CHAPTER 1 — A GUARDIAN OF SECRETS

A LIFE REMEMBERED: AMBROSE GRATTON, OAM

The year is 2025. My good friend and lifelong colleague, Ambrose Gratton, OAM, has died. Mid-January, in fact. I, along with other ex-military counterintelligence operators from all three Services of Australia's Armed Forces, went to Ambrose’s funeral and wake. We talked a lot about our past work and about Ambrose in particular. Not that surprising, really, since it was, after all, his last hurrah. The thought of him, reposed and entombed, evoked many memories and mixed emotions. So much so I am moved to tell you a little bit about him—just one story. That should be sufficient to give you a sense of the man. To do so, I must go back in time—a time I remember well, for I was there.

Flashback to 1988. In celebration of Australia's Bicentenary, the country hosted the largest Air Show ever witnessed in the Southern Hemisphere, set at an RAAF Base west of Sydney. This monumental event culminated in two years of meticulous planning and preparation. The intention: Highlight the best of the world's Air and Space war-fighting capabilities and systems. The crowd numbered over 200,000 people over two days of spectacular flying displays and one day of trade displays by aerospace companies and consortiums vying for lucrative capital acquisition contracts that would meet future requirements.

SECURING THE AIRSHOW: A MULTI-LAYERED APPROACH

While an Air Show's grandeur is meant to dazzle and inspire, behind the scenes, a significant emphasis is placed on security—not just the physical security of the aircraft but also the safeguarding of the information that underpins these sophisticated technologies. Every nation attending the Air Show brings the pinnacle of its aviation prowess and the guarded secrets of its capabilities.

Among the attendees, the Russians had shown significant interest in exploiting such events for intelligence collection. Indeed, ASIO, Australia's domestic spy agency, had already issued a threat assessment which included a high expectation the Russians would have the desire, knowledge, resources and capability to mount an intelligence attack on the people, systems, and capabilities associated with the event. Remember, that era was marked by the remnants of Cold War tension. Hence, the chance to gather intelligence on other nations' air and space technology was an opportunity to be seized upon.

The complexities and subtleties of security needed at the event extended beyond simple physical protection; they demanded a sophisticated counterintelligence operation. My late friend Ambrose was at the helm of these counterintelligence operations. He was tasked with managing and coordinating efforts to negate any intelligence collection attempts by the Russians, no matter what form they might take. From espionage to on-ground surveillance, information collection, and analysis, Ambrose's counterintelligence ability had to encompass all potential threats. And, to my mind, no one was more capable.

Security preparations began long before the Air Show itself. Understanding the high stakes, Ambrose assembled a team of skilled operatives, each an expert in various aspects of intelligence and security. Though I was part of that team, I didn't consider myself an expert. I had some interviewing skills that Ambrose thought might be useful, though. The security mission statement was clear enough: find, watch, and neutralise any potential Russian attempts at espionage. This involved a multi-layered approach, combining traditional security measures with innovative technology.

One primary strategy was establishing an extensive surveillance and monitoring system, including visible and covert methods. Cameras and sensors were discreetly placed throughout RAAF Base, creating a network to track movements and detect unusual activities. Additionally, covert field security operatives were deployed among the crowds, blending in while keeping a watchful eye on anyone showing suspicious behaviour. The collaborative security collective was called a ‘Multi-Agency Counterintelligence Security Umbrella’ (MACSU). Ambrose was selected to head up the MACSU.

CHAPTER 2 — AMBROSE GRATTON: THE MAN IN CHARGE

THE AIR SHOW: A TEST OF MACSU'S METTLE

The MACSU concept was based on the premise that the operation's scope extended beyond a single agency's capabilities. Ambrose fostered collaboration with various national and international security agencies as only he could. This cooperation included embedded specialists from ASIO, NSW Police (Special Operations, Special Branch and General Duties) and an Australian Army Intelligence Corp analyst. As to the International agencies, I can't disclose information about them. Regular briefings and coordination meetings ensured everyone was on the same page and that information flowed seamlessly. The collaborative effort also created a rare opportunity for agencies to work together in real time.

As the Air Show began, the fruits of Ambrose's MACSU labours were put to the test. Among the 200,000 attendees were dignitaries, aviation enthusiasts, media and, undoubtedly, covert agents from various countries. Despite the infectious festive atmosphere and the aerial splendour, the MACSU team, armed with over twenty covertly acquired photographs of Soviet Persons of Interest (POI), had to stay focused and on task. Ambrose managed that through sheer force of personality, expertise, and a fierce, almost demonic) response to those who fell short of his standards.

Several incidents tested the effectiveness of counterintelligence measures. In one instance, an individual was caught trying to gain unauthorised access to a restricted area—I discuss that separately. In another case, suspicious electronic signals were detected by our unmentionable friends, leading to the identification and neutralisation of a potential cyber threat.

On one slightly humorous occasion, Ambrose, during social drinks in the Officers' Mess, learned of an attempt by the crew of the giant Soviet AN126 aircraft to host an alcohol-fueled party on board after the day's events. The response to that should have been tasked to a field security team. However, feeling office-bound, Ambrose went down to the flight line parking apron and threatened to storm and search the aircraft. Knowing that we assumed there to be covert signals collection devices on board, the Antonov crew immediately opened the main door. Ambrose was greeted on the tarmac by fifteen shamefaced Australian military personnel who knew they should not have been there. The underage teenage daughter of a very senior diplomat was also on board. I believe Ambrose was delighted to report that fact.

OUT-OF-BOUNDS INCIDENT: YEVGENY OLGAROFF'S MISSTEP

I mentioned earlier that I would discuss the out-of-bounds bounder. During the Show, Yevgeny Olgaroff, a Trade Attaché from the Soviet Embassy in Canberra, found himself wandering in an out-of-bound area. His apparent initial intention was to gather innocuous information about the event, but he ended up navigating through restricted zones where an RAAF security police patrol intercepted him.

Ordinarily, ASIO would have the jurisdiction to follow up on a Foreign National caught in such circumstances. However, ASIO's regional director and the Chief of the Air Force jointly agreed that Ambrose should lead the Olgaroff interview. Several reasons for that decision have been redacted from subsequent reports on the circumstances. This is where Ambrose's real talents came to the fore, and I witnessed them first-hand.

Olgaroff was unwillingly and confusedly escorted to the Base Security Section, where he was greeted by a courteous, calm, yet stern-looking Ambrose. His composed demeanour starkly contrasted with the turmoil outwardly evident in Olgaroff's. As it happened, the Soviet attaché had never been a career spy; he had been coerced by the infamous GRU, Russia's secret military intelligence unit, into spying on the secret signals facility on the base.

The questioning began inside the Security Section interview room. Despite his courtesy, Ambrose was unrelenting in his inquiries. He probed Olgaroff's intentions, affiliations, and the true nature of his presence at the air show. Olgaroff's fear demonstrably grew with each question. He initially feigned knowledge of the English language, which I thought was strange, given he was meant to promote Russian trade within an English-speaking country. Ambrose thought so as well. However, he happened to speak Olgaroff's mother tongue, so he indulged him to the point where Olgaroff had mastered English within thirty minutes.

Ambrose’s persistence was born of an inherently patient persona supported by an arsenal of applied training, knowledge, and experience. He amazed me with his understanding of the Israeli technique for detecting deception, as the Laboratory for Scientific Interrogation taught me. In short, he whittled away until Olgaroff was left with nothing to tell except the bare truth. I was taken with Ambrose’s mantra: “Assume the truth and the lie will be exposed”.

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In the post-operational review, the final word was that Ambrose and his MACSU team's efforts succeeded. One could write about many other incidents involving Ambrose, and I'm reliably informed he went on to achieve so much more than anyone could accurately record.

A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE: 'AMBROSE SENT HIS BEST REGARDS'

Returning to Ambrose's funeral: At the wake, we tried to deduce which National Security incidents might have Ambrose's stamp attached. We speculated about all possibilities, both ridiculous and plausible, but had no clue.

I have remembered Ambrose as best I can and hope I have done so faithfully. My last comment? As I was leaving the wake, a now ageing acquaintance, an ASIO friend in fact, surreptitiously came up to me. I can’t report everything he told me. However, what he didn’t say was, in a way, as instructive as what he did say. And what he did say was astonishing.

Olgaroff had not informed his superiors at the embassy about being questioned. In fact, my friend said that it wasn't until ASIO later, and prematurely, tried to turn Olgaroff into a double agent that he finally disclosed his encounter with Ambrose and ASIO to his embassy masters. My erstwhile colleague added that Olgaroff was sent packing back to Russia in disgrace and subsequently disappeared—his fate shrouded in mystery.

With a sly wink and a nod, my friend smiled and said, “By the way, Ambrose sends his best regards”. I looked around, turned back to him and replied, “Give him my best regards and wishes for a speedy return”. Then, I left the other mourners to their respective memories.

THE END