Operation Washtub (United States) facts for kids

Operation Washtub was a top-secret plan. It was created by the U.S. Air Force and the FBI. The main idea was to prepare for a possible invasion of Alaska by the Soviet Union. This operation happened from 1951 to 1959, ending when Alaska became a state. Its goal was to set up a secret network of spies. These spies would gather information if Alaska was taken over. It also aimed to create safe places for American soldiers to hide or escape if they were captured.

The FBI quickly ended its part in the operation in September 1951. The exact reasons are not fully known from official papers. It seems that J. Edgar Hoover, who led the FBI, wanted his agency to stop. He worried that the FBI might look bad if an invasion happened. So, most of Operation Washtub was carried out by the Air Force's special investigation team.

Choosing and Training Agents

The people chosen for this secret mission had to meet certain requirements. They needed to live in Alaska and be able to move around easily. They also couldn't be obvious targets for invaders. Military personnel were not chosen. The plan suggested that local fishermen and bush pilots would be good candidates.

However, people from Eskimo and Aleut communities were not selected. This was because some intelligence officials worried about their loyalty. Official papers said these groups cared most about surviving. They thought their loyalty might change easily to whoever was in charge.

Where Agents Were Placed

Agents were placed in important locations. These spots were chosen for their strategic value. Places with good transportation and communication links were preferred. Cities where agents were known to be included Anchorage, Fairbanks, Palmer, Big Delta, and Cordova.

How Agents Were Trained

The agents were trained separately. They did not know who the other agents were. This was to protect everyone if one agent was caught or turned. Their training included simple ways to code messages. They also learned how to observe and communicate secretly. Other skills taught were scouting, patrolling, and how to receive supplies dropped from planes. They also learned close combat and about Russian uniforms and equipment.

The main goal was to collect secret information. Agents were interested in military details. They also looked for any other information they thought was important. Special contacts, called Administrator Liaisons, helped agents communicate with the operation's leaders.

Agent Equipment and Pay

The government gave agents special equipment. This included 30-06 rifles with scopes. They also received small pistols with silencers. Cameras, climbing ropes, and other survival gear were provided. These supplies were meant to help agents stay alive.

Another part of the operation was an escape and evasion plan. This included hidden supply caches. These caches were available for all parts of the U.S. military. Agents were paid $3,000 per year while the operation was inactive. This amount was supposed to double if an invasion began.

The End of Operation Washtub

By the end of the operation, there were 89 agents. They were placed in different regions as planned. Some agents named in official documents included Dyton Abb Gillard, Guy Raymond, and Ira Weisner. A well-known agent was Bob Reeve. He was an Alaskan bush pilot who started Reeve Airways.

Operation Washtub eventually ended. The main reasons were the high costs. It was expensive to pay the agents and keep the supply caches stocked. The harsh Alaskan weather made maintaining these caches very difficult. Deborah Kidwell, a historian for the Air Force's special investigation office, noted that the caches were later used as general survival caches.