Operation Northwoods

Classification: GOVERNMENT REALITY MANUFACTURING | Confidence: DECLASSIFIED — DOCUMENTED FACT

On March 13, 1962, the Joint Chiefs proposed Operation Northwoods — a plan to stage terrorist attacks on American soil and blame Cuba.

The Proposal

• Stage bombings in Washington, D.C. and Miami
• Hijack aircraft and shoot down civilian planes
• Sink a boatload of Cuban refugees and blame Cuba
• Blow up a US ship at Guantanamo Bay

JFK Said No

Kennedy rejected the plan. Three months later, he relieved General Lemnitzer as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Declassified in 2001.