SNAFU with Ed Helms Project Azorian's Sunken Sub
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Jun 9, 2025 This episode dives deep into Project Azorian, a CIA mission to recover the sunken Soviet submarine K-129, filled with Cold War intrigue. Ed humorously recounts the audacious burglary at Howard Hughes' headquarters, where chaos and comedy intertwine. The tale also reveals the complications of espionage, from the challenges faced during the recovery to the controversial 'Glomar response' that ensued. Prepare for a wild ride through history's blunders, peppered with unbelievable twists and the complexities of covert operations!
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Howard Hughes' HQ Burglary Revealed Secrets
- Howard Hughes' corporate HQ was burgled, revealing secret CIA files about a covert oceanic mission.
- The loot included cash, antiques, and crucial documents about a sunken Soviet sub and a giant claw machine.
Value and Challenge of Sub Recovery
- Recovering a sunken Soviet nuke sub was invaluable for intelligence on the USSR Navy.
- The sub lay 16,500 feet deep, making recovery a monumental engineering challenge.
The Daring Claw Machine Choice
- The CIA considered various buoyancy ideas but settled on a risky claw machine for sub recovery.
- The claw had just a 10% success chance, yet was approved due to the mission's importance.
