Clifford Stone Special Report 3 - Operation Blue Fly

Magazine Overview

This document is a special report titled 'SPECIAL REPORT 3: OPERATION BLUE FLY: STILL CLASSIFIED' authored by Clifford E. Stone, dated November 18, 1990. It details the author's investigation into U.S. Air Force programs related to the recovery of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and foreign spacecraft, specifically 'Project Moon Dust' and 'Operation Blue Fly'. The report highlights the author's efforts to obtain information through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and the subsequent classification denials by various government agencies.

General Discussion

In 1977 and 1978, UFO researchers, including the author, inquired with the U.S. Government about 'Project Moon Dust'. Most released documentation pertained to alleged fallen space debris. However, a document from the Office of Air Force Intelligence raised more questions than it answered, and it was the only document found under FOIA that referenced 'Operation Blue Fly'.

This document, once classified Secret, was dated November 13, 1961, and its subject was 'AFCIN Intelligence Team Personnel', authored by a Colonel Betz of Air Force Intelligence. According to this document, 'Project Moon Dust' was a specialized part of the U.S. Air Force's material exploitation program to locate, recover, and deliver foreign space vehicles. The report notes that this document did not explicitly include UFOs as foreign space vehicles, suggesting it initially referred to Soviet spacecraft. However, the report later posits that this distinction was not always maintained.

'Operation Blue Fly', as described in the document, was established to expedite the delivery of 'Moon Dust' and other items of significant technical intelligence interest to the Foreign Technology Division (FTD). This included debris from UFOs. The Air Force Continental Intelligence Command (AFCIN) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) dated February 12, 1961, for 'Blue Fly Operations', made it clear that objects or debris believed to be from unknown origins (UFOs) were to be included due to their technical intelligence interest to the U.S. Air Force Intelligence Command. This SOP remains classified.

The Air Force Intelligence document further stated that these projects involved qualified field intelligence personnel on a quick reaction basis to recover or perform field exploitation of unidentified flying objects, or known Soviet/Bloc aerospace vehicles, weapons systems, and/or residual components of such equipment. The author points out that while the document emphasizes 'Soviet/Bloc' origin, the inclusion of UFOs suggests they are considered real objects with potential weapons systems.

Outline of Response Action Taken

On December 25, 1989, the author wrote to several U.S. Government agencies seeking information about 'Operation Blue Fly'.

• Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense: No response was received by the date of the report.
• Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA): The DIA had released many 'Moon Dust' documents in response to previous FOIA requests. However, regarding 'Operation Blue Fly', the DIA stated that all substantive portions of the information were properly classified and not releasable under 5 U.S.C. 552 (b) (1) of the Freedom of Information Act, citing potential damage to national security. The DIA suggested that UFOs might be a threat to national security.
• Department of States: This agency uncovered several thousand documents responsive to the request for 'Moondust' and 'Blue Fly' material, but these documents were still under security review and had not been released.
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): As of the report's date, the CIA had not responded to the request.
• Air Force Intelligence Service: This agency stated on January 17, 1990, that they had completed a thorough search and found no records responsive to the request.
• Department of the Air Force: The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force initially responded on January 11, 1990, stating they had no records responsive to the request. However, in a letter dated May 3, 1990, they reversed this, admitting to having two records responsive to the request. These records were stated to be exempt from disclosure because the information was properly classified under U.S. Code, Title 5, Section 552 (b) (1) and Air Force Regulation 12-30, paragraph 10a, citing national security interests. The denial authority was identified as Brigadier General Billy J. Bingham, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff Intelligence.

The author notes the discrepancy between the Air Force Intelligence Service's denial and the Department of the Air Force's later admission, suggesting a potential cover-up. The author believes this reversal was due to the knowledge of his involvement in UFO matters and potential participation in 'Blue Fly Operations' while assigned to Europe. He asserts that at least 232 documents are classified Top Secret under Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs, keeping the public and Congress uninformed.

The Appeal Action

The author appealed the Air Force's denial on May 18, 1990, arguing that a 29-year-old document should not retain intelligence value worthy of classification, unless the government was trying to hide something. The first response to the appeal came from the Office of the Judge Advocate General, General Litigation Branch, dated July 2, 1990, which fell under the Defense Investigative Service. The author found this involvement of the Defense Investigative Service unusual.

The Office of the Judge Advocate General stated that a separate classification review was required and forwarded the appeal for additional review. However, the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force denied the appeal on July 25, 1990, reiterating that the withheld information was properly classified pursuant to Executive Order and exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552(b) (1)) and Air Force Regulation 12-30, paragraph 10a, as its release could cause identifiable damage to national security.

The author highlights the unusual interest shown by the General Litigation Division and the Defense Investigative Service in his appeal, noting that this was the first time these entities had actively engaged in such a FOIA appeal.

Conclusion

'Project Moon Dust' and 'Operation Blue Fly' were U.S. Air Force programs for the recovery, field exploitation, and delivery of Soviet/Bloc space vehicles and objects of unknown origin. If the Air Force recovered Soviet/Bloc or other foreign craft, international agreements would require their return to the country of origin. While there might be a legitimate need for classification regarding such recoveries, the author doubts that security would be compromised by releasing information that is 20 to 30 years old.

However, if the Air Force recovered an alien spacecraft from another solar system decades ago, the reasons for classifying this information and keeping it from the public might be known only to those with access. The author believes this is the case and that the U.S. Government is actively concealing its knowledge about recovered alien spacecraft. This, he feels, is the primary reason for the classification of information concerning 'Operation Blue Fly'. The report concludes that the truth may never be known, as the information the U.S. Government holds on 'Operation Blue Fly' remains classified in the interest of national security.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this report are government secrecy, the limitations and effectiveness of the Freedom of Information Act, and the potential cover-up of information related to UFOs and extraterrestrial technology. Clifford E. Stone's stance is critical of government transparency, believing that agencies are actively withholding significant information about UFOs and alien spacecraft under the guise of national security. He advocates for the release of older, classified documents to shed light on these matters.

This document consists of three official letters from the Department of the Air Force concerning a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and subsequent appeal made by Mr. Clifford E. Stone.

Initial FOIA Request and Denial (May 3, 1990)

The first letter, dated May 3, 1990, from Barbara A. Carmichael, Freedom of Information Manager, addresses Mr. Clifford E. Stone's FOIA letter dated December 25, 1989. The Air Force acknowledges having two records responsive to his request but states they are exempt from disclosure because the information is classified. The authority for this exemption is cited as the United States Code, Title 5, Section 552(b)(1), and Air Force Regulation 12-30, paragraph 10a. The denial authority for this decision is identified as Brigadier General Billy J. Bingham, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff Intelligence. The letter informs Mr. Stone that if he decides to appeal, he must write to the Secretary of the Air Force within 60 calendar days, providing reasons for reconsideration and attaching a copy of the letter. The appeal should be mailed to the Secretary of the Air Force, THRU: SAF/AAIS (FOIA), Washington, DC 20330-1000.

Appeal Processing (July 2, 1990)

The second letter, dated July 2, 1990, from John H. Heinz, Major, USAF, Chief, FOTA/PA Branch, General Litigation Division, confirms receipt of Mr. Stone's FOIA appeal. It explains that the classified nature of the subject matter requires a separate classification review conducted by another office within Headquarters Air Force, to which the appeal has been forwarded. The letter notes that processing FOIA appeals, especially those requiring classification review, takes time due to a backlog. It assures Mr. Stone that once the review is complete, his appeal will be sent to the Secretary of the Air Force for final action, and direct notification will be made to him from that office. The letter thanks him for his patience.

Final Denial of Appeal (July 25, 1990)

The third letter, dated July 25, 1990, from William A. Davidson, Col, USAF, Acting Deputy Administrative Assistant, Office of the Secretary, addresses Mr. Stone's appeal dated May 18, 1990. This appeal was regarding the decision by the Deputy Chief of Staff Intelligence, Headquarters United States Air Force, denying his request for information concerning projects or operations known as "Moon Dust" and "Blue Fly." The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force has considered the appeal and determined it should be denied. The information is withheld as it is currently classified pursuant to Executive Order and exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1), and Air Force Regulation 12-30, paragraph 10a. The release of this information could cause identifiable damage to the national security, serving a significant and legitimate governmental purpose for its withholding, making discretionary release inappropriate. This letter constitutes final Air Force action on the appeal, and the Freedom of Information Act provides for judicial review of this determination.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the application of the Freedom of Information Act, the process of appealing FOIA denials, the classification of government information for national security reasons, and the specific mention of "Moon Dust" and "Blue Fly" projects. The editorial stance is that of a government agency upholding its procedures for handling classified information and FOIA requests, prioritizing national security over disclosure when deemed necessary.