Unknown: Moore Delivers Altered Project Aquarius Document
William Moore provided Paul Bennewitz with a modified version of the classified Project Aquarius document, which contained the first recorded appearance of the MJ-12 designation. The alteration replaced NSA with NASA in references to photo analysis.
Background
Background
William Moore, a ufologist collaborating with Air Force Intelligence, obtained the original Project Aquarius document in November 1980 and secured his own copy by February 1981. During summer 1981, he deliberately provided Paul Bennewitz with an intentionally altered version of this classified 1977 document.
The Alteration
Moore modified the memo to change a critical reference from NSA to NASA regarding analysis of Bennewitz's photographs. According to Moore's account, the original document stated that the NSA had altered Bennewitz's images while incidentally confirming their authenticity. The modified version obscured this detail by substituting the space agency designation.
Significance
This document marked the first appearance of the MJ-12 designation in circulation. Moore's action served dual purposes: maintaining his access to classified information from Air Force Intelligence while simultaneously feeding disinformation into the UFO research community. This episode exemplified the broader counterintelligence operation targeting Bennewitz.
Connections
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