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.

SECURITY INFORMATION
should be 4 Oct 52. This assumption is based on the urgency with
which Mr. Lull informed us of his error (by telegram).
6. It is additionally assumed that Mr. Lull intends that the
aforementioned date be associated with Project Blue Book since:
a. He states in his telegram that the basis for his belief
that he made an error in his original calculations (presumably re
4 Oct 54) is "the recent hyperspace demonstrations of the Disc Company
in free space" .
b. His telegram was dispatched at the height of the most
recent 11flying saucer" flurry in the press (the date of the telegram is
the same as that on which General Samford held a press conference on
the subject) .
7. Accordingly, a reply to Mr. Lull has been prepared expressing
appreciation and stating that due notice has been taken of his con
clusions.
8. Additionally, this analyst has marked 4 Oct down as a red letter
day and is eagerly awaiting its arrival since it apparently means that
the mystery of the 11flying saucers 11 will finally be solved and his toil
towards that end will no longer be necessary.
9. Subject matter is not considered suitable for inclusion in the
Daily Staff Digest.
ACTION RECOMMENDED:
10. Approval and dispatch of attached letter to Mr. Lull.
COORDINATION:
AFOIN-2A2, Col Wolfe, Ext. 75990/'/W~
AFOIN - 2A, Col Adams, Ext. 74072
AFOIN- 2, Col Morrow, Ext. 71110~ ~
SEC:.JRITY INFOR'.\ATION