Evergreen International Airlines and the CIA: A History of Covert Operations

 Evergreen International Airlines, a now-defunct U.S.-based charter and cargo airline, operated from 1960 to 2013, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Founded by Delford M. Smith as Evergreen Helicopters in Corvallis, Washington, the airline grew into a global player, providing contract freight services, military charters, and specialized operations. Its documented connections to the CIA, particularly through covert operations, have fueled both intrigue and speculation, including unfounded conspiracy theories like the 2021 Suez Canal incident. This article explores Evergreen’s CIA involvement, detailing key missions, operations, and the broader context of its clandestine activities, while clarifying the Suez Canal conspiracy as a separate, debunked narrative.

Who: The Key PlayersEvergreen International Airlines, headquartered in McMinnville, Oregon, was led by founder Delford M. Smith, a central figure in its operations until his death in 2014. The airline’s CIA ties involved senior executives with agency connections, though specific names remain less documented due to the secretive nature of their work. The CIA, established under the National Security Act of 1947, conducted covert operations through its Special Activities Division, often contracting private entities like Evergreen. Clients included the U.S. military, the United Nations, and NASA, but the CIA’s involvement was particularly significant, with Evergreen serving as a trusted contractor for sensitive missions.What: Evergreen’s CIA InvolvementEvergreen’s relationship with the CIA began in the 1970s, rooted in its acquisition of assets from Air America, a CIA-operated airline active during the Vietnam War, and its 1975 merger with Intermountain Airlines, a known CIA front under the Pacific Corporation. These moves positioned Evergreen as a key player in covert aviation services, providing aircraft, pilots, and logistical support for operations where the U.S. government sought plausible deniability. Evergreen’s activities ranged from transporting high-profile individuals to conducting missions in global hotspots, often under the guise of commercial operations.The airline’s CIA ties were acknowledged but shrouded in ambiguity. In a 1988 interview with The Oregonian, Smith stated, “We don’t know when we’ve ever worked for them [the CIA], but if we did, we’re proud of it,” neither confirming nor denying direct ownership. This cryptic response, combined with Evergreen’s presence in conflict zones, fueled speculation about its role as a CIA front, though official records confirm contractual work rather than ownership.When: Timeline of InvolvementEvergreen’s CIA connections span several decades, with key milestones:

• 1975: Merger with Intermountain Airlines, a CIA front, and acquisition of Air America’s Pinal Airpark facility in Marana, Arizona, used for aircraft maintenance and storage.
• 1961-1975: Early involvement through Intermountain Aviation, which supported the CIA’s Operation Coldfeet in 1962, equipping a B-17 with the Fulton Skyhook system to recover equipment from a Soviet ice station.
• 1980: Transport of the Shah of Iran from Egypt to Panama and then to the U.S., a high-profile CIA mission.
• 1980s: Operations in Central America, including drug abatement spraying in Mexico and South America, and missions in El Salvador and Nicaragua during the Iran-Contra period.
• 2013: Evergreen ceased operations due to financial difficulties, ending its CIA-related activities.

Where: Global Reach of OperationsEvergreen’s CIA missions spanned multiple continents, reflecting the agency’s global reach:

• United States: Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona, served as a hub for aircraft maintenance and storage, inherited from Air America.
• Central America: Operations in Mexico, El Salvador, and Nicaragua supported anti-narcotics efforts and Contra activities during the 1980s.
• Middle East: The 1980 transport of the Shah of Iran involved flights from Egypt to Panama and the U.S.
• Southeast Asia: Historical ties to Air America operations during the Vietnam War era.
• Global Hotspots: Evergreen supported UN peacekeeping missions in 30 countries, some likely involving CIA coordination.

Why: Strategic ImportanceThe CIA relied on Evergreen for covert operations to maintain secrecy and deniability in sensitive missions. Private airlines like Evergreen offered logistical flexibility, allowing the agency to transport personnel, equipment, and high-value individuals without direct U.S. government attribution. This was critical during the Cold War and post-Cold War eras, when the CIA sought to influence foreign governments, combat narcotics, and support anti-communist forces. Evergreen’s fleet, including Boeing 747s and helicopters, and its global infrastructure made it an ideal partner for operations requiring rapid deployment and discretion.Key Covert Operations and MissionsEvergreen’s documented CIA missions include:

1. Operation Coldfeet (1962): Through Intermountain Aviation, Evergreen’s predecessor equipped a B-17 with the CIA’s Fulton Skyhook system to recover equipment from an abandoned Soviet ice station in the Arctic. This mission demonstrated early collaboration and technical expertise.
2. Transport of the Shah of Iran (1980): Evergreen facilitated the CIA’s transport of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi from Egypt to Panama and then to the U.S. following his exile, a politically sensitive operation requiring secure and discreet logistics.
3. Drug Abatement Spraying (1980s): Evergreen conducted aerial spraying in Mexico and South America to destroy illegal drug crops, aligning with U.S. anti-narcotics policies but raising questions about environmental and local impacts.
4. Central American Operations (1980s): During the Iran-Contra affair, Evergreen operated in El Salvador and Nicaragua, supporting CIA-backed Contra forces. Missions were described as “mysterious,” with allegations of arms transport, though not directly confirmed in official investigations.
5. Air America Asset Integration (1975): Evergreen’s acquisition of Air America’s assets, including the Pinal Airpark facility, enabled it to inherit the CIA’s aviation infrastructure, supporting covert logistics across multiple operations.

Controversies and AllegationsEvergreen’s CIA ties sparked allegations of deeper involvement in illicit activities, particularly during the Iran-Contra scandal. Claims surfaced, notably in Defrauding America (1995), that Evergreen transported cocaine and arms, including M-16 rifles to Moscow and AK-47s to El Salvador, as a CIA front. A 2014 LinkedIn post by a supposed CIA insider alleged Evergreen took over drug-related flights from Crittenden Air Transport, but these claims lack corroboration from official records or mainstream media. The CIA’s history of drug trafficking allegations, as researched by Dr. Alfred W. McCoy and Gary Webb, adds context but does not directly implicate Evergreen. Such allegations remain speculative, often tied to broader conspiracy narratives.The Suez Canal Conspiracy TheoryA separate controversy involves the 2021 Suez Canal incident, where the Ever Given, a ship owned by Evergreen Marine Corporation (a Taiwan-based company unrelated to Evergreen International Airlines), blocked the canal. QAnon-driven conspiracy theories falsely linked the ship to human trafficking and Hillary Clinton, citing her Secret Service codename “Evergreen” and the ship’s call sign “H3RC” as evidence. These claims, debunked by PolitiFact, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/mar/25/facebook-posts/evergreen-ship-blocking-suez-canal-not-linked-hill/ and Snopes (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/suez-canal-ship-hillary-clinton/) has no connection to Evergreen International Airlines or its CIA activities. The confusion stems from the shared “Evergreen” name, but the airline had been defunct since 2013, and no credible evidence supports trafficking claims.ConclusionEvergreen International Airlines played a significant role in CIA covert operations from the 1970s to its closure in 2013, supporting missions like the Shah’s transport, drug abatement spraying, and Central American operations. Its acquisition of Air America assets and merger with Intermountain Airlines solidified its status as a key CIA contractor, operating globally to advance U.S. interests with deniability. While allegations of drug and arms trafficking persist, they lack definitive evidence, often blending with conspiracy theories like the debunked Suez Canal narrative. Evergreen’s story highlights the complex interplay between private enterprises and intelligence agencies, leaving a legacy of both operational success and enduring controversy. 
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