Documents / FOIA release
This 2024 Office of the Secretary of Defense FOIA release (24-F-1134) contains Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review records for a submission by Chris Mellon, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. In January 2024 Mellon submitted for release an unmarked message from a former DoD official alleging a program exploiting recovered off-world technology. The file includes emails chasing reviews from OUSD(I&S) and AARO. Both reviewers raised no objection, and on March 1, 2024 the case was cleared for open publication.
“The Pentagon”13 pages
> Cc: WHS Pentagon ESD Mailbox SECREV > Subject: ET Tech Retrieval Document > Hi 0111k0 > I am in possession of an unmarked written message I received several years ago from a DoD official alleging he was being read into a program involving the exploitation of recovered off-world technology. In the written message he also provides some details of the program, including the name of the alleged "gatekeeper" for the program. > Given the multiple clear and unqualified USG denials that such a program exists, I assume it would not be a problem to publicly release the information I was provided. However, out of irudence I thought I wanted to contact DOPSR in advance to confirm. I also plan to redact the name of the alleged "gatekeeper" of the program to spare him being hassled by the press or public. Incidentally, I have reach out to AARO, but since they are only interested in "first-hand" information this item does not appear to meet their submission criteria. > Please advise if this unmarked message is something I should submit for pre-publication review prior to public release. I realize this is awkward because if there is such a USG program nobody at DOPSR would likely be cleared for or aware of it. However, I would like to ensure as best I can that I don't violate any laws or regulations. > Thanks, > —Chris 4
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FOIA release, from the osd collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 17 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.