SF and SKYHOOK, a historical perspective

MDH · 08-03-2018, 11:54

I knew Mark Wylie back in the 83-85 timeframe, he was an E-6 back then, had gotten out after VN then came back in. Believe he was working the Commo Committee. Used to ride dirt bikes with him and his son, sorry to hear that he passed.

rick-socom · 08-04-2018, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDH

I knew Mark Wylie back in the 83-85 timeframe, he was an E-6 back then, had gotten out after VN then came back in. Believe he was working the Commo Committee. Used to ride dirt bikes with him and his son, sorry to hear that he passed.

thanks MDH. Didn't know Mark. Have talked with his son quite a bit about his dad's skyhook pickup and he mentioned the dirt bikes and working on cars. I've sent you a PM.

thanks
v/r rick

rick-socom · 08-26-2018, 19:00

The second live pickup conducted in Europe was SGT Bradford Taylor with ODA 333, 3/10 SFG. We have a few pictures of SGT Taylor suiting up for the pickup but don't yet have an exact date. we've heard it may have been about a week after COL Tyler, COMSOFTE was picked up on 23 April 1979.

Uman · 09-24-2019, 17:09

Operation Cold Feet was the first operational use of the Fulton Surface To Air Recovery System aka Skyhook. This operation was also the background for the movie Ice Station Zebra.

Operation Cold Feet is were the US parachuted two Navy Intelligence personal onto the Arctic Icecap to recon an abandoned Soviet Ice Station. They were looking form more than weather data, ie data on what the Soviet submarines where doing under the ice. The Ice Station was abandoned because of the ice breaking up, so the only way off was to use the Fulton Surface To Air Recovery System. The recovery aircraft was the original B-17G bomber that was converted by one of the CIA Air Branch companies.

The mission was somewhat of a success according to the CIA. Just like the recovery of the Soviet submarine or the deep sea recovery of the satellite film pod, or the etc etc.

So buying Greenland is a very strategic move. I bet after one f those WH intel briefings on what the Russians and the Chinese are doing under the Arctic prompted Trump to say lets buy the place.

rick-socom · 02-07-2020, 03:23

great point Uman. the book "Project COLDFEET: Secret Mission to a Soviet Ice Station" by Leary and LeSchack is back in print in paperback and covers a lot of details I've not seen elsewhere.

thanks also for mentioning "ice station zebra."
v/r rick