Soooo....what's up with ignoring the most relevant post in this thread??
Originally posted by Pyros
The document in question is commonly referred to as the "NIPOMSUP", more formally entitled "National Industrial Security Operating Manual
Supplement", DoD 5220.22-M-Sup1. It is national security guidance for DoD Special Access Programs. The link provided by the OP is for a draft
version - there is a more updated version from 1995, which can be found on the FAS website. The document is not classified, nor has it ever been
classified. It is marked "For Official Use Only", which simply means that it is exempt from public release, and cannot be requested via a standard
FOIA request. However, versions have been leaked to the public since it was originally issued, and it is pretty standard stuff at this point.
Cover story are a standard part of many Unacknowledged SAPs, and they are used to screen or disguise activities that, if observed by uncleared persons
or the general public, could reveal a classified activity, capability, or limitation of a current system. Sometimes they are employed to prevent our
enemies from becoming aware of our presence in a certain area.
Thanks for explaining that
Pyros!!!
Peace