Home/ Resources / Projects / CIA Cryptonyms / bigram: AE / cryptonym: AECAMBARO-1

Cryptonym: AECAMBARO-1

Definition:

Freds Ziedonids Launags, he was a contract agent for the CIA from 1951 to 1959 and was a member of the Latvian underground that targeted Soviet internal operations and gathered intelligence.

Status:

Documented

Discussion:

Launags served the Agency even after they learned he was a paranoid schizophrenic.

Sources:

National Archives Research Aid: Cryptonyms and Terms in Declassified CIA Files Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Disclosure Acts

An official list of cryptonyms, pseudonyms, and related terms reveals AECAMBARO-1 is Freds Ziedonids Launags. https://www.archives.gov/files/iwg/declassified-records/rg-263-cia-records/second-release-lexicon.pdf

CIA Library Reading Room LAUNAGS, FREDS VOL. 2_0012

A list of candidates spotted for possible use in Project AECOB. https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/LAUNAGS%2C%20FREDS%20%20%20VOL.%202_0012.pdf

CIA Library Reading Room LAUNAGS, FREDS VOL. 2_0068

A document that requests "CAMBARO's 1 and 2" were to be trained in covert communications. https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/LAUNAGS%2C%20FREDS%20%20%20VOL.%202_0068.pdf

CIA Library Reading Room LAUNAGS, FREDS VOL. 4_0058

The document provides additional biographic data on Launags and his ongoing mental issues. https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/LAUNAGS%2C%20FREDS%20%20%20VOL.%204_0058.pdf

104-10120-10381: LIST OF NAMES, PROJECTS AND FUNCTIONS

1972 document reveals some Agency members of Project AECAMBARO.) Comparing the list to additional WWII documents regarding specific leading members establishes Freds Z. Launags was the project's main agent AECAMBARO-1. Herman Kimsey also listed as a documents instructor for AECAMBARO.

Contributors:

Carmine Savastano