Chico coach Chuck Sheley published a book, "Smokejumpers and the CIA," which contains stories not found in the history books.
Starting in 1951, smokejumpers were recruited by the CIA "because they could go anywhere, anytime, and do a tough, confusing job and then keep our mouths shut." This little-known working arrangement peaked in 1975.
Smokejumpers worked for the CIA ("the Agency") for over 25 years. Beginning in the spring of 1951, the CIA sent two agents to the smokejumper base at Nine Mile, Mont., to be trained to parachute into mountainous and isolated terrain.