Spooks are a group of carefully selected, highly trained technicians that conduct intelligence operations in absolute secrecy. The title Spook probably originated in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Predominantly enlisted communication technicians, later known as cryptologic technicians (CTs) and special duty (cryptologic) officers, these technicians serve as direct support operators and officers to support national, theater and tactical intelligence requirements.
Serving on a variety of tactical platforms, these technicians disappear in the shadows of highly secured areas. They only reappear into the light to eat or go to hit their racks; some, however, sleep in their spaces where they work.
Once mission objectives were satisfied these technicians remove their tech-kits, specialized equipment and quietly disembark, leaving the workspace as they found it. To the regular navy these technicians were a mystery, like ghosts.


























22 January 2022 at 17:40
Mario, One minor correction: Spooks we’re and still are!
Sent from my iPhone
>
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22 January 2022 at 18:31
Bobby – Correction made. Sincerely, Mario
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22 January 2022 at 17:42
Mario,
Spooks we’re and still are! Only the mission and technology has changed.
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22 January 2022 at 22:00
Fourth patch down, this is from Warbirds of America, Squadron 14 who restored, maintain and fly an AC-47 “Spooky” gunship of the Vietnam War. No DSO there…
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23 January 2022 at 00:33
William – thank you for stopping the blog, leaving a comment and keeping me honest! Correction made. Good catch! Sincerely, Mario
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23 January 2022 at 02:51
Some folks use the term SPOOKS to refer to anyone in intelligence but those if us who are or were in the DSEs know who the true SPOOKS are.
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23 January 2022 at 06:44
We were referred to as ‘SPOOKS’ at Adak in 1959 (and I was an ‘O’ brancher!). When I put in my paperwork to
marry my wife (Irish; foreign national) in London tail end 1965 I was temporarily assigned to NavCommUnit London
and they all called me a ‘spook’ (behind my back) until they found out I could punch tape and work relay better than
any of them — THEN I was considered an outstanding communicator (to quote the RM’s). Thank you for this history
article, Mario. Much appreciated.
Jim King
CTOC Ret.
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23 January 2022 at 15:01
I met J.R. in London 65-67 and anyone who every met J.R. remembers him.An outstanding person and CT.
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23 January 2022 at 21:25
Most of my drawings i did for people, CTM,CTA,CTT, CTR and who ever, I always used the term ‘spook navy’ to me that was a big honor to be involved in. and I am very certain they all were proud to see it.
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24 January 2022 at 01:19
74-94 I visited Classic Wizard Zeto Point for a performance evaluation of a system upgrade.
Tony Greene
CTTC Ret.
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10 June 2022 at 23:22
Are land based CTTs considered spooks as well? Spent my enlistment in two WestPac duty stations doing HFDF and Wideband.
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