Journal of the Fortean Research Center - Vol 1 No 4

Magazine Overview

This is the December 1986 issue, Volume 1, Number 4, of the JOURNAL of the FORTEAN RESEARCH CENTER. The cover features a striking black and white illustration of a lunar or alien landscape with a hovering disc, and prominently displays the headline "PROJECT MOON DUST" with the subtitle "Special Case File Issue." The price is listed as $3.50.

Table of Contents and Editorial

The "Table of Contents" on page 2 indicates that this issue is a "PROJECT MOON DUST CASE FILE, including all government documents released to date on this case, and all pertinent correspondence regarding the Freedom of Information Act requests which secured release of the material."

Page 3 contains an editorial by Ray W. Boeche, Director of the Fortean Research Center. He notes that the response to their previous issue was "truly staggering" and that due to this interest and over 80 letters received, they are featuring this special issue on "PROJECT MOON DUST." Boeche states that the issue contains the "entire file of documents" and correspondence with various government agencies regarding the project. He elaborates that the project seems to encompass not only the retrieval of crashed space debris but also the retrieval of crashed UFOs, citing page 15, paragraph two, designation "c" for this information.

He also highlights correspondence with the CIA and Air Force Intelligence Service that "strongly imply that PROJECT MOON DUST is indeed concerned with UFOs." Boeche points out that the correspondence indicates the project is "still active," questioning the government's claims of no longer having an interest in UFOs.

Boeche informs readers that their subscriptions will expire with this issue, as they run subscriptions on a calendar year basis. Subscription rates remain $15.00 per year, with overseas subscribers receiving the Journal by air mail. He expresses hope for their return as subscribers and thanks them for their support.

Looking ahead, Boeche announces that the next issue will move away from the UFO subject (unless the government "comes clean") and will include a history of Bigfoot sightings in Nebraska. He concludes by wishing readers a prosperous New Year.

Fortean Research Center Information

Page 2 provides contact information for the Fortean Research Center, located at P.O. Box 94627, Lincoln, NE 68509, USA. It lists the key personnel: Ray W. Boeche (Director), Scott Colborn (Associate Director), Bonnie Adams (Secretary), Nancy Boeche (Treasurer), David White (Associate Director, Business), and Clyde Adams (Associate Director, Ancillary Activities).

Membership in the Fortean Research Center is $15.00 per year, which includes a subscription to the Journal, discounts on special publications, and reduced fees for conferences. They encourage contact for more information and mention that membership categories for substantial donations are also available.

The Journal is published quarterly by the Fortean Research Center, a non-profit corporation. Its purpose is to investigate "all aspects of unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, cryptozoological mysteries, out-of-place animal sightings, geological and archaeological anomalies, psychic phenomena, and all other areas of study which may provide data useful to the resolution of these perplexing mysteries." They aim to serve as a source of accurate, reliable information.

Freedom of Information Act Requests and Correspondence

Pages 4 through 10 contain copies of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and the responses from various government agencies.

On January 2, 1986, Ray W. Boeche submitted a FOIA request to the CIA, Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Security Council, and Air Force. He requested copies of all memoranda, reports, committee reports, intelligence reports, minutes of meetings, briefings, debriefings, field reports, orders, and any other pertinent information concerning an operation known as "PROJECT MOON DUST." The requested time frame was from January 1, 1960, or the inception date of the project, whichever was earlier, through December 31, 1985, or its discontinuance, whichever was later. He noted that he was enclosing documents released by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) which refer to Project Moon Dust and assumed search and reproduction fees would be waived due to his organization's non-profit status. Copies were sent to Senators J. James Exon, Edward Zorinsky, and Barry Goldwater.

On January 10, 1986, Anne W. Turner, HQ USAF Freedom of Information Manager, informed Mr. Boeche that his request had been forwarded to the Air Force Intelligence Service, AF Space Command, and the Foreign Technology Division. She also stated that Headquarters (AF Plans and Operations and AF Intelligence) would reply directly, with findings no later than January 22, 1986.

On January 14, 1986, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) responded. Lee S. Strickland, Information and Privacy Coordinator, stated that there is no organized CIA effort to research UFOs, nor has there been since the 1950s. The Air Force, specifically the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, had primary responsibility for investigating UFO sightings. The CIA's role was with a Scientific Advisory Panel, which produced the "Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects" (Robertson Report) in January 1953. The Air Force investigation, Project Bluebook, was terminated in 1969 and its records were turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The CIA stated that they do not actively collect UFO information, though sporadic correspondence occurs. They have released 819 pages of UFO-related documents under FOIA, mostly related to the Scientific Advisory Panel's report. Strickland advised that most reports considered by the Panel originated with other agencies like the Air Force, and later CIA reports concerned foreign news media sightings. He also noted that much of the original material had been destroyed and available copies might be of poor quality. The cost for reproduction was ten cents per page, with a total of $81.90 requested for the documents. The originating agency controls release, so any Project Moon Dust material located by the CIA would have been referred back to DIA.

On January 14, 1986, Freda Faine, Freedom of Information Act Manager for the Department of the Air Force, Headquarters Air Force Intelligence Service, stated that their office does not collect or maintain files on UFO data. The old Air Force files on aerial phenomena were incorporated into Project Blue Book, with records located at the National Archives in Washington.

On January 17, 1986, Delmar H. Lawrence, Jr., TSgt, USAF, Chief, Records Management Branch, Administration Division, Department of the Air Force, Headquarters Foreign Technology Division (AFSC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, informed Mr. Boeche that his request had been returned to HQ USAF/DADF for action and direct reply, as HQ FTD is no longer the OPR for this project.

On January 21, 1986, Anne W. Turner, HQ USAF Freedom of Information Manager, attached the "only record" located at her headquarters pertaining to Project Moon Dust, noting that blacked-out portions covered other subjects. The document was identified as "86-028."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy surrounding unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs, and the use of the Freedom of Information Act as a tool to uncover information. The editorial stance, as expressed by Ray W. Boeche, is one of skepticism towards official government statements regarding UFOs and a determination to pursue and disseminate information on these topics, even when faced with potential obfuscation or destruction of records. The journal positions itself as a source for investigating and reporting on the unexplained, aiming to provide reliable information to the public. The issue highlights the challenges and successes of obtaining classified information through FOIA requests, emphasizing the ongoing nature of these investigations.

This issue of what appears to be a specialized publication, possibly from the Fortean Research Center, focuses heavily on "Project Moon Dust" and related intelligence operations within the U.S. Air Force. The content consists primarily of correspondence and official documents related to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made by Ray W. Boeche, Director of the Fortean Research Center.

Project Moon Dust and FOIA Requests

The central theme revolves around inquiries into "Project Moon Dust," an operation described as a specialized aspect of the Air Force's materiel exploitation program, tasked with locating, recovering, and delivering descended foreign space vehicles. The documents reveal a series of FOIA requests and responses from various governmental entities.

Ray W. Boeche initiated a FOIA request on January 2, 1985, seeking "one copy each of any and all memoranda, reports, committee reports, intelligence reports, minutes of meetings, briefings, debriefings, field reports, orders, and any and all other pertinent information concerning an operation known as PROJECT MOON DUST." This request was directed to the Department of the Air Force, The Pentagon.

Responses from different agencies paint a picture of the project's status and the challenges in obtaining information:

• Air Force Space Command (Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado): In a letter dated January 27, 1986, F. P. Thompson, Chief, Records Management Division, stated that they had "no records responsive to your request." The fee for this service was waived.

• Department of the Air Force (Headquarters, Washington D.C.): In a letter dated February 14, 1986, Anne W. Turner, HQ USAF Freedom of Information Manager, responded to Boeche's January 27, 1986 letter, which followed up on his initial FOIA request. She provided answers to specific questions: 1. Air Force Space Command mailed their reply on January 27. 2. The Moon Dust project is no longer active within the Air Force. 3. The Department of State is the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this project and always has been. FTD was OPR for the Air Force. 4. The date of inception is unknown but believed to be in the early 1960s. Turner also noted that while FOIA is for requesting records, they tried to be helpful and suggested ensuring requests are for records in the future.

• National Security Council (Washington D.C.): In a letter dated March 4, 1986, Brenda S. Reger, Director, Office of Information Policy and Security Review, stated that the National Security Council Staff had searched its files and found "no records responsive to your request."

An earlier document, dated January 26, 1987, appears to be a memo or note referencing "INTEGRA MR. CORVETT with 2nd Lt. Joseph L. Thompson, AFKOC, Foreign Technology, 7 January 1967." It also includes a cryptic note about "MOON DUST - Exploit big booster or satellite equipment which fall from the air hence the nase applied (c.r., the plier of Soviet equipment which fell late Wisconsin)."

Air Force Intelligence Teams and Personnel Issues

Several pages of the document (Pages 6-10) are dedicated to a detailed discussion of Air Force intelligence teams, their structure, missions, and significant personnel challenges. This section appears to be from an older document, dated November 1961, concerning "AFCIN Intelligence Team Personnel."

• Mission and Structure: Intelligence teams are described as comprising three men each: a linguist, a tech man, and an ops man, all airborne qualified. They are tasked with supporting various Air Force projects, including UFO investigations (AFR 200-2) and Foreign Technology Division (FTD) projects like "Moon Dust" and "Blue Fly." These projects involve the recovery and field exploitation of unidentified flying objects or Soviet/Bloc aerospace vehicles, weapons systems, and their components. The capability to gain rapid access, perform exploitation, and communicate intelligence reports is deemed vital due to current intelligence gaps concerning Soviet/Bloc technological capabilities.

• Historical Context: The intelligence team concept was originally developed within the Air Defense Command (ADC) in 1953. The 4602d Air Intelligence Service Squadron (AISS) was established with a wartime mission of exploiting downed enemy "people, paper, and hardware." In July 1957, the 4602d AISS spaces were transferred to AFCIN (Air Force Command and Control Intelligence Directorate) for training in peacetime AFCIN functions, with the contingency of supporting CONAD/NORAD in wartime. This capability has been maintained through redesignations, eventually leading to the 1127th USAF Field Activities Group.

• Personnel Shortages: The document highlights a severe and forecast shortage of qualified intelligence team personnel. By November 1962, half of the approximately 21 qualified personnel were scheduled for departure. There was no forecast input of previously qualified personnel. The most critical shortage identified is in Linguists, particularly Russian linguists. Of the five Russian linguists assigned or attached, only two are native speakers, and four are forecast for departure by November 1962. The document discusses potential solutions, including further training for existing personnel, assignment of qualified linguists returning from overseas or ZI assignments on an overage basis, and retaining personnel beyond their normal tours.

• Definitions: Key roles are defined: Linguist (develops intelligence through interrogation and translation), Tech Man (develops intelligence through field examination and analysis of foreign materiel), Ops Man (intelligence team chief, directs teams in target access, exploitation, and communication), and Airborne Personnel (military trained and rated parachutists).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are government secrecy, the challenges of accessing information through FOIA, and the operational aspects of intelligence gathering, particularly concerning foreign technology and potential aerial phenomena. The editorial stance, inferred from the publication of these documents and the detailed analysis of intelligence team operations, appears to be one of critical inquiry into government activities and a focus on the UFO/UAP phenomenon and related technological intelligence gathering efforts.

This document is a collection of declassified intelligence reports and related correspondence, primarily from the 1970s and 1980s, concerning various incidents and investigations. The documents include internal military and intelligence agency communications, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses, and analytical reports.

Document 1: AFCIS Intelligence Team Capability (Page 1) This section discusses the need for AFCIS (Air Force Command and Staff) Intelligence teams for both peacetime and wartime employment. It recommends immediate implementation of actions to maintain the capability at 'cadre' strength and to expand it on a sound basis of personnel acquisition, training, equipping, and employment. Specific actions recommended include: - Providing airborne training and assignment as additional duty to qualified personnel who volunteer for intelligence teams. - Preparing individual justifications for selective overage assignments of intelligence team qualified linguists returning from overseas. - Retaining qualified intelligence team personnel beyond normal duty tours until replacements are available. - Requesting the establishment of a practice to identify previously qualified intelligence team personnel returning to the ZI (Zone of Interior) from overseas assignments, with latitude to assign them to APSC (Air Photographic and Charting Service) and grade spaces that may differ from their possessed qualifications if they have non-APSC skills that can be utilized. - Deploying a ninety-day temporary duty (TDY) AFCI intelligence team to South Vietnam for operations related to US intelligence requirements, with the experience gained being invaluable for future intelligence team utilization. This team would be attached to the Air Attaché in Vietnam under his operational control.

Document 2: Defense Intelligence Agency FOIA Response (Page 2) This is a letter dated July 22, 1986, from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to Mr. Ray W. Boeche of the Fortean Research Center, responding to a FOIA request dated January 2, 1986, for information concerning an operation known as 'PROJECT MOON DUST'. The DIA found seven documents responsive to the request. One document had portions classified and exempt from release under 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(1) (Information properly classified under Executive Order 12356). Two other documents were entirely classified and not releasable. The remaining four documents were provided, with administrative and classification data removed. The letter advises the requester of their right to appeal the decision to withhold records within 45 days.

Document 3: Intelligence Report - Ivory Coast (Pages 3-5) This report, dated November 8, 1973, details an incident in Ivory Coast. The subject is 'Possible Moon Dust (U)'. - Summary: The report describes a 15-inch hollow metal globe with Russian lettering recovered near Daloa, Ivory Coast, on October 7, 1973. Photographs were taken by the Defense Attaché Office (DAO). - Comment: The object might be part of a Russian space vehicle or a Russian aircraft flown from Guinea. - Details: The object was recovered by local Ivorian civilians. Assistance was needed in identifying it. The lettering on the upper half of the sphere was copied. The sphere is described as approximately 6 inches in diameter, with an irregular shaped hole less than 1 inch inside the top pole and a larger irregular hole in the lower pole. The thickness of the sphere is about 3/16th of an inch. It is hollow, empty, and weighs less than 10 pounds. The paint is faded but not burned or scorched, except at the poles. - Incident: The object was seen by Ivorian nationals falling from the sky, possibly from a very high-flying aircraft, at 1100 hours local time on October 7, 1973. It was found and recovered three hours later in a swamp 7 kilometers northeast of Daloa. The object was not warm, likely due to being in the swamp. - Commentary: The opinion was expressed that it might be from a space vehicle, not necessarily USSR. Doubts were raised about whether the locals actually saw it fall. The possibility that it was a fuel tank or other aircraft part from Guinea was also considered, noting the strained political relationship between Ivory Coast and Guinea.

Document 4: Intelligence Report - Switzerland/Canada/USSR (Pages 6-7) This document appears to be a message center report, dated January 25, 1978, concerning the re-entry of the Soviet satellite KOSMOS 954. - Summary: Extensive coverage of the KOSMOS 954 re-entry was provided by Swiss news media, comparing favorably with US papers. German atomic research specialist Heinz Kaminski emphasized the event as a 'technological scandal' that transgressed international agreements on nuclear security. It was reported that the experiments showed disregard for human life and the consequences of 'fallout' would not be determined until the Soviets released technical construction details of the reactor. Kaminski asserted that a satellite with such energy could be intended to destroy satellites or force radar stations out of orbit. - Swiss Preparedness: Although Swiss authorities determined that any 'fall out' would not affect Switzerland, guidelines on precautionary measures were published. The Swiss President of the Federal Commission on Radioactivity stated that by 1961, Switzerland would be optimally prepared with shelters and protective equipment against radioactive emissions. - Alert Systems: Swiss Justice and Police departments informed the press about the radioactive alert systems in use. Alert stations in Saentis and Payerne are connected to a central alert station in Zurich, reporting radioactivity levels every 15 minutes. Alarms are activated in case of radioactive danger. The Swiss are planning to build 180 stations to detect increases in radioactivity. Six stations are operational, and the network will be entirely automatic. According to MP Moll, the effect of KOSMOS 954 was relatively small compared to a nuclear test, and Swiss stations did not register any increase in radioactivity after the accident.

Document 5: Intelligence Report - New Zealand (Pages 8-9) This report, dated June 23, 1972, concerns 'MOON DUST' and the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) report on Space Debris. - Summary: The report forwards a copy of the DSIR analysis of the first four of five metal spheres found between April 3 and May 12, 1972, in the vicinity of Ashburton, New Zealand. The fifth sphere was similar to the larger ones. - Analysis: The report provides detailed visual, spectrographic, chemical, and metallographic analysis of the four spheres. - Conclusion: The four spheres are of modern titanium-based alloys and high-quality fabrication. The design suggests they were gas pressure vessels forming part of a space vehicle. Markings on the spheres appear to be manufacturers' identification markings and are apparently of Russian or East European origin. - Contents: It was noted that proving liability for property damage or personal injury under existing International Space Agreements would be difficult. While the space debris markings indicate origin, there is no conclusive proof of ownership.

Document 6: Intelligence Report - Canada (Page 10) This report, dated January 30, 1978, concerns the re-entry of KOSMOS 954, with information acquired in Ottawa, Canada. - Summary: The re-entry of KOSMOS 954 was observed in the Great Slave Lake Area and received widespread Canadian media attention. Reports addressed the potential for nuclear contamination, the Soviet Union's failure to inform Canadians, and the fact that US satellites are also nuclear-powered. - Political Reaction: During a question period in the House of Commons, Joe Clark, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the issue of whether Canada was treated as an equal NORAD partner in the forwarding of KOSMOS 954 information. Prime Minister Trudeau appeared to handle the question successfully.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in these documents are the investigation of unidentified objects and phenomena, intelligence gathering and reporting, and the implications of technological advancements, particularly in space and nuclear technology. The documents reflect a cautious and analytical approach, with an emphasis on factual reporting, analysis of evidence, and consideration of potential origins and implications. The intelligence reports often highlight the difficulty in definitively proving the origin or ownership of recovered objects and the complexities of international agreements related to space debris and nuclear security. The editorial stance, as inferred from the nature of the reports, is one of diligent investigation and information dissemination within the framework of national security and intelligence protocols.

Title: FORTEAN RESEARCH JOURNAL
Issue Date: November 1978
Publisher: FORTEAN RESEARCH CENTER

This issue of the Fortean Research Journal focuses on the availability of government documents related to UFO phenomena and details a specific incident involving potential space debris in New Zealand.

Document Sets Available from Fortean Research Center

The journal advertises several sets of US government documents obtainable through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These are offered at the cost of xerographic reproduction and postage.

• The Bentwaters Incident: A complete working file on the 1980 alleged UFO landing at a US Air Force base in England. It comprises over 400 pages and costs $38.50.
• FBI Documents: A collection of 235 pages related to FBI surveillance of UFO investigators and research groups, providing insight into the FBI's behind-the-scenes thinking. This set costs $24.50.
• Department of Energy Documents: Approximately 200 pages dealing with the 'green fire-ball' phenomenon observed over Los Alamos in the late 1940s. Some information is difficult to read, and the cost is $21.00.
• Project Moon Dust Documents: A set of approximately 50 pages concerning what appears to be a government effort to recover downed UFOs. The journal notes that efforts are underway to obtain more information.
• Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Documents: 139 pages of previously unreleased documents detailing the DIA's involvement with the UFO problem. Many pages are described as virtually unreadable, but the set includes four documents referencing Project Moon Dust and costs $23.50.

The journal emphasizes that these documents are made available as a service, with prices covering copying and postage, and encourages public access to break the government's 'wall of silence'.

New Zealand Space Debris Incident

The issue includes a detailed report, likely originating from a USDAO (US Defense Attaché) in Wellington, New Zealand, concerning the investigation of possible foreign space material reentry. The report, dated November 1978, references events from October 1978.

Key Details of the Incident:

• Location: Ashburton, New Zealand.
• Observation: A single unconfirmed observation by an Ashburton milkman reported a sighting around 1400 GMT on a north-to-south trajectory.
• Recovery of Fragments:
• On October 24, 1978, a 'space ball' fragment was found by farmer John Lovett in his paddock, approximately 20 km south of Ashburton. This fragment was turned over to the New Zealand Police, who delivered it to the National Radiation Laboratory in Christchurch for a radioactive check (which yielded negative findings). The object was then sent to the NE DSIR for detailed examination and analysis.
• On November 5, a second 'space ball' was found by another Ashburton farmer, also named Lovett (apparently brothers), in an adjoining field, approximately 240 meters from the first. This second fragment was discovered after being struck by a mowing machine and was reportedly damaged.
• Time of Impact: Unknown, but farmer John Lovett was certain the fragment was not in the paddock on October 22. If the milkman's sighting is confirmed, the approximate time of impact would be 1400 GMT on October 23.
• Coordinates: Impact area coordinates are given as 171-44E and 44-14S.
• Physical Characteristics: The recovered 'space ball' is described as a sphere with a welded equator, measuring 188 mm in diameter at the equator and 165 mm at the poles, with a thickness of approximately 3 mm. Its weight is estimated at 882 grams, with an estimated 18 percent original weight loss due to deformation.
• Damage: None reported for the first sphere; the second sphere was damaged by a mowing machine and has not yet been examined for identifying marks.

The report indicates that the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) is involved in the investigation, and the US Embassy in Ottawa was preparing a message detailing Canadian media reaction to the event, suggesting a broader interest or concern.

Help Our Friends

The journal also includes a section listing other organizations involved with the unexplained, encouraging readers to support them financially and in spirit. These organizations include:

• Mutual UFO Network (MUFON)
• Fortean Times
• Arcturus Book Service
• The Gate
• Fair Witness Project
• UFO Newsclipping Service
• Project Stigma/Crux
• Northern UFO News
• Citizens Against UFO Secrecy
• Lake Champlain Phenomena Investigation
• UFO Contact Center International
• Computer UFO Newsletter

The Fortean Research Center also offers its own services, including records, tapes, and books for the New Age Consciousness through 'The Way Home' and lists its own contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy regarding UFO phenomena, the importance of public access to information through FOIA requests, and the cataloging of UFO-related organizations. The editorial stance, as suggested by the quote 'The only way to break the government's wall of silence is to give enough people sledgehammers,' is one of advocacy for transparency and public engagement in uncovering the truth about unexplained phenomena.