On 10 March 2025, guest host and spy thriller writer Stephen England sat down with former Detachment “A” member James Stejskal on the Secrets and Spies Podcast.  

The conversation focuses on Mission Iran, Jim’s latest book, which uncovers Detachment A’s covert role in Operation Eagle Claw, the 1980 mission to rescue American hostages in Tehran. 

Link to the Secrets & Spies Podcast: Mission Iran: Behind the Scenes of Operation Eagle Claw with James Stejskal

Former Detachment “A” member and Author James Stejskal’s latest book Mission Iran is out and available on Amazon:  Mission Iran by James Stejskal available on Amazon

This is one of the best written accounts of the skills and capabilities of the six teams in Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade.  It describes each individual’s ability to operate autonomously in an Unconventional Warfare (UW) and Counter Terrorism (CT) mission environment. 

The creation of this unique Ghost unit to operate unconventionally and independently from throughout the cold war and its evolution to respond to the ever-growing counter terrorist threat.

Detachment “A” was one of the first and only dedicated counter-terrorist units in its time.

James Stejskal’s account of Detachment “A” final mission written in this book “Mission Iran” is a true and accurate account for Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade Special Forces History – 1956 – 1984.

Bob Charest – 8 Year Member of Detachment “A” Berlin Brigade.