CIA's Role in the Study of UFOs, 1947-90 Fig Geraid K. Haines oe While Agency concern over UFOs was substantial until the early 1950s, CIA has since paid only limited and peripheral attention to che phenomena. 99 Gerald IC Haines isthe National Reconnaissance Office historian. ‘An extraordinary 95 percent ofall ‘Americans have at least heard oe cea something about Unidentified Fi Objeccs (UFOs), and 57 pereene believe they are real.! Former US Presidenes Career and Reagan claim te have seen a UFO. UFOlogiste—a ncologism for UFO buffs—and pri- vate UFO organizations are found throughout che United States. Many are convinced chat the US Govern- ment, and particularly CIA, are ‘engaged in'a massive conspiracy and coverup ofthe issue. The idea that CIA has secredy concealed is research into UFOs has been a major theme of UFO buffs since the mod- exn UFO phenomena emerged in the lace 19405? In late 1993, after being pressured by UF Ologiss forthe release of add sional CIA information on UFOs? DCIR James Wooley ordered another review ofall Agency files on UFOs, Using CIA records compiled From chat review, this sudy traces CIA interest and involvement in the ‘UFO controversy from the late 1940s 10 1990, Ic chronologically examines the Agengy’s efor to solve che mys- tery of UFOs, its programs that had an impact on UFO sightings, and ics sancempts to conceal CIA involvement in the entre UFO istic. Wha ‘emerges From this examination is that, while Agency concern over UFOs was subsancal unci the exly 1950s, CUA has since paid only limited and periph- eral arention c che phenomena Background ‘The emergence in 1947 of the Cold War confroncation between the aoe United State and che Soviet Union also sie the ie wave of UEO sight ings. ‘The fis eepore oF “Aying saucer” over the United Sates eame fon 24 June 1947, when Kenneth ‘Arnold, privice pila and reputable businessman, while looking fora downed plane sighted nine disk- shaped objects near Me. Rainier, ‘Washington, ravling a an escimated speed of over 1,000 mph. Arnold's repor was followed by a lood oF adai- sional sightings, including reports from miliary and civilian pilocs and aie craffc controllers all over the Uniced Saces+ In 1948, Aie Force Gen, Nathan Twining, head of che Air Technical Service Command, cstablished Project SIGN nically named Projece SAUCER) co colec, collate, evaluate, and diseibuce wichin the government all information relat~ ing to such sightings, on he premise thac UFOs might be cal and of| nacional secutity concern ‘The Technical Intelligence Division , ofthe Ait Material Command (AMC) at Weight Field (acer Wright Parcerson Ait Force Base) in Dayton, Ohio, assumed control of Project SIGN and began its work on 23 January 1948. Alchough a fist feaiful that the objects might be Soviet secret weapons, the Ait Force soon concluded chat UFOs were real bur easily explained and nor extraor- dinary. ‘The Aic Force report found that almost al sightings stemmed from one or more of thee causes: ‘mass hysteria and hallucination, hoax, ot misineerpceration of known objects. Nevertheless, the report rec- ommended continued miliary incelligence control ove the investi- sation of ll sightings and did noe aly 199900242525 a | - rule our che possibly of exraterres- Early CIA Concems, 1947-52 that mott UFO sightings could be eas tial phenomens.* ily explained. Nevertheless, be (CUA closely monizored the Air Force recommended thatthe Agency con- core aware ofthe mounting number tiawe monitoring the problem, in ‘Air Force continued to colle and oF sightings and increainglycon- coordination with ATIC. He also ‘evaluate UFO data in the late 1940s cerned that UFOs might pose a urged char CIA concea is ineret under a new project, GRUDGE, potential security threat." Given the from the media and the public, “in ‘which eed cw alleviste public anaiegy distribution of the sightings, CIA off-_ view oftheir probable alarmiettenden- ‘vec UFOs vias public rlacons car cls in 1952 querioned whether chey cies" o accept such interest at might reflect "midsummer ‘confirming the existence of UFOs.'* ‘Amid mounting UFO sightings, the paign designed to persuade the public e ‘that UFOs consticured nothing madness." Agency officials accepted ; tunusual or exraordinary. UFO sighe- the Ait Force's conclusions about Upon receiving the repore, Depusy ings were explained a balloons, UFO repore, although they con- Director for Tntlligence (DDI) Rob- conventional itera, planets, mete. cluded cha “since chee isa remate__ert Amory, J. asigned rexponsi possibility chac they may be interplan- for the UFO investigations o OST's ots, optical illusions, solar reflections, : eee Sanya necetay (0 Physics and Elecro ion, ren Taege hailstones.” GRUDGE each sighting” swith A. Ray Gordon atthe officer in | | icals fund no eridence in UFO eee eee Oe Sharge Bach branch in the dviion Seer ccoee, etn ePent 4 manivebuldup ofsighings ovr watt contribute vo the invention, Sig oc reopens andthe Sr Taio Sear in 182 epecally Lad Gowdon warm coordina toe dladed tha UFOs dd noc chet nul aatmed the Truman min: with ATIC. Amory. who sted the US sec, The ecom tration. On 19 and 20 uly radar grou focus on he naional eu teproectbe seduced in scope pes at Wathingeon Neto it~ fy implieaion of UFOs was, because very exsene of Ait Potand Andiews Ait Free Base, teying DCI Walter Bede Sih’ ee Ee eye emmet tee Peo eked myserious blips. On 27 July, concerns.” Smith wanted to know eee ures the blips reappeared. The Alc Force” whether or noc the Ai Fore inveniga- opera oat Ryser SAO scrambled ieereptorateraf conve ton offing sauces was suficiendy a 27 eccmpe 18O. RM cigate, but they found nothing. The objective and how much more monty ‘ic Foree announced che project's inCdenas, however, cused headlines and manpower would be necesary oma across the country. The White House determine the cause of the small per- sraned know wht was happening, crane of wncplned fing murs ‘With increased Cold War tensions, and the Ai Force quickly offered che Smith believed “there was only one the Korean war, and continued UFO explanation chat the radar blips might chance in 10,000 that the phenome- sightings, USAF Director of {ncelli- bbe the resuic of “cemperacure ‘non posed a threat to the security of sence Maj, Gen, Charles P. Cabell inversions.” Laer, a Civil Aeronautics the country, but even chat chance aoxdered anew UFO project in 1952. Adminizrationinvetigacion con- could noc be taken” According to Projet BLUE BOOK became the firmed thar such adarblips wee Smith, twat CIA's responsibilty by maj Ac Force effoc study the quite common and were caused by statute to coordinate che intelignce UFO phenomenon thoughout the cempersture investons tfforecaquired co solve the probiem. 1950sand 1960s. The ask of dend- Smith alto wanted o know what use fying and explaining UFOs concinued Alchough it had monitored UFO could be made of the UFO phenome- {0 Gallon the Air Marecal Command teporesfoc at eas thee years, CIA aoa ia connection with US ac Wright-Patcerson. Wich asmall reacted to the new cath of sightings by psychological warfare efforts." seaf, che Aic Technical Inclligence forming a special srudy group within . Center (ATIC) ried to persuade che che Office of Scientific Intelligence Led by Gordon, the CIA Seudy public chac UFOs were not extaocdi- (OST) and the Office of Current Intel-_ Group met with Ais Free officals ac racy? Projects SIGN, GRUDGE, gence (OCI) co review the ‘Weight-Patcerson and ceviewed cheie and BLUE BOOK set che cone for ation." Edward Taus, acing _—_dataand Findings. ‘The Ais Force theofficial US Government position chief of OSI's Weapons and Equip- claimed chac 90 percent ofthe ‘regarding UFOs for che next 30 years. ment Division, cepored forthe group reported sightings were easily€00242525 Amateur photographs of alleged UFOs Passora, New Jersey 31 July 195200242525 —_ UFOs BEST COPY ‘Shefeld, England, ¢ March 1962 Minneapolis, Minnesota, 20 October 1960 70©00242525 accounted for. The other 10 percent. were characterized as “a number of incredible reports from credible observers.” The Air Force rejected the cheores that che sightings involved US or Sovie secret weapons development or hac they involved “men from Mars"; there was no evi- dence to support these concepts. The Aic Force briefers sought to ceaplain these UFO reporc as the mis- interpretation of known objects or ligde understood natural phenomena.” Air Force and CIA officials agreed that ouside know!- edge of Agency incerest in UFOs would make che problem more serious.» This concealment of CIA incerest contibuced greatly co later charges ofa CIA conspiracy and coverup. ‘The CIA Study Group also searched the Soviec press for UFO reports, bue found none, causing the group 0 conclude that che absence of reports had to have been he result of deliber- ate Soviee Government policy. The ‘group also envisioned the USSR's possible use of UFOs as a psychologi- al warfare wool. In addition, they wortied chat, if the US air warning sysem should be deliberately over~ loaded by UFO sightings, che Soviets might guin a surprise advancage any nuclear steak.” Because ofthe tense Cold War sicua- tion and increased Soviet ‘capabilities, the CIA Study Group ‘aw serious national security con- cerns in the fying sauce scuaton, ‘The group believed that che Soviets ‘could use UFO reports to couch off ‘mass hysteria and panic in the Unieed Scares. The group also believed cha che Soviets might use UFO sighcings to overload the US ait warning system so thae ic could or distinguish rel cargets from, 66 Because of the tense Cold War situation and increased Soviet capabilities, the CIA Study Group saw serious national security concerns in the flying saucer situation. 99 phancom UFOs. H. Marshall Chad- well, Assistant Dicector of OSI, added that he considered the prob- lem of such imporcance “that it should be brought to che atention of the National Security Council, in order that a communieywide coordi- nated effort cowards i solution may bbe initiaved. "= (Chadwell briefed DCI Smith on the subject of UFOs in December 1952. He urged ation because he was con- vinced that “something was going on that must have immediate atencion” ad thac “sightings of unexplained object ac great alieudes and eravel- ing ac high speeds in che vciniry of major US defense insallaions are of such nature cha chey ate noe acrbue- able o natural phenomena of known ‘ypes of aerial vehicles.” He drafed 2 memorandum from the DCI 0 the Nacional Security Council (NSO) and a proposed NSC Directive exab- lishing che investigation of UFOs as, itigen a the dae rach incelligence tesexe! and developmenc community.” ‘Chadwell also urged Smich to extab- lish an excernal research project of top-level scientists vo seudy the prob- tem of UFOn* Aer tiie ‘Smith directed DDI Amory 0 pee- pare a NSC Incligence Dicecive (NSCID) for submission co the NSC the need to continue the invesiga- ion of UFOs and to coordinate uch invesigations with the Ait Force.® ‘The Robertson Panel, 1952-53 On 4 December 1952, the Ineelli- gence Advisory Committee (LAC) took up the issue of UFOs. Amory, as acting chairman, presented DCI Smith's cequese o the committee that ic informally discuss the subjece ‘oF UFOs. Chadwell chen briefly reviewed the sicuation and the active program ofthe ATIC relating to UFOs. The committe agreed thae the DCI should “enlisc the services of selected scientists to review and appraise the avilable evidence in the light of perinene scientific theories" ; and draft an NSCID on the subject” Maj. Gen. John A. Sam- ford, Director of Ait Force Intelligence, ofered full cooperation. * ‘Ac the same time, Chadwell looked fnco British effors inthis area. He learned the British also were active in studying che UFO phenomena. An ‘eminent British scientist, R.V. Jones, headed a standing commicte created in June 1951 on fying saucers. Jones’ and his committees conclu- Sions on UFOs were similar co those of Agency officials: che sightings were not enemy aircraft bur miseepre- sentations of natural phenomena. ‘The British noted, however, chat dur- ing a recent airshow RAF piloss and senior milicary officials had observed a “perfec ying saucer.” Given the response, according ro the (fice Jones was bavings mow if cule cime trying to corcecx public ‘opinion regarding UFOs. The public was convinced they were real? In January 1953, Chadwell and H. P. Robertson, a noted physicist from the California instcure of Technology, put together a distinguished panel of nonmiliary scientists co seudy the UFO issue. Ic included Roberton 3s00242525 i i UFOs huicman; Serauel A. Goudsmit, 2 clear physicist from the Brookhaven ‘National Laboratories; Luis Alvare, 2 high-energy physicist; Thornton Page, the depuy director ofthe Johns Hop- kins Operations Research Office and an expert on radar and eleceronies; and Lloyd Berkner, a direcor of che Brookhaven National Laboratories and specials in geophysics. ‘The charge to che panel was to review the available evidence on UFOs and to consider the possible dangers of the phenomena to US national securcy ‘The panel met from 14 to 17 January 1953. Ic reviewed Aic Force dara on UFO ease histories and, after spend ing 12 houss studying the phenomena, declared tha reasonable explanations could be suggesced for sox, if noc all, sightings. For exam- ple, after eviewing motion-picrure Film taken of a UFO sighting neae Tremonton, Usah, on 2 July 1952 and one near Great Falls, Montana, fon 15 August 1950, the panel con- cluded thac che images on the ‘Tremonton film were caused by sun- lig eflesng of eagll and tae ac Great Falls were sun lghrcheng af he aces of oo Force interceptors." ‘The panel concluded unanimously hae thece was no evidence ofa drece threat co national security in che UFO sightings. Nor could che pane find any evidence that che objecs sighted sight be extracerrestrials. fe did find that continued emphasis on UFO reporting might threaten “the orderly Functioning” of che governmene by loging te channel of commana relevant reports and by inducing “hyserical mass beha harmful co consteueed auchoriy. ‘The panel also worted that pocential «enemies concemplatiag an arack on she United Sraces might exploic the n UFO phenomena and ute them ro dis- rupe US air defenses. = To meet these problems, the panel tc commended that the National Securicy Council debunk UFO reporss and. insticute a policy of public education to reassure the public ofthe lack of ‘evidence behind UFOs. Ie suggested using the mass media, advertising, bbusiness clubs, schools, and even the Disney corporation o gee the across. Reporting a che height of MeCarchyism, che pane also ecom- mended that such private UFO ‘oups as che Civilian Flying Saucer Investigators in Los Angeles and che Aerial Phenomena Research Organiza- tion ia Wisconsin be monicored for subversive activities. ‘The Roberson pane!’s conclusions ‘were srikingly similar co those ofthe ceatliee Air Force project repors on SIGN and GRUDGE and to chose of the CIA's own OSI Seudy Group. All investigative groups found that UFO reports indicated no direct chreat to national security and no evidence of Wises by exratercestials. Following the Robertson pane find= ings, che Agency abandoned efforts ro deafian NSCID on UFOs. The Sci- entific Advisory Panel on UFOs (he Robertson pane!) submited its report to the IAC, the Seererary of Defense, the Director ofthe Federal Civil Defense Administration, and che ‘Chairman of che Navional Securicy Resources Board. CIA officials said no farther consideration of the sub- jece appeared warranted, although they continued to monica sightings in the interes of national secuiy Philip Strong and Fred Ducane from (OSI also briefed the Office of ‘National Estimates on the findings.” CIA officials wanted knowledge of any Agency interes in the subject oF fying saucers carflly restricted, not: ing nor only char the Roberson panel report was classified but also chat any mention of CIA sponsorship of the panel was forbidden. This articude would lacer cause the Ageney major, problems relaing co its credibly. ‘The 1950s: Fading CIA Interest in ‘UFOs ‘After the reporc of the Robertson panel, Agency officals put che entice sue of UFOs on the back burner. In May 1953, Chadwell cansferred chief spony for keping abet of UFOs co OS's Physics and Electronic Division, while the Applied Science Division continued co provide any nec- ‘esuy suppor.” Todos M. Odarenko, chief ofthe Physics and Elecronies Division, did noc want to eke on the problem, co hace would fequire coo much of his divigon’s ana- Iie and clerical time. Given the findings of the Roberton panel, he proposed to consider che projec tive" and co devote only one analyst parttime anda lle clerk to maintain a teference fle ofthe activities of the Ait Force and other agencies on UFOs. cher the Navy nor the Army showed much interest in UFOs, according to Odarenko.™ A nonbeliever in UFOs, Odarenko souighe co have his division relieved of. the responsibly for monicoring UFO reports. In 1955, for example, he tc- ‘ommended that the entire project be terminated because no new informa- tion concerning UFOs had surfaced. Besides. he argued, his division wa fac- ing a serious budgee reduction and could noc spare the resources” Chad- wel and other Agency officials, however, continued ro worry bout ‘UFOs. Of special concer were ver- seas reports of UFO sightings andc00242525 claims that German engineers held by = the Soviet were developing a “ying sucer” at Furure weapon of war.!? To most US political and milisary leaders, the Soviet Union by the eid- 1950s had become a dangerous oppo- rent. Sovie progress in nuclear ‘weapons and guided missiles was par- dcularly alarming. In che summer of 1949, the USSR had detonated an sxomic bomb. In August 1953, only tine monchs ater the Unieed Stas tested a hydrogen bomb, the Soviets ‘deronated onc In the sping of 1953, a cop secret RAND Corpora fon say aso oie ou the swulnerabligy of SAC bases to asur- prise arcack by Soviet long-range bombers. Concern over che danger of a Soviecarack on the United Seates continued to grow, and UFO sightings added co the uneasiness of US policymakers. Mounting reports of UFOs over east- cern Europe and Afghaniscan also ‘prompted concern that che Soviets were making rapid progress in chis CCA officials knew thar che Bricish and Canadians were alceady experimenting wich “Aying saucers.” Project ¥ was 2 Canadian-British-US developmental operation to produce «4 nonconventional flying-saucer-type aircraft, and Agency officials feared the Soviers were testing similar devices. ‘Adding 0 the conceen was 2 fying saucer sighting by US Senator Richard Russell and his parcy while teaveling on a erain ia the USSR in October 1955. Afr extensive inter views of Ruselland his group, however. Cla officials concluded hae Russel’ sighting did noc sup- port che cheorythac the Soviets had developed saucerliee oF unconven- sional sicraf. Herbert Scoville, Jt 66 BLUE BOOK investigators were able to attribute many UFO sightings to U-2 flights. 99 the Assistane Director of OSI, wrote thac the objecs observed probably ‘were normal jet aircraft in a seep limb. Wilton E. Lexow, head ofthe CIA's Applied Sciences Division, was also skeptical. He questioned why the Soviets were continuing ro develop conventional-type aircraft if chey had "Ring saucer." Scoville asked Lexow to assume responsibility for fully assessing the capabiliies and limitations of nonconventional aic- craft and to maineain the OST cenceal file on the subject of UFOs. CIA’s U-2 and OXCART as UFOs In November 1954, CIA had encered inco the woed of high technology with its U2 overhead reconnaissance projece. Working with Lockheed's Advanced Development filigy in Burbank, California, known as che ‘Skunk Works, and Kelly Johnson, an ‘eminent aeronautical engineer, che ‘Agency by August 1955 was esting 3 igh-alticude experimencl aiceraft— the U-2. Iecould fly ac 60,000 feec in che mid-1950s, mos commercial airliners flew beeween 10,000 Feet and 20,000 feet. Consequency, once the U-2 seared test fights, com- ‘mercial pilots and air eaffic controllers began reporting a large increase in UFO sightings. (U) ‘The early U-2s were silver (they were later painted black) and reflected che ays from the sun, espe ‘ise and sunset. They often appeared 8 fiery objects to observers below. Ai Force BLUE BOOK investiga- (ors aware ofthe seeret U-2 lights tried to explain away such sightings by linking them co natural phenom- cena such a8 ice crystals and temperature inversions. By checking with the Agency's U-2 Project Staff in Washington, BLUE BOOK inves- sigacors were able to attribute many ‘UFO sightings to U-2 fights. They were careful, however, not to reveal the crue cause ofthe sighting o the public. According to late estimates from CCA officals who worked on the U- 2 project and che OXCART (SR-71, ‘0 Blackbizd) projec, over half ofall UFO reports from che lace 1950s through the 1960s were accounted for by manned reconnaissance flights (oamely the U-2) over the United Seaces. This led the Aic Force ro rake misleading and deceptive rare- ‘ments 0 the public in order co allay public Fears and to procect an extraor- dinarily sensitive national security project. While perhaps justified, cis deception added fuel tothe later con- spiracy theories and the coverup concroversy of the 1970s. The per- ceencage of what the Air Force considered unexplained UFO sight- ings fell co 5.9 percent in 1955 and 04 percent in 1956. ‘Ac che same time, pressure was build- ing for the release of the Robertson panel report on UFOs. In 1956, Edward Ruppee, former head of the Ai Force BLUE BOOK project, publicly cevealed the existence of che pancl. A bescselling book by UFO!- ‘gist Donald Keyhoe, a retired Marine Corps majo, advocared ‘lease of all government informa- tion relating to UFOs. Civilian UFO groups such as che National00242525 UFOs: Investigations Commircee on Aer Phenomena (NICAP) and the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization {APRO) immediately pushed for release of che Robereson panel report.” Under pressure, the Air Fotce approached CIA for permission to declassify and celease the report. Despite such pressure, Philip Strong, Deputy Assistant Director of OST, refused to declasify che report and declined co disclose CLA sponsorship of the panel. As an alternative, the ‘Agency prepared a sanitized version of the report which deleced any eefereice (0 CIA and avoided mention of any paychological warfare potential in the UFO controversy. # ‘The demands, however, for more gov- ‘eenment information about UFOs did not let up. On 8 March 1958, Key- hoe, in an incerview wich Mike ‘Wallace of CBS, claimed deep CIA involvement with UFOs and Agency sponsorship of che Robertson panel. This prompted a series of lerets to the Agency from Keyhoe and Dr. Leon Davidson, a chemical enginect and UFOlogis. They demanded the release of che fll Roberson panel ceport and confirmation of CIA involvement in the UFO issue. Davidson had convinced himaelf chat the Agency, noc che Aic Force, carted most of the responsibility for UFO analysis and chat “the activities of the US Government are responsible for the fying saucer sightings of che lase decade.” Indeed, because of the undisclosed U-2 and OXCART Alghts, Davidson was closer to the ‘ruth chan he suspected. Cl, neverthe- less held firm co its policy of noe revealing ic role in UFO investign- tions and refused co declasify he Full Roberton panel tepor.” In a meecing with Aic F 1g with Air Force representa tives co discuss how to handle fucuse ™ inguites such as Keyhoe's and David- son's, Agency officials confirmed their ‘opposition to the decasification of the full report and worried char Key- hhoe had the ear of former DCI Vaden. Roscoe Hillenkoerer, who served on the board of governors of NICAP. ‘They debaced whether to have CIA General Counsel Lawrence R. Hous- ton show Hillenkoerter the report as 2 possible way to defuse the scuaton. CIA officer Frank Chapin als hinced that Davidson might have ulterior ‘motives, “some of them pechaps not in the best incerest ofthis country," and suggested bringing in the FBI ro investigate. Alchough the record is ‘unclear whether che FBI ever inst- ured an investigation of Davidson or Keyhoe, or whether Houston ever s2w Hillenkoecer about the Roberson report, illenkoercer did resign from the NICAP in 1962.3" ‘The Agency was also involved with Davidson and Keyhoe in ewo eather famous UFO cases in che 19505, ‘which helped coneribure co 2 growing sense of public disrust of CLA wich regard to UFOs. One focused on what was reported to have been 3 cape recording ofa radio signal from a fly- ing saucer; the other on reported phocographs ofa flying saucer. The radio code” incident began inno- cently enough in 1955, when cwo elderly sisters in Chicago, Mildred and Marie Maier, eeporedin the our- nal of Space Flghe cic experiences with UFOs, inluding the cecording ‘of a cadio program in which an uni dentified code was teporeedly heard, ‘The sisters raped the program and other ham radio operators also CCirea 1984, a series of documents surfaced which some UFOlogist said proved that Pesidene Truman cre- sted atop secret committe in 1947, “Majestc-12, ro secure che recovery of UFO wreckage from Roswell and any other UFO eras sight for scien- tific study and co examine any alien bodies recovered from such sites. Mose if nor all ofthese documencs have proved co be fabrications. Yee the conccoversy persists.” Like the JFK assassination conspiracy theories, the UFO issue probably will not go away soon, no matter vwhac the Agency does or says. The belief that we are not alone inthe universe is coo emorionally appealing and the dstrus of our government is ‘to0 pervasive to make the issue ame- rable co eaditional scientific studies (of rational explanation and evidence. ce Like the JFK assassination conspiracy theories, the UFO issue probably will not go away soon, no matter what the Agency does or says. 99 1, See the 1973 Gallup Poll rele priced in The New York Times, 29 November 1973, p. 45 and Philip J Klass, UFOs: The Public Decived NOTES (New York Prometheus Books, 1983), p. 3. 2. See Klass, UFOs p. 3; James S. Gor- don, “The UFO Experience Adantc “Monty (Augus 191), pp- 8292; David Michal Jacobs, The UFO Cone srovery in America (Blooming: Indiana Univer Pres 1975); Howard Blum, Oue There: The Gove rument Sere Que for Exracrerials (New Yorke Sion and Schuster, 1990); Timochy Good, Above Top Sacre: The Worldwide {UFO Cover Up (New Yor. Wiliam Mocrow, 1987): and Whidey Sieber. Communion: The True Story (New Yorke Morrow, 1987). 3, Im September 1993 Joha Peceson, an acquaintance of Wools, fae approached the DCI with a package ‘of heavily snieied CIA material on UFOs released to UFOlogie Seancon ‘T. Friedman. Petewon and Friedman wanted co know the estos forthe ‘redactions. Woolsey agreed look inc the maccer. See Richard J. War- shaw, Executive Asiseane, nate co and Privacy Coordinator, 31 January 1994; and Weight, memorandum © Execuive Secrearie, 2 March 1994 (Excepe where noted, al ccatons 0 CIA records in this aticle ae othe cords collected for the 1994 Agency: ‘wide search tac are held by che Execu- tive Atta o che DCD, UFOs . See Hector Quincanill, Je, “The Ineran POs! Va 0 Ne in Intelligence (Fall 1966): PpOs1I0 and CIA ange memo- ams ying Suse! 4 Aug (352 Secale Sots Abn Sows 253. Dui World er, US pda tepned “fo fights” Coralie ing US tee. Featg ey igh Jopeneso German oes wespots O55 ie lini coc lad ach pons la he “crepe” een Tee OSS so iene fost ighsngrofGeanan Vet and tec ble ti operon coe ding the wa. Se feo 0FO rnneoty p33. Toe Conia grec Grtup, th poten of he Cin se monicd eps of hor teleu" a Sweenia 48. Se Seine pee ot ve ‘Jtcobs, The UFO Coneovery p. 156 and Quiacanilla, "The favesigason of UFOs,” p.97, See US Ai Foree,Aie Material Com mand, “Unidentified Aeval Object Project SIGN, no. F-TR 2274, TA, February 1949, Records of the US Ait Force Commands, Arvities and Organizations, Record Group 341, National Archives, Washington, DC. See US Ai Force, Pets GRUDGE eLSLUEROOH R12 ingon, OC: Nand Loverigatons Comicer on hel Phenomens, 1968) and Jab, Te UFO Cone sory 90. 50°54, 3. See Cabal, memorandum to Com- mmanding Generals Major Ait ‘Commands, “Reporting of tnforma- tion on Unconventional Aira,” 8 September 1950 and Jacobs, The UFO Controvery. p65. ‘See Air Force, Projees GRUDGE and ‘BLUE BOOK and Jacobs, The UFO Conerovery,p. 57.00242525 UFOs 10. 2 13. 4 15. 6, 1. (9) See Edward Tauss, memorindien for Depur Asisane Directo. SL “Flying Sauces” 1 August 1932. See she Unie Kingdom, Repo by aerate Ping Object no dace’ (Gppcoximacely 1950), See De. Stone, OSI, memorandum co Dr, Willard Machle, OST, {5 March 1949 and Ralph L. Clark, Acing Asistane Diecror, OSI, memora- ‘dum for DDI, “Recene Sightings of Unceplained Objecs,” 29 July 1952. ‘Seone, memoranduin ro Machle. See also Clark, memorandum for DDI, 29 July 1952. Sook Abn Tp Soe IGP See Ralph L Clk, Acing Asian Dire, O51, memoria DOI Raber Armory Je- 29 July 1952 Ost and Oc ween the Decorate Sflncigence. Emablshed in 148, Ostrcred us the CLAN’ fo poine Breanne regcem snd chological devapmenc a 1980, OSt was merged ine de Ofc of Seer and Waspors Research ‘The Otic af Caren leligenee (OGD, ele on 13 Jatary {951 ware provide l-oure caret incligene fo the Prades andthe Nason Secunty Counc ‘Tass, memorandum foe Depury ‘Assicane Dreceor, St (Philip Strong), T Auguse 1952. On 2 January 1952, DCL Wer Bek ts py De tara fo Ineigeee (DD compored ‘a ont lA cepentions OS ‘OC, Ofc of Colecion and Disemi- ‘son, Ofer Navona Extn, Gif of Research and Reports and She Ofc of lneligene Cort doom produce ligne sais See Minutes of Beanch Chief's Meet. ing. 1 Auguse 1952 m4, 25. 3. Smith expresed his opinions ata Conference meeting in the DCI Reedy iy co Sait Homose den ray, Bie, Pan Fing Sue 10 tons Records formation Managemene Sa, Jb 86-00538R, Bor See CIA memorandum, unsigned, "Flying Saucers,” 1 August 1952. See CIA, memorandum, unsigned, “Flying Saucer,” 14 August 1952. See CIA, memorandum, unsigned, “Flying Saucers,” 19 August 1952. 3. See Chadwell, memorandum for Soh 17 Speer 52nd 24 cee 1952, Fling Sacer” Soko Chae, mente fr DCI Sih 2 Ocber 1932 nd las, OF, pp 2526. - Chadwell, memorandum for DCI with atachments, 2 December 1952. ‘See also Klass, UFOs 9p. 26-27 and ‘Chadwell memorandum, 25 Novem- ber 1952. ‘Sce Chadwell, memorandum, 25 November 1952 and Chadwell, mem- ‘randum, “Approval in Principle = External Research Project Concerned ‘with Unidencifid Fiying Objecs,” no dace. See aio Philip G. Seong, OSI ‘memorandum fo the record, ‘Meet: ing with Dr Julius A. Seaton, Executive Vice President and Provost, MIT and De. Max Millikan, Dicecror Of CENIS.” Serong believed chat in ‘order to undereake such a review they ‘would need the fll backing snd sup: pore of DCI Smich ‘See Chadwell, memorandum for DCI," Unidentified Flying Objeccs” 2 December 1952. See also Chad- well memorandum for Amory. ODI, “Approval in Peincile - External Research Project Concerned wich Uni- denied Flying Objecs” no date 26, ”. 28 30, 3 2 23. 4 35. “The IAC was rece in 1947 co eve ses gvtnang ty ering einen ee Ses fom the Deprmene oboe the Army the Ac Fore, the June Chick of Salt the EBL andthe AEC. See Klass, UFOs. 27. ‘See Richard D. Daan, Acting Seere- ‘ary, IAC, "Minutes of Meeting held in Diretor's Conference Room, ‘Adminstration Building, CIA." 4 December 1952. (S) See Chadwell, memorandum for ‘he record, “British Acivig in the Field of UFOs,” 18 December 1952. Sec Chadwal, memorandum for DE, “Consens or Advsry Pane on Unidenaed Fying Objca” 9 Tansary 1953; Carte Beste, Wah the Sta! A Chron of be Fig Sane ‘er yh (Wahingon: DC: Shivontan Inston Pres. 1990 op. 7390; ad cob, Te UFO Cone over. pp 91-9 ‘See Fred C, Duran Ill, Report on the Roberson Panel Mesting, January 1953. Durane, on contrac with OST and a past president of the American Rocket Sociery,strended the Robert= son panel meetings and wrote a summary of the proceedings. eee salamat tele, eurehne See Roberton Report and Durant Report. See also Good, Above Top ‘Secret, pp. 337-38, Jacobs, The UFO Contover,p. 95, and Klas, UFO's, pp. 28-29. ‘See Reber, memorandum co IAC. 18 February 1953, See Chadwell, memocandum for DDI, “Unidencfied Flying Object,€00242525 36. a7. 41 a a seseura coat aire Se cra ONE, a Darang memorandum for Sea here pee a eel eer ee See Chadwell leer co Julius A. Serac- ton, Provost MIT, 27 January 1953. See Chadwell, memorandum foe ‘Chief Physics and Elecronies Divi- siovOSI (Todos M. Odarenko), “Unidentified lying Objece,” 27 May 1953. 9. See Odarenko, memorandum co Ghadwel,"Unidenced Flying Objee,"3 july 1953, See suo Oar, memorandum co Chad- swell “Currene Status of Unidenaied Fiying Objects (UFOB) Projece” 17 December 1953. See Odarenko, memorandum, “Uai- densified Flying Objects,” 8 August 1935 See FBIS, eno, "Miliary Unconven- Seal Arca ie magus B39 and ‘rou repre “Miliary, Uncon- Vendional Arete” 1953, 1954, 1955. DDevloed bythe Canadian affine eines A Vow Lids roe Sid produce salle oda che hovered a et et ofthe ground. Soe Clara memoranda srl yng Sacer Type of Panes” 35 bly 1984 Frederic CE Oder, ‘eemorindum vo Odarenko, “USAF Proje 21 May 1954: and Oidtrenks, TM, Nordbece, Opel, tnd Sidney Gaybeal, ASDISI remo- tard fhe record “eligence Respontbie or Non-Conven- dona Types of Ac Veber” 14 June 1954, ‘See Reuben Efron, memorandum, “Observation af ying Objece Near 2. 4“ 4 ”. Bak 13 Oaaber955 Scr ontdon b eean ae ocean RTE ae- Poke olen “pened Sighting of Unomendoal Aieah 19 Baar 938 Secon monn info Gon, “Reported Sighting Grconestam she 19 Ocober 1955. See ao Frank C- Bole, mem cranium for Geog C- Mile, Depury Chief, SABSI “Poste Some ing Saucers, Check Oni™ Lxow, memorandum, Poasble sremorandum, “Posble Sovie Flying Saucers” | December 1954: and. HL Sullivan, Jen memorandum, “Poss ble Soviee ying Saucers" 24 Novernber 195 Se Gg W. Plow and Donald EWE, Te Ca ere Iesetor (Washington, DC: CIA History Seaff, Sennen 7273, See Pedlow and Welenbach, ner ead Reconnaisenee pp. 72-73. This th was confi in lephone inceviewbeoren the utr sod Jpn eng 26 rrongory ova the ayer day bls of he OXCART program See Jacobs, The UFO Conerovery, 135. See Peebles, Watch he Stic pp 128- 146; Rupp, The Roto Uniden fed yin Ole (en Yor Daw 1856: Koon Te ibe 1955) a jacobs Toe UFO Conraver 90. 34749. . See Strong, lexter to Loyd W. Berner ‘Scrong. leer to Thorton Page: Srong, [ener to Roberson: Strong, leer (© Samuel Goudami: Strong, leer © Ls Alvate, 20 December 1957: and 49. 50. 5. 32. Soong mend Mio ne F Bye ane Ce of SO ed- ligence Deparement of the Air Force, Ree a ete Secale and Geet Pag Soe ocala se Beetle nero Soop 30 NocntesFand oe Beer o Nopibcenite wh Tepe petri cierto aoe ter See Wilton E, Lexow, memorandum for che rcoed, “Comments on Lewers Dealing with Unidentified Flying Objects," 4 Apel 1958; J. S. lerer co Maj Lawrence J. Tacker, Office of the Secretary ofthe Air Force, Information Service, 4 April 1958; Davidson, leer eo Beskaer, 8 Apel 1958; Beskner, lee ro David son, 18 Apa! 1958; Berkner, leer co Setong, 21 Apdl 1958; Davidson, lt- ‘ecto Packer, 27 Apail 1958: Davidson, leer co Allen Dulles, 27 April 1958; Ruppel lees to David- ‘0a, 7 May 1958; Scong, leer to Berinee, 8 May 1958: Davidson ler- ter to Berkner, 8 May 1958; = Davidson, leer co Earman, 16 May 1958; Davidson, leer 9 Goudsmit, 18 May 1958; Davidson, leer to Page, 18 May 1958; and Tacker, er teet@ Davidion, 20 May 1958. See Lexow, memorandum for Chapin, 28 July 1958 Sez Good, Above Top Sere pp 346- ‘kang emoreau he tend Mecng with de Ar Force Fesunnet Concenng Scent ai sor Pre Repor on Unidenaicd Flying Objects, dated 17 January 135345. 16 May 1938. See La fee Teed Depry Don Chek, £30, neonate, ‘Mecing th Mr Chapin on iMesiog ike Copia en Rat eu Sutsencer Telephone Cowes tion wich Major Thacker, (riq!” 22 May 1958, See Edwin M, Acheraf, Chief, Coneact Division (Scientific), memo- atc00242525 UFOs 33. 5. randum co Chie, Chicago Office, “Radio Code Recording,” 4 March 1955 and Asherat, memorandum to (Chief Support Branch, OSI. 17 March 1935. ‘The Conc Dison wa ered ‘Sieg cpa naliqes ene en Gamors win she Und SSeS he Dice lie foes Hix Seex Th Origin Py at Dan iT ET fy 1905 Whig soy esc Hie Sal oe ia. ‘See Geoege O. Forest, Chief, Chi- ‘ago Offs, memorandum eo Chief, ‘Contact Division for Science U1 March 1955, See Support Division (Connell), mem- ‘candi eo Dewele B. Walker, 25 ‘psi 1957 56. See J. Arnold Shaw, Asssant coche 37. 38. 6. a. 6. Dizector letter to Davidson, 10 May 1957. See Support (Connell memorandum to Le. Col V Skakich, 27 August 1957 and Lamountin, memorandum 0 Support (Conael), 20 Decernber 1957 See Lamouneaia, cable wo Suppor. (Conall), 31 July 1958. See Support (Connell) cable to Skak- ich, 3 October 1957 and Skakich, cable 19 Connell, 9 Oceober 1957, >. See Skakich, cable ro Connell, 9 Occo- ter 1957 See RP. B. Lohmann, memorandum foe Chief, Contace Division, DO, 9 January 1958. See Suppor. cable to Skakich, 20 Feb- rary 1958 and Connell Suppor) cable co Lamouncan, 19 December 1957, ‘See Edwin M. Ashcraft, Chief, Cane ‘act Division, Offic of Operations, 65, 66. 0. 6a. memoranda i hain Bice ‘Asizane tthe Dien, “Ing ‘igor Dondd Kea on ta” Hane’ Audition win be ‘Agency? 22 Jay 1983. (See John T. Hazen, memorandum ro saiateaneestee omens weet simran. Earner cp meer aude eal ak “The isue would esucice in the 19702 with che GSW FOIA courcease. See Rober Amory. Jes DDI: memo- tana Aaa Dae Scien Ineligence, “Fyn Sas- eo 26 Mach 1956. Se ako ‘Wale, Lamphire, Ofc ofthe Dison Planing and Coordination Sai memorandum for Richard M Bisel Jer“ UnideniedFping Sau cers (UFO).” 11 June 1957; Pai Strong, memorandum forthe Dice tor, NPIC.“Repored Phorogaphy of Unidentified Flying Objeas 27 ‘Oceone1938; Selle, memorandum te Livrence Houston, Logie ‘Counc. "Reply co Honorable ough E-Gank U2 July 1961s and House ton, ker e0 Garth, 13 July 1961. See, far example, Davidson, leer co ‘Congressman Joseph Garch, 26 June 1961 atu Cad Vinson, Chairman, House Commies on Armed Ser vices vet eo Rep. Robert A. Everer, 2 Seyrember 1964. See Maxwell W, Hunter, eff mem= ber. National Aeronauces and Space Couns. Executive Office of che Presi- dene, icmorandum for Robert F Barn Of of fran Sen dea tment of Sa Thole on be Space Men Ree {Quest 8 July 1965, Fle SP 16, Records ofthe Deparment of State, Resin Group 59. National Archives 7. n. n 7. 7. (Chief, Contace Division, “National Investigation Commiree on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP)," 25 January 1965. (Chambedain, memorandum for DCI, “Eraluation of UFOs” 26 January 1965. See Jacob, The UEO Conover 199 and US Ae Foc, Scene Adi. sony Board, Ad Hoc Commie Fj BLUE BOOK Spey jee (otingon, De: 1560. Secs The Now Yak Ta, V6 Rug 1966, 9.70 See "Congress Reasured on Space Vie- ies” The New York Time, 6 Apa 1966. Weber, lerter to Col. Gerald E. Jor ect, Chik Comenuny Relat Binion, Ofc of information, US ‘Air Fore, 13 Augut 1966. The Duran poet adel sammy ofthe Roberson panel proceeding ‘See John Lear, “The Dispused CIA Documene on UFOs,” Serurday Review September 3, 1966), p. 45. ‘The Lear article was otherwise unsym- pathesic t UFO sightings andthe possibly chac earaericorals were favolved. The Air Force had been ‘eager to peovide Leat with the Fall repore. See Waker L. Mackey, Execu- five Office, memorandum for DCI, “Alc Force Request Decasify CIA Material on Unidencifed Flying ‘Objects (UFO).” 1 Sepeember 1966 See Klass, UFOM,p. 40, Jacobs, The UFO Conover p. 214 and Everet Clark, “Physics Scores ‘Saucer Sea- ‘ut," The New York Timer, 21 Ocrober 1966, Ser as James E ‘MeDanald, “Searemene on Unidenti= fed Flying Objecs,” submited tothe House Committee on Science and Astronaut, 29 July 1968.00242525 7. 16. m 80, Condon is quoted in Waler Sullivan, "3 Aides Selected in Saucer Inquicy.” The New York Times, 8 Ocrobet 1966, See also “An Outspoken Scien- ‘ie, Edward Uhler Condon,” The ‘New York Time, 8 October 1966. Condon, an outgoing, gruff sient, had ealier become embroiled in a con- ‘roveny wih che House Unamerican ‘Activites Commicece that claimed ‘Condon was “one of che weakest links in our atomic secutiey” See azo Pee- bles, Wauch oe Skis, pp. 169-195. See Lundahl, memorindum for DDI, 7 Rebeuary 1967. See memorandum for che record, Mat of Dr Condon co NBIC. 30, 1967 23 February 1967. ‘See also the analysis of the phovo yap ia memorandum for Landa, SPhoe Anais of UEO Phoroge- phys 17 Fabrary 1967 ‘See memorandum forthe record, “UFO Briefing for Dr, Edward Con- don, 5 May 1967,” 8 May 1967 and attached "Guidelines co UFO Photog- taghers and UFO Photographie Information Sheet” See sso Condon Comenicree, Press Release, 1 May 1967 and Klass, UFOr, p. 41. The Zane phowgerhs cine ot 0 ‘See Edward U. Condon, Scenic Seudy of Unidentified lying Objecs (New Yorke Bantam Books, 1969) and Klass, UFOs p. 41. The report ‘contained the Duranerepore with ‘only minor deletions See Office of AsistaneSecrecary of Defense, News Release, "Aic Force to ‘Terminate Project BLUEBOOK,” 17 December 1969. The Air Force tezized BLUEBOOK cecords co the USAF Archives at Maxwell Ait Force Base in Alabama, In 1976 the Air Force cued overall BLUEBOOK, Fle o he Nacional Archives snd Records Administration, which made them avilable co the pubic without major resetions. Some names have been withheld fom che documents. See Klass, UFOs, p. 6. 81. GSW was small group of UFO buf based in Phoenix, Arizona, and headed by Wiliam H. Spaulding. . See Klass, UFOr, 83, Sce Wilson, leer co Spaulding, 26 March 1976 and GSW v. CIAGivil ‘Action Case 78.859. (GSW v, CIA Civil Action Case 78- 859, p. 2 85. Author incerview with Launie Zebel, 23 June 1994 and author incerview with OSI analyse 21 july 1994. See also affidavies of George Owens, CIA Informacion and Privacy Act Coordi- ston Karl H. Weber, OS; Sidney D. Sembee, Off Seats and Rutledge P. Harerd, DS&cT; GSW v. (CIA Covl Action Case 78-859 and Sayre Steven, Depury Digecrr for [National Foreign Astessment, memo- ‘andum for Thomas H. Whee, Assisane fo Information, laforma- tion Review Commie, “FOIA tiation Ground Suer Watch” no 86. See “CIA Papers Desil UFO Survel- lance.” The New York Time, 13 January 1979; Parick Huyghe, "UFO Files: The Uncld Sey,” The New York Times Magezine, Vi October 1979, p. 106; and Jerome Clark, UO Update" UO fips Ags 1979, 87. Jerome Clark, “Lacest UFO News Briefs From Around the Wodd.” UFO Updare, Auguse 1979 snd GSW ¥- CIA Gill Action No. 78-859. 88. See Worgman, memorandum for DCL Turner, “Your Question, ‘Ave we in UFOs" Annocated to The New York Times News Releate Artic” U8 Janu- ay 1979 89. See GSW v. CIA Civil Action 78- 859. See also Kas, UFOr. 9p. 10-12. 90. (S) See John Brennan, memorandum 9 for Richard Warsaw, Executive Asie ‘ane, DCI, “Requered Information ‘on UFOs" 30 Sepeember 1993; ‘Auth intrvien with OSWR ane ign, 14 June 1994 and OSI ana, 2 ly 994, Ths aur fund involvement wits UFOs in the 1980s. ‘There ia DUA Pachic Center andthe NSA suds parsprychoogy, cae ‘ranch of prycholoy hac deals wich the inverigation of such pychicphe- cre remem perception, and tlepay. The CIA gare mer fa c- UFO landings, fone should ecur This eam hat neve mee. The ac of solid CIA documenaon on Agency UFO-related active in the 19808 leaves the ene ane omewbat smuky fr thi period. Magh of che UFO licertute presendly ‘on contactees and abducrecs, See John E. Mack, Abduction, Human Encounter with Aliens (New Yote ‘Charles Scribner's Sons, 1994) and Howard Blum, Oue There (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1990), See Charles Bete ad Willen L. Moore, The Rowell acide (Newt York Berkey Boks, 1988): Moor, “The Rowell Incident: New Evidence in te Seach fora Crashed UFO.” (Gaba, Calli: Fis Wines Projet 1982), Publietion Number 120; and Klas; UFOs, pp. 280-21 In 1994 Coogreiman Seven H SEhIF(RINM) led fran oficial su ofthe Roel cent The fetion ofthe incident. The CIA i focinwolved inthe lavetigation. See las, UFOr pp. 279-281 Joho H. righ, Infoemcon and Privacy CCooedinatr lees vo Deek Slaven, 20 Sepreber 1993: nd OSWR aa lyse intecview. See also the made-for- ‘Tim, Roel which appeared on cable TV on 31 July 1994 and Pee Bes Watch he Sip. 245-251.00242525 Hi) i UFOs 92, Set ohn Diamonds “ic Force Probes 1547 UEO Gham Findings Are Down to Ear" 9 September 1994 ‘Aochated Pa lee, Willa J. Breads of Spaetip F Ths ah nd US Fe New Yr Timer 18 September 1994, . 1 USAF Col Rechard L. Weaver and Ine Le James McAndiew, The rl 93, See Goad, Abe Top Serer Moose sd brdan “Pip Klas Mtb hae a the Fae” Ba ‘bank California: Faie-Wieness Project, Tan ableton Nambu 50 Ks “New Erde of 2 Ho Space agave vl 14 1 (Winter 1990); and Moore and Jaime fe dnp pone ke , ries Poe 1990), = tn apptediy eplaced Sth suppose epund For | fal ont Aug 1950 following Foreals dt Al member ied sre decaued hen he 1 doe : tena pred in 304 Se eb, Tahoe Sn, pp. 298-268. De. Lacy Bland, editor of The Gerge C Maral Pape dacoverd that one atthe socalled Majerie-12 docu- tment war compet fraud, Te onciged the ect tame language 34 tees fom Maral to Peesideneal candidate Thomas Dewey repaeding the Magi” intereepesin 1944. The date and names had been ered Magic” changed co "Majic" More- twats photocopy, not an inal. No orginal Mj-12 docu Pate ered Tephone Pecos a ar Bind hug 1938