Dr. Brent Geary to discuss Very Secret, Very Cool, but Not Aliens: The U-2, the A-12 and Area 51

National Archives at Kansas City

On Wednesday, October 30 at 1:30 p.m., the National Archives in partnership with Park University, will host Dr. Brent Geary who will present an afternoon lecture titled Very Secret, Very Cool, but Not Aliens: The U-2, the A-12 and Area 51. This free program will take place at Park University, 8700 NW River Park Drive, Parkville, MO.

For decades, the aerial surveillance programs of the CIA were shrouded in mystery by both design and necessity.  Unfortunately, their secrecy and spectacular technological achievements combined to add fuel to conspiracy theories related to extraterrestrials at a time when popular culture experienced a surge in interest in the topic. Dr. Brenty Geary, historian for the Central Intelligence Agency and Center for Central Intelligence, will explore the development of the U-2 and A-12, the faster forerunner of the more famous SR-71 Blackbird, the CIA's purchase and use of the test site known as Area 51 in their development, and their contributions to the history of American aviation, intelligence, foreign policy, and inadvertently popular culture. This program is presented in partnership with Park University and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

Lockheed U-2 aircraft