Re St el ees eC ee el ete ele ero aol LLU tele ol THE BLACK VAULT Lee See Re steel laa oad ae Pao eoameto sgh RECORD CLEARING HOUSE IN THE WORLD. THE RESEARCH EFFORTS HERE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DECLASSIFICATION OF THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, AND ALL CAN BE DOWNLOADED BY VISITING: RIALS ate eh a7 Ueto) YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORWARD THIS DOCUMENT TO YOUR FRIENDS, BUT PLEASE KEEP THIS IDENTIFYING IMAGE AT THE TOP OF THE PDF SO OTHERS CAN DOWNLOAD MORE!DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE iw wine L-P, 11 CS/SCSR (FOIA) MLD Ae 8 1009 Bir Force Pentagon Washington pe 20339-1200 ar, Dear Mr. Greenevald This is in response to your August 8, 1996, Fraedem of Inforaation Act requests. We forvarded your request to the Nationsl Archives and Resoris Aduinis-ration, archives Keview Branch, Room 18W, Washington, De 20408. ‘they will reply directly to you. ALC Smslley is our action offacer on (703) 695-4992. sineszely ; pf or hs sp a Aa Tuitisshe ef (Cfatittera p. cxace Freecom of Information Manager 96-1346 WORLD-CLASS PEOPLE - WORLE-CLASS Si/PRORTHOUSE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES ap desaou, Arn COMORTAR L. MENDEL RIVERS, Goumn Corctinn, Cheismen WILLIAM H. BATES, Manwachusettt LEAT ¢, ARENDS. Tinale ALVIN E, 2 KONSE], Wtsrnnain WILLIAM G, PRAY, indians PORTER ARDY, In, Virgioia BOR WILHON, Celiterula nie, Prin SRaRZes 8 UNE, Geliterate Seabee. BYSNI Penangivani CHAMGEA W, CAMEOLRLATH, Mchme RAMU i STHALTON, New To TURRANDEH Ble, New York tenis Be vike, Sew Yer Dunwaen 6, Tack, Mimoard CIE Rea (Sic) ROAD, Niwot BONAED D.CoANCT, Poe tofu CanNOs, Korte Chon eRe RONWOLREE, Prray77ana Sia), madhalte Mined Uinruters uagan, Gnepe a PHILIP 4, PHILBIN. Mamacrosetin F. EDWARD BORERT, Louisiane MDLVIN FRICE, Misolx 0, C, SIBHBH, ‘Texna Callturnis. Tap 2GnNEOR, Ta, Oriaboms Seda iy BVANE, Colarneo RODNET AL LOE, LOSE, HiGea, Weehincton Gimevar a. MACHEN, Margiend INYO. LONG, Louie SEE JOHNNY WALIERI, New Mexleo SANTIAGO POLANCOABRE, Puerta Rivw, Retldent fuaimi sioner PROFRSHIORL STAFF soos Rvancevan, Chet Qwanae Phe Knuomite, Davee Fusre a maneme, towed ana cnt TET dladan, efeotmal Saf stoner earn tonal Map emer Funatron, Profenioua Bag Amber [No 657 UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS Tlousn or Representatives, MUTTIES OW Arwen SrRVICES. Washington, D.C., Tucetay, April 6, 1968. The committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:38 a.m. the Honomble L. Mandel Rivers (chairman of tha committee}, presiding, The Cramaax. Let the committee come to order. Members of the committee, Secretary Erown and General McCon nell ara back this morning for the purpose of responding io questions. At the end of our last hearing T asked that Secret: Toven sive us some information with: respect. fo unidentified fying chjects. Iunder- stand that he is prepared to do that this morning and I aiso understand gat, he has ch an Dr. 7 alien Hypek, constant ta Project. Plus which ie the charged wit onsibility with respect lo THOM Ales presel ee nee Me eee Qe UFO project oflicer, Lthink it would ba well rn pet the UFO business out of the way first. So I vill ask Dr. Brown lo give us lis report at this time, ‘Mr. Secretary, see if you can shed some Jigat on these highly iflumi- nated objecta, ‘Wo can't just write them off. There are too many responsible people who are concerned, Mr. Ford has comacom, he has a pretty good size. stature in the Con- grem, and so tell mo what you know, Mr. Secretary, and let's sea if we cat hove some anewere. Jo ahead, Mr. Secrstary, Brows, Mr. Chairman, I have a leiter hore which is ad- drewed to you, and Taigned it, Let me ran through it quielly, because it summarizes pretty well what our views are on unidentified flying lowin, thet if there are some questions, I can try to answer them, or the Chief, or De. Hynelz, or Major Quintanills. The Cuamoiax. Why don’t we have the doctor come up to the table now, becuse when we slart asking, questions we will have him there, and ‘we will just go all over the board. Sit at theend of thetable, Doctor. Go shead, sir. STATEMENT OF HON. HAROLD BROWN, SECRETARY OF ATR FORCE _ Secretary Brown. This is in reponse of your recent request for information concerning: Air Force activities In the area of reported unidentificd flying objects, ‘Within the Department of Defence the Air Farce has the respon: sibility of investigating ceports on nnidentified dying objects and of (on)5992 i i i h ob- i ble threat to our national security that suc! oe pose Tn a ing out. this responsibility let me assure you that the Air Fores is both objective and thorough in its treat: vent of all repotis of unusual aerm] objects over the Uniled States. ‘Under the name “Project. Blue Bool,” the Air Force carries, out . three-phase program. We. (1) make an initial invertigation of en ort received | (2) ‘thake a more detailed analysis of reports not cpanel: and” (3) disseminate information on sightings, findings, 5 ot a etder to evaluate this subject. ae thoroughly as possible, the capabilities of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board have recently bean focused upon the subject of UFO's. This Board has Just com- leted a. detailed review of this subject and concluded that the FO Fenomens presents no threat, to the security af the United States, end that the present Air Force program dealing with UFO sightings has been well, organized, Recommendations by the ourd area study and aro expected to lead to even 5 gently wader a pecta of investigating the sightings that warrant *Tineed ‘up ae at reported sightings from 1947 through 1965, 8 summary of which is attached, J believe it significant that, che Air Force has succesded in identifying 9,501 of fhe obj ots. mel a 1 of these sightings were derived from subjective numa pervations ana i tiona, The most common of these were astro’ ine That ineluded guch things as bright. stars and planets, comets and roral streamers. | . PE ee oe reported sightings include such objects 48 satallites, minages and spurious radar indications. The remaining 648 reported 6] htings are those in which the information avaliable does not provide an adequate basis for analysiny OF for phich the in ‘i wecsts hypothesis but the abject or pheno - firing # ouwnot bo proven to have been hare or taken place at that on evaluating these sightings, the Air Forco has used carefully selected and highly qualified scient i 15 meers, technicians, am consultants, These personnel have uti ized ihe finest Air Fores labo- ratories, test centers, scientific justrumentation, and technical eqnip- met ae Re pee 18 yours of investigating whidentified flying ob- joats have not identified any threat to our nat ional security, of 61 lee that the unidentified objects represent developmen |s or principles scientific knowledge, or any evi beyond preentcle the Air Force will continue to investigate such phenomena with an open mind and with the finest technical eqnip- ment available. eperial report of the USAT Sciantifie Advisory Baal Ad Toe mmittes To Review Project “Blue Book,” the latest iti i k, dated February 1, 1966, and an Air ee se rai ad Books PO sightings af Dexter, Mich, on March 20, 1966, and at Tiflsdate, Mivh,, on March 21, 1906. ut I trust that the above information wi tae of assistance to you. in can help you further in any way, please do not hesitate to Jet me know. {The information referred to is as follows:} Sightings of unidentified Mying objects voi | vininonteen Yeor ‘Total Uniden ited atebtings sightings fr au w ne 00 2 18 oF 4 aD a ug fr 7 u Li a 00 ome rf a7 a 16 HAS a 1014 8 1.006 Ain Foncs Bravexent Resanwise tee UFO srommda ar Drxicx, Miu, on Manca 20, 1006, Ax HiLtAiarc, Mick, ow Marce 21, 1560 The Investigation of thew two sightings wad conducted by Ds, J. Alien Hynek, seluntifie consultant to Project Rlue Book; personnal from Selfridge Alt Force Base, Mic! nd persounel frum the Project. Hine Book offer at Wright-Pacter- wo Add ease, Ohie, In addition to these two spectiic cases, there hag been a Good of reports from this area uth Before and after March 2 aud 21. The investigating persounel have not nad the time to investigate all uf these. It has been determined. how- ever, thal iu Hillwdule. over and above the sincere and honest reporting by the voung lkdies af. Iilisdale College, errtain young suec Lave played pranks with flare. It has miso been determined that the photographs releawet yesterday through the prews was taken on Mareh 17 just before sunrise ueur Milan, Mich. ahd have oothing to do will (he cases In question, ‘The photetraph cietrly shuws trully made as a result of 1 time exposure of the rising crescent moon and the planet Veous, The majority of observers fo buth the Dexter and Hilladalc caaca have reported caly silent glowing lights near the grownd—-red, yellow, and Lluecrsen. ‘They hava not deseribed an ubjecl, The ouly two observers whe dirl ncseribe an olject ave stated that ther were na elise then S00 yaniy—better than a quarter of a mile away—a distanes: which does not allow details to be determined, Witnesses have deyeribed glowing lghts—lights (ual geem to move but dever far frm a definite place or lights which amddenly dixappeared and popped. Upatancther place. The locale in both cams wan a ewomp. Iq both cases, the lamtion of the glow was pinpninted—in Dexter it was seen berween two didtant groups of people and al Hillsdale it was acen in a wwampy depression between the gizle and the distant Crees Tt was in both cases a vers lucalized phenomena, The swampy location is rine. significant. Aavump te a place of rotting vexelalion and decomposition. Swampa are not 4 province of mutromemers, Yet, the famous Dutch asLrouemer, Minpoert, in bis book, “Light and Colour in the Gpen Aly," describes lights that hve been seen jo ewninps by the aedroooner, Leseel, and other excellent nbservers. The lights Feemble tiny flames semetimes seen right on the ground and sometimes rising atd doating above it, ‘The flame: go omt in one place and suddeniy appear in asother, giving the Liston of wiutiou, ‘The colors are sometimes yellnw, some- ‘nen red, And sometiines hlumgreen, Neo hent is fett, and the lights do not buen or ebay the ground. They cun appear for hours at a atreteh abd sometiines for awhole night, Generully, there 1a no sniali and no awihd execpt for the popplag sound of Little explosions sich as when a gus burner iguiLey, The rotting veretation prmtuevs marsh gus whieh can he trapped dnring (he winter by jon When the spring thaw orrura, the ges may tir released In rome quantity, The flame, Minwaert says, isa form of chemiegt luminescence, and its low temperature teoone of it< poenline features, Exartly how if oevnra in mnt known and cenid well be the sublet of former investizntion, The glowing lights over the swamps wea Dexter and Hilladale were observed for 2 of 3 Rowen. end they were red. green, aud yellow, They appeared to move Bacay and to ria 4 short distinee, No round wos heart execpt a nopping foun5004 It seems ettirely [kety that as the present spring thaw enie, the trapped - gasea, CH HS, and PH, resulting frum decomposition of organic material, ware releuued. ‘The chemistry book by Mtenko end Plane hna this to say: “In alr, Phosphiné PB, daualiy hirsta into fame apparently because be bs iguiled by m epontagevua vzidativo vf the impure }i2. ‘Ube willof-thewiap, sometimes observed Ip marshes, niay be dne to spontaneous isultion of impure PH, which might be formed by reduction of tinturaNy ocewrring phosporus compound.” Tt hag been pointed ont to the investiquting peryoouel by olber scientists In thig area that lo pwarmpa the formation of HS and CH, from rotting vegetation iaeommon. ‘These could be ignited by the xpontateous lurhing of PH, The asecelation of the alghtings with swamps (no thix particular Inatance [a more than coincidence. No group of witnesses chserved ony eratt coming to or going away from the eWamp, The glow wax localized, and Deputy Fitzpatricé deveribed (he glow from beyond 4 rier adjacent te the swaip as risible through the treed, Ha stated that the light brightened und dlmined much us wage du— amovitly and glowly-—and this deseription exactly fits the Hllladale sighting ala. The brightening and dimming could hove been due t the release of vart Able quantities af marsh ga ‘The disappearance of the lighta when people got close with Heshiights or car- lights would Indicate that the glow seemer bright to dark-adapted eyes, ‘The ight was dark and there was Do moon. The Hillsdale girls kept their rooms dark in onder to see the swamp lights. 1{ appears very Hkely that, the combination of the conditions of this partienlar winter (an unusually mild one in that aren) and the pattienlar weather condl- tlona of that nlght—it was clear and there was Utde wind at eltber Jonation— were such as fo have produced thia unnsual and puzzling dixplay. Besota, Report or Tae RAF Screntiric Apvraory Bossy Ap Hoo Commarree ‘To Revirw Puosucr Buux Boor L INTRODUCTION As requested In a memérandum from Maj. Gen. BE. B, LoRailly, Sectetary of the Alr Foree Officer of Information, dnted Sentember 28, 1005 {tab A}, & Belentifle Advisory Banrd Ad Moc Committee met on February 2, 1966, to review Project Rine Book. The objectives of the committee ace io review the resources and methods of inveatigation prescribed by Project Blue Book and te advise the Alt Poree of any improvements that can be made Im the program ty enhance the Air Force's capability in carrying out Ita responsibility. In order to bring themselves up to date, the members of the ermmitten intially reviewed the findings of previous aclentific panels charged with looking inte the UFO problem. Partictilat attention wks giren to the report of the Robertson nel which wae rendered In January 1658, The commitice next heand briefings Prom. the APSO Foreign Technology Divicion, which 1a the cognizant Air Force Ageney that collates information on UFO sightings and monitors investiga tloos of individual cases, Finally, the committee reviewed selected vase histocicg of UFO sightings with pariicnlar emphasis on those that have oot been identified. Mf, DIBCUBBIOM Although aAbont 6 percent (646) of all sightings (10.147) in the yenrs 1047 through 15 are listed by the Air Foree ae “Unidentified,” it appears to the committee that most of the cases an Hated ate elomply those in whieh the iofor mation available does uct provide am adequate hadis for analyals. [n this cot nection it ls Lmportant eleo to note that ne unidentified objects other than those of an aatronemical nature hare ever been obs: durlog routine astrowomical studies, in spite of the large nuinber of observing honrs which have heen devoted to the eky, Ax oxamples of thin the Palomar Observatory Sky Atlas containd some 0.000 plates moade with large inatromenta with wide field of view: the Harvard meteor project of 1904-58 provided some 3,900 honors of okmervation; the Smitheonlan visual ‘prairie network provided 2.500 observing hours. Not @ cingle unidentified object hae been reported ag appearing on any of thew pintee or been sighted visually In all these obrervations, The committee contluded that in the 19 rears aince the first CPO was sighted thera hag been ho avidenre that. unidentified flying sbjecta wre m threat to our national gecurity, Having arrived at this conclusion the committee then turned its nttentlon te considering how the Air Force abould baudle the acientifie rapecta 5995 of the UFO protlem, Unavoldatiy these are clio retated to Air Foree peblle Telatinnr, 1 Rubject on which the eommitiee is net expert. Thus the reco juendations whieh follow arr made simply frum the scientific point of view. TIL CONCLUSIOTd AND RECOMMENDATIONS It ta the optaion of the committee that the present Alr Force program dealing with [FO sightings bas been well organized, although ihe resources assigned to it (only one officer, a sergeant. und secretary} have been qnite limited. In 18 years and more than 10,000 sightings recorded and claseifled, there appears to be uu verified and fully satisfaciory eridence of any vase ibet is clearly ontelde the framework of presenily knows wclence ani technology. Nevertheless, there Ja alwaye tho possibility Inat analysin of new sightings may provide some additions to sclentific knowledge of yntne to the Air Force. Moreover, actus of the ease records which the committee looked that were listed as “Identified” were alghtings where the evidence callevted wns too meager or too Lodefinite ta permit positive Uating in the Ideutided ntegory, Because of this the comtulttee recom a sends that the present program be strengthened to provide opportunity for scien- le investizadion of selected slghtinga In more detail) and depth than lua beeu possible te date, Te acenmptish thia it Is recommended that— (a) Contracta be Degotiated with a few selected universities to provide evientific taame to Investigate promptiy and in depth certala selecied sight- ings of UFO's. Each team should iticlude at least oua peychologist, pret- erably ane interested in cligical psychology, and at least one physical sclen- Use, preferably au awlronumer or geophyriclat famUlar with Atmospheric physles. The universities should be chonen to provide good gengraphical distribution, and should be within convenient dietance of & base of the Air Force Systems Gummand (AFSC). (b) At each AFSC base an officer skilled in lnvertigution (but not neces sarily with eclentific training) should be dealgnater to work with the cor Tesponding university team for that geoymphicat seetion, The loal repre- sentative of the Afr Foree Office of Sperin] Tnvestizations (OSI) migbt be a logiea! thaice for thie. {c) Ove university or one not-for-profit organization should be velected to coordinate the work of the leams muntiuncd ander (a) above, And also to imake certain of very clase communication and coordination wilh the Ofllee uf Project Blue Book. It fe thought that perhaps 100 sightings a year mighl br subjected to thig close study, und that possibly an averige of 10 man-days might be required per sighting so studied. ‘The Inferrontion provided by euch a program might ring to light new taete of srientifie ralue, and would almost certainly provide w far Vetter busla than we bave today for decision on a long-term UFO program. The scientific teports on these selected sightings, supplementing the present , program of the Preject Biue Book office, should strengthen the publle pusition of the Air Foree on (FO'« Tt 14, therefore, recommended that— (a) These reports be printed In fall and be available on reqnest, (4) Sultable abstracts or condensed versions be printed and iueluded in, or aa etpplements to, the published reports of Project Blue Look. (o) The form of report (as typified by Project Blue Book daled Fel- roary 1, 1966) be expanded. and anything which might suggest that informa- tion is being withheld {anch ax the wording on page 5 of the ahove elted Teferency] be deleted. The form of thia report can be of great Importance im securing public underxtaodlug nut shorld be given detailed atndy hy an appropriate Air Force office, (&} ‘Tha reports Project Blue Bonk should be given wide unsolicited ciredlation among prominent Menibers of the Qougress and other pahite persons as a furiler ald to public understanding of the sclentifie approach being taken hy the Air Foree in attacking the W190 problon, « DEPARTMENT OF THE A1k FeRce, OFFICE OF THE ARCRETART, Woshiagion, 11.0., September 28, 1865, Memorandum for wllitary dlrector, scientific wdslsory board Subjoct : Unidentified fring objects (TI FO'a) In keeping with its air defense rule, (be Alr Force haa the responsiblity for the investigation of unidentified Aying objects reported over Une Unilat Sites,6996 ject ig Blue Rook {attachment 1}. Procedures for cone ree progr’ fare established by Air Foree cexulation 200-2 (attach mek of Tune 80, ban conducted Project Blue Book since 1948, as of J , 100 a taal of BT reporis had been investiguésd by the Alr Puree. Of thewe t be explained, ie hae Fer OOS a hed be the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staf/l'lans and Qperaiions that Droject Bloc Book iva worthwhile program which cleserras tue aunport of all staff agencies And major commauis and that the Air Forve shed continne to investigate and analyze all UPO reporta In order to asetire jut puch vbjects do not preseul a threat to onr national security. ‘The es a Deputy Cblef of Stal/Plana and fperaiions has determined alo that ie Fowles Technology Division (FID) at Wright-Patterson Air Fores Hage shor) Continge to exerciee ita preseully assigned responsibilities concerning CFO's. Ten sate the dir Force haa found ve evidence thet ony of the 20 repo redicte a ihreat to amr national security. However, many of the reports thet eonnt be explalued have come from Intelligent and tecunienily well qualified Thalyidunis whose Integrity cannot be doubted, In addition, the reports Zeon ve Oiclally by the air Force include only & fruclon of the epectucwlar reports elzed by any private UFO organizations, rs pain iys i fe rE dented that a working scientific panel compared of bet physics! and soci] selentiats be organived to revlew Projret Ine Bowe ib re. SITES, aed findings —and te wdvise the Air Force ad Lo any improvr- mente Seto be made jn te program in order to carry out the Aly Force's seems hilea apace who ig the chairman of the Dearbura Observatory at "1 f Fe x tern University Ya the aclentific consultaat to Project Blue Book, ere ‘eliltngnecs to work with aueb a panel io order Co place thie prob! tive. Oo ee Pe Peteeyeges. tris problema with Dr. Winton, Markey, the former Air Force Chief Scientist. nL B. tetanst, Mojor Gmueral, UAAP, Director of Information. AD Hoo Gonaarrres ox UNIDEeTreren FUYISe Oasrera (UFO) AGERDA Troreday, 3 Fetrucry 1968 ©2800 Welcomlug rematks: Commander or vice commander, FID. traduction: Dr. (Brien, HAB, oie tne Force previem; Lieutenant Colonel Spaulding, SAPO. 0890 Briefing on Project Blne Bovk : Majer Quintanilla, FTD. 1000 Break. 1015 Review of selected cane histories; FTD Batt, 1145 Lunch. 4815 EDxecative and writing session. SrrotaL ®£BOeT OF THE USAF ACIENTIFIC AUVIGORY BOARD 4D for Com MITTEE TO REVIEW TROJECT BLUE BOOK Distribution BAFOI. AFRDC, Bygeglary of the Ale Foro Oflite at Information, Meany Dire ec chair, o> Eater Tar, Jess Orisawky, OF. Richard Porter, Dr. Chal Hagan, LT. ‘ Wace. penn - 5 Commander, Foralgn Technalty Division. 5 Sammenet, Hochaare (aa 2 ‘Ghaleman, Wb. i SAB pocrolatiat this report including all times, dates, places, & decline nS acuendauce Fposes therefor, together wlth Ubetr aditia- Hating of persone ih attendance ond py 5997 (ous aml inuterlal reviewed und dlevussed, ure uvailable in the SAB secretariat offices for review by authorized persons or agencies. Appravidl by : Hasoip A. SrecNer. Liewtenant Ooloned, UNA, Assistant Secretary, (8A F Scientife Adwtaory Board. Puoseet Bure Boor The US. Air Force has the responsibility under the Department of Llefense for the Invertigacion of uaidentlfitd tying objects (UFO's). The name of this program, whieh haw been in operation slace 1948, ls Project Bluc Bonk. Tt bax been identified io the past as I'reject Sign and Project Grudee. t Force [ntorest in unidentified flying objects is related directly ta the Air Fores responsiblity for the air defense of the Wiudled Blaley. Procedures for conducting this program arg estoblished hy Air Forre Regulation 200-2, The chjectives uf Uke Project Blue Buuk are gwofuld; drut, te delermiue whethet UFO's pose « threat to the security of the United States ; and, second, ta determine whether UF's exhibit. any unique uclertific Information or advanced technology which could contribute to sclentifie or technical research. In the course of Accomplishing these objectives, D’roject Blue Book strives to identify and explain all FO slghtings reported to the Air Foree. ROW THE FROGAAM If CONDUCTED ‘The program is condueted in three phasis. The firet phat includes receipt of UPO reporis and initial investigation yf the reports, The Alr Borve base Rearest the location of a reported sighting ia charged with the responsibilty of investigating the sighting and forwardiug the tsformallus ly We Proiect Blue Book Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Thaxe, Qhiy, Tf the initial inveatigation dopa not reven En positive identifiention ar explann- Hon, 2 second phasa of mnury intensive analpyls ix vonductel ly the Projet Blue Hook fier. Eneh ease in abiectively and srientifically analysed and, tf neces sary, all of the acientific facilities avilable to the Ady Furce win be used. ta assist in arriving at an identification or explanation. All personnel xssocleted with the investigation, analysis, and evaluation efforts of the project view eneh report with a acientifle npproach and an open mind. The third phase of the program is dikamination of Inforination conerening UFO alghtings, evaluations, and scutisties, ‘This iy aceimplished by the Horne tary of the Air Forre, Office of Information. The Air Porec defines an noidentified Ayby object as any mercial object whick the ebpecver fa unnble to identify, Beports of unfamiliar chjects in the sky are submitted te the Air Woree from Many sources. These sourced include military and civilian pilots, wearher ob- servers, amateur astronomers, business and profersional men and women, and houpewlves, etc. Prequentiy sich objects ad misaller, balloons, bindd, kites. eearohiighta, alrecatt savigation and anticulisien bencom, jet eocine exhaust, condensation trails, Astronomical bodies and meteorological phenomena are mistakenly reported 16 unidentified flying objects. The Alr Force groups ita evaluations of UFO reports under thres general head- Inga: (1) identified, (2) Iuvuficient dala, aud (3) unidentified, Identified reports are those for which suffclent apeciic information bre been accumulated and evaluated Lo permit a posltive [dentificatlon oe explanation af the obnfect- Reports cotegerized as “Insufficient Data” are there for whick one or more ele- Inenty of Lofurmetion casentinl for evaluation are wilssing Some examples are the oitission of the duration of the sizhting. date, Lime, location, position in the eky, weather condltlons and the manner of appearance or disappearance, If the element is missing and there in un indieution thet the alghting may be of & security, acientltic. teclulend, or pulilic Interest value, the Project Blue Kouk Office eenducta an additional Investigation and evéry uttetmpt 1s made to obtain the fi formation necesuzy for Wdentifiention, However, in sume inatances, cxsentlal Ln- formation cannot Iw blaine], and ud further action can betaken. 50-086 O—86—No, 55——2- 5908 fay the smallest group of evaluations is eategorized aR eng nt 8 tlie Is considered mmidentifigd whec & report ayymrently gontaina all pertinent data necessary to suggest a valid hypothesiv concerning Che tale or explanation of the report tht Lhe description of the object or its motion tannot be correlated with uny known object or uhenomens. TEPes oF LIF) TENTIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONA are varions of UFO sightings. Most common are reports of estrone ita Sandeer eh include bright diazs, planets, comets, fireballe, tueteors, agroral skreammerd, and other celewtial bodies, When olvetved through hose, Hgbt fog, muving clonds, or other obweitations o> umurual conditions, the planets, includiag Venus, Jupiter, and Wars bare been reported as unidentified Hying objecta. Stellar mirage are also a source vf reports. \ Stoailites are muuther major anurce of CFO reporta. An increase In satellite reported as UFO's fas come about becuse of twa factors. The ret ls the in- erease af interest an the part of the public; the necand is the Increasing muimber eeerteliites in the ution, Positive knowledge of the location of all satellites af All thmes enabled rapid identification of antellite alghtings: Keeping truck of Manmade akjects iu ofble about the earth ls the revponsihility of the Nortn American Air Defense Command apace detection and tracking system. ThIR aophistionted electronic rystem gathers complex space traific data tnstantly from nckiny ons all over the world. Giner ace Surveillance activities include the ure of bullitle tracking and Jarge telesciple cameras, ECIIO achednies are premired hy the NABA Goddard Space Flight Center at Greenbelt, ‘Mid., and scheditlea of toe south-necth Equator eroasings are prepared by the Smithaonlen Tostitution at Cambridee, Mass, From the data produced by these agencies, vuteliites mistakenly reportel 4s UFO" can be quickly identified. Some of these are visible to the onked eve. Nireeatt areount for another major amiece of UFO reports, particularly doving adverse peather condlilong, Whe nbacrver at high altitudes and at some dis- fines, alreraft can have appearances ranging from diac to rocket shapes doe to the refiection of the sn on thelr bright surfaces, Yapor or condensation Uralls from jet alrcratt will sometimes appear to glow fiery red ar crange when reflect: ing punllght. Afterburners from Jet aircraft are often Teported as UFO's Bince they can he seen frum gredt distances when the alreraft cannot fe: seen. The Project Hine 00k Offer has direct contact with all elements of the Alr Force and the Federal Aviation Agency cittl air control centers. All aerial refueling operations and epecial Lraining ‘Bgliis can be checked iminediately. Alr traific of commercial airlines and Aights of military mirvraft are checked with the nearest enntrol centet, enabling an immeriiate evaination of aircraft mlstukeuly reported aa UFO's, However, since many local flights are niut watried, theme fights ate probable cnuses of some reports, Balloons continue to be reported ag UFO's. Several thousand pelloons are released each day from fallitary aud civilian alrports, weather stations, and Te weareh Activities, There are several types of balloons—wenther ballocus, wawinagndes, radiosondes. and (hc large rerearch balloons which bare diameters np te 300 feet, At olght, balloona carry ronning lighta whieh cause ao unmenal anpearaoes when observed. Refiertlon of fie sun on balloons at duwu and sunset nowmetimes produce strange effects, ‘This uanally occurs the ballgon, becanse Of ite altitudes, if exposed to the sun. Large balloons cA move nt spends of over {00 miles per bour when moving in bigh altitude jel windstreama, These balloons gometimes nppear to be flattened on top, At other times, they appear to be raucer. shaped and te bave Lighby mounted inalte the bay itgelf dae to the sun's Tass peflecting through the material of the balloon, The Balloon Gmtrol Conter at Holloman Ait Fotes Base, N. Mex,, mnintaing # plot ov all mllitary upper alr re- xearch balloons, “Another category of UPO evalnatinns labeled “ther” includes mixalles, reflec done, mirages, ecarchlights, birds, kites, spurious radar indleations, hoaxes, Ate tks, and area. wectreran, natelites, balloons, and the like shnwld not ve reported since they do not falt within the defaition of an unidentified Bying objert. ONCLUSIONS ‘Do data, the firm conelusiona of Project Blit Rook are: (1) oo unidentified fying ubject reported, Investizated. and evaluated by the Alr Force baa ever 5009 siven any indicatlon of threal Lo uar uational security; (2) there tn eridence submitted to ur diseovered by the Air Foree That alghtings satenerena a8 unidentifled represent technolngicnl developments or principles beyond the range of presenlaluy scientific knowledge; and (3} there has heen no evidence indicating that rightings categntiaed aa neidentitied are extru terrestrial vehloter The Alt Force will continne to tqvestigate afl reports of unnsuel aerial phe- nomena over the United States. ‘The services of qualified selemtists end tech- Ticlans will eoutinue to be ued to investigate and analyze these reports, and perindle reports on the enblect will be made. The former chairman uf Uhe House Armed Services Committee, Mr. Carl Vin- aon, recently commented om the conduct of the UFO program by the Air Force and Ftated that congressional hearings on this subject are unnecessary. The Air Force does not deny the possthility that some form of lite may extat on other planets in the nnirerse, However, to date, the Air Korea hag neither Teneived nor discovered any evidence which proves the existence end intraspace monility of extra terrestrial life. The Alr Fore: eoutiouws to extend an gpell invitation te anyone who feels that he possesses any evidence of extta terrestrial vehicles operating within the earth's near space envelépe to aubmit bix evidence for analyvin, Initial contact for this purpose ie through the following adriress: Project Blue Book Information Office, SAFO Washlogton. D.C. : Anyone observing what he considers to be an unidentified fying object ehuald report It te the ararest Air Force base. Persons submitting a UO report. to the Alr Force are free to discuss any aspect of the report with auyume. The Afr Force doea not aeek to timil discussion on such reporte and does net withbold orcensor any information pertaining w (his uueluseilled program. MONAVAILABILITY OF maTERTALS The following ttems ure for internal use only and are not avalinble for dis. tribution to the pmitlic, These concern Internal management and procedures for forwatding UI) reports to the approprinte agenry ; 1, Alr Force Regulution 200-2, 2, TANAT 146, © Afr Farce hag no films, photographs, maps, charts, or grapha ef on- identified fying objects, Phatographa that have been maboitted fr eeaicacion in confumetion with TIO reports have heen determined to be a misinterpretation of catnral or cunventional objects, ‘These oblects have 2 postive Identification, The Alr Force no longer possesses, and thus does not have fer distribution, eutdated reports on Project 4ign. Project Grudge, Blue Hook Special Report No 14, and outdated Projert Blue Book presa releases, Nonmilitary TF) publiea- tions should be requested from the nublisher, net the Air Force. SVUGESTED BEADING MATERIAL Rooks listed tefow deal with facts and theories about our solar universe, the wun, planets, comets, meteorites, the unlverse, stnre, constellations, and galaxlen: telescopes, the rorpotation af tine us if rolutes to ustronomy, star napa and charte, und the bistury of astevoomy. “Sky and Telescope.” by Sky Publishing Corp., Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, Mass, Monthly magazine, ) cents per. copy. “Weather Hieinents,” by Hlalr, published Prentice Hall. _qtlapter on often tnisidentified woather phenomenn, Planels, Stach, anil Spice," by Chamberlain, Joseph M., and Nicholson, Thomas D. An Itlustrated, untechnical explanttion of the earth, planets, stars, and the aiaree. Prepared in cooperation with the Ameriean Museum of Natural J “innior Science Tinok of Stars,” by Crosby, Phoebe. An eacy to read, exciting story of what stlentists know about the stara, plaosts, the Moon, and the Milky: Way, ‘Chahenge of the Untverse,” by Hynek, J. Aen and Anderson, Norman THs cueus nature of the-universe: astronomy aod ee ee entar iy eosmelogy, published by “fhe Story of the Stara," by Maloney, Terry.” An Introduction to the gntverae: our solar aysten. our galaxy. and other galaxies, Maoy interesting lllnstraled analogies help bulld eonrepts of size and distance. Tneludes reference to the Van Allen radiaiton belly and zodiacal light ubservalion of 1980. Has an excellent