Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO)

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

AFR 200-2

2-4

# Approved For Release 2004/03/26 : CIA-RDP81R00560E0100040072-9

namic characteristics, or unusual features, does not conform to known aircraft or missiles, or which does not correspond to definitions in a and b above.

3. Objectives. Air Force interest in UFO's is three-fold: First, as a possible threat to the security of the United States and its forces; second, to determine the technical or scientific characteristics of any such UFO's; third, to explain or identify all UFO sightings as defined in paragraph 2c.

a. Air Defense. The great majority of flying objects reported have been found to be conventional, familiar things of no great threat to the security of the United States and its possessions. However, since the possibility cannot be ignored that UFO's reported may be hostile or new foreign air vehicles of unconventional design, it is imperative that sightings be reported rapidly, factually, and as completely as possible.

b. Technical and Scientific. The Air Force will continue to collect and analyze reports of UFO sightings until all can be scientifically or technically explained, bearing in mind that:

(1) To measure scientific advances, the Air Force must have the latest experimental and developmental information on new or unique air vehicles or weapons.

(2) The possibility exists that foreign air vehicles of revolutionary configuration or propulsion may be developed.

(3) There is a need for further scientific knowledge in such fields as geophysics, astronomy, and the upper atmosphere which the study and analysis of UFO's and similar aerial phenomena may provide.

(4) The reporting of all pertinent factors will have a direct bearing on scientific analyses and conclusions of UFO sightings.

c. Reduction of Percentage of UFO "Unknowns." Air Force activities must reduce the percentage of unknowns to the minimum. Analysis thus far has provided explanation for all but a few of the sightings reported. These unexplained sightings are carried statistically as unknowns. If more immediate, detailed objective data on the unknowns had been available, probably these too could have been explained. Due to the human factors involved, and the fact that analyses of UFO sightings are based primarily on the personal impressions and interpretations of the observers, rather than on accurate scientific data or facts obtained under controlled conditions, it is improbable that all of the unknowns can be eliminated.

## 4. Responsibilities:

a. Reporting. Commanders of Air Force bases will report all information and evidence of UFO sightings, including that received from other Services, Government agencies, and civilian sources. (See section C.)

b. Investigation. The commander of the Air Force base nearest to the location of the reported UFO sighting will be responsible for the conduct of all investigative action necessary to submit a complete initial report of a UFO sighting. Every effort will be made to resolve the sighting in the initial investigation. A UFO sighting reported to an Air Force base other than that closest to the scene of such sighting, immediately will be referred to the commander of the nearest Air Force base for appropriate action. (See paragraph 6.)

c. Analysis. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), will analyze and evaluate:

(1) Information and evidence reported within the zone of interior after the investigators of the responsible Air Force base nearest the sighting have exhausted their efforts to identify the UFO.

(2) Information and evidence collected in oversea areas.

NOTE. Exceptions: The ATIC, independently or in participation with pertinent Air Force activities, may conduct any additional investigations necessary to further or conclude its analyses or findings.

d. Public Relations and Information Services. The Office of Information Services, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, will be responsible for releasing information on sightings, and, in coordination with ATIC, for answering correspondence from the public regarding UFO's. (See paragraphs 7 and 8.)

e. Congressional Inquiries. The Office of Legislative Liaison will:

(1) In coordination with the ATIC and/or the Office of Information Services, when necessary, answer all congressional mail regarding UFO's addressed to the Secretary of the Air Force and the United States Air Force.

(2) Forward those inquiries which are scientific and technical to the ATIC for information on which to base a reply. The ATIC will return this information to the Office of Legislative Liaison for reply to the inquiry.

(3) Process requests from congressional sources in accordance with AFR 11-7.