JUST CAUSE

Magazine Overview

Title: JUST CAUSE
Issue: NUMBER 8
Volume: NEW SERIES
Date: June 1986
Publisher: Lawrence Fawcett
Editor: Barry Greenwood
Address: P.O. Box 218, Coventry, Conn. 06238
Subscription: 4 issues - $10 ($15 foreign)

Project Moon Dust: Unveiling a Secret UFO Recovery Program

The lead article, "PROJECT MOON DUST," investigates a clandestine government program focused on the recovery of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and advanced aerospace technology. The article posits that this program, likely initiated in the early 1950s, was a crucial part of the U.S. Air Force's intelligence gathering efforts.

Origins and Documentation

The research into Project Moon Dust was spurred by mentions in recently released Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and State Department documents. The code name "Project Moon Dust" appeared in contexts related to UFOs, prompting further investigation. Robert Todd, a researcher for CAUS (Center for UFO Studies), provided background information based on his research from the late 1970s. His inquiries led to the release of an Air Force letter dated November 3, 1961 (identified as "AFCIN-1E-0"), which, despite being partially deleted, shed light on the program's objectives.

Program Objectives and Procedures

The 1961 letter outlines that intelligence team personnel had peacetime duty functions in support of Air Force projects, including "Moondust," "Bluefly," and "UFO." These projects were described as "quick reaction projects" requiring intelligence team operational capabilities. Specifically, "Moon Dust" was defined as a specialized aspect of the Air Force's overall material exploitation program, tasked with locating, recovering, and delivering "descended foreign space vehicles." The program involved a potential for employing 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.

"Blue Fly" was an operation established to facilitate the expeditious delivery of "Moon Dust" material or other items of "great technical intelligence interest" to the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The FTD was also the parent group for Project Blue Book, raising questions about potential overlaps or connections.

The UFO Connection

The article emphasizes that "Moon Dust" and "Blue Fly" were distinct from projects dealing with Soviet/Bloc aerospace vehicles, suggesting that UFOs were considered a separate category of investigation. This distinction is highlighted by the fact that UFOs were set apart from other foreign space vehicles, implying they were not necessarily of Soviet origin. The article speculates that "UFO" in this context might refer to Project Blue Book.

Crash Retrieval and Key Incidents

Rumors of crashed UFOs and recovered alien bodies are mentioned, along with the military's alleged quick response, involving photography, mapping, and interviews, followed by the removal of evidence. The article suggests that "Moon Dust" procedures were designed to handle such scenarios thoroughly. A specific incident detailed is the "Sylacauga object" event on November 30, 1954. A mysterious bright flash and explosions were reported across several states, followed by a six-inch black object crashing into a home in Sylacauga, Alabama. This object caused significant damage and a minor injury. The event triggered an Air Defense alert and a search for fallen objects. Intelligence officers from Maxwell Air Force Base investigated, and the object was eventually labeled a meteorite, though the article questions this conclusion, noting the bright daytime flash and the initial description as an "unidentified flying object."

Donald Keyhoe's 1955 book, "THE FLYING SAUCER CONSPIRACY," is cited for its discussion of a "crashed-object" program, possibly involving the 4602nd Air Intelligence Service Squadron (AISS). This unit, known for its covert operations, was allegedly involved in investigating "unidentified crashed objects," leading to the impression that flying saucer components had been recovered.

Secrecy and Current Status

Access to documentation regarding Project Moon Dust is currently restricted, with the DIA reportedly being the responsible agency. Such access is denied because it would reveal intelligence methods, which are exempt from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. NASA has also been involved, with a memo from January 13, 1969, indicating a visit to the FTD to identify space debris forwarded to NASA and to re-establish liaison with "newly-assigned FTD Moondust personnel."

The article concludes by stating that the Air Force's Moon Dust activity, along with Blue Fly, is "no longer active." However, it suggests that the underlying procedures for reacting to unknown vehicles landing on U.S. soil may still be in place, serving national defense. The editor poses a final question: could an MJ12-type committee have initiated Moon Dust as a response to early UFO events like Roswell, and expresses interest in determining the exact operational start date of the project.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, military intelligence operations, and the persistent investigation into UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking to uncover hidden truths about UFO-related government activities and challenging official explanations. The magazine aims to inform its readers about the complexities and clandestine nature of UFO investigations, emphasizing the importance of transparency and public awareness regarding these matters.