SHADOW AGENCIES

Instructors: Aly Alford and Brad Miller

Class meeting times: Tuesday, 7pm ET, First Class Aug 13th

Course Description:

In this course, participants will go deep into the hidden operations of various intelligence and research organizations post-World War II. Students will explore the origins, operations, and impacts of entities like the Joint Intelligence Objectives Agency (JIOA), Manhattan Project, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The course also covers controversial projects such as Operation Paperclip, Japan's Unit 731, and the U.S. Army Intelligence Support Activity, providing a comprehensive understanding of their historical and modern implications.

Our goal is gain further knowledge on agencies that have been lurking in the shadows since World War II. We will be examining the history and present activities of some of these agencies, confirmed and speculated.

Module 1: Office Of Scientific Research and Development

Lesson 1: Joint Intelligence Objectives Agency (JIOA)

- Explain JIOA

- Operation Paperclip

- Vannevar Bush and his role as Director

Lesson 2: S-1

- Manhattan Project and the role of the gadget

Module 2: Manhattan Project

Lesson 3: General Leslie Groves

- Role in overseeing the construction of the Pentagon and the Manhattan Project

Lesson 4: J. Robert Oppenheimer

- Contributions to physics

- Communist ties and inclusion in the Manhattan Project

Lesson 5: Clinton Engineer Works

- Location and construction

- Background of workers

Lesson 6: Los Alamos Laboratory

- Location selection by Groves and Oppenheimer

- Life at the site

Module 3: Office of Strategic Services (OSS)

Lesson 7: OSS Operations

- Origins of OSS

- Agents’ tools and training

Lesson 8: The Jedburghs

- Relationship with Special Operations Executive

- Significance of Dick Ellis

- Operation Jedburgh

Module 4: Special Activities Division/Center (SAD/SAC)

Lesson 9: Origins

- Formation and types of operations

Lesson 10: William “Billy” Waugh

- Missions and involvement in the Global War on Terror

Module 5: U.S. Army Intelligence Support Activity

Lesson 11: The Activity

- History and operations with CIA’s SAD and JSOC

Lesson 12: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

- Support for other intelligence agencies

Module 6: Joint Intelligence Objectives Agency (JIOA)

Lesson 13: JIOA and Operation Paperclip

- Precursor to ARPA/DARPA

Lesson 14: Research and Development Cooperation (RAND)

- History and significance of General Curtis LeMay

Module 7: Operation Paperclip

Lesson 15: Operation Paperclip

- Purpose and subsequent programs like MK Ultra/Artichoke

- Contributions to NASA

Module 8: Japan’s Infamous Unit 731

Lesson 16: Bioweapons Program

- Activities, personnel, and impacts

Module 9: Camp/Fort Detrick

Lesson 17: History of Camp Detrick

- Functions and bioweapons program during WWII

Lesson 18: USAMRIID

- Role in recent pandemics and partnership with DARPA

Module 10: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Lesson 19: History of DARPA

- Formation and partnerships

- Creation of the internet

Lesson 20: COVID-19 Pandemic

- Vaccines, Operation Warp Speed, and Moderna