MiGs Over Nevada

History, Cold War, Book, CIA, Area 51, plane, aviation

By: TD Barnes

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

"MiGs Over Nevada: Declassified Accounts of Technological Tradecraft at Area 51"

Step into the classified world of Area 51, the CIA's top-secret flight testing facility in Nevada, where cutting-edge reconnaissance planes and covert operations once ruled the skies. In "MiGs Over Nevada," delve into the thrilling true story of a small group of CIA personnel and contract specialists who played a pivotal role in shaping aerial warfare as we know it today.

When the legendary A-12 reconnaissance planes were retired from operational missions, Area 51 seemed destined for a quieter existence. However, that all changed when the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), along with the US Air Force, Navy, and various intelligence agencies, descended upon the facility for Project HAVE DOUGHNUT. Their mission? To exploit a captured Soviet MiG-21 and uncover its secrets. This marked the beginning of a groundbreaking collaboration that would revolutionize the skies.

As subsequent projects like HAVE DRILL and HAVE FERRY unfolded, the partnership between the CIA, the military, and intelligence agencies yielded invaluable intelligence and paved the way for future advancements. The book reveals how these classified endeavors at Area 51 played a pivotal role in reversing the staggering aerial losses experienced during the Vietnam War, shifting the odds in favor of the United States.

The firsthand accounts shared within "MiGs Over Nevada" offer a rare glimpse into the secretive world of technological tradecraft. From thrilling aerial dogfights to covert support operations, readers will witness the intense dedication and ingenuity of the CIA personnel and contract specialists involved. These unsung heroes not only inspired the creation of the Navy's TOP GUN Fighter Weapons School but also shaped the establishment of the USAF Weapons School and the iconic RED FLAG training exercises that continue to this day.

Prepare to be captivated by this insider's tale of bravery, innovation, and the pursuit of technological superiority. "MiGs Over Nevada" will transport you to the heart of one of the most secretive and influential periods in aviation history, forever changing your perception of the skies above.

That Silly Robot Narration

The AI narrating this is awful. It has a female voice, which is neither good or bad, but it occasionally goes hoarse and really needs to cough up the spider web or whatever is in its 'throat'. Another huge flaw is pronunciation of aviation terms. Unless one already has background in aviation and this story in particular the reader (listener?) would be misinformed.

MiG's are pronounced MEEGEE'S. The Dassault Mirage IV, or 4, is pronounced I V, like in ivy. These are just a couple of the distracting mistakes the robot with the distracting voice makes in telling the story.

I'm glad this was a selection that did not require a credit so I did not feel so bad about giving up after about an hour of listening.