U.S. Air Force Flying Discs File, 1952

This 1952 file of U.S. Air Force intelligence correspondence on flying objects comes from the Directorate of Intelligence at Headquarters USAF. It records the return to the Coast Guard of a negative of objects photographed at Salem Air Station on 16 July 1952, and requests to Naval Intelligence to analyze the Tremonton film by Delbert Newhouse and the Great Falls film by Nicholas Mariana. It also holds Strategic Air Command report transmittals, letters from members of the public, and an Okinawa object said to have fallen into the sea.

From the source:Release of 2026-09-18 Incident: September - December 1952, Various. This file is an archival collection of U.S. Air Force Director of Intelligence records relating to reported “flying disc” incidents during the period from September through December 1952. Drawn from multiple governmental and non-governmental sources, it compiles a wide range of material associated with reported sightings and official handling of those observations, rather than presenting a single analytical conclusion on the nature or origin of “flying discs.” The contents include correspondence, memoranda, reporting forms, case summaries, distribution and routing material, and other administrative or intelligence-related documentation tied to flying-disc reporting and review during that period. Pages 26-36 of the file refer to an incident reported near Tremonton, Utah, in July 1952, in which a U.S. Navy Warrant Officer recorded film of unidentified objects that the Air Force later assessed were likely seabirds. Overall, the file is a broad documentary collection reflecting how such reports were recorded, circulated, and evaluated in late 1952.

C O P Y
24- 0 6 October 1950
SUBJECT: UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT
4. With reference to background information as regards Nicholas
Mariana, he is a graduate of Montana State University, 1938, with a
BA in journalism. He was born in Miles City, Montana, in 1912, went
to Montana State lniversity in 1935 and has, since graduation trom
that school, resided in Helena from 1940 to 1941 and from 1941 until
the present at Great Falls. During the war, Mr. Mariana served in the
Army Air Forces from June 1943 to October 1945, attaining the rank of
Corporal and was editor ot a newspaper, The Northern Dispatch, at
Great Falls Air Force Base, at Great Falls, Montana. Subject ha~ been
married for a period o! ten years and has one chi1d, a daughter, three
years of age• Presently Mr. Mariana is employed as general manager of
the Great Falls Baseball Club, Great Falls, Montant, and also as a
radio sports commentator and radio announcer of sporting events. He
enjoys an excellent reputation in the local community and is regarded
as a reliable, trustworthy and honest individual.
5. Prior to concluding the interview with Mr. Mariana, he
was advised that the film was being forwarded to the Air Materiel
Command because of that agency's interest in anything which would
contribute to its fund of technical intelligence data.
l. Incl. JOHN P. BRYNILDSEN
Swmnary of Information Captain, USAF
per provisions of Air District Commander
Intelligence Requirements
Memo No. 4.
SECURIT'l Il1F0P,_V.ATI0N