PROJECT BLUE BOOK

7-3745 — 766

‘
#

RETURN TO

USAF Historical Archives
ASI(ASHAF-A)
Maxwell AFB, Ala 36112 a

e

f REPLY TO
U ATTN OF:

SUBJECT:

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER oo
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ey
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE ae
OHIO Gy nk

AFCIN-=LE Cia tee

Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

AFCIN#l; (M/Gen Dougher)

1. In keeping with a policy of producing the maximum of aerospace
intelligence with a minimum expenditure of funds and utilization of man-«
power, AFCIN-4E in December 1959, recommended the transfer of the Aerial
Phenomena Program to Air Research and Development Command. It was
pointed out at that time that after l2 years of experience ATIC has yet
to uncover any positive evidence that UFO's constitute a threat to
national security. It was further pointed out that the UFO program's
only potential value to the United States Air Force was due to its
scientific and/or technical aspects. ARDC, after reviewing the program,
declined the transfer indicating that the data available was not quali-
tative and therefore of limited scientific value. It is my opinion that
the data available is limited qualitatively only because of the volume
of UFO traffic required to be handled by this organization. In an effort
to continue meeting the USAF obligations to this program and also to
disassociate it with intelligence, it is suggested that the Aerial
Phenomena Program be transferred to SAFOI. The attached draft of a

letter to General Walsh clearly indicates the benefits which might be
derived from such a transfer,

2. If you concur with these suggestions, it is recommended that the
draft of the attagiipd letter be authenticated and forwarded to AFCIN.

l Atche

Draft of ltr to Gen Walsh
w/Atch

a sat tale he”

AFCIN-4X1 1 April 1960
Subject: Transfer of UFO
MEMORANDUM TO MAJOR GENERAL DOUGHER

1. My comments on the transfer proposed in Colonel Evans’ memorandum
of 31 March 1960 are as follows.

2. I have tried during the last ten years of close association with this
program to get it out of ATIC, for most of the reasons given in Colonel
Evans' letter and its attachment. However, I have some additional
comments:

a. This program has a high psychological warfare potential (an example
being the H. G. Wells “War of the World" put on as a radio show by Orson
Wells some years ago). Defense against this is not a function of intelligence.

b. Ido not agree that, as stated in paragraph 4e, "loss of prestige to

UFO program" is a disadvantage. In fact, I have been trying to bring this
about totally.

3. Major Tacker of SAFOI is about to publish a book on UFO. This would
surely destroy the claim of objectivity which the Air Force has made.

4. This transfer would certainly ease the 4X3 personnel problem.

5. If a transfer of personnel is involved in this matter, I recommend that
Major R. J. Friend or Captain George T. Gregory go with the program;
that is, if they are awaiting reassignment or if they can be spared. A
better alternative might be to have either of these officers named ATIC
representative in an advisory capacity only and upon call. A much better
alternative, and the one I recommend, would be for Dr. J. Allen Hynek
to be retained by SAFOI as the scientific advisor on this subject.

A LOU),
A. FRANCIS ARCIER 1 Atch

AFCIN-4X1 4E ltr 31 Mar 60, subj Transfer
of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

oe ee

REPLY TO
ATTW OF:

SUBJECT:

TO:

AEROSPACE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
OHIO

AFCIN-4 dy

Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

AFCIN (Major General Walsh)

1. During December 1959, a study was conducted by AFCIN-4E, ATIC,
recommending the transfer of the Aerial Phenomena Program to the
Air Research and Development Command. it was pointed out that 12
years experience with the UFO program had failed to reveal any
threat to national security, and that any value from the program
would be derived from exploitation of its scientific and technical
aspects. After review of the program, ARDC declined the transfer
indicating the data available was not qualitative and therefore

was of limited scientific value. it is the opinion of ATIC that
the data available is limited qualitatively only because of the
volume of UFO traffic required to be handled by this organization.
If the cases which give indication of possessing scientific and/or
technical value were to be exploited fully, it is believed that
they would be of benefit to the USAF. It was further pointed out
in the study, and by ARDC, that the great majority of these cases
are valuable to the Air Force only as statistics and as they relate
to the public relations aspects of the program. The Air Force must
continue its responsibility for operation of this project; however,
in view of the fact that this program, for the most part, deals with
public relations it is suggested that it be transferred to SAFOI.
SAFOI is presently responsible for the public relations portion of
the program and this transfer would only entail expansion of the
branch within SAFOI responsible for this function.

2. This program could operate without the loss of its possible
military and scientific value if conducted as follows:

a. The reports will by regulation be forwarded to SAFOI for
initial evaluation and storage. An officer with a technical back-
ground, and preferably with intelligence experience, will be assigned
to that branch of SAFOI charged with this responsibility and will
conduct this initial evaluation.

b. Those reports which reach SAFOI which give indication of having
possible intelligence value or scientific and technical possibilities

will be forwarded to AFCIN and/or ARDC for further evaluation and/or
exploitation.

eg af

c. The conduct of the program in the field (investigations) will
| still be the responsibility of the Air Force bases. At the bases it
; will still be preferably the intelligence function which will be

responsible for these investigations.

3. The advantages of this transfer are:
a. SAFOI is familiar with the Aerial Phenomena Program.

b. Reports will be evaluated immediately at the office responsi-
ble for public relations.

c. The reports which show promise of additional value, either
from an intelligence and/or scientific viewpoint, will be forwarded
to specializing agencies for further exploitation. Under this method
of operation the number of reports which agencies such as ATIC and
ARDC are required to handle would be cut to a minimum, allowing for
more man-hours per report and consequently better analysis and
evaluation.

ad. The program will lose some of the aura of mystery which
surrounds it due to its association with intelligence.

e. ATIC will be free to apply man-hours, previously applied to
the UFO project, to other programs more beneficial to the Air Force.

f. ATIC prestige will lose the damaging effects which can be
attributed to its association with a program so much in the public

eye.

4, There are certain disadvantages associated with this change, the
magnitude of which will decrease as the agencies concerned become
familiar with the new method of operation:

a. The requirement for the office handling this program to estab-
lish the necessary security measures for handling classified intelligence
reports.

b. It will be the responsibility of one individual not directly
concerned with intelligence to determine which reports are of possible
intelligence value.

c. Possibility of delay of reports with intelligence value getting
into proper channels and the resulting delay of evaluation and dissemins-
/ tion of intelligence information.

ad. The necessity for familiarizing sub-units of the Air Force with
a new method of operating the Aerial Phenomena Program.

~

a+ It has been pointed out that there would possibly be a lag in
intelligence information finding it way into the proper channels.
However, it should be immediately obvious that reports which originate
from intelligence sources would remain primarily in intelligence
channels with information copies of these reports, when deemed
necessary due to their relation with the Aerial Phenomena Program,
forwarded to the office in SAFOI which handles the project. The pro-
gram should suffer little from being severed from an organization with
a scientific and technical capability. The office within SAFOI
responsible for this program could request the services of any agency
with the government complex, which has a scientific and/or technical
capability, for assistance in the evaluation of these reports.

6. The officer presently conducting the program for ATIC is available
for transfer along with the project. This officer is capable of per-
forming the function spelled out in paragraph 2a of this document.

7. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and Director of the Observatory
at Northwestern University should be retained as the scientific con-
sultant to this program. Dr. Hynek's experience with the aerial
phenomena program spans the entire 12 years that the Air Force has
conducted this program, and this experience would be invaluable to

any future Air Force efforts in this area.

8. It is believed that this method of operating the Aerial Phenomena
Program would be the most beneficial to the USAF. The long range aims
are to eliminate this costly program completely as an Air Force
responsibility. The first step, however, is to eliminate the most
unproductive aspects of this program (i.e. hoax and garden variety
UFO reports) as a responsibility of intelligence.

9. If you concur with the recommendations of this letter, it is
suggested that the necessary steps be taken to effect the transfer of
the Aerial Phenomena Program to SAFOL.

1 Atch
Draft of itr to M/Gen Luehman

AFCIN-&

Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

AFCIN (Major General Walsh)

1. During December 1959, © study was conducted by AFCIN-4E, ATIC,
recommending the transfer of the Aerial Phenomena Program to the
Air Research and Development Command. It was pointed out that 12
years experience with the UFO program had failed to reveal any
threat to national security, and that any value from the program
would be derived from exploitation of its scientific and technical
aspects. After review of the program, ARDC declined the transfer
indicating the data available was not qualitative and therefore

was of limited scientific value. It is the opinion of ATIC that
the date available is limited qualitatively only because of the
volume of UFO traffic required to be handled by this organization.
If the cases which give indication of possessing scientific and/or
technical value were to be exploited fully, it is believed that
they would be of benefit to the USAF. It was further pointed out
in the study, and by ARDC, that the great majority of these cases
are valuable to the Air Force only as statistics and as they relate
to the public relations aspects of the program. The Air Force must
continue ite responsibility for operation of this project; however,
in view of the fact that this program, for the most part, deals with
public relations it is suggested that it be transferred to SAFOI.
SAFOI is presently responsible for the public relations portion of
the program and this transfer would only entail expansion of the
branch within SAFOI responsible for this function.

2. This program could operate without the loss of its possible
military and scientific value if conducted as follows:

a. The reports will by regulation be forwarded to SAFOI for
initial evaluation and storage. An officer with a technical back-~
ground, and preferably with intelligence experience, will be assigned
to that branch of SAFOI charged with this responsibility and will
conduct this initial evaluation.

b. Those reports which reach SAFOI which give indication of having
possible intelligence value or scientific and technical possibilities

will be forwarded to AFCIN and/or ARDC for further evaluation and/or
exploitation.

¢. The conduct of the program in the field (investigations) will
still be the responsibility of the Air Force bases. At the bases it
will still be preferably the intelligence function which will be
responsible for these investigations.

3. The advantages of this transfer are:
a. SAFOI is familiar with the Aerial Phenomena Progran.

b. Reports will be evaluated immediately at the office responsi-
ble for public relations.

c. The reports which show promise of additional value, either
from an intelligence and/or scientific viewpoint, will be forwarded
to specializing agencies for further exploitation. Under this method
of operation the number of reports which agencies such as ATIC and
ARDC are required to handle would be cut to a minimum, allowing for
more man-hours per report and consequently better analysis and
evaluation.

ad. The program will lose some of the aura of mystery which
eurrounds it due to its association with intelligence.

e. ATIC will be free to apply man-hours, previously applied to
the UFO project, to other programe more beneficial to the Air Force.

f. ATIC prestige will lose the damaging effects which can be
attributed to its association with a program so much in the public

eye.

4, There are certain disadvantages associated with this change, the
magnitude of which will decrease as the agencies concerned become
familiar with the new method of operation:

a. The requirement for the office handling this program to estab-
lish the necessary security measures for handling classified intelligence
reports.

b. It will be the responsibility of one individual not directly
concerned with intelligence to determine which reports are of possible
intelligence value.

c. Possibility of delay of reports with intelligence value getting
into proper channels and the resulting delay of evaluation and dissemina-
tion of intelligence information,

ad. The necessity for familiarizing sub-units of the Air Force with
a new method of operating the Aerial Phenomena Program.

2

5. It has been pointed out that there would possibly be a lag in
intelligence information finding it way into the proper channels.
However, it should be immediately obvious that reporte which originate
from intelligence sources would remain primarily in intelligence
channels with information copies of these reports, when deemed
necessary due to their relation with the Aerial Phenomena Progran,
forwarded to the office in SAFOI which handles the project. The pro-
gram should suffer little from being severed from an organization with
a scientific and technical capability. The office within SAFOI
responsible for this program could request the services of any agency
with the government complex, which has a scientific and/or technical
capability, for assistance in the evaluation of these reports.

6. The officer presently conducting the program for ATIC is available
for transfer along with the project. This officer is capable of per-
forming the function spelled out in paragraph 2a of this document.

7. Dr. d. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and Director of the Observatory
at Northwestern University should be retained as the scientific con-
sultant to this program. Dr. Hynek's experience with the aerial
phenomena program spans the entire 12 years that the Air Force has
conducted this program, and this experience would be invaluable to
any future Air Force efforts in this area.

8. It is believed that this method of operating the Aerial Phenomena
Program would be the most beneficial to the USAF. The long range aims
are to eliminate this costly program completely as an Air Force
responsibility. The first step, however, is to eliminate the most
unproductive aspects of this program (i.e. hoax and garden variety
UFO reports) as a responsibility of intelligence.

9. If you concur with the recommendations of this letter, it is
suggested that the necessary steps be taken to effect the transfer of
the Aerial Phenomena Program to SAFOI.

1 Atch
Draft of ltr to M/Gen Luehman

’ * hed

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

ATIN OF: AFCIN (Major General Walsh)

SUBJECT: Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

TO: SAFOI (Major General A. H. Luehman)

1. In the fall of 1947, the USAF took official notice of reports
of unidentified flying objects. Responsibility for the UFO
project was assigned to the intelligence community.

2. The project, as established, was to determine if UFO's were
hostile, had any possible scientific value, and to determine the
nature of each of these objects. After le years and more than
8000 reports, the Air Force has not discovered any evidence
which would indicate that UFO's are inimical or pose a security
threat in any way.

3. In the absence of evidence to indicate a possible security
threat the scientific and public relations aspects of the program
gained stature. It becomes obvious that with these new objectives
the program's assignment to intelligence is no longer practical.
Experience during the same 12 years has indicated that the pro-
gram is more a public relations program than anything else. The
few reports that may have intelligence and/or scientific and
technical value have a tendency to become lost in the volume of
UFO traffic. In an effort to overcome this shortcoming, it is

my opinion that the aerial phenomena project should be assigned
to SAFOIL.

4, To prevent the loss of valuable information; intelligence,
scientific, and/or technical, it is suggested that an individual
with a technical and intelligence background be assigned to the
branch of SAFOI which becomes responsible for the program. All
reports which have indication of value in the intelligence and/or
scientific areas would be routed to the appropriate agency for
exploitation. The officer presently conducting the program for
ATIC is available for transfer along with the project. This
officer is capable of performing the function spelled out in

this paragraph.

5. It is suggested that Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and
Director of the Observatory at Northwestern University, be retained

as the scientific consultant to the program. Dr. Hynek has
performed in this capacity for ATIC since 1947, and his experience

and "know how" would be invaluable to Air Force efforts in con-
ducting the aerial phenomena program.

6. With your concurrence, I propose to initiate the action to
transfer the aerial phenomena program to SAFOIL.

@... TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE mA

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE - >
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE Re |
i. ae
OHIO (9) vy =O
4, . ,
REPLY TO ths af
‘TT’ of: APCIN-4E/Col Evans/1f ear ea

sueveéct: Transfer of UFO

to: AFCIN-4E2
Colonel Shoop

The space authorization for the clerk stenogra her ‘in, that
group will now remain there. gz

' r -
“Klar ae
y, 1) ee
putt; . EVANS 1 Attch | 5
Colonel, USAF Memo fr AFCIN-4 Mr. Arcier
AFCIN-4E w/ 1 Atch Memo 4E 4/31/60

2/ Draft of Ltr to Gen Walsh

T

FOO

~N
>¢ r
\

REPLY TO
ATTN OF: AFCIN (Major General Walsh)

SUBJECT: Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

TO: SAFOI (Major General A. H. Luehman)

1. Im the fall of 1947, the USAF took official notice of reports
of unidentified flying objects. Responsibility for the UFO
project was assigned to the intelligence community.

2. The project, as established, was to determine if UFO's were
hostile, had any possible scientific value, and to determine the
nature of each of these objects. After 12 years and more than
8000 reports, the Air Force has not discovered any evidence
which would indicate that UFO's are inimical or pose a security
threat in any way.

3. In the absence of evidence to indicate a possible security
threat the scientific and public relations aspects of the progran
gained stature. It becomes obvious that with these new objectives
the program's assignment to intelligence is no longer practical.
Experience during the same 12 years has indicated that the pro-
gram is more a public relations program than anything else. The
few reports that may have intelligence and/or scientific and
technical value have a tendency to become lost in the volume of
UFO traffic. In an effort to overcome this shortcoming, it is

my opinion that the serial phenomena project should be assigned
to SAFOL.

4. To prevent the loss of valuable information; intelligence,
scientific, and/or technical, it is suggested that an individual
with a technical and intelligence background be assigned to the
branch of SAFOI which becomes responsible for the program. All
reports which have indication of value in the intelligence and/or
scientific areas would be routed to the appropriate agency for
exploitation. The officer presently conducting the program for
ATIC is available for transfer along with the project. This
officer is capable of performing the function spelled out in

this paragraph.

5. It is suggested that Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and
Director of the Observatory at Northwestern University, be retained

as the scientific consultant to the program. Dr. Hynek has
performed in this capacity for ATIC since 1947, and his experience
and “know how" would be invaluable to Air Force efforts in con-
ducting the aerial phenomena program.

6. With your concurrence, I propose to initiate the action to
transfer the aerial phenomena program to SAFOI.

DRAFT Ltr to Gen Walsh fr M/Gen Dougher

SUBJECT: Transfer of USA’ Aerial Phenomena Program

1. During December 1959, a study was conducted by AFCIN-lE, ATIC,
recommending the transfer of the Aerial Phenomena Program to the Air
Research and Development Command. It was pointed out that 12 years
experience with the FO program had failed to reveal any threat to
national security, and that any value from the program would be derived
from exploitation of its scientific and technical aspects. After review
of the program. ARDC declined the transfer indicating the data avatilable
was not qualitative and therefore was of limited scientific value. It is
the opinion of AIC that the data available is limited qualitatively only
because of the volume of UFO traffic reauired to be handled by this
organization. If the cases which give indication of possessing scien-
tific and/or technical value were to be exploited fully, it is believed
that they would be of benerit to the USAF. It was further pointed out

in the study, and by ARUC, that the great majority of these cases are
valuabie to the Air Force only as statistics and as they relate to the
public relations aspects of the program. The Air Force must continue

its responsibility for operation of this project; however, in view of

the fact that this program, for the most part, deals with public relations
it is suggested that it be transferred to SAFO[. SAFI is presently
responsible for the public relations portion of the program and this
transfer would only entail expansion of the branch within SAFOI respon-

sible for this function,

2. This program could operate without the loss of its possible military

and scientific value if conducted ag follows:

a. The reports will by regulation be forwarded to SAFO! for ini-
tial evaluation and storage. An officer with a technical background,
and preferably with intelligence experience, will be assigned to that
branch of SAFOI charged with this responsibility and will conduct this
initial evaluation.

b. Those reports which reach SAFOI which give indication of having
possible intelligence value or scientific and technical possibilities will
be forwarded to AFUIN and/or ARDC tor further evaluation and/or exploitation.

c. The conduct of tie program in the field (investigations) will still
be the responsivilitvy oi the Air Force bases. At the bases it will still
be preferably the inteliigence Junction which will be responsible vor
these investigations.
3e Tne advanvages of this transfer are:

&@. SAFOI is familiar with the Aerial Phenomena Vrogran.

b. leports will ve evaluated immediately at the office responsible
for public relations,

¢. The reports whicn show promise cf additional values. sither from
an intelligence and/or scientific viewpoint,will be forwarded to special-
{Zing agencies for further exploitation. Under this method of operation
the number of reports which agencies such as ATIC and ARDC are required
to handle would be cut to a minimum, allowing for more man-hours per
report and consequently better analysis and avaluation.

de The program will lose some of the aura of mystery which surrounds
it due to its association with intelligence.

e. ATIC will be free to apply man-hours, previously applied to the

UFO project, to other programs mors beneficial to the Air Force.

f. ATIC prestige will lose the damaging effects which can be
attributed to its association with a program so much in the public eye.

l). There are certain disadvantages associated with this change, the
magnitude of which will decrease as the sgencies concerned become familiar
with the new method of operation:

a. The requirement for the office handling this program to establish
tne necessary security measures lor handiing classified intelligence
reports.

b. It will be the responsibility of one individual not directly
concerned with intelligence to determine which reports are of possivole
intelligence vaiue.

Ge Possibllity of delay of reports with intelligence value getting
into propes caannels and the resulting delay of evaluation and dissemina-
tion of intelligence information.

d. ‘ne necessity for familiarizing suoe-units of the Air Force with
a new metnod of operating the Aerial Phenomena Progran.

5. It hae been pointed out that there would possibly be a lag in intelli-
gence information finding its way into the proper channels. however, it
should be immediately obvious that reports which originate from intelli-
gence sources would remain primarily in intelligence channels with infor-
mation copies of these reports, when deemed necessary due to their relation
with the Aerial Phenomena Program, forwarded to the office in SAFot which
handles the project. The program should siffer little from being severed
from an organization with a scientific and technical capability. The
office within SAFOI responsible for this program could request the sere

vices of any agency within the government complex, which has a scientific

aA

and/or technical capability, for assistance in the evaluation of these

reports.

6. The officer presently conducting the program for ATIC is available
for transfer along with the project. This officer is capable of per-
forming the function spelled out in Par. 2a of this document.

7s Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and Director of the Observatory
at Northwestern University snould be retained as the scientific consul-
tant to this program. Dr. Hynek's experience with the aerial phenomena
program spans the entire 12 years that the Air Force has conducted this
program, and this experience would be invaluable to any future Air Force
efforts in this area.

8. It is believed that this method of operating the Aerial Phenomena
Program would be the most beneficial to the USAF. ‘The long range aims
are to eliminate this costly program completely as an Air Force respon-
sibility. The first step, however, is to eliminate the most unproductive
aspects of this program (i.e. hoax and garden variety UFO reports) as a
responsibility of intelligence.

9. If you concur with the recommendations of this letter, it is
suggested that the necessary steps be taken to effect the transfer of

the Aerial Phenomena Program to SAFOI. (Draft of letter to M/Gen Luehnan

of SAFOI recommending the transfer is attached)

DRAFT Ltr to M/Gen A. H. Luehman fr Gen Walsh

SUBJECT: Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

1. In the fall of 1947, the USAF took official notice of reports of
unidentified flying objects. Responsibility for the UFO project was

assigned to the intelligence comaunity.

2. The project, as established, was to determine if 'FO's were hostile,
had any possible scientific value, and to determine the nature of each

of these objects. After 12 years and more than 8000 reports, the Air
Force has not discovered any evidence which would indicate that UFO's
are inimical or pose a security threat in any way.

3. In the absence of evidence to indicate a possible security threat
the scientific and public relations aspects of the program gained stature.
[It becomes obvious that with these new objectives the program's assign-
ment to intelligence is no longer practical. lxperience during the same
12 years has indicated that the program is more a public relations vro-
gram than anything else. The few reports that may have intelligence
and/or scientific and technical value have a tendency to become lost

in the volume of UFO traffic. In an effort to overcome this shortcoming,
it is my opinion that the aerial phenomena project should be assigned

to SAFOTL,

4. To prevent the loss of valuable information; intelligence, scientific,
and/or technical, it is suggested that an individual with a technical
and intelligence background be assigned to the branch of SAFOI which
becomes responsible for the program. All reports which have indication
of value in the intelligence and/or scientific areas would be routed

to the appropriate agency for exploitation. The officer presently

conducting the program for ATIC is available for transfer along with the
project. This officer is capable of performing the furiction spelled out
in Par. 2a of this document.

5. It is suggested that Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and Director
of the Observatory at Northwestern University, be retained as the
scientific consultant to the program. Dr. Hynek has performed in this
capacity for ATIC since 1917, and his experience and "know how" would
be invaluable to Air Force efforts in conducting the aerial phenomena
programe

6. With your concurrence, I propose to initiate the action to transfer

the aerial phenomena program to SAFOI.

APCIN-&

Tranefer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

AFCIN (Major General Walsh)

1. During Decenber 1959, a study wes conducted by AFCIN-4E, ATIC,
recommending the transfer of the Aerial Phenomena Program to the
Air Research and Development Command. It was pointed out that 1°
years experience vith the UFO program had failed to reveal any
threat to national security, and that any value from the progran
would be derived from exploitation of its scientific and technical
aspects. After review of the program, ARDC declined the transfer
indicating the data available waz not qualitative and therefore
was of limited scientific value. It is the opinion of ATIC that
the data available is limited qualitatively only because of the
volume of UFO traffic required to be handled by this organization.
If the cases which give indication of possessing scientific and/or
technical value were to be exploited fully, it fe believed that
they would be of benefit to the USAF. It was further pointed out
in the study, end by ARDC, that the great majority of these cases
are valuable to the Air Force only as statistics and as they relate
to the public relations aspects of the program. The Air Force must
continue its responsibility for operation of this project; however,
in view of the fact that this program, for the most part, deals with
public relations it is suggested thet it be transferred to SAFOI.
SAFOI is presently responsible for the public relations portion of
the program and this transfer would only entail expansion of the
branch within SAFOI responsible for this function.

2. This program could operate without the logs of ite possible
military and scientific value if conducted as follows:

a. The reports will by regulation be forwarded to SAFOI for
initial evaluation and storage. An officer with a technical back-
ground, and preferably with intelligence experience, will be assigned
to that branch of SAFOI charged with this responsibility and will
comfluct this initial evaluation.

6. Those reports which reach SAFOI which give indication of having
possible intelligence value or scientific and technical possibilities
will be forwarded to AFCIN and/or ARDC for further evaluation and/or
exploitetion.

™

c. The conduct of the program in the field (investigations) will
still be the responsibility of the Air Force bases. At the bases it

will still be preferably the intelligence function which will be
responsible for these investigstions.

3. The advantages of this transfer are:

am. GAPFOI is familiar with the Aerial Phenomena Program.

b. Reporte will be evaluated immediately at the office responsi-
ble for public relations.

c. The reports which show promise of additional value, either
from an intelligence and/or scientific viewpoint, will be forwarded
to specializing agencies for further exploitation. Under thie method

of operation the number of reporte which agencies such as ATIC and
ARDC are required to handle would be cut to ea minimm, allowing for

more man-hours per report end consequently better analysis and
evaluation.

a. The program will lose some of the sura of mystery which
eurrounés it due to its association with intelligence.

e. ATIC will be free to apply man-hours, previously applied to

the UFO project, to other programs more beneficial to the Air Force.

£. ATIC prestige will lose the dameging effects which can be

attributed to ite association with a program so much in the public
eye.

4, There are certain disadvantages associated with this change, the
magnitude of which will decrease as the agencies concerned become
femiliar with the new method of operation:

a. The requirement for the office handiing this program to estab-

lish the necessary security measures for handling classified intelligence

reports.

db. It will be the responsibility of one individual not directly

concerned with intelligence to determine which reports are of possible
intelligence vzelue.

c. Possibility of delay of reporte with intelligence value getting

into proper channels and the resulting delay of evaluation and dissemine-

tion of intelligence information.

ad. The necessity for familiarizing sub-unite of the Air Force with
o new method of operating the Aerial Phenomena Progran.

APCThes

Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

AFCINel, (4/Gen Dougher)

le. In keeping with a policy of producing the maximum of aerospace
intelligence with a minimum expenditure of funds and utilization of man-
power, AFCIN-Z in December 1959, recommended the transfer of the Aerial
Phenomena Program to Air Research and Development Command. It was
pointed out at that time that after 12 years of experience ATIC has yet
to uncover any positive evidence that UFO's constitute a threat to
national security. It was further pointed out that the UFO program's
only potential value to the United States Air Force was due to its
scientific and/ov technical aspects. ARDC, after reviewing the progran,
declined the transfer indicating that the data available was not quali-
tative and therefore of limited scientific value. It is my opinion that
the data available is linited qualitatively only because of the volume
of UFO traffic required to be handled by this organization. In an effort
to continue meeting the USAF obligations to this program and also to
disassociate it with intelligence, it is suggested that the Aerial
Phenomena Program be transferred to SAFOI. The attached draft of a

letter to General Walsh clearly indicates the benefits which might be
derived from such a transfer.

2. If you concur with these suggestions, it is recommended that the
draft of the attached letter be authenticated and forwarded to AFCIN.

Jp. ie SE co

PHIL([P @. EVANS 1 Atch:

Colonel, USAF Draft of ltr to Gen Walsh
AFCINeki# w/Atch

o+ It has been pointed out that there would possibly be a lag in
intelligence information finding it way into the proper channels.
However, it should be immediately obvious that reports which originate
from intelligence sources would remain primarily in intelligence
channels with information copies of these reports, when deemed
necessary Gue to their relation with the Aerial Phenomena Progran,
forwarded to the office in SAFOI which handles the project. The pro-
gram should suffer little from being severed from an organization with
a scientific and technical capability. The office within SAFOI
responsible for this program coulé request the services of any agency
with the government complex, which has a scientific and/or technical
capability, for assistance in the evaluation of these reports.

6. The officer presently conducting the program for ATIC is available
for transfer along with the project. This officer is capable of per-
forming the function spelled out in paragraph 2a of this document.

7. Dr. Jd. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and Director of the Observatory
at Northwestern University should be retained as the scientific con-
sultant to this program. Dr. Hynek’s experience with the serial
phenomena program spans the entire 12 years that the Air Force has
conducted this program, and this experience would be invaluable to
any future Air Force efforts in this area.

S. It is believed that this method of operating the Aerial Phenomena
Program would be the most beneficial to the USAF. The long range aims
are to eliminate this costly program completely as an Air Force
responsibility. The first step, however, is to eliminate the most
unproductive aspects of this program (i.e. hoax and garden variety
UFO reports) as a responsibility of intelligence.

9. If you concur with the recommendations of this letter, it is
suggested that the necessary steps be taken to effect the transfer of
the Aerial Phenomena Program to SAFOI.

1 Atch
Draft of ltr to M/Gen Luchzan

REPLY TO
ATTN OF:

TO:

AFCIN (Major General Walsh)
Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

SAFOI (Major General A. H. Luehman)

1. Im the fall of 1947, the USAF took official notice of reports
of wnidentified flying objects. Responsibility for the UWro
project was essigned to the intelligence commmity.

2. The project, as established, was to determine if WO's were
hostile, had any possible scientific value, and to determine the
nature of each of these objects. After 12 years and more than
8000 reports, the Air Force has not discovered any evidence
which would indicate that UFO's are inimical or pose a security
threat in any way.

3. In the absence of evidence to indicate a possible security
threat the acientific and public relations aspects of the program
gained stature. It becomes obvious that with these new objectives
the program's assignment to intelligence is no longer prectical.
Experience during the same 12 years has indicated that the pro-
gram is more a public relations program than anything elee. The
few reports that may have intelligence and/or scientific and
technical value have a tendency to become lost in the volume of

UPO traffic. In an effort to overcome this shortcoming, it is

my Opinion that the aerial phenomena project should be assigned
to SAPOI.

4, To prevent the loss of valuable information; intelligence,
scientific, and/or technical, it is suggested that an individual
with «a technical and intelligence background be assigned to the
branch of SAFOI which becomes responsible for the program. Ali
reports which have indication of value in the intelligence and/or
scientific areas would be routed to the appropriate agency for
exploitation. The officer presently conducting the program for
ATIC is available for transfer along with the project. This
officer is capable of performing the function spelled out in
this paragraph.

5. It is suggested that Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and
Director of the Observatory st Northwestern University, be retained

t ’

as the scientific consultant to the program. Dr. Hynek has
performed in this capacity for ATIC since 1947, and his experience
and "know how" would be invaluable to Air Force efforte in con-

€ucting the aerial phenomena progran.

6. With your concurrence, I propose to initiate the action to
transfer the aerial phenomena program to SAFOI.

AFCINGLE

Tranefer of VoAr Aerial Phenomena Progran

APC Tiel, (¢/Gen Dougher)

1. In keeping with a policy of producing the maximum of aerospace
intelligence with a minimum expenditure of funds and utilization of man-
power, AFCIN-E in December 1959, recommended the transfer of the Aerial
Phenomena Program to Air Research and Development Command. It was
pointed out at that time that after 12 years of experience ATIC has yet
to wncover any positive evidence that UFO's constitute a threat to
national security. It was further pointed out that the UFO program's
only potential value to the United States Air Force was due to its
scientific and/or technical aspects. ANC, after reviewing the PYOLTAMs
declined the transfer indicating that the data available was not quali-
tative and therefore of limited scientific value. It is my opinion that
the data available is limited qualitatively only because of the volume
of UPU traffic required to be handled by this organization. [mn an effort
to continue meeting the USAF obligations to this program and also to
disassociate it with intelligence, it is suggested that the Aerial
Phenomena Program be transferred to SAPOI. ‘The attached draft of a
letter to General Walsh clearly indicates the benefits which might be
derived from such a transfer.

2. If you concur with these suggestions, it is recommended that the
draft of the attached letter be authenticated and forwarded to AFCIN.

PHIL(P G. EVANS 1 Atchs
Colonel, USAF Draft of ltr to Gen Walsh
AFCINel; w/Atch

DRAFT Ltr to ft, Walsh fr M/Gen Dougher
SUBJ: Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program
1. During December 1959, a study was conducted by AFCIN-\B, ATIC,
recommending the transfer of the Aerial Phenomena Program to the Air
Research and Development Command. It was pointed out that 12 years exper-
ience with the UFO program had failed to reveal any threat to national
security, and that any value from the program would be derived from exploi-
tation of its scientific and technical aspects. After review of the pro-
gran, ARDC declined the transfer indicating the data available was not
qualitative and therefore was of limited scientific value. It is the
opinion of ATIC that the data available is limited qualitatively only
because of the volume of UFO traffic required to be handled by this organi-
gation. If the cases which give indication of possessing scientific and/or
technical value were t© be exploited fully, it is believed that they would
be of benefit to tiie USAF. It was Lurther poiiuted out in the study, and
by ARDC, that the great majority of these cases are valuable to tne Air
Force only as statistics and as they relate to the public relations aspects
of the program. The Air Force must continue its responsibility for opera-
tion of this program; however, in view of the fact that this program, for
the most part, deals with public relations it is suggested that it be trans-
ferredto SAFOI. SAFOI is presently responsible for the public relations por-
tion of the program and this transfer would only entail expansion of the
branch within SAFOI responsible for this function.
2. This program could operate without the loss of its possible military and
scientific value if conducted as follows:

a. The reports will by regulation be forwarded to SAFOI for initial
evaluation and storage. An officer with a technical background, and preferably
with intelligence experience, will be assigned to that branch of SAFOI charged

with this responsibility and will conduct this initial evaluation.

b. Those reports which reach SAFOI which give indication of having
possible intelligence value or scientific and technical possibilities will
he forwarded to AFCIN end/or ARDC for further evaluation and/or exploitation.

¢. The conduct of the program in the field (investigations) will still
be the responsibility of the Air Force bases. At the bases it will still be
preferably the intelligence function which will be responsible for these
investigati onse
3. The advantages of this transfer ares

a. SAFOI is familiar with tac Aerial Phenomena Program.

b. Reports will be evaluated immediately at the office responsible
for public relations.

o. The number of reports which show promise of additional value either
from an intelligence and/or scientific viewpoint will be cut to a minimums
thereby allowing specializing agencies to Jevote more man hours per report.

d. The program will lose some of the aura of mystery which surrounds
4% due to its association with intelligence.

e. ATIC will be free to apply more hours, previously applied to the
program, to other programs moro beneficial to the Air Force.

f. ATIC prestige will lose the damacing effects which can be attributed
to its association with a program so much in the public eye.

h. There are certain disadvantages associated with this change, bhe magni-
tude of which will decrease as the agencies concerned become faaniliar with
the new method of operation:

a. The requirement for tne office handling this program to sf vablish
the necessary security measures for handling classified intelligence reports.
b. It will be the responsibility of one individual not directly cone
cerned with intelligence to determine which reports are of possidie intellie

gence value.

2

Ce pooeanas sel of delay of reports with intelligence value getting into
proper channels and the resulting delay of evaluation and dissemination of
intelligence information.

d. The necessity for familiarizing sub-inits of the Air Force with a new
method of operating the Aerial Phenomena Program,

@. Loss of prestige to the Aerial Phenomena Program due to its sassocia-
tion with an acency having no specific scientific or technical capability.
5S. It has been potnted out that there would possibly be a lag in intelligence
information finding its way into the proper channels. However, it should be
immediately obvious that reports which originate from intelligence sources
would remain primarily in intelligence channels with information copies of
these reports, when deemed necessary due to their relation with the Aerial
Phenomena Program, forwarded to the office in SAFOI which handles the project.
The program should suffer little from being severed from an organization with
a scientific and technical capability. The office within SAFOT rasponsible
for this program could request the services of any agency within the government
complex, which has a scientific and/or technical capability, for assistance
in the evaluation of these reports.

6. It is believed that this method of operating the Aerial Phanomena Program
would be the iseost beneficial to the UbAr, The lone range aims are to eliminate
this costly progrem completely as an Air Force responsibility. The first step,
however, is to climinate the most unproductive aspects of this program (i.e.
hoax and garden variety UFO reports) as a responsibility of intelligence.

7. If you concur with the recommendations of this letter, it 1s suggested
that the necessary steps be taken to effect the transfer of tne Aerial
Phenomena Program to SAFOI, (Draft of letter to M/Gen Luenman of SAFOI

recommending the transfer is attached)

DRAFT of 1tMRo M/oen A. H. Luehman fr Gen wilh

SUBJ: Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

1. In the fall of 197, the USAF took official notice of reports of
mnidentified flying objects. Responsibility for the UFO project was
assigned to the intelligence community.

2. The project, as established, was to determine if UFO's were hostile,
had any possible scientific value, and to determine the nature of each of
these objects. After 12 years and more than 8000 reports, the Air Force
has not discovered any evidence which would indicate that UFO's are
inimical or pose a security threat in any way.

3- In the absence of ovidence to indicate a possible security threat the
scientific and public relations aspects of tne program gained stature. It
becomes obvious that with these new objectives of the program that its
assignment to intelligence is no longer practical. [Experience during the
same 12 years has indicated that the program is more a public relations
program than anything else. The few reports that may have intelligence
and/or scientific and technical value have a tendency to become lost in
the volumes of UFO traffic. In an effort to overcome this shortcoming,
it is my opinion that the aerial phenomena project should be assigned

to SAFOI.

4. To prevent the loss of valuable information; intelligence, scientific,
and/or technical, it is suggested that an individual with a technical and
intelligence background be assigned to the branch of SAFOI which becomes
responsible for the program. All reports which have indication of value
in the intelligence and/or scientific areas would be routed to the appro-

priate agency for exploitation.

5. With your concurrence, I propose to initiate the action to transfer

the Aerial Phenomena Program to SAFOI.

DRAFT Ltr to Gen Walsh fr M/Gen Dougher
SUBJECT: Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program
1. During December 1959, a study was conducted by AFCIN-lE, ATIC,

recommending the transfer of the Aerial Phenomena Program to the Air

Research and Development Command. It was pointed out that 12 years
experience with the UFO program had failed to reveal any threat to
national security, and that any value from the program would be derived
from exploitation of its scientific and technical aspects. After review
of the program, ARDC declined the transfer indicating the data available
was not qualitative and therefore was of limited scientific value. It is
the opinion of ATIC that the data available is limited qualitatively only
because of the volume of UFO traffic required to be handled by this
organization. If the cases which give indication of possessing scien-
tific and/or technical value were to be exploited fully, it is believed
that they would be of benefit to the USAF. It was further pointed out

in the study, and by ARDC, that the great majority of these cases are
valuable to the Air Force only as statistics end as they relate to the

public relations aspects of the program. The Air Force must continue

its responsibility for operation of this project; however, in view of

the fact that this program, for the most part, deals with public relations

it is suggested that it be transferred to SAFOI. SAFOI is presently
responsible for the public relations portion of the program and this
transfer would only entail exvansion of the branch within SAPOT respvon-
sible for this function,

2. This program could operate without the loss of its nvossible military

and scientific value if conducted as follows:

a. The reports will by regulation be forwarded to SAFOI for ini-
tial evaluation and storage. An officer with a technical background,
and preferably with intelligence experience, will be assigned to that
branch of SAFOI charged with this responsibility and will conduct this
initiel evaluation.

b. Those reports which reach SAFOI which give indication of having
possible intelligence value or scientific and technical possivilities will
be forwarded to AFCIN and/or ARDC for further evaluation and/or exploitation.

ce. The conduct of the program in the field (investigations) will still
be the responsibility of the Air Force bases. Av the bases it will still
be preferably the intelligence function which will be responsible for
these investigations.

3. The advantages of this transfer are:

a. SAFOT is familiar with the Aerial Phenomena Program.

b. Reports wili be evaluated immediately at the office responsible
for public relations,

c. The reports wnich show promise of additional value, either from
an intelligence and/or scientific viewpoint,will be forwarded to special-
izing agencies for further exploitation. Under this method of operation
the number of reports which agencies such as ATIC and ARDC are reouired
to handle would be cut to a minimum, allowing for more man-hours per
report and consequently better analysis and avaluation.

d. The program will lose some of the aura of mystery which surrounds
it due to its association with intelligence.

e. ATIC will be free to apply man-hours, previously applied to the

UFO project, to other programs more beneficial to the Air Force.

f. ATIC prestige will lose the damaging effects which can be
attributed to its association with a program so much in the public eye.

li. There are certain disadvantages associated with this change, the
magnitude of which will decrease as the agencies concerned become familiar
with the new method of operation:

a. The requirement for the office handling this program to establish
the necessary security measures for handling classified intelligence
reports,

be. It will be the responsibility of one individual not directly
concerned with intellicence to determine which reports are of possible
intelligence value.

¢. Possibility of delay of reports with intelligence value getting
into proper channels and the resulting delay of evaluation and dissemina-~
tion of intellirence information.

de ‘The necessity for familiarizing sub-units of the Air Force with
a new method of operating the Aerial Phenomena Program.

5. It has veen pointed out that there would possibly be a Jag in intelli-
gence information finding its way into the proper channels. However, it
should be immediately obvious that reports which originate from intelli-
gence sources would remain primarily in intelligence channels with infor-
mation copies of these reports, when deemed necessary due to their relation
with the Aerial Phenomena Program, forwarded to the office in SAFUL which
handles the project. Tne program should suffer Little from being severed
from an organization with a scientific and technical capability. the
office within SAFOL responsible for this program could request the sere

vices of any agency within the government complex, which has a scientific
~J J >

and/or technical capability, for assistance in the evaluation of these

reports.

6. The officer presently conducting the program for ATIC is available
for transfer along with the project. This officer is capable of per-
forming the function spelled out in Par. 2a of this document.

7» Dr. Jd. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and Director of the Observatory
at Northwestern University should be retained as the scientific consul-
tant to this program. Dr. Hynek's experience with the aerial phenomena
program spans the entire 12 years that the Air Force has conducted this
program, and this experience would be invaluable to any future Air Force
efforts in this area,

8. It is believed that this method of operating the Aerial Phenomena
Program would be the most beneficial to the USAF. The long range aims
are to eliminate this costly program completely as an Air Force respon-
sibility. The first step, however, is to eliminate the most unproductive
aspects of this program (i.e. hoax and garden variety UFO reports) as a
responsibility of intelligence.

9. If you concur with the recommendations of this letter, it is
suggested that the necessary steps be taken to effect the tyansfer of

the Aerial Phenomena Program to SAFOI. (Draft of letter to M/Gen Luehnan

of SAFOI recommending the transfer is attached)

DRAET Ltr to M/Gen A. H. Luehman fr Gen Walsh
SUBJECT: Transfer of USAF Aerial Phenomena Program

1. In the fall of 1947, the USAF took official notice of reports of

unidentified flying objects. Responsibility for the UFO project was

assigned to the intelligence comnuunity.

2. The project, as established, was to determine if UFO's were nostile,
had any possible scientific value, and to determine the nature of each

of these objects. After 12 years and more than 8000 reports, the Air
Force has not discovered any evidence which would indicate that UFO's
are inimical or pose a security threat in any way,

3. In the absence of evidence to indicate a possible security threat
the scientific and public relations aspects of the program Gained stature,
[t becomes obvious that with these new objectives the program's assign-
ment to intelligence is no longer practical, uxperience during the seme
l@ years has indicated tnat the program is more a public relations pro-
gram than anything else. The few reports that may nave intelligence
and/or scientific and technical value have a tendency to become lost

in the volume of UFO traffic. In an effort to overcome this shortcoming,
it is my opinion that the aerial phenomena project should be assigned

to SAFOI,

4e To prevent the loss of valuable information; intelligence, Scientific,
and/or technical, it is snuepested that an individual with a techni.cal
and intellizence background be assigned to the branch of SAFOT which
becomes responsible for the program. All reports which have indication
of value in the intelligence and/or Scientific areas would be routed

to the appropriate agency Yor exploitation. ‘The officer presently

conducting the program for ATIC is available for transfer along with the
project. This officer is capable of performing the function spelled out

in Par. 2a of this document.

5. It is suggested that Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Astrophysicist and Director
of the Observatory at Northwestern University, be retained as the
scientific consultant to the program. Dr. Hynek has performed in this
capacity for ATIC since 1947, and his experience and "know how" would

be invaluable to Air Force efforts in conducting the aerial phenomena
DrOHvTane

6. With your concurrence, [ propose to initiate the action to transfer

the aerial phenomena program to SAFO.