PROJECT BLUE BOOK

7-3745 -_ 56 /
1003841

RETURN TO
USAF Historical Archives
ASI(ASHAF-A

Maxwell AFB, Ala 36112

es 7 —. ae ares, Se

replace “Project GRUDGE".

6. The peak year of the UFO program was 1952 when an average
of over 100 reports per month was received. This compares with 10
per month for 1951. The publicity fanfare given to the UFO
controversy by the press, publishers, writers and others, reached
a high pitch during 1952 and developed a tendency on the part of
the public to question the Air Force's handling of the alleged
"menace" presented by flying seucers. This came to a climax in
late July 1952 during the much publicized Washington Plying Saucer
sightings which purported to show flying saucers over the Capitol
but which were in reality blips on radar scopes created by quite
unusual atmospheric conditions. As a result of this, General Samford
(the then Director of Intelligence) a few days after the sighting
held a press conference which was televised nationally. His
explanation and assurance that the UFO phenomena seen were not of
interplanetary origin and did not constitute a threat to the United
States were not only received with skepticism but were in fact totally

rejected by a large number of writers, so called UFO experts.

7. Following this, General Samford asked the CIA to set up a
panel of scientists to review the UFO program and the Air Force's
handling of the situation.

Ss |...
- = > PRL OS Se ee oe om
— - — r = I e=

= —

8. This panel was formed; it consisted of sixteen of the
most distinguished scientists and authorities in the fields of

physics, redar, geophysics, atomic energy, astronomy, rockets,
guided missiles, scientific and technical intelligence, propulsion
and photo interpretation, in the country. Their conclusions were
that UFO's (a) held no direct physical threat; (b) were not
foreign developments capable of hostile acts on the United States;
and (c) were not unknown phenomena requiring the revision of

current scientific concepts.

Their recommendations were:

a First, that the UFO program be de-emphasized
because it interfered with the normal operation and
mission of many governmental services and agencies,
particularly the Air Defense Command, which was compelled
to use its radar, commmnications, air intercept and other
units in investigating the overwhelming number of sightings
brought to its attention. All to the detriment of its

normal mission.
be. Second, that every effort be made to strip the

UFO program of its air of mystery in the mind of the public,
with the view of restoring the publics confidence in the
Air Force and relieving the public of quite unwarranted

anxiety.

9. The correlation which exists between the type of treatment
given the UFO matter by press and publishers, and the number of
reports received, is important and is shown by this chart.

CHART 1 «+ Frequency of UFO Reports
This chart illustrates the effect of the conservative,
scientific approach of Life and Look magazines on UFO reports for
that period, in contrast to the newspapers’ treatment of the
Washington Rader “Flying Saucer" incidents and General Semford's
press conference. The New Yorker's “middle-of-theeroad" treatment
and its effect on sightings is also interesting to note.

10. Under Project BLUE BOOK, it became apparent that if reporting,
investigation and analysis procedures were improved, the percentage
of unsolved sightings would decrease. Accordingly, the following
procedures were adopted:

First, the 4602d Air Intelligence Services Squadron
(Headquarters, Air Defense Command) (now 1006th) was directed to
carry out all field investigations and preliminary evaluations of

UFO sightings. This organization has units deployed throughout the
U.S., and they are so highly mobile that they can errive "on the spot”
within a very short time efter a UFO report is received. This

Supplies the most important of all factors «- timeliness, and

leaves the Air Technical Intelligence Center free to perform

final analysis and evaluation.

~

Second, the issuance of a special directive (Air Force
Regulation 200-2) which spells out details and responsibilities
of Air Technical Intelligence Center, Air Defense Command and other

Air Force units reporting investigation and analysis of UFO
sightings. Combining spectrographic and stereo devices.

Third, the use of a special camera known as "Videon camera”.
This breaks down the light received from any object into its
components, thus permitting the determination of the elements of
which the object is composed. Seventy-five of these cameras vere
placed in radar stations and control towers throughout the U.8.

Fourth, the submission of all UFO data collected since 1947
to scientists in and out of the Air Force to determine whether or not
a trend or pattern existed to indicate the nature or existence of the
soecalled flying saucers. This program was handled by the Battelle
Memorial Institute.

11. These four procedures resulted in the following:
The AISS units contributed to the decrease in the mauber

of unknowns, approximately from 10% to 3%. Next, the new regulation

greatly improved reporting and it emphasized the importance of
cooperation by all Air Force units. Next, the use of Videon
cemeras, while not wholly successful due to the lack of operating
personnel, produced no results to indicate anything but conventional
airborne objects. Finally, the Battelle effort produced Project
BLUE BOOK, Report No. 14 which in October 1955 was declassified by
the Secretary of the Air Force and released in summary by the
Department of Defense. This study, which covered 8 years of
sightings concluded that:

First, there is e total lack of evidence that these unknowns
were inimical or hostile or a threat to the security of the country.

Second, there is a total lack of evidence that these unknowns
were interplanetary space ships.

Third, there is a total lack of evidence that these unknowns
represented technological developments or principles outside the
range of our present-day scientific knowledge.

Fourth, there is a total lack of any physicai or material
evidence «- not a piece - scrap - or a minute fraguent of these
so-called “flying saucers" was ever found. It is our belief that
if more immediate, detailed objective observational data could have
been obtained on the “unknowns” most of these too,would have been

satisfactorily explained.

You may be interested in the rise and fall of UFO reports
through the years, and to see the course of the unknowns which ere
obviously the prime concern of the Air Frorce.

CHART 2 - UFO Statistics for Calendar Year 1947 to
recent past.

Note the peak year 1952 and m™bsequent decline.

CHART 3 « UFO Evaluation by Percentage 1955<1956

12. On this chart weshow the cetemories of our UFO evaluations,
for example 1955 and 1956 by percemtage. You will note that the
group which includes hoaxes, psychopatles, etc., has been cut in
half, and the “unknowns” from 3% to 2.2%. This hes roughly held to
the presant. (The group marked “insufficent date” has regrettably
risen from 7% to 9.9%, possibly because of increased sky watching
activities - sale of telescopes have risen over 200% since Sputnik I)

13. It is apparent, as previously stated, that, ac prompter
investigation becomes possible, as more experience in UFO investigation
end analysis procedures is gained, and as better utilization of the
services of scientists is made, the pemcentage of "unknowns" decreases.

14. At the present time, the UFO project organization, known
es the “Aerial Phenomena Group,” is pert of the Air Sciences Division
of the Air Technical Intelligence Center, Deputy for Science and
Components. The project monitor is Captain Gregory and a small staff.
However, as the Air Sciences Division consists primarily of scientists,
such as Major Best, their services, as well as those of the engineering
specialists throughout the Center, are available to the UFO project.
The prime UFO scientisteconsultent is Dr. Hynek, who is Professor of
Astrophysics and Astronomy, Ohio State University, Secretary of the
American Astronomical Society, and Director of the IGY Satellite
Tracking Progrem. We are fortunate to have him. Other scientific
personnel, outside the Air Force, are utilized on an "as needed"
basis.

15. During the last two years, an increase in UFO reports has
been noted. Paralleling this increase there has been a great
increase in the number of private UFO organizations, books, motion
pictures, and TV presentations on the subject. The advent of sputnik

undoubtedly contributed.

16. Two years or so ago, there was only a handful of these self-

appointed research organizations dedicated to investigation and analysis
‘ of UFO's. As of this date, there are more than fifty such organizations

of which we have lmowledge, and they are increasing monthly.
17. In early 1955, five books written on "Flying saucers” were
published. To date, over 30 have been published and heave received

wide circulation here and abroad.

18. Up to now, six motion pictures in circulation having “flying

saucers" as their theme have been produced. One such motion picture
was released in May 1956 and is still receiving some publicity. The
main plot of this movie is vwentered around two colored film strips

| of so-called “flying saucers." These film strips were previously
submitted to the Air Force for examination, and consist primarily
of moving spots of light against a blue sky. Our conclusions vere
that the objects in one fiim were aircraft; and in the other, sea
gulls. These conclusions were corroborated by en independent study
made by the research organization of an aircraft manufacturer of
very high standing, as well as by the CIA scientific panel which I

previously nentioned.

19. With very few exceptions, both these self-appointed

organizations and the books published, have been highly critical of
the Air Force's handling of the UFO matter. They all exhibit a

a

8 eS LL. ee

desire to embarrass the Air Force. A munber of these private
organizations have written directly to President Elsenhower, to
General White, to the Secretary of Defense and to important members

of the Legislative Branch of Congress, requesting or demanding
hearings, briefings, or discussions with UFO project officials.

20. We have written detailed letters to Senator Knowland,
Senator Byrd, Senator Chase, and Representative Moss, Representative
Henderson, Tollefson, to name a few, regarding aspects of the UFO
program, which have been brought to their attention by so-called
"UFO specialists."

21. Although these UFO organizations include sincere, well-
meaning members, our experience in discussione with sponsors of such
organizations has shown that any Air Force explanations or statements
are either totally unacceptable or are met, at the least, with
calculated skepticism. Our explanations and statements are either
misinterpreted, misquoted, exaggerated or used out of context, all to

the detriment of the Air Force in general, and the ACS/I in particuler.
I think we would be more impressed by all this were it not so profitable.

22. A few words are necessary, I think, on the extent and character
of the public participation in the UFO program. The subject has seized

in, RALA UFO PROGRAM y= f 3
VU [NATNAHT | “ie AU Ae. { L AAA VAAN ty

a A brief history of the Unidentified Flying Object program

would, I think, help you to understand some of its problems and

determine its status.

2. The program started in 1947 when on 27 June of that year
a@ private civilian flyer named Kenneth Arnold sighted what looked
to him like several disc shaped objects near Mt. Rainier in the
state of Washington. He described them as "flying saucers", a term
that was forceably and with mich sensationalism brought to the publics
attention by the press. As a result, the Air Force was given the
responsibility of investigating and analyzing such phenomena. This

project was called "Project SIGN".

3. From this date, June 1947, to February 1949 when the name
of the program was changed to "Project GRUDGE", approximately 375
UFO reports were collected and analyzed. In August 1949, a report
on the results was submitted to the authorities. The average
proportion of sightings which could not be explained, in other words
unknowns, for this period was approximately 20%. It was concluded

that these unknowns were due primarily to:

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE AIX Forck ” 3 © 3
= or)
SUBJECT: Air Force Briefing for the Subcommittee Eicgpheric si
Phenoxzena, House Select Committee oi Ast se and
Space Exploration on Unidentified Flying ects

de At the request of the Subcommittee Chairnujn, the 4ir Force pre-
sented a briefing at 1400 hours, ¢ August 1956, to of the Subcom
mittee on Air Force activities in dealing with UFO's. This presentation
was made by Mre Ae Fe Arcier, Scientific Advisor, Air Technical Intelli-
gence Center and Captain George Gregory, UFO Project Officer, who pre~-
sented a brief history of the Air Force actions in this field, procedures
used in handling and classifying each reported observation and a
statistical breakdown of all observations reported to date.

2e The Subcownittee was advised of the extensive efforts of the
Air Force to apply all possible scientific methois of analysis and how
this approach used in a timely fashion has reduced the mumber of citings
characterized as "unknown" to approximately 3 percent of the total obser-
vationse It was also stresged that the Air Force, contrary to claims of
many professional UFO organizations, has not and will not suppress any
evidence which would indicate that UFO's constitute a threat to the se-
curity of the United States. In addition, the Subcommittee was advised
of the mumber of civilian orgenigations engaged in UFO activities has
risen to a total of ami that the activities of these organizations
ani spectacular news reporting has caused the greatest problems in this
field. The Subcommittee asked several questions regarding Air Force
methods of categorising various citings as either aircraft, balloons,
insufficient data, unknown, etc. and they were advised of certain spe-
cific cases which fell in these various categories.

3e Mee Arcier and Captain Gregory presented a very well prepared
briefing to the Subcommittee and were highly commended for their efforts
at the close of the briefinge The Subcawzittes meubers seemed to be
definitely pleased with the Air Force approach to this problem and were
apparently satisfied with our results to date. During the course of the
briefing, Chairman McCormack, 'ouse Select Committee on istronautics ar!
Spade Exploration, stressed the point tha. the Subcommittee was not
holding formal hearings on unidentified flying objects but was merely

seOaT

i FUt

SAFLL-3 SAFLL

-First, SiG ineebveesation of conventional objects such as
aircraft, balloons, astronomical bodies, also atmospheric phenomena,
of

rader misfunctions and anomalies, etié. > LQAK 07 proper

*

tatec Gore QN0M »

Second, residual war nerves, mass suggestion and hysteria

qe then be it “| meleods Lit b re Sis 4

dev t clohbeh cs Wik, /) € BhroWAU LATE,

Fourth, the actions of-psychopathic persons.

4, In December 1949, these findings were released to the public

by the Department of Defense and were given wide publicity by the

press.

5. From February 1949 to mid-1951 the project was carried on a
low priority basis due to the economy policy of that time. However,
in late 1951 renewed public interest and an increase in the number of
sightings were reported. This increase in activity was due to the
emphasis placed on UFO's by the press and-publieity, and possibly due
to the Ground Observer Corps program. In the summer of 1951 the
project was again reviewed and "Project BLUE BOOK" established to

ve Sa ol =.

|

ee ee le

replace "Project GRUDGE".

6. The peak year of the UFO program was 1952 when an average
of over 100 reports per month was received. This compares with 10
per month for 1951. The publicity fenfare given to the UFO
controversy by the press, publishers, writers and others, reached
a high pitch during 1952 and developed a tendency on the part of
the public to question the Air Force's handling of the alleged
"menace" presented by flying saucers. This came to a climax in
late July 1952 during the much publicized Washington Flying Saucer
sightings which purported to show flying saucers over the Capitol
but which were in reality blips on radar scopes created by quite
unusual atmospheric conditions. As a result of this, General Samford
(the then Director of Intelligence) a few days after the sighting
held a press conference which was televised nationally. His
explanation and assurance that the UFO phenomena seen were not of
interplanetary origin and did not constitute a threat to the United
States were not only received with skepticism but were in fact totally

rejected by a large number of writers, so called UFO experts.

7- Following this, General Samford asked the CIA to set up a
panel of scientists to review the UFO program and the Air Force's

handling of the situation.

8. This panel was formed; it consisted of sixteen of the
most distinguished scientists and authorities in the fields of
physics, radar, geophysics, atomic energy, astronomy, rockets,
guided missiles, scientific and technical intelligence, propulsion
and photo interpretation, in the country. Their conclusions were
that UFO's (a) held no direct physical threat; (b) were not
foreign developments capable of hostile acts on the United States;
and (c) were not unkmown phenomena requiring the revision of

current scientific concepts.

Their recommendations were:

ae First, that the UFO program be de-emphasized
because it interfered with the normal operation and
mission of many governmental services and agencies,
particularly the Air Defense Command, which was compelled
to use its radar, communications, air intercept and other
units in investigating the overwhelming number of sightings
brought to its attention. All to the detriment of its
normal mission.

b. Second, that every effort be made to strip the
UFO program of its air of mystery in the mind of the public,
with the view of restoring the publics confidence in the
Q2AALEY

Aix Foree and relieving the public of quite unwarranted

anxiety.

9. The correlation which exists between the type of treatment
given the UFO matter by press and publishers, and the number of

reports received, is important and is shown by this chart.

CHART 1 = Frequency of UFO Reports
This chart illustrates the effect of the conservative,
scientific approach of Life and Look magazines on UFO reports for
that period, in contrast to the newspapers' treatment of the
Washington Radar "Flying Saucer" incidents and General Samford's

press conference. The New Yorker's "middle-of-the-road" treatment

and its effect on sightings is also interesting to note.

10. Under Project BLUE BOOK, it became apparent that if reporting,
investigation and analysis procedures were improved, the percentage

of unsolved sightings would decrease. Accordingly, the following

procedures were adopted:

First, the 4602d Air Intelligence Services Squedron
(Headquarters, Air Defense Command) (now 1006th) was directed to
carry out all field investigations and preliminary evaluations of
UFO sightings. This organization has units deployed throughout the
U.S., and they are so highly mobile that they can arrive "on the spot”

within a very short time efter a UFO report is received. This

Supplies the most important of all factors -- timeliness, and
leaves the Air Technical Intelligence Center free to perform

final analysis and evaluation.

Second, the issuance of a special directive (Air Force
Regulation 200-2) which spells out details and responsibilities
of Air Technical Intelligence Center, Air Defense Command and other
Air Force units reporting investigation and analysis of UFO

Sightings. Combining spectrographic and stereo devices.

Third, the use of a special camera known as "Videon camera”.
This breaks down the light received from any object into its eKLywriwh ”
Gomponents, thus permitting the determination of the elements of
which the object is composed. Seventy-five of these cameras were

placed in radar stations and control towers throughout the U.S.

Fourth, the submission of all UFO data collected since 1947
to scientists in and out of the Air Force to determine whether or not
a trend or pattern existed to indicate the nature or existence of the
so-called flying saucers. This program was handled by the Battelle

Memorial Institute.

11. These four procedures resulted in the following:

The AISS units contributed to the decrease in the number

of unknowns, approximately from 10% to 3%. Next, the new regulation

greatly improved reporting and it emphasized the importance of
cooperation by all Air Force units. Next, the use of Videon
cameras, while not wholly successful due to the lack of operating
personnel, produced no results to indicate anything but conventional
airborne objects. Finally, the Battelle effort produced Project
BLUE BOOK, Report No. 14 which in October 1955 was declassified by
the Secretary of the Air Force and released in summary by the
Department of Defense. This study, which covered 8 years of

sightings concluded that:

First, there is a total lack of evidence that these unknowns

were inimical or hostile or a threat to the security of the country.

Second, there is a total lack of evidence that these unknowns

were interplanetary space ships.

Third, there is a total lack of evidence that these unknowns

represented technological developments or principles outside the

range of our present-day scientific knowledge.

Fourth, there is a total lack of any physical or material
evidence -- not a piece - scrap - or a minute fragment of these
so-called "flying saucers” was ever found. It is our belief that
if more immediate, detailed objective observational data could have
been obtained on the “unknowns” most of these too,would have been

satisfactorily explained.

You may be interested in the rise and fall of UFO reports
through the years, and to see the course of the unknowns which are

obviously the prime concern of the Air Force.

CHART 2 - UFO Statistics for Calendar Year 1947 to
recent past.

Note the peak year 1952 and subsequent decline.

CHART 3 - UFO Evaluation by Percentage 1955-1956

12. On this chart weshow the categories of our UFO evaluations,
for example 1955 and 1956 by percentage. You will note that the
group which includes hoaxes, psychopaths, etc., has been cut in

half, and the "unknowns" from 3% to 2.2%. This has roughly held to

the presant. (The group marked "insufficent data" has regrettably
risen from 7% to 9.9%, possibly because of increased sky watching

activities - sale of telescopes have risen over 200% since Sputnik I)

13. It is apparent, as previously stated, that, as prompter
investigation becomes possible, as more experience in UFO investigation
and analysis procedures is gained, and as better utilization of the

services of scientists is made, the percentage of "unknowns" decreases.

14. At the present time, the UFO project organization, known
as the "Aerial Phenomena Group,” is part of the Air Sciences Division
of the Air Technical Intelligence Center, Deputy for Science and
Components. The project monitor is Captain Gregory and a small staff.
However, as the Air Sciences Division consists primerily of scientists,
such as Major Best, their services, as well as those of the engineering
specialists throughout the Center, are available to the UFO project.
The prime UFO scientist-consultant is Dr. Hynek, who is Professor of
Astrophysics and Astronomy, Ohio State University, Secretary of the
American Astronomical Society, and Director of the IGY Satellite
Tracking Progrem. We are fortunate to have him. Other scientific

personnel, outside the Air Force, are utilized on an "as needed"

basis.

15. During the last two years, an increase in UFO reports has
been noted. Paralleling this increase there has been a great
increase in the number of private UFO organizations, books, motion

pictures, and TV presentations on the subject. The advent of sputnik

undoubtedly contributed.

16. Two years or so ago, there was only a handful of these self-
appointed research organizations dedicated to investigation and analysis

of UFO's. As of this date, there are more than fifty such organizations

of which we have lmowledge, and they are increasing mom&—chy,

17. In early 1955, five books written on "Flying -«cmers" were
published. To date, over 30 have been published and hi received

wide circulation here and abroad.

18. Up to now, six motion pictures frt@TYermationitm-ving "flying
saucers" as their theme have been produced. One such! =ion picture
was released in May 1956 and is still receiving some p.sicity. ii
mely plot of tnte-moviedsconicred around il .OLOPe6 Menai stains ,"
of so-called “flying saucers." These film strips were he~-saytGiisly
submitted to the Air Force for examination, ae conets i oer imarily
of moving spots of light against a blue sky. Ove concise tions were

that the objects in one film a ae and in the'M>-cher, sea

gulls. These conclus were corroborated by an indetacmsdient study

19. With very few exceptions, both these self-appiy-m™ ted

organizations and the books published, have been highlac= ritical of

the Air Force's handling of the UFO matter. Thegenmiielywmmdbeadse-c..__

Gestre-toMibarrass the aarPeres. A number of these private

organizations have written directly to President Eisenhower, to
General White, to the Secretary of Defense and to important members
of the Legislative Branch of Congress, requesting or demanding

hearings, briefings, or discussions with UFO project officials.

varied Mira tt & AEs
20. We have written detailed letters to Seneter—KnewLand, TO

Hendexrsony..lolLlefecn,,.£0.nae2.tew, regarding aspects of the UFO

program, which have been brought to their attention by so-called
"UFO specialists."

21. Although these UFO organizations include sincere, well- \
meaning members, our experience in discussions with sponsors of such
organizations has shown that any Air Force explanations or statements

j are either totally unacceptable or are met, at the least, with

calculated skepticism. Our explanations and statements are either
misinterpreted, misquoted, exaggerated or used out of context, all to

the detriment of the Air Force in general, and the ACS/I in particular.

a ——— oo. : a —w q “
ee eee oof hs ee ee teerpsyvesmascueeneisoun PAR es ees OOO -r nd Das
Pa

‘A oY

\ I think we would be more impressed by all this were it not so profitable. VA
a - CE
22. A few words are necessary, I think, on the extent and character

of the public participation in the UFO program. The subject has seized

i: ©

obtaining evidence data for their files, which at « later date would be
considered amd, if desirable, utilized by the full Comittee for further
investigation and/or hearingss Mre Sheldon indicated at the close of
the briefing that no further witnesses would be called by the Subcommittee
and that in view of the satisfactory manner in which the Air Force was
dealing with this problem, it was hie feeling that the Comittee would

take no fyether interest in thia matter.
&S ,
ae Signed |
=) -~
2 -
_ == We Pe FISHER
oat nd Major General, USAF
Ris Director, Legislative Liaison
Copy to:
SAFIS (Haj. Tacker) “
SAPRD
SAFGC

~

the imagination of the public, and, accordingly, the enthusiasm

of the press. The unscrupulous have profited by it, and the
publicity seekers have pursued it. Some organizers of public

UFO groups have attempted to use membership in the GOC or other
agencies as a means to endow their organizations with a quasi-
official character, thereby increasing their appeal to the public.
Some have actually obtained declassified reports from Air Force
sources and reporduced them for sale. The subject is a boon to
writer of sensational fiction or even popular science And the
producer of pseudo-scientific movies. Any controversy on the
subject is grist to their mill. It has become a subject for humor.
This if unfortunate, for it is no joke. It is costing the Government
a great deal of money; it is taking the time of valuable people,
time which can't be spared. It could even be a potential weapon

of psychological warfare, reducing as it does the confidente of the
public in the Air Force. There are many other aspects of the public
participation in the UFO program and, as far as the Air Force is

concerned, they are nearly all bad.

23. There are, therefore, two distinct parts to the UFO program.
The first is, of course, to improve operations with the object of

reducing the number of "unknowns" to as fear zero as possible. ‘The

warfare, vedustif ae Tt Toes the Sontteence-of the public” Ih the ALT? Poree
There. ave -meny ethenvaapects ofthe public atch i UFO pregran
and,—as—Llar..ametherimBPow.o, is conesrnied;- neprence eee pes

23. There-eveyebherstorey two ATS tlnc hatte 2... LD) UE EX OResM «
Phe Ling d Small COULSe,- bo daprove operatic onsciith. the ed jeet—of ophre

hepa ete pet ote -
nauhes-of brie owns ...L0.. der... anaes, pAssible. mhe specona is to cope with

the growing problem of public participation in the program. We feel conficent
that the solution of the first will great y help in solving the second. The
first problem is wholly ours and is being so handled. The number of "unknowns"
is being skudket steadily reduc€ed akkeug although as I said before it can
never reach zero because of the fact that the reporting is invartably based

on the impressions of saa al and are a hardly ever based on
rN L171 4biNtK ce iy

controlled measurements. — There appears to be little difference, between tire 4,
TAL *R.L Melionncr t) C7 : (Jy
usefuldness—of reperté qualified trained observers such-es=professionel Z ee
hal’ . x
aot aad ays e of lay observers. } = B,
} L LA ; ' ’
24. The second problem involves; ‘matterg of public relations, uma the fl
cooperation of the press; the education of the public, and—of=jtcgei—reseurces. @
a5. at ne tee i fgets OR ary et Gere bE POET oh —s Sat
yn '
¢ )
Ai WY CEMA
l \ i A. ( a LAL
, ( L ( v L C
- v

12 August 1958

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: Hearings on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO)
1. On 8 August 1958, 1400 to 1600, AFCIN presente: « briefing on the

Air Force UFO program to the Subcommittee on Atmospheric Phenomena, House
Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration (Space Committee).

2. The AFCIN UFO briefing was presented in responee to 2 memorandum
from the Director, Legislative Liaison (SAFLL) subject as above, dated
6 August 1958 (see-attached memoranéa).

3. Participating were:

Mr. Arcier, AFCIN-4X, principal witness
Cant Gregory, APCIN-iE, witness
Major Best, AFCIN-4E, technical consultant (geophysicist)
Major Byrne, AFCIN-X1, staff team chief
Major Brower, SAFLL, Legislative Project Officer
Major Tacker, SAFIS, public relations consultant

4, In attendance were:
Representative McCormack, Chairman of Space Committee
Representative Natcher, Chairman of Sub-committee (Dy. D)
Representative Sisk, Member, (Calif. D)
Representative Keating, Member, (N.Y. R)
Representative McDonaugh, Member (Calif. R)
Representative Metcalf, Member (Montana, D)
Dr. Shelton, Scientific Staff Member

5. Opening remarks by Representative McCormack made it clear that the
Air Force UFO program was not under investigation, rather the Committee

« ®

was seeking additional information on upper space that would be helpful to

the appropriate executive agency. The hearing was in closed secret session,
unrecorded, names of witnesses to be held in confidence (thie cannot be

guaranteed since Congressman are apt to inadvertently publicly reference
witnesses' statements).

6. Mr. Arcier as chief spokesman reviewed the ten year history of the
UFO program and Captain Gregory gave a detailed explanation of the analyses
techniques applied by ATIC in evaluating UFO cases. In addition, delineation
of responsibility for the UFO program in the Air Force, Air Force Public
Relations, and private UFO organizations, clubs, books, etc., were discussed.
All questions asked were promptly and adequately answered. Throughout the
hearing proper protocol was maintained, the members were polite and pleasant,
and the atmosphere was well suited to an ultimate expression of confidence
by the committee. Captain Gregory is to be especially commended for exe
cellent performance; his store of related scientific data had great impact
on the members.

7- The hearings, which begau 7 August, will continue through the week
of 11 ~ 15 August. Additional witnesses from public life will be called in,
possibly Dr. Mendgel, Harvard, Mr. Dryden, CA3, Major Kehoe, (Ret.), National
Investigative Committee on Aerial Phenomena, Captain Ruppelt, (Rese), former
ATIC UFO Project Officer. AFCIN may be required to return to answer questions
posed by public witnesses.

8. It is anticipated that AFCIN will benefit by the subject hearings.
Due to approaching elections, the committee members may produce a
pobl’s statement of of confidence in the Air Force, ensuring the
public that the Air Force is not hiding any i:formation on UFO's,

JAMES F. BYRNE
Major, USAF

SAFLL-3/Major Brower/mr/'76813/5D924,/6 August 195¢
File: 48-589~B

MEMORANDUM POR THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, IN TELLIGHICE
SUBJECT: Hearings on Unidentified Flying “Sbjects
le This menoramium is being written in accordance with the provisions

of MOL 11-576
2. Atteched herewith is a copy of a {rossed to the
Secretary of the Air Foree advising hin of i Pdeuaiies on

tien on the subject of unidentified flying objects. The 7

conmence at 1,00 hours, 7 August 1958 and will continue « J
three to four dayse The Air Foree has been asked to testify on @ August) 1956.
All hegpknge will be in executive session and the Subcommittee has speci-+

fically requested that no publicity be Given e hearings.

ate 3e It is requested inet vee tbe deataus an individual te serve
as Staff Team Chief for teese-wertnges as required by paragraph 4a(2) of
v HOI 11<57e In this connection, this office has worked in the past with
Major James F, Byrne (arctiex15, Major James Brower, extension 76833 will

be the 5APLL representative.

Atmospheric Phenomena, House Select Committee on Astronautics and seankage thi otf i

ier accra. et /

Major Senaenle | USAF. ‘

Director, Legislative Liaison | { a~
Copy tor ae ge
SAPD [" 3 y
SAFIS (taj. Lawrence Tacker)— iw vw
SAPGC \

SAFLL-3 SAFLL

MEMORANDUM POR THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
SUBJBCTs Hearings on Unidentified Flying Gjects

le This office bas received informal notifisatia: that
the Subcommittee on Atmospherie House Select Can-
mittee an Astronautics ami Space Bxplora will ccumence

Subecmalttees

UFO PROGRAM Yi 7

1. A brief history of the Unidentified Flying Object progran
would, I think, help you to understamd some of its problems and

determine its status.

2. The program started in 1947 when on 27 June of that year
a private civilian flyer named Kenneth Arnold sighted what looked
to him like several disc shaped objects near Mt. Rainier in the
state of Washington. He described them as "flying saucers", a term
that was forceably and with mech senswationaliam brought to the publics
attention by the press. As a result, the Air Force was given the
responsibility of investigating and qjnalyzing such phenomena. This
project was called "Project SIGN".

3. From this date, June 1947, to February 1949 when the name
of the program was changed to "Project GRUDGE", approximately 375
UFO reports were collected and analymwed. In August 1949, a report
on the results was submitted to the g@uthorities. The average
proportion of sightings which could mot be explained, in other words
unknowns, for this period was approximately 20%. It was concluded
that these unknowns were due primarity to:

a

Pirst, misinterpretation of conventional objects such as
aircraft, balloons, astronomical bodies, also atmospheric phenomena,
radar misfunctions and anomalies, etc.

Second, residual war nerves, mass suggestion and hysteria

(Orson Wells case).
Third, Hoaxes and publicity seeking.
Fourth, the actions of psychopathic persons.

4, In December 1949, these findings were released to the public
by the Department of Defense and were given wide publicity by the

press.

5. From February 1949 to mid-1951 the project was carried on a
low priority basis due to the economy policy of that time. However,
in late 1951 renewed public interest and an increase in the number of
sightings were reported. This increase in activity wes due to the
emphasis placed on UFO's by the press and publicity, and possibly due
to the Ground Observer Corps program. In the swmmer of 1951 the
project was again reviewed and “Project BIVE BOOK” established to

“Ze