SUBJECT: FOIA FILE: UFO468
PART - 4
Document #: 16
From: UFO INFO SERVICE
Date Sent: 06-10-1986
Subject: 1983 P.L. CLARKE MEMO
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES
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Mr. Peter L. Clarke 5 December 1983
KOB Television
4 Broadcast Plaza SW
PO Box 1351
Albuquerque NM 87103
Dear Mr. Clarke
This is in reference to your Freedom of Information Act request of 18
November 1983 requesting access to information regarding photographs taken
by Paul Bennewitz in 1980 near Kirtland AFB.
The only information we have in our files regarding this incident is a
copy of a message, originator unknown, which apparently was placed in
circulation in at least three cities in the U.S. This message discusses
analysis of UFO photographs, and, while it does not mention who the
photographer was, it does mention the name Bennewitz. The purported
originator, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, has reviewed
the message and confirmed that it is a hoax. While the Air Force
Intelligence Service is listed as a recipient of the message, we have no
record of ever receiving it from AFOSI. The copy which we have in our
files was forwarded to us by the organization Citizens Against UFO
Secrecy.
We are attaching a copy of the document as we received it. We have,
however, removed the bogus security markings so as not to alarm any
recipients. We are also attaching other documents created by this agency
as a result of the bogus message. These documents have previously been
released to the public through the Freedom of Information Act.
For your further information, this agency collected information on UFO
sightings for a few years. However, our interest in this topic was
discontinued in the mid-1970's and our UFO records were transferred to
the General Services Administration for inclusion in Project Blue Book.
These records are available for public inspection through the National
Archives and Records Service, Modern Military Branch, 8th and
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20408.
Sincerely 3 Atch
1-3. Docs on UFO Incident
SUSAN COOKSEY
Freedom of Information Manager
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Document #: 17
From: UFO INFO SERVICE
Date Sent: 06-10-1986
Subject: 1983 UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES
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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
Headquarters Air Force Intelligence Service
Fort Belvor Virginia 22060
DAD 25 January 1983
Possible Unauthorized Release of Classified Material
INSA (MSgt Heldman)
DA
1. Per our telephone conversation today, I am forwarding Mr Robert
Todd's FOIA request along with the AFOSI message for determination as to
classification level. As you can see, Mr Todd retyped the message "for
easier reading." I have talked to AFOSI/DADF, Nadine Dulacki. According
to her, they did not release the message to Mr Todd nor does she know how
it came into his possession. Maj Kilikauskas (AFSAC/INOB, 664-4488) has
looked at the message and he feels that it is a fake for several reasons:
a. There never has been an office within AFSAC (or 7602nd) with the
symbol INS, INSR, or IT.
b. There has never been a "Capt Grace" (or anyone with the surname
Grace) assigned to AFSAC.
c. The purported imagery interpretation done is outside AFSAC's and
AFOSI's mission. Further, AFSAC has no individuals who are photo
interpreters.
d. The term WNINTEL is spelled phonetically on each occurrence. OSI
should certainly be familiar with the correct spelling. Further, the
document is replete with grammatical errors, typing errors, and in
general, makes no sense.
e. The document is not in the standard, accepted format for
classified messages.
Neither Maj Kilikauskas nor Mr Nehlig (who has worked in AFSAC many
years) remember hearing of a "Project Aquarius." Further, Maj
Kilikauskas had no idea if the information purported supplied by this
Capt Grace is, in fact, classified at the Secret/WNINTEL level. He
suggests that both NASA and Coast and Geodetic Survey be contacted to
see if they have an interest in the message.
2. Finally, I have talked to Mr Earl Middaugh (AFOSI/IVOE, 767-5144).
He remembers a FOIA request that his office staffed which involved an
AFOSI message similar to this one. However, they were unable to identify
it as OSI originated. He thinks perhaps this might be the same message.
I have forwarded a copy of the Todd request to the AFOSI Freedom of
Information Office (Bob Walker, 767-5262). Upon receipt both Mr Walker
and Mr Middaugh will be better able to determine if this is a legitimate
AFOSI document.
3. Until a determination is made, we ill regard the document as
classified.
SUSAN COOKSEY 2 Atch
Documentation Management Branch 1. Todd Request
2. Message, 2 cys (S/WNINTEL)
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Document #: 18
From: UFO INFO SERVICE
Date Sent: 06-10-1986
Subject: 1986 NSA PROJ. AQUARIUS
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES
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NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
CENTRAL SECURITY SERVICE
Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 20755-6000
Mr. _____________________ Serial: J9014A
_________________________
_________________________ 20 FEB 1986
Dear Mr. ________________
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act request of 8
January 1986 in which you request information on a group referred to as
MJ12 or "Majestic 12" and Projects Sigma, Snowbird and Aquarius.
Please be advised that Sigma and Snowbird are not projects of this
Agency, so we would have no records responsive to that portion of your
request. In addition, no records were located relating to M12 or
"Majestic 12."
An initial survey of materials responsive to that portion of your
request dealing with Project Aquarius would result in search fees in
excess of $15,000 for manpower and computer costs. Our search would be
facilitated and the search fees may be less if you provide us with
additional information regarding the type of information in which you are
interested. This request for further specificity is in accordance with
DoD regulations governing the processing of FOIA requests.
Should you wish us to initiate a search for records responsive to
your request as stated inyour 8 January letter, please be advised that our
policy is to request advance payment of one-half the estimated cost, as
well as an agreement to pay the balance, prior to initiating the search.
Please be advised that your agreeing to incur these fees will not
necessarily result in the disclosure to you of any information. It has
been our experience, that any records responsive to your request, if such
records exist, most likely would be classified or otherwise exempt from
release in accordance with the exemption provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act. The application of these exemptions to NSA information
has been consistently approved by the Federal Judiciary.
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Document #: 19
From: UFO INFO SERVICE
Date Sent: 06-10-1986
Subject: 1986 NSA PROJ. AQUARIUS
CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES
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NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
CENTRAL SECURITY SERVICE
Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 20755-6000
__________________________ Serial: J9014A
__________________________
__________________________ 03 MAR 1986
Dear Mr. _________________:
This is in response to your letter of 20 February 1986 in which you
stated that, regarding your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for
information on Project Aquarius, you are interested in Aquarius as it
pertains to unidentified aerial objects. Please be advised that Project
Aquarius does not deal with unidentified aerial projects. We, therefore,
have no information to provide to you on the subject.
In your letter you also ask for information on Projects Sigma and
Snowbird. The FOIA provides that a person has a right of access to
federal agency records, except to the extent that such records are
protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions. It does not require
that an agency answer questions. As I mentioned in my letter of 20
February, Sigma and Snowbird are not NSA projects; therefore, we have no
information to give you on these topics.
Since you indicate in your letter that you will not be paying the
$15,000.00 fee to search for records pertaining to Aquarius, this response
completes our action on your request.
Sincerely,
DENNIS C. CHADWICK
Chief
Information Policy
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Document #: 20
From: UFO INFO SERVICE
Date Sent: 06-10-1986
Subject: 1986 ANSWER TO NSA
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES
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Mr. Dennis C. Chadwick 3-7-86
Chief, Information Policy
National Security Agency
Fort George G. Meade
Maryland 20755-6000
Dear Mr. Chadwick:
Thank you for your letter of 3 March 1986 and reply to my previous letter
on Project Aquarius. I understand from your letter that you intend to
abide strictly by the letter of the law in responses to FOIA requests. I
had not realized that this was the attitude of the NSA or I would not have
bothered you with questions in general. I have gotten the impression from
other sources that the NSA does not maintain a generally open attitude
toward the public, particularly where the subject of unidentified aerial
objects is involved, and while completely understand the need to restrict
some information what good is a country if its citizens are kept ignorant.
Personally I feel that assessing a $15,000 charge for information is
simply a convenient way to disuade requests.
Let me therefore rephrase my request as I would prefer to judge for myself
whether Aquarius has anything to do with my interests. Firstly, I do not
want to endanger this country or any of its intelligence gathering
sources. I am not a spy or a subversive, my father is a surgeon and Lt.
Colonel in the Air Force and I wouldn't want to harm his career.
Therefore I am requesting just a clean copy of the material NSA is
maintaining which describes what the goal of project Aquarius is. I am
not asking for all material you have but simply the initial forms, papers,
or letters, which initiated this project and those which outline its
purpose.
I cannot conceive that there should be anything but negligible costs to
photocopy these materials. This should be waived inasmuch as it should be
in the interest of the public to be aware of what their taxes are paying
for. But if NSA needs reimbursement of copying costs then please let me
know what the cost will be.
Sincerely,
Mr.______________________
_________________________
_________________________
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