not a feat of military might. It's one of having the same blue/yellow emblem somewhere on your plane as on the 10.5 million cartons of infant nutrition you distributed the year before.
Some "shots over their heads" may have been useful in discouraging individual idiots. But the only reason there was anybody left to rescue, and the reason they were allowedd to succeed, is that neither side of the conflict had any actual interest in harming them.
Interesting how quick the squad was able to deploy, clearly bypassed any diplomatic decision making
There was a civil war in Albania since 1997 and most other countries had their embassies evacuated. The US Marines cleared the US embassy in Tirana cleared already: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Silver_Wake They were probably prepared to deploy for some time (assuming this was 1998 and not 1997): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_Civil_War
Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is his bio: http://cmarshall.com/miscellaneous/MikeMarshall.htm
I guess the NGO job was his cover, right?
I'm told the key to a successful CIA cover, is that the job needs to be boring, so that people who ask "What do you do for a living?" regret it (Think Ben Stein, talking about the joys of Accounting).
In his case, he started to get into his work. I think he actually began to make a difference in the world.
Also, he developed "doctrinal differences" with the CIA. Despite all the medals and whatnot, he was actually quite liberal and kind. It was difficult for him to deal with what clandestine service became.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I guess the NGO job was his cover, right?
Yes. I'm told the key to a successful CIA cover, is that the job needs to be boring , so that people who ask "What do you do for a living?" regret it (Think Ben Stein, talking about the joys of Accounting). In his case, he started to get into his work. I think he actually began to make a difference in the world. Also, he developed "doctrinal differences" with the CIA. Despite all the medals and whatnot, he was actual…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, an "administrator" I'm sure.
This is his bio: http://cmarshall.com/miscellaneous/MikeMarshall.htm
Did he (or you) end up writing about his experiences post CIA? I’d love to read those.
I love the place and it's mostly because of the people. Never have I met more friendly laid back and helpful people. For example, my airbnb host that I stayed with, for all of 2 nights, kept my large suitcase so I could spend the week in the south with just my carry-on bag. When I got back to Tirana not only did his brother come and meet me with it, he also dropped me off at my next airbnb across town and carried it in for me.
Somewhere I wouldn't hesitate to recommend others visiting. I'll be going back when I can and for longer this time.