JMWAVE: The Secret Cold War CIA Station in Miami • Spotter Up

JMWAVE headquarters in Miami, c. 1961. Central Intelligence Agency photo

Forget James Bond or Miami Vice—true tropical intrigue springs from the fascinating tale of JMWAVE. Known alternatively as JM/WAVE or JM WAVE, this covert CIA station orchestrated pivotal intelligence operations between 1961 and 1968. Its headquarters lay in Building 25 at the former Naval Air Station Richmond in Miami, Florida—a site rich in history. Today, this historic building has been carefully restored and now houses the Miami-Dade Military Museum as part of the University of Miami’s South Campus.

JMWAVE was initially established as the operations center for Task Force W, the CIA unit dedicated to Operation Mongoose. This operation aimed to overthrow Fidel Castro’s Communist government in Cuba. The station played a role during the Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961 and became a hub for anti-Castro activities.

Scale and Operations

Under the leadership of CIA officer Theodore Shackley from 1962 to 1965, JMWAVE transformed into a formidable hub of covert operations, becoming the largest CIA station outside Langley, Virginia. Known as the ‘Blond Ghost’ for his elusive nature, Shackley was a master strategist who significantly expanded the station’s operational scope. During his tenure, he served as the station chief in Miami, overseeing the CIA’s operations against Fidel Castro’s regime

Born in 1927 in West Palm Beach, Florida, Shackley had a background in counterintelligence, having served in the U.S. Army and later the CIA. His linguistic skills, particularly in Polish, were instrumental in his early career, where he worked on recruiting agents in post-war Germany. By the time he took charge of JMWAVE, Shackley had already established himself as a key figure in Cold War intelligence. His leadership at JMWAVE was instrumental in coordinating a vast network of anti-Castro activities aimed at destabilizing Fidel Castro’s regime.

JMWAVE’s workforce was a blend of 300 to 400 professional CIA operatives and an extensive network of approximately 15,000 anti-Castro Cuban exiles. These exiles were rigorously trained in a variety of disciplines, including guerrilla warfare, espionage, sabotage, and maritime operations. The station’s training programs were designed to equip them with the skills necessary to conduct raids, gather intelligence, and execute covert missions against Cuba.

Photo of CIA-backed anti-Communist Cuban guerrillas taken during the Escambray rebellion, c. 1959–1965. Unknown author.

JMWAVE organized and supported numerous commando raids conducted by anti-Castro Cuban exiles. These missions targeted Cuban infrastructure and military assets. Although JMWAVE’s role in the Bay of Pigs invasion was limited, it provided logistical support and training for Cuban exiles who participated in the operation.

Among its notable missions was Operation Tilt, which sought to extract Soviet officers from Cuba who allegedly had information about atomic warheads and missiles remaining in the country after the Cuban Missile Crisis. This operation involved anti-Castro activists and CIA operatives, showcasing the station’s ability to coordinate complex and high-stakes missions.

Another significant initiative was the ZR/RIFLE Project, which focused on covert operations targeting Fidel Castro’s leadership. This project utilized various tactics and operatives with the goal of undermining or removing his regime.

JMWAVE was also reportedly involved in efforts to track and capture Che Guevara. David Sánchez Morales, a key figure at JMWAVE, is said to have played a role in the operation that led to Guevara’s capture in Bolivia. However, the full extent of JMWAVE’s involvement remains a topic of debate among historians and researchers.

The station’s resources were unparalleled. It operated a fleet of aircraft and boats, making it the third-largest naval force in the Caribbean, surpassed only by the U.S. Navy and the Cuban Revolutionary Navy. This fleet was crucial for conducting exile raids on Cuban targets, transporting operatives, and supporting other clandestine activities.

JMWAVE also utilized a network of front companies, such as “Zenith Technical Enterprises, Inc.,” to mask its operations. These companies provided logistical support, safe houses, and cover identities for operatives, ensuring the secrecy of their missions.

Shackley’s tenure at JMWAVE not only solidified its role as a cornerstone of U.S. anti-Castro efforts but also set a precedent for the scale and complexity of CIA operations during the Cold War.

Impact on South Florida

Economically, JMWAVE had a profound impact on South Florida. The financial resources and infrastructure established by the CIA were pivotal in driving Miami’s growth and development. With an annual budget of approximately $50 million (equivalent to over $500 million today), the station contributed to a local economic boom. Real estate, banking, and manufacturing sectors particularly benefited from the influx of funds and activities associated with the station. The scale of operations was so extensive that JMWAVE became an open secret among local authorities and residents, who were aware of its presence but often turned a blind eye due to its economic contributions.

Modern Miami’s vibrant and diverse landscape owes some of its roots to the economic and infrastructural investments driven by the CIA’s JMWAVE operations during the 1960s.

By 1968, JMWAVE’s relevance diminished, and concerns arose about its potential to embarrass the University of Miami. The station eventually ceased operations, but its legacy remains a fascinating chapter in Cold War history.

Final Thoughts

JMWAVE stands as a compelling chapter in the history of U.S. intelligence during the Cold War, embodying the complexity and ambition of American efforts to counter Communist influence in the Western Hemisphere. Under Theodore Shackley’s leadership, the station not only became a cornerstone of anti-Castro operations but also demonstrated the scale of covert activities and their impact on the local economy and geopolitics. From training Cuban exiles to executing daring missions like Operation Tilt, JMWAVE’s legacy reflects both the challenges and ingenuity of clandestine warfare. Though its operations ceased in 1968, the station’s influence endures.