AOIMSG Briefing Cards (FOIA 22-F-0381)

U.S. OSD(PA) BRIEFING CARD
Coordinated with: OUSD(I&S), Navy
Prepared by: (b)(6) 1
AOIMSG Establishment
December 9, 2021
Executive Summary
Public and news media interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) remains high. On Nov.
23, 2021, DSD signed a memo announcing the establishment of the Airborne Object
Identification and Management Synchronization Group (AOIMSG) as the successor to the
UAPTF; the memo also established the Airborne Object Identification and Management
Executive Council (AOIMEXEC) to provide oversight of the AOIMSG. The draft FY22 NDAA
approved by the House on Dec. 7 contains a section directing DoD and ODNI to establish an
office, organizational structure, and authorities to address UAP.
Top Line Messages / Talking Points
• [Prior to NDAA becoming law:] We're not going to comment on pending legislation. We're
not going to get ahead of the legislative process.
• We take reports of incursions into our airspace — by any aircraft, identified or unidentified —
very seriously, and investigate each one.
• Safety (of our personnel) and security (of our operations) are of paramount concern.
• The Deputy Secretary's direction reflects her desire to ensure the Department is fully aware
of objects in our airspace in order to protect safety of flight and national security.
• The AOIMSG will focus on proactively identifying objects in Special Use Airspace, rather
than simply focusing on items that were observed but not identified. This will help to ensure
that we are postured to collect adequate data during the event, instead of only gathering data
forensically.
• The AOIMSG will ensure we leverage of the strength of the Department and the IC to
normalize UAP reporting, analysis and mitigation into standing processes.
• This has been, and will continue to be, a collaborative effort, involving many organizations
across DoD, as well as interagency partners.
• Implementing guidance with further details on the AOIMSG Director, organizational
structure, authorities, resourcing, and roles and responsibilities is forthcoming.
• The Department is committed to transparency with the Congress and the American people
while balancing its obligation to protect classified information.