Today I Learned (TIL)

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TIL of Operation Coldfeet where two CIA operatives parachuted onto abandoned Soviet drift stations in the arctic to gather intelligence. Because they were out of reach of helicopters and ships, th... (en.wikipedia.org)

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The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/Equivalent-Tour7607 on 2025-12-06 04:48:58+00:00.

Original Title: TIL of Operation Coldfeet where two CIA operatives parachuted onto abandoned Soviet drift stations in the arctic to gather intelligence. Because they were out of reach of helicopters and ships, they were extracted using the Fulton Skyhook system—snatched off the ice by a plane without it landing.

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[–] 0x0 2 points 1 week ago

After experiments with instrumented dummies, Fulton continued to experiment with live pigs, as pigs have a nervous system close to humans. Lifted off the ground, the pig began to spin as it flew through the air at 125 miles per hour (200 km/h). It arrived on board uninjured, but in a disoriented state. When it recovered, it attacked the crew.