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(U) Letters to the Editor : 'Then and Now'
FROM: the editor
Unknown
Run Date: 07/20/2006
(U//FOUO) Readers had their own memories of Mr.
career, as prompted by the article
"THEN vs NOW: How Being an IA Has Changed in the Past (Almost) Half Century"
Comment:
(C) Frenchie was a good choice for an analyst interview. He is friendly and outgoing, and
unconventional to boot. He has an excellent attitude for helping out, and is hardworking. I first
met him when I as a COMINTer working in ELINT spaces more than 15 years ago, and he was
kind enough to take me under his wing and teach me some of the ropes of what is now Office of
Weapons and Space.
(U//FOUO) As an example of his flexibility and eccentricity, most recently we had a class
together where role playing took place. Frenchie stepped up gallantly to undertake the role of
Jacques Chirac in an exercise where the UN was mediating with several countries regarding
nuclear power in Iran. In the scenario, Israel was going to bomb Tehran, and other major
powers were trying to intervene (pretty much without success). The UN hadn't yet entered the
picture. I played Kofi Annan and lead more than 50 UN role players. The name of the young man
who played Blair, I've forgotten, but Frenchie, myself and the young man formed a triad to
negotiate Iran's way out of being bombed with a great deal of coordination from the UN role
players.
--
Comment:
(S//SI) I am sure Frenchie's memoir stirs mostly fond memories of our analog era. What's
fascinating to me is that many of the Russian air defense-related PROFORMA datalinks he broke
ground on are still in use by "CCCP" clients! G001Y (SWAMP), noted in VINTAGE HARVEST as
first heard in 01NOV55, is routinely collected from Syria. I happily imagine the Syrian ADZ
maintainers scrounging for parts...
(U) An example of both an amazingly robust class of sensor-enabled technology, as well as
testament to a living cryptologic treasure whom I am proud to call my friend. Thanks, Frenchie!
--
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108