Intermountain Aviation
Operator Identification
1963 to 1975
United States of America
TYPE: CIA front airline
IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil
HEADQUARTERS: Marana, AZ
OTHER NAMES: Intermountain Aviation, Intermountain Airlines, Intermountain Airways
SUBSEQUENT NAME: Evergreen International Aviation (taken over)
Operator History
Intermountain Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) airline front company which performed covert operations for the CIA during the Vietnam War era. Its main base of operations was Marana, near Tucson, AZ. Intermountain's missions included supporting the Bay of Pigs Invasion or inserting and recovering spies using the Fulton Skyhook. During its years in operation, it used several types of aircraft including the Commando, the Lockheed L-188 Electra, the DHC-4 Caribou & DHC-6 Twin Otter, and a B-17 Flying Fortress.
Between 1963 and 1969, Intermountain overhauled 21 Commandos under contract from SAT (Southern Air Transport). These aircraft were bound to India, provided by the CIA to the local Ministry of External Affairs to perform clandestine missions in Chinese-occupied Tibet.
In 1975, Intermountain was acquired by Evergreen Helicopters.
Commando Operations
April 1965 to 1975
Some Intermountain Commandos were apparently used in the support of the Bay of Pigs Invasion on 17 April 1961.
Last edited: 09/04/2024