Flying Saucers

Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.

FROM2 DCI

TO Secretary of Defense

SUBJECT: Intelligence interest in a study of unidentified flying objects.

1. Recently CIA's Office of Scientific Intelligence made an inquiry into the possible intelligence implications of this subject. We concluded that while the operational problem of improvement in identification of "phantom" was of first priority because of the need to make instant and positive identification of enemy rockets or planes, the solution of intelligence problems are of sufficient importance to justify vigorous support by this Agency of an organized attack on the problem.

2. In our inquiry three of our men consulted with a representative of Air Force Special Projects group; discussed the problem with those in charge of the Air Force Project at Wright field; reviewed a considerable volume of intelligence reports; checked the Soviet press and broadcast indices; and conferred with three of our consultants all leaders in their scientific fields.

3. The present small scale inquiry at ATIC, which thus far has been able only to use the case history approach, examining each incident carefully to determine whether it can be explained or whether it must be put into the "unexplained" category, was considered a perfectly valid procedure but one that offered but little promise in opening up explanations regarding the nature of these phenomena, our consultants told us, it would probably be found on the margins or just beyond the frontteers of our present knowledge in the fields