AOIMSG Briefing Cards (FOIA 22-F-0381)

Q. Why is the memo using the term "airborne object" (rather than UAP)?
A. The term "UAP" still refers to items that are unidentified. The ODNI report in June 2021
noted that most objects were unidentified due to incomplete data. Therefore, this effort seeks to
proactively detect, identify and attribute objects to help minimize the overall number of items
that are classified as UAP. Additionally, as we've said, we need more data, including more
reporting. One way to do that is to destigmatize UAP reporting by standardizing and
normalizing reporting of airborne objects in SUA — whether the object is a UAP or another
object.
Q. Why is Navy no longer in charge of UAP examinations?
A. The Department recognizes the great work that Navy did on examining UAPs, both before
the UAPTF existed and as the head of the UAPTF. The June 2021 report to Congress confirmed
that the scope of UAP activity expands beyond Navy and identified the need for improvement in
many areas to better understand UAP; this involves organizations across DoD and the USG
interagency, and is better directed at the OSD level rather than by a military department.
Q: Is the AOIMSG being established under the USD(I&S) because there are intelligence
concerns or concerns about foreign actors?
A: The USD(I&S) has broad responsibilities for intelligence and security, which includes
security of U.S. facilities. The USD(I&S) also oversees defense intelligence production and
analysis which are critical capabilities to ensure identification of objects. As there are significant
operational equities, the Joint staff is also involved.
Q. What is the mission of the AOIMSG?
A. The AOIMSG will oversee the Department's efforts to detect, identify and attribute objects
of interest in Special Use Airspace and to assess and mitigate any associated threats to safety of
flight or national security.
Q. Will the AOIMSG be more transparent on UAP encounters than the UAPTF was?
A. The Department is committed to transparency with the Congress and the American people
while balancing its obligation to protect classified information. In executing the AOIMSG
mission, the Department will keep the Congress fully and currently informed in both unclassified
and classified detail of its activities and findings to enable effective congressional oversight and
accountability to the public. The Department is eager to work with Congress as it completes its
Fiscal Year 2022 legislation to posture the AOIMSG for success.
Q. Has the Department found any evidence of extraterrestrial technology?
A. The examinations into incursions by UAPs are still ongoing; we lack sufficient information in
our dataset to attribute incidents to specific explanations. It is not the purpose of the AOIMSG to
look for evidence of extraterrestrials. Other parts of the government do that; for example, NASA
looks for evidence of life on other planets.
Additional Background Information (Not for Release)
Coordinated with: OUSD(I&S), ODNI
Prepared by: p)(6)
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