USA: Release of alleged MJ-12 briefing documents by Heather Wade
Radio host Heather Wade published papers claiming to be classified Majestic-12 briefings via her show 'Midnight in the Desert'. Stanton Friedman initially examined the materials. Subsequent analysis by The Black Vault identified multiple characteristics suggesting the documents were fabricated.
Background
On June 13, 2017, Heather Wade released a collection of documents through the website midnightinthedesert.com, claiming they represented new Majestic-12 briefing papers. The release included a statement that nuclear physicist Stanton Friedman had examined the materials and considered them unprecedented. However, John Greenewald of The Black Vault conducted a detailed critique exposing numerous flaws. The documents displayed improper security markings, using 'TOP SECRET' without required codewords typically accompanying such classifications in genuine materials. Furthermore, they contained 'CLASSIFIED' stamps used for redactions, which would be illogical for an original briefing intended for presidential review. The papers also referenced 'Project AQUARIUS,' but declassified government records confirm this was an ocean surveillance initiative, not an extraterrestrial research program. These inconsistencies led to the assessment that the documents were likely hoaxed.