USAF Scientific Advisory Board Ad Hoc Committee to Review Project Blue Book: 1966,1967 Deliberations and Recommendations

[page 1]
NNW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 1

[page 2]
# DEPARTMENT OF THE AlR FORCE AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (OAR) ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22209

Attendees - meeting with Dr. James McDonald, Uni.versity of Arizona at the Pentagon 17 April 1967

Lt. Col. Harold A. Steiner, Ass't. Exec. Secre. USAF Scientific Advisory Board, Pentagon, Room SD982 Washingtt>n, D.c. Tele. 697-4648 (Code 11-74648).

Col. George Freeman, Chief, Civil Branch, SAFOI-C, Room 4Al20, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Tele. 697-1128 (Code 11-71128).

Col. Marvin Stanley, Chief, Public Information Division, SAFOIP, Room 4C922, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Tele. 695-5554 (Code 11-55554).

H. Philip Hovnanian, Program Engineer, NASA Hq. Room F50016, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. Tele. 962-4961 (Code 13-24961).

# DEPARTMENT OF THE AlR FORCE AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (OAR) ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22209 (cont.)

George H. Duncan, Advanced Programs & Technology Manager, NASA Hq. Room 50016, 400 Maryland Ave., s.w. Washington, D.C. Tele. 962-4961 (Code 13-24961).

Dt. Dale W. Jenkins, Ass't Director (Science), NASA Hq. Office of Space Science & Applications Room F50078, Washington, D.C. Tele. 962-4621 (Code 13-24621).

Hans Dolezalek, Atmospheric Scientist, ONR Branch Office, 495 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Tele. 696-3563 (Code 11-63563).

Mr. James Hughes, Head, Atmospheric Science Program, Office of Naval Research, Code 412, Washington, D.C. 20360. Tele. 696-6739 (Code 11-66739).

Phillip V. Mitchell, Technical Staff Member, Institute for Defense Analyses, 400 Army-Navy Drive, Arlington, Va. 22202. Tele. 558-1641.

Joseph Coates, Senior Staff Member, Institute for Defense Analyses, 400 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Va. 22402. Tele. 558-1653.

Lynn E. Catoe, Library o~ Congress, Science & Technology Div., UFO Bibliography Project, Washington, D.c. Tele. 967-8088.

Dan Taylor, Staff Information Officer, AFOSR (SRGC) ~rlington, Va. 22209. Tele. 694-4875. (Code 11-44875).

Maj. Joseph P. Martino, Ass't. Exec. Dir® Research Communication, AFOSR (SRGC) Arlington, Va. 22209. Tele. 694-4875 (Code 11-44875).

[page 3]
UNCLASSIFIED

## PRIORITY

<signature>

## CSAF

Dr. Brian O'Brien
Consulting Physicist
P.O. Box 117
Pomfret, Connecticut 06258

[page 4]
UNCLASSIFIED

PRIORITY

[page 5]
USAF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
AD HOC COMMITTEE TO
REVIEW PROJECT BLUE BOOK
Room 5D-1014, the Pentagon
1400, 19 April 1966

# MEETING STATISTICS

# MEETING STATISTICS (cont.)

## I. Agenda:

1400 Purpose of Meeting Lt Colonel Steiner, SAB
1410 Discussion All attendees
1630 Adjourn

- II. Purpose and Place: To discuss how best to implement the recommenda- tions made by the SAB Ad Hoc Committee to Review Project Blue Book. The discussion was held in Room 5D-1014, the Pentagon.

- III. Those Present and Purpose Thereof:

| Name                    | Purpose       | Affiliation     |
|-|-|-|
| Dr. Brian O'Brien       | Chairman      | Consultant      |
| Dr. Jesse Orla.nsky     | Member        | IDA             |
| Col Robert Burger       | SAB Secretary | AFBSA           |
| ol Robert Hippler       | Participant   | AFRSTA          |
| Mrs. Sara Hunt          | Participant   | SAFOI           |
| L/Col Harold A. Steiner | SAB Secretary | Hq USAF (AFRSA) |

- IV. Reports, Contributions, Proposals, etc. issued, received, reviewed, approved, prepared or disseminated during the proceedings:

- Reviewed Report of the SAB Ad Hoc Committee to Review Project Blue Book, March 1966.

V. Verbatim Record: (see attached)

[page 6]
HEADQUARTERS UNITE ATES AIR FORCE USAF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE & CHIEF OF STAFF

DATE 21 April 1966

MEMO FOR: Record

The following distribution was made on Memo for
Record, 20 Apr 66, regarding UFO Meeting 1400,
19 April 66, Room 5D-1014:

<u>6 copies made</u>
Original--<s>#1 of 6 - filed UFO Folder-AFBSA</s> <signature>Destroyed</signature>

#2 of 6 - mailed to Dr. Stevers

#3 of 6 - sent to Lt Col Hippler, AFRSTA

#4 of 6 - sent to Mrs. Sara Hunt, SAFOI

#5 of 6 - circulated within AFBSA--<signature>filed in Master file with report.</signature>

<s>#6 of 6 - filed as extra copy in AFBSA</s> <signature>Destroyed</signature>

m.jm

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 6

[page 7]
USAF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY EOARD
AD HOC C{Ht{I'ITEE TO
REVJEW PROJECT BWE BOOK
HQ FTD, WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, OHIO
3 FEBRUARY 1966

# MEETING STATISTICS

I. Agenda: (see attached)

# MEETING STATISTICS (cont.)

- II. se and Place: To review the resources, methods and findings of Air Force Project Blue Book and to advise the Air Force as to any improvements that should be made in the program to carry out the Air Force 's responsibility. Briefings held in Commanders Conference room at Hq, FI'D. Discussions and review of case files held in Project Blue Book office.

# MEETING STATISTICS (cont.)

- III. Those Present and Purpose Thereof:

| Name                    | ~           | Affiliation                |
|-|-|-|
| Dr. Brian O'Brien       | Chairman    | Consultant                 |
| Dr. IB.unor F. Carter   | Member      | System Development Corp.   |
| Dr. Jesse Orlanaky      | Member      | IDA                        |
| Dr. Richard Porter      | Member      | GE Company                 |
| Dr. Carl Sagan          | Member      | Smithsonian Astrophysical. |
|                         |             | Observatory                |
| Dr. Willis H. Ware      | Member      | Rand Corporation           |
| Col John P. Spaul.ding  | Briefer     | S.AFOI                     |
| Dr. Anthony Cacioppo    | Participant | Fl'D                       |
| Col Warren Wheeler      | Participant | FTD                        |
| Maj Hector Quintanella. | Briefer     | FTD                        |
| Mr. Francis Arcier      | Participant | Consultant to FTD          |
| Col Florian Holm        | Briefer     | F'I'D                      |
| L/Col Harold A. Steiner | SAB Sec     | Hq USAF ( AFBSA)           |

[page 8]
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFOs)

## AGENDA

[page 9]
Fer Official Use Only

MEK> FOR RECORD

20 April 1966

SUBJECT: Implementing SAB Ad Hoc Committee on Project Blue Book Recommendations

# MEETING STATISTICS (cont.)

## Thursday, 3 February 1966 (cont.)

1. The following personnel met at 1400 on 19 April in Room 5D-l0l4 to discuss how best to 1.mplement the recommendations made by the SAB Ad Hoc Committee to review ProJect Blue Book.

Dr. Brian O'Brien
Dr. Jesse Orlansky
Lt Col Robert Hippler, AFRTSA
Colonel Robert Burger, AFBSA
Lt Col Harold Steiner, AFBSA
Mrs. Sara Hunt, SAFOI

2. On 5 April 1966, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown, in a memorandum to the Chief of Staff, stated that the Committee's recommendations should be accepted and arrangements made for a (sic) scientific team to investigate in depth certain selected sightings of UFOs. General Ferguson was given responsibility for implementing the Committee's recommendations and Lt Colonel Hippler is project officer.

# MEETING STATISTICS (cont.)

## Thursday, 3 February 1966 (cont.)

3. Although the Committee's recommendation was clear and succinct, initially there was no unanimous agreement on how to put this recommendation into effect. A basic question is:

(1) Should the contract be vith a university or should it be with individual• connected with a 1.Dliveraity1 A great deal of . the meeting was taken up discussing these facets of the problem end a clear anner did not evolve. Therefore, it is probable that I, and perhaps some selected members of the Canm1.ttee 1 uy be asked to meet with Colonel Hippler again.

4. Generally, the concept of using universities (or individuals from universities) is good. Specifically, however, there needs to be a lead university to coordinate and collate the investigations. After some discussion, it was suggested that the University of Dayton is probably most appropriate because it is located close to Hq FTD who will retain management of Project Blue Book. 'Other universities were suggested that could provide personnel to give areal coverage of CONUS. They are listed below.

<u>East</u>
Rensselaer, Troy, N.Y.
Columbia
NYU
Univ of Conn.
Yale
Cornell
Univ of Dayton
Carnegie Tech

West
Utah
Colorado
Iowa.
Wisconsin
Illinois

# MEETING STATISTICS (cont.)

## Thursday, 3 February 1966 (cont.)

South
Vanderbilt
Duke
Univ of Florida
Georgia Tech
Univ of Georgia
<signature>

Chicago

Chicago
Univ of Calif (Berkeley)
UCLA
Oregon
Washington
Rice
Univ of Texas

Chairman: <signature>
Secretary: <signature>
Technical Director: <signature>
Asst. Secretary: <signature>
Asst. Secretary: <signature>
Asst. Secretary: <signature>
Asst. Secretary: <signature>
Admin. Asst.: <signature>

Copy Nr 5 of 6 Copies

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 9

For Official Use Only

[page 10]
For Official Use Only

Colonel Hippler pointed out that it will probably be September before he gets the money to implement this plan. Dr. Orlsnsky pointed out that because of the summer holiday, Colonel Hippler should make contact with the Wliversities before the end of May.

5. Since we are dealing with an emotional phenomenon, there was some discussion about whether universities (i.e., their presidents) would be willing to get involved with UFOs. Dr. O'Brien suggested that Dr. Stever; as President of Carnegie Tech, might send letters to a fev selected university presidents with whom. he is acquainted to get some idea of their feelings on this matter. (ACTION: AFBSA). In this way we can leam what a typical reaction might be and also some of the pitfalls to avoid when contacting other universities.

# MEETING STATISTICS (cont.)

## 6. 1here are still several unanswered questions or problem areas:

(a) Since the problem is 99% public relations, it is essential that the investigating teams have some modicum of skill in press relations. It was strongly suggested that a good solid PIO type (perhaps incognito) be included on the first few investigation teams. This caused quite a bit of discussion and a final answer did not evolve.

(b) The objective is to have impartial scientists from schools vith good reputations that have never been involved with UFOs.

(c) Considerable thought must be given to how the contract or contracts are to be written.

(d) In order to utilize their talents to the best advantage, it'was proposed and accepted that Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Dr. Donald Menzel form the nucleus of a Consultant-Advisor team to work with Hq Fl'D in determining which sightings the university team should investigate.

(e} When teams are selected, it is strongly recommended that they be brought together at sane certain location such as Hq F'1'D and given a thorough briefing on what is expected of them. This briefing should cover allot the intangibles and pitfalls that must be avoided in order to give good Air Force public relations.

[page 11]
Official Use Only

(g} It was pointed out that the National Research Council had conducted an exercise in Disaster Research which had involved sane investigating teams similar to the ones we are discussing. Although the committee is now defunct, Mrs. MarJorie Wilson, Government Code 1224 - 23 239 has their reports and will be glad to let us review them.

<signature>
HAROLD A. STEINER, Lt Col, USAF
Assistant Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

3

For Official Use Only

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 11

[page 12]
MEMO ROUTING SLIP
NEVER USE FOR APPROVALS, DISAPPROVALS, CONCURRENCES, OR SIMILAR ACTIONS
ACTION

1 TO: AFBSA (Mr. Hasert) <signature>
INITIALS: <empty>
CIRCULATE: <empty>
DATE: <empty>
COORDINATION: <empty>

2 Col. Stein -
let's file with the O'Brien UTO team
INITIALS: <empty>
FILE: <empty>
INITIALS: <empty>
INFORMATION: <empty>

3 <empty>
INITIALS: <empty>
NOTY AND RETURN: <empty>
INITIALS: <empty>
PER CON-VERSATION: <empty>

4 <empty>
INITIALS: <empty>
SEE ME: <empty>
INITIALS: <empty>
SIGNATURE: <empty>

REMARKS
<empty>

FROM: AFRDQ-P (Mr. Baillie)
DATE: <empty>
PHONE: <empty>

Replaces DD Form 94, 1 Feb 50 and DD Form 85, 1 Feb 50 which will be used until exhausted.

GPO: 19600

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 12

[page 13]
# COPY

AFRDQ-P

# COPY (cont.)

31 July 1967

Special Report of the USAF Scientific Advisory Boa.rd Ad Hoo Committee to Review Project "Blue Book,,

USAIRA (DATT - Mr. David Smith & Mr. Peer DeSilva) American Embassy APO San Francisco 96346

Copies of the subject report are forwarded at the request of Mr. Jesse Orlansky, a member of the Scientific Advisory Board Committee on UFO's.

FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

<signature>
MILTON COLLIER, Colonel, USAF
Chief, Requirements Plans Group
for
D/Operational Requirements &
Development Plans, DCS/R&D

1 Atch
Special Report of the
USAF SABAd Hoc Com-
mittee to Review
Project "Blue Book" dtd
Mar 66, 2 cys

[page 14]
P

INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES

Rest magineering Suppost Division

August 16, 1967

Mr. Peer de Silva
Special Assistant for
Counterinsurgency
Embassy of the United States
Bangkok, Thailand

# COPY (cont.)

Dear Mr. de Silva:

When Dr. Tanham and his committee, of which I am a member, were in Thailand, we heard on several occasions about the heli- copter sightings. Then, the Ambassador said that the nature of these reports was like that concerning UFO's. That reminded me that last year, the Air Force asked its Scientific Advisory Board to look at the UFO's and that a committee, under Brian O'Brien prepared a report. I thought you might be interested in that report and have asked the SAB Secretariat to send you a copy.

The committee recognized that the Air Force had been investi- gating the reported sightings very seriously but that, because of limited resources, the investigations tended to be incomplete and inconclusive. It recommended that some university be provided the means to examine impartially, scientifically and in great detail a selected number of sightings. I won't elaborate on the details other than to say that the committee concluded that a valid explanation requires a careful investigation.

[page 15]
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

18 May 1966

SUBJECT: Conversation with Dr. Stever Concerning SAB Support to USAF Investigations of UFOs

# COPY (cont.)

1. On 17 May I discussed SAB support to USAF investigations of UFOs with Dr. Stever. In a previous letter (dated 21 April 66), we had asked Dr. Stever to informally query some of his university-president colleagues to determine the best modus operandi for approaching universities and asking them to provide people and resources to investigate scientifically selected UFO sightings as recommended by the SAB Ad Hoc Committee. This memo documents his findings and conclusions on this matter.

2. On the basis of his informal contacts with university presidents, Dr. Stever believes the Air Force will get mixed reactions to its request. to universities. On the negative side of the picture, he has gleaned these general reactions:

a. It may be against some school's policy to make contractual arrangements with the government.

b. Some universities will have no interest or have any qualified
investigators.

# COPY (cont.)

3. On the positive side, the following reactions were received:

a. Some univeraitiea will do the Job lmder con.tract.

b. Some would like to do the job from a research aspect. (NOTE: Dr. Stever commented that this may be the "foot in the door" approach to request additional research funds for work at the university that may be construed to be related to the UFO investigation.)

4. Dr. Stever believes that, as a whole, the smaller universities will be more receptive than the larger ones.

5. Dr. Stever has had some second thoughts on the SAB (specifically, him) sending the initial letters to the selected universities. He believes that the letter should come from and be signed by an action office within the Air Force. The letter might refer to the recommendations of the SAB scientific committee as a basis for the Air Force actions to initiate a more scientific approach in future selected UFO investigations. In other words, instead of a letter from a college president to a college president, Dr. Stever felt the Air Force could make a very acceptable case if it framed its letter around these two points:

8. The value of participating in such investigations to the school, and

b. !he va1ue to the Air Force and the nation.

[page 16]
6. D.r. Stever stated that he would be happy to rniw and critique the draft letter from a miveraity preaiden.t'• viewpoint.

7. Dr. Stever also suggested that OSR could probably advise which universities are most likely to cooperate and since most universities have had dealings with OSR, perhaps that organization could offer some advice on the initial letter and maybe even send the letter from that office.

<signature>
ROBERT J. BURGER, Colonel, USAF
Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

Copies to: Lt Col Hippler, AFRST
Mrs. Hunt, SAFOI
Dr. Brian O'Brien

2

NW 90306,
Docld:347'14841 Page 16

[page 17]
AFBSA

Implementation of SAB Ad Hoc Committee's
Recommendations

21 April 1966

# COPY (cont.)

Lt Col Hippler, AFRSTA

1. Some of the members present at the meeting on 19 April have had some after-thoughts which I believe you should consider.

2. First, there is a feeling that perhaps sufficient thought is not being given to how the Air Force is going to implement the plan. Typical questions are:

a. Specifically, what is the Air Force going to do?

b. Specifically, how is it going to do it?

3. Since answers to these questions are not obvious, there is a strong feeling here that the Air Force should get two or three consultants from the academic community, Hq AFSC, and FID together and have them do some constructive thinking on how to solve the mechanics of the problem and avoid the pitfalls and vagaries that are bound to crop up.

4. Another area of concern is the lag between May and September when funds will become available. A lot of Air Force enthusiasm for the program can fall through the cracks during that period. Perhaps this lag period can be put to good use by using it to think the problem out as discussed in the paragraph above.

5. These are just some random thoughts I am passing on for your consideration.

HAROLD A. STEINER, Lt Col, USAF
Assistant Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 17

[page 18]
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Distribution:
OBS: [x]
OFC: [x]
CAX: [ ]
Action: ROC
Sign: <empty>
Supp.: 13 APR
Ref or: JIN
SAFCI
APR 5 1980

# MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

Attached is a copy of the Special Report of the SAB Ad Hoc Committee to Review Project "Blue Book."

- I believe that the Committee's recommendations should be accepted and arrangements made to contract for a scientific team to investigate in depth certa.in selected reported sightings of UFO's. If·you concur> General LeBailly can work with General Ferguson and AFSC in making the arrangements.

<signature>
Harold Brown

Attachment

CLC HIPPLED
ACTION: 2
RSTA
SUSPENDED
DATE IN: 12Apr1966
INFO:
<empty>
<empty>
<empty>
RDC-N

NW 90306
Dano 19

[page 19]
# DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF IMARY SHEET

# DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF IMARY SHEET (cont.)

|    | TO                   | ACTION   | SIGNATURE (Surname and Grade)   |    | ΤΟ   | ACTION   | SIGNATURE (Surname and Grade)   |
|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
| 1  | Lt Gen<br />Ferguson | AFRDC    |                                 | 6  |      |          |                                 |
| 1  | Lt Gen<br />Ferguson | AFRDC    | 7                               | 6  |      |          |                                 |
| 2  |                      |          |                                 | 7  |      |          |                                 |
| 2  |                      |          |                                 | 7  |      |          |                                 |
| 3  |                      |          |                                 | 8  |      |          |                                 |
| 3  |                      |          |                                 | 8  |      |          |                                 |
| 4  |                      |          |                                 | 9  |      |          |                                 |
| 4  |                      |          |                                 | 9  |      |          |                                 |
|    |                      |          |                                 | 10 |      |          |                                 |
| 5  |                      |          |                                 | 10 |      |          |                                 |

# DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF IMARY SHEET (cont.)

SURNAME OF ACTION OFFICER AND GRADE: Lt Colonel Steiner
SYMBOL: AFBSA
PHONE: 78845
TYPIST'S INIT.: mjm
SUSPENSE DATE: <empty>
SUBJECT: SAB Ad Hoc Committee Report
DATE: 30 March 1966

## SUMMARY

1. Attached for your signature 1s a letter transmitting to General LeBailly the Special Report of the SAB Ad Hoc COIEittee to Review Project Blue Book.

# DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF IMARY SHEET (cont.)

## SUMMARY (cont.)

2. The Comittee was formed and the report is being submitted in response to General LeBailly's memorandum to you on 28 September 1965 (Atch 2) requesting that the SAB review Air Force Project Blue Book. The objective of this investigation was to determine if and how the Air Force could improve its program for investigating UFO's. The Carmittee concluded that the program can be improved by conducting a more thorough scientific investigation of questionabJ.e sightings, and recommended a method for doing this.

3. Recommended distribution is:

|                             | Number of   | Copies   |
|-|-|-|
| SAFOI                       | 25          |          |
| AFRDC                       | l           |          |
| Coanittee Members           |             | leach    |
| Commander, FTD              | 5           |          |
| AFSC DCS/Foreign Technology | 2           |          |
| SAB Secretariat             | 2           |          |
| Chairman, SAB               | 1           |          |

4. After your signature and approval of the recommended distribution, we will take appropriate action to forward the copies of the report.

<signature>
ROBERT J. BURGER, Colonel, USAF
Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

[page 20]
AFBSA

1 APR 1966

# SAB Review of Project Blue Book

Major General E. B. LeBeillly
SAFOI

1. Please refer to your memorandum to me on 28 September 1965 requesting a review of Project Blue Book by the USAF Scientific Advisory Board.

2. In response to your request, the SAB formed an ad hoc committee under Dr. Brian O'Brien to investigate the adequacy and timeliness of Project Blue Book. The Committee's report recommends a procedure for strengthening the scientific investigation of questionable sightings of UFOs.

3. Twenty-five copies of the report are being submitted for your use. Please let us know if the SAB can be of further assistance in this matter.

Signed

JAMES FERGUSON, Lt General, USAF
Military Director
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

1 Atch
Report (25 cys)

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 20

[page 21]
# DEPARl NT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF ! 'MRY SHEET

# DEPARl NT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF ! 'MRY SHEET (cont.)

|    | TO   |    | ACTION   | SIGNATURE (Surname and Grade)   |    | TO   | ACTION   | SIGNATUAE (Surname and Grade)   |
|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
| 1  | Gen  | F  | Ferguson |                                 | 6  |      |          |                                 |
| 1  | Mil  |    | Dir, SAB |                                 | 6  |      |          |                                 |
| 2  |      |    |          |                                 | 7  |      |          |                                 |
|    |      |    |          |                                 | 7  |      |          |                                 |
| 3  |      |    |          |                                 | 8  |      |          |                                 |
|    |      |    |          |                                 | 8  |      |          |                                 |
| 4  |      |    |          |                                 | 9  |      |          |                                 |
|    |      |    |          |                                 | 9  |      |          |                                 |
| s  |      |    |          |                                 | 10 |      |          |                                 |
|    |      |    |          |                                 | 10 |      |          |                                 |

[page 22]
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR" FORCE
WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

# DEPARl NT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF ! 'MRY SHEET (cont.)

## SUMMARY (cont.)

SEP 28 1965

MEMORANDUM FOR MILITARY DIRECTOR, SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)

In keeping with its air defense role, the Air Force has the responsibility for the investigation of unid.entif'ied :flying objects reported over the United States. The name of this project i.s Blue Book (Attachment 1). Procedures for conducting this program are established by Air Force Regulation 200-2 (Atta.cl'n:nent 2)~

The Air Force has conducted Project Blue Book since 1948. As of 30 June 1965, a total of 9267 reports had been investigated by the Air Force. Of these 9267 reports, 663 cannot be explained.

It has been determined by the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff'/ Plans and Operations that Project Blue Book is a worthwhile program which deserves the support of all staff agencies and major command.s and that the Air Force should continue to invest;igate and analyze all UFO reports in order to assure that such objects do not present a threat to our national security. The Assistant Deputy Chie:f of' Stajrf/Plans and. Operations has determined also that the Foreign Technology Division (FrD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base should continue to exercise its presently assigned responsibilities concern ing UFOs.

# DEPARl NT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF ! 'MRY SHEET (cont.)

## SUMMARY (cont.)

To date, the Air Force has found no evidence that any of the UFO reports re:flect a threat to our national security. However, many of the reports that cannot be explained have come from intelli gent a.nd technically well qualified individuals whose integrity can not be doubted. In addition, the reports received officially by the Air Force includ.e only a fraction of the spectacular reports which are publicized by many private UFO organizations.

Accordingly, it is requested that a working scientific panel composed of both physical and social scientists be organized to review Project Blue Book -- its resources, methods, and findings and to advise the Air Force as to any improvements that should be made in the program in order to carry out the Air Force's assigned responsibility.

5

5

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 22

[page 23]
Doctor J. Allen Hynek who is the Chairman of the Dearborn Observatory at Northwestern University is the scientific consultant to Project Blue Book. He has indicated a willingness to work with such a panel in order to place this problem in its proper perspec tive.

Doctor Hynek has discussed this problem with Doctor Winston R. Markey, the former Air Force Chief Scientist.

<signature>
E. B. LeBAILLY
Major General, USAF
Director of Information

2 Attacbments
1. Blue Book Report
2. AFR 200-2

6

6

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 23

[page 24]
INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES

Science and Technology Division

400 Army-Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202 • Telephone (703) 558-1000

February 13, 1969

Lt. Colonel Harold A. Steiner, USAF
Assistant Executive Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board
Department of the Air Force
Headquarters United States Air Force
Washington, D.C. 20330

Dear Hal,

I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me a copy of the Condon Report on UFO's. He and his group seem to have done a tremendous job, just about what our committee thought was needed. I guess we were very lucky to have reviewed the situation in such timely fashion in 1966. The fine endorsement of his work by the National Academy of Sciences confirms that Condon has done what was needed.

It is a pleasure to see this fruitful outcome to our recom mendation and I appreciate having the report.

Cordially,
<signature>
Jesse Orlansky

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 24

[page 25]
r'e UFO

Nos

Col Manci
m

# SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

2500 Colorado Avenue· Santa Monica, California 90406

February 28, 1969

Lt. Colonel Harold A. Steiner
USAF Scientific Advisory Board
Headquarters U.S. Air Force
Washington, D. C. 20330

Dear Colonel Steiner:

Thank you very much for sending me the Condon Report and the National Academy of Sciences review of the report. I have not yet had time to read the com plete report but have glanced through it, and it certainly seems comprehensive® 1 I1he National Academy review certainly gives it good credibility and ought to take care of any serious cri tici.sm.

Cordially yours,
<signature>
Launor F. Carter
Vice President and Manager
Public Systems Division

LFC:db

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 25

[page 26]
20330

12 February 1969

Dr. H. Guyford Stever
President
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213

Dear Dr. steYer

I am pleased to send you this personal copy of the Condon Report on Unidentified Flying Objects. No doubt you will be surprised, as I was, at the depth of the University of Colorado study. Little could we guess when the O'Brien SAB Committee met in February 1966 that it would serve as a springboard for this voluminous effort. Personally, I am satisfied with the results of the study and believe it puts the Air Force in an excellent position to counter criticism.

Sincerely

HAROLD A. STEINER, Lt Colonel, USAF
Assistant Executive Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

1 Atch
Condon Report (3 Vols)

LtCol Steiner/dd/12 Feb69

Manci OK 12 Feb 69

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 26

[page 27]
20330

6 February 1969

Dr. Brian O'Brien
Consultina Phyaicist
Box 52 North Woodstock, Connecticut 06257

Dear Dr. O'Brien

I am pleased to send you this personal copy of the Condon Report on Unidentified Flying Objects. No doubt you will be surprised, as I was, at the depth of the University of Colorado study. Little could we guess when we met as a committee in February 1966 that a by-product would be these voluminous documents. Personally, I am satisfied with the contents and believe the Air Force got its money's worth.

I am happy to have served with you in this exercise and I hope that you feel as I do that it was worthwhile.

Sincerely

HAROLD A. STEINER, Lt Colonel, USAF
Assistant Executive Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

l Atch
Condon Report (3 Vola)

SAME LETTER TO: Dr. Launor F. Carter
Mr. Jesse Orlansky
Dr. Richard Porter
Dr. Carl Sagan
Dr. Willis H. Ware

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 27

# 20330

AFBSA

27 February 1968

Requeat for Project Blue Book Material

Mr. Don Berliner
National Inveatigations C011mittee
on Aeria1 Phenomena
1536 Connecticut Av11m.1e, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20036

This is in response to your visit on 26 February 1968 during which you requested we provide you with Project Blue Book material. I have been advised that we can provide you with copies of the material you requested at a cost of $5.00. If you are still interested in obtaining copies, please make your check or money order for that amount payable to the "Treasurer of the United States" and send it to this office.

HAROLD A. STEINER, Lt Colonel, USAF
Assistant Executive Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board

<signature>
27 Feb 1968

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 28

[page 29]
20330

1 March 1968

AFBSA

Project Blue Book Material

Mr. Don Berliner
Natianal Investigations Committee
oo Aer:tal Phenomena,
1536 Com1ecticut Avenue, NW
WBshington, D. C. 20036

1. This is in response to your letter of 28 February 1968 requesting and paying for material prepared for the USAF Scientific Advisory Board by the Project Blue Book office.

2. Copies of this material are attached. A fee of $5 was based on the unit cost of 25¢ per page plus $3 per hour labor.

HAROLD A. STEINER, Lt Colonel, USAF
Assistan·t Executive Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Boe.rd

1 Ateh
Project Blue Book Material

<signature>
1 March 1968

sext bah

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 29

[page 30]
NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE

# ON AERIAL PHENOMENA

WASHINGTON. D. C. 20036

MAJOR DONALD E. KEYHOE
USMC (RET.) DIRECTOR

GORDON I. R. LORE, JR.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Feb. 28, 1968

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES:
1536 CONNECTICUT AVE., N.W.

TELEPHONE: (202) 667-9434

Lt. Col. Harold A. Steiner
Aasiatar1t Executive Secretary
USAF Scientific Advis•ry Board
HQ, USAF
Washington, D.C. 20;;0

Deer Col. Steiners

Enclosed is my personal check for $5.00 to cover the cost of reproducing the pages of Project Blue Book material which we discussed on Feb. 26.

Many thanks for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
<signature>
Don Berliner
NICAP Staff

A privately-supported fact-finding body serving the national public interest

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 30

[page 31]
20330

AFDASBA/SSgt Ehrlich/74835

Request for Project Bluebook Roporta

20 reb 68

Mr. Don Berliner
National Investigations Committee
on Aerial Phenomena
1536 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC 20036

1. Reference your request directed to SAF-OICC for portions of Project Bluebook Reports.

2. We maintain a reference copy of the material you requested and can furnish you photographic copy at a cost of $12.75. If you are inter- ested in purchasing a copy, please make your check or money order payable to "Treasurer of the United States" and remit to this office.

<signature>
ELLIS F. VILLIARD
Chief, Information Branch
Directorate of Administrative Services

19

NECEAED

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 31

[page 32]
4 skinn

INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES

Research and Engineering Support Division

400 Army-Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202, Telephone (703) 558-1000

July 27, 1967

Mr. Chester N. Hasert Acting Executive Secretary
USAF Scientific Advisory Board
Room 5Dl014, The Pentagon
Washington, D. c.

# ON AERIAL PHENOMENA (cont.)

Dear Chet:

When I was in Thailand last week, I spoke to several men at the U.S. Embassy who told me about an interesting problem that faces them. Very simply, the Thai government has made numerous reports of mysterious helicopter flights in the North east part of the country near Laos, an area in which Communist terrorists have been increasing their activity. Although the members of the U.S. Embassy take these reports very seriously, they have never been able to authenticate a single valid sight ing.

[page 33]
# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

16 May 1967

SUBJECT: Some Notes Concerning a Progress Report on
University of Colorado UFO Study

1. On 5 May 1967, members of the University of Colorado UFO Investigat:i.ng Committee presented a ttposition paper" on the state of their thinking on the UFO Study. This memo is based on verbatim notes taken at that meeting and augments the formal presentation (Atch 1). A report of the Committee's progress up to 31 March is also included (Atch 2).

2. The meeting was held in Dr. Bill Price's office at OSR. The following personnel attended:

Dr. Edward V. Condon, Univ of Colorado (UOC), Principal Investigator
Mr. Robert J. Low, UOC, Project Coordinator
Dr. W. K. Hartman, Univ of Arizona, a member of the UOC Study Committee
Dr. William Price, OSR
Dr. Tom Ratchford, OSR
Dr. Jesse Orlansky, SAB
Dr. Willis Ware, SAB
Mr. Chester N. Hasert, SAB
Lt Col Harold A. Steiner, SAB
Lt Col Robert Hippler, AFRSTA
Mr. Charles K. Reed, Nat Acad of Sciences
Mr. L. V. Brasher, OSR Procurement
Mr. Dan Taylor, OSR Public Information

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

3. The basic problem confronting the UOC Study Committee is establishing a methodology for investigating UFOs. In the Committee's opinion, previous investigations have produced few, if any, tangible results because these studies have primarily been concerned with investigating sightings. According to the UOC Committee, the basic question is not the sighting per se but how to interpret the data obtained from reports that are generated. from sightings. Thus, additional sightings as currently handled by Project Blue Book (NOTE: no criticism of Project Blue Book was inferred) will not give the Committee a better picture of what UFOs really are. Something else is needed.

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

substantiate this conclusion, the UOC Committee cites the experience of NICAP teams of "eager amateursn armed with cameras, magnetometers, and other specialized instrumentation who have gone instantly to sighting zones and attempted to obtain actual data. Despite their zeal, these teams apparently have never been able to obtain .a.ctu~l z. real-time data. The conclusion, therefore, is that the UOC Committee will have to work with data that are available (i.e., reports from those who have sighted UFOs) and attempt to interpret those data so as to obtain a better under standing of UFOs.

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

5. Although the UOC Committee will deal primarily with data from reports, this will not preclude some team investigations of current sightings of special interest. Primary and back-up teams each consisting of two members (a physical scientist and a social scientist) are now being equipped with suitable instruments (i.e., Gieger counters, binoculars, cameras, maps, almanacs, etc.). 'lllese teams will be on stand-by alert at Colorado to investigate sightings of special interest. One unresolved question is how to determine which sightings to investigate. These teams will not be decentralized because the transportation from Denver to any part of the United States is adequate. After listening to this briefing, one cannot avoid the conclusion that the actual field investigations will be low priority items and will be played in low key during this investigation.

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

6. Discussion on the teams' activities led to another question basic to the Air Force approach to the UFO problem and one that the UOC Committee hopes to provide answers to--is a large field organization composed of an investigating officer at each Air Force base worthwhile? If such a system does not produce worthwhile, tangible results then the Air Force does not need it. If such a system does produce results then perhaps the Air Force needs to refine its reporting and investigating procedures, i.e., Project Blue Book and AFR 80-17. The Connnittee has developed an improved reporting form in consultation with psychologists to be used to obtain d.ata from future sightings. Project Blue Book might find this useful.

7. Some interesting aspects of the UOC Committee's approach to the inves
tigation are:

- a . .An attempt will be made to establish reliability of the reports and/or reporters. UOC wants to know how many are reliable, how many are accurate.

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

nby remainderu after eliminating all other possibilities of terrestrial and divine origin and leav:irg extra-terrestrial as the only alternative. At this time, the UOC Committee apparently favors the Hall hypothesis.

c. Data from sightings are being put on punch cards. The coding system can be expanded up to 50 cards per sighting. All reports of sightings after 1 January 1967 are being computerized. For cases prior to 1967, the Committee asked NICAP to pick out cases they believe should be included in the computer analysis part of the investigation. When questioned as to why NICAP was solicited as a source, the Committee stated that if their report is to have any credibility then NICAP would ha.veto be involved in one form or another. I am 1.nclined to agree with their viewpoint.

8. There will be 21 senior scientists associated with the UOC project.

9. In my opinion, one of the most interesting and potentially beneficial facets of the Committee's investigations is the sub-contracts with various agencies and individuals (i.e., SRI, Ford, RAND, NCAR, etc.) to study such phenomena as illumination, visual perception, fireballs, radiochemistry, ball lightning, etc., as they apply to UFOs.

[page 36]
# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

10 August 1966

SUBJECT: Visit by Mr. William P. Wietzel, NICAP

1. Today I was visited by Mr. William Wietzel, an investigator for the National Investigating Cormnittee on Aerial Phenomena. Mr. Wietzel did not have an appointment but just dropped in, presuma.bly to discuss the report of the SAB Ad Hoc Committee to Review Project "Blue ok." This we did; however, the discussion soon deteriorated to an ind nt of the way in which Major Quintella had handled the Ravenna, Ohio, 0 siting in April 1966. With regard to this particular siting, the main criticism of Major Q;uintella seems to be that his interviews with the people who had sited the UFO were restricted to about three mi.nutes each via the telephone. However, in all fairness, it should be pointed out that Major Quintella did visit the scene of the Ravenna siting at a later date.

2. I neither concurred with Mr. Wietzel's opinion of Major Quintella nor d.id I defend Major Quintella strongly. I did point out that, hopefully, the university teams now being formed will provide scientific information that can eliminate the type of personality conflict that apparently exists between NICAP and Major Quintella.

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

The Committe agreed that the present "Blue Book" program is all right as far as it goes but that it is not investi- gative enough to satisfy the inquisitive scientific mind. The Air Force has been collecting UFO data for about 18 years but this data is no good for forming a scientific or technical background on UFO. UFO. It appears that this pro- gram, as presently constituted, could go on ad infinitum without making a substantial contribution on whether there are or are not UFOS. Therefore, if anyting constructive is going to happen, the time has apparently come to change from an operational approach to a scientific type of approach.

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

During the 18 years that the Air Force has been collecting data on UFO sightings members of Moon Watch Teams and amateur astronomers, who were pursuing rigorous metoer sighting programs, have continuously scanned large areas of the night sky to obtain scientific and technical information on natural phenomena. To the best of the Committee's knowledge none of these observers with a scientific and technical background have ever sighted a UFO. The obvious conclusion is that when the sky is observed by scientifically- trained or scientifically-oriented personnel, UFOs are not observed. Therefore it is highly unlikely (or put another way, there is a very low probability) that the UFOs that are sighted and unidentified would remain unidentified

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 37

[page 38]
if the incidents were subject to close scientific scrutiny. (Source: Dr. Porter)

Along with the scientific approach the Air Force should conduct some unannounced controlled experiments to check out the techniques. It would also be useful to correlate known natural phenomena that can be predicted, i.e., comets, balloons, SAC refueling, etc., to check, out sighting psycho- logy and investigative techniques. (Source: Dr. Sagan)

The Committee should recommend that statistical analyses be made on UFO data. (Sagan)

The Committee should also recommend that in the event our major recommendations are not bought by the Air Force, the present "Blue Book" investigations be more thorough. For example, the B-47 sighting in New Hampshire were assumed to be the source of the UFO. However, no attempt was made to correlate the time of sighting or place of sighting with the navigation logs of any of the B-47s that were supposed to be in the area. Such a loose approach seriously degrades the "Project Blue Book" efforts and leaves loop holes that critics of the Air Forces handling of the UFO problem can use to cast doubt on the Air Force's credibility. (Sagan)

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 38

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

It would be useful to know how many times SPADATS sights unidentified objects with their radar. Is this number small or large? In either case, it means something dif- ferent. If the number is large then this gives emphasis to the supposition that there are a large number of poten- tial UFOs in the atmosphere. If the number is significantly small then because SPADATS is continuously scanning the skys, this lends credance to the supposition that UFOs are figments of emotional peoples imaginations.

A short review of the findings of the scientific groups who have worked on the UFO problem should be made available so that any new effort undertaken does not have to discover the wheel all over again. (Carter)

The Air Force should perhaps send letters to local police departments or, better still, when appropriate give a short briefing to police agencies asking for their responsible cooperation in the "Project Blue Book" effort. Undoubtedly, this would cause the number of sightings to rise because of the emotional response of the public. However, However, local police usually have a good public image so their value in helping the Air Force improve its statue should be weighed in light

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 39

[page 40]
of the probable increased number of sightings. Also such an approach would give ammunition for the critics to chide the Air Force for belately recognizing a problem that they (the so called "flying saucer buffs") have known about for years. In any case, press releases and public relations would have to be handled in an extremely skillful manner.

Dr. Caccioppo commented that any requirement for increased resources to study the UFO problem might cause DIA to recommend cancelation of the whole UFO project in their next budget review.

From my rough notes I gather that the Committee finally decided to recommend that the Air Force form teams at universities located strategically around the country. These teams would work closely with the local Air Force re- presentative from the nearest Air Force Base to investigate UFOS. The Group would investigate only those UFOs sightings that do not lend themselves to rapid and positive identi- fication. The teams would be made up of at least one psychologist, who has had interview experience, and one or more physical scientists (astronomers, physicists, etc.).

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 40

[page 41]
The capability of the Air Force representative was also discussed and it was generally agreed that it would be wise to have someone with investigative ability and a modicum of technical experience as the UFO Project Officer at each Air Force Base.

The local representative of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) may be a logical choice to work with the university groups when necessary. Each university would be assigned a specific geographic area. A lead university or FTD would analyze the date.

It is estimated that there will probably be more less than 100-150 sighting per year that will have to be investigated by the university teams. These will probably be randomly spread over the whole US so that no one university will be over burdened with UFO investigations.

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 41

[page 42]
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.

REPLY TO
ATTN OF: <empty>
21 January 1966

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

SUBJECT: Some SAFOI Thoughts for the SAB Ad Hoc Committee on UFOs

TO: RECORD

1. On 21 January, I visited SAF0I and discussed the Air Force's concern over the UF0 preblem with Lt Col John P. Spaulding and Mrs. Sarah Hunt (4a 120 - 79079).

2. SAFOI gets many inquiries concerning the UFG problem. Last year they received and answered more than 3300 letters on UFOs including many from the President and the Congress. The problem essentially boils down to ene that is typified by the questien, "When did yau stop beating your wife?" Any answer the Air Force gives tends to incriminate the Air Force as a concealer of information and at the very least detracts from its image. SAFOI has to cope with this public relations problem and wants som~thing done about it. Therefore they have turned to the SAB.

3. The last time that a group of scientists looked into the scientific aspects of the UFO problem was in 1953. Attachment 1 is a copy of that report.

# MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD (cont.)

5. SAFOI wants some pr igious scientific group to look at the UFO problem i.n de th and come up with a position that will help get the Air Force off the hook. SAFOI expects to gain a report that will permit them to stand before the most re own critics and say that the AF position on UFOs is sound or action is being taken to make it sound.

6. The questions that SAFOI wants answered are typically as
follows:

a. Is Project Blue Book adequate?

b. Is there or is there not scientific evidence that
UFOs exist?

c. What can be done to make the Air Force position
credible?

7. SAFOI claims, and rightly so, that they cannot get to the heart of the public relations problem until they get some scientific evidence upon which to base their opinion. For this reason they are very emphatic that they do not want a "for motherhood and against sin" type of connnittee report. AB far as SAFOI is concerned the problem is critical.

[page 44]
Noo

# REPORT OF MEETINGS OF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

January 14 - 18, 1953

Stainer \

DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS;
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS.
DOS BIR. 5200.19

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 44

[page 45]
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE USAF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE a CHIEF OF STAFF

<b>MEMO FOR:</b> <signature>

DATE 3/May 67

.A...oa....,._ interesting paper ! Much
applicable today, so one gets of what is recommended is still the ..
impression that ATIC-or FTD-did
not leed the warning of increasing
public concern for UFOs fanned by
periodic stimulation by publicity-
seeking individuals, little progress
has been made since this report in
dispelling the public fears of UFOA.
In fact most of the recent publicity, I feel, I
has done just the opposite by fanning
the smoldering flames."
I think a strong point in this
question is the fact that in all the
years that UFO's have been in the public
scene there never has been any "hardware"
evidence acquired. Unless the "little green
men are really super intellectuals engineering
wise I feel that one of their craft

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 45

[page 46]
..

would have experienced some sort
of difficulty causing an about
or crash, or something.
Also, we hear mostly - if not wholly-
of sightings only in the U.S. or No. American
Continent. Do you know what the
foreign "sighting "data looks like.
Was this considered by or briefed to the
O'Brien committee:

663 بی کوری

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841 Page 46

[page 47]
EADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE USAF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE & CHIEF OF STAFF

DATE 1 May 67
MEMO FOR: Col Burger

Attached is an
Unclassified version of
report of the
the CIA sponsored
Scientific Advisory Panel
on UFO's. Only the
names have been changed
to protect the guilty

Return <signature>

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 47

# INDEX

|               |               |                                                    | PAGE          |
|-|-|-|-|
| P-.:rpose • 1 | P-.:rpose • 1 | P-.:rpose • 1                                      | P-.:rpose • 1 |
| Part          | I:            | History of Meetings of Panel                       | 1.            |
| Part          | II:           | Comments and·· Suggestions of Panel                | 7.            |
|               |               | General                                            | ?             |
|               |               | On Lack of Danger .                                | 8             |
|               |               | Air Force Reporting System                         | 9             |
|               |               | Art:tfacts of Extraterrestrial Origin              | 10            |
|               |               | Tremonton, Utah, Sighting •                        | 11            |
|               |               | Potential Related Dangers                          | 15            |
|               |               | Geographic Locations of Unexplained<br />Sightings | 15            |
|               |               | Instrumentation to Obtain Data                     | 16            |
|               |               | Radar Problem of Mutual Interference               | 18            |
|               |               | Unexplained Cosmic Ray Phenomena                   | 19            |
|               |               | Educational Program                                | 19            |
|               |               | Unofficial Investigating Groups                    | 23            |
|               |               | Increase in Number of Sightings                    | 24            |
| Report        | of            | Panel                                              | Tab A         |
| List          | of            | Personnel Concerned with Meetings                  | Tab B         |
| List          | of            | Documentary Evidence Presented                     | Tab C         |

[page 49]
Y

EGRET

16 February 1953

MEMORANDUM FOR: <empty>
FROM: <empty>
SUBJECT: Report of Meetings of the
Scientific Advisory Panel on
Unidentified Flying Objects, January 14 - 18, 1953

## PURPOSE

The purpose of this memorandum is to present:

a. A brief hi.story of the meetings of tho , Advisory Panel On Unidentified Flying Objects (Part I),

'b. An unofficial supplement to the official Panel Report: . aetting forth cor..m.ents and suggestions of the Panel Members which they believed were inappropriate for inclusion in the forme.l report (Part II).

## PART I: HISTORY OF MEI~INGS

## GENERAL

After co11sideration of the subject of "unidentified flying
objects" at the 4 December meeting of the
the following action was agreed:
"The will:

a. Enlist the services of selected scientists to review and appraise the available evidance in the light of pertinent scientific theories ..•. "

Following the delegation of this action to the

and preliminary investigation,

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 49

[page 50]
* Ac* v«f}}}X!!!a ! £€9% [W@#Y° * **

an Advisory Panel of selected scientists was assembled. In ·cooperation with the Air Technical Intelligence Center, case histori€s of reported sightings and related material were .. made available .for their study and consideration ..

Present at the initial meeting (0930 Wednesday, 14 January) were: Dr. H. P. Robertson, Dr. 1 Dr. Thornton Page, Dr. Samuel A. Goudsmit,

and the writer. Panel Member, Dr. Lloyd V. Berk- ner, was absent until Friday afternoon. Messrs.

;were present throughout the sessions to familiarize themselves with the subject, repr~sent the substantive interest-of their Divisions, and assist in administrative support of the meetings. (A list of personnel concerned with the meetings is given in Tab A.

# INDEX (cont.)

## WEDNESDAY MORNING

The opened the meeting, reviewing CIA interest in the

subject and action taken. This review included the mention of

the Study Group of August 1952

culminating in the briefing of the the ATIC November 21

briefing, 4 December consideration, visit to ATIC

Robertson and and' concern over potential dangers

to national security indirectly related to these sightings.

Mr. enumerated these potential dangers. Following this

introduction., Dr. turned the meeting over to

2 -

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 50

[page 51]
t

RET

Dr. Robertson as Chairman of the Panel. Dr. Robertson enumerated. the evidence available and requested consideration of specific reports and letters be taken by certain individuals present (Tab B). For example, case histories involving radar or radar and visual sightings were selected for Dr. - while reports of Green C Fireball phenomena, nocturnal lights, and suggested programs of investigation were routed to Dr. Page. Following these remarks, the motion pictures of the sightings at Tremonton, Utah (2 July 1952) and Great Falls, Montana (15 August 1950) were shown. The meeting adjourned at 1200.

# INDEX (cont.)

## THURSDAY MORNING

The third and fourth meetings of the Panel were held Thursday, 15 January, commencing at 0900 with a two-hour break for luncheon. Besides Panel members and CIA personnel, Mr. Ruppelt and Dr were present for both sessions. In the morning, Mr. Ruppelt con- tinued his briefing on ATIC collection and analysis procedures. The Project STORK support at ____ was described by Dr .. A.number of case histories were dis- --:-- . cussed in detail and a motion picture film of seagulls was shown. A two hour break for lunch was taken at 1200.

[page 53]
$

b. That vigorous effort should be made to declassify as many of the reports as possible.

C. That some increase in the ATIC section devoted to U.F.O.

analysis was indicated.

This meeting was adjou~ned at 1700~

# INDEX (cont.)

## FRIDAY MORNING

The fifth session of the Panel convened at 0900 with the same . personnel present as enumerated for Thursday (with the exception Of"

From 0900 1000 there was general discussion and study of reference material. Also, read a prepared paper making certain observations and conclusions. At 1000 gave a briefing on his fifteen months experience in Washington as Project Officer for U.F.O.'s and his personal conclusions. There was considerable discussion of individual case histories of sightings to which he referred. Following presentation, a number of additional case histories were examined and discussed with Messrs. Ruppelt, and" The meeting adjourned at 1200 for luncheon.

[page 54]
FC

UNCLASSIFIED

conclusions reached. A general discussi.on followed and ten~ative recommendations considered. It was agreed that the Chairman should draft a report of the Panel to that evening for review by the Panel the next morning. Tho mootin~ adjourned at 1715.

[page 55]
PART II: COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS OF PANEL

# INDEX (cont.)

## GENERAL,

The Panel Members were impressed (as have been others, includ- ing personnel) in the lack of sound data in the great majority of case histories; also, in the lack of speedy follow-up due primarily to the modest size and limited facilities of the ATIC section concerned. Among the case histories of significant sightings discussed in detail were the following:

Bellefontaine, Ohio (1 August 1952); Tremonton, Utah (2 July 1952) ;. Great Falls, Montana (15 Aug~st 1950); Yaak, Montana (l September 1952}; Washington, D. C. area (19 July 1952); and Haneda A.F.B.* Japan (5 August 1952), Port Huron, Michigan (29 July 1952); and Presque Isle, Maine (10 October 1952).

# INDEX (cont.)

## GENERAL, (cont.)

After review and discussion of these cases (and about 15 others, in less detail), the Panel concluded that reasonable explanations could be suggested for most sightings and "by deduction and scientific method it could be induced (given additional data) that other cases. might be explained in a similar manner" The Panel pointed out that because of the brevity of some sightings (e.g. 2-3 seconds) and the inability of the witnesses to express themselves clearly (semantics) that conclusive explanations could not be expected for every case reported. Furthermore, it was considered that, normally, it would be a great waste of effort to try to solve most of the sightings, unless such action would benefit a training and educational program (see below). The writings of Charles Fort were referenced to show

-7-

NW 90306
Dorld 34714841 Page 55

[page 56]
}

that "strange things in the sky" had been recorded for hundreds of years. It appeared obvious that there was no single explanation for a majority of the things seen. The presence of radar and astro- nomical specialists on the Panel proved of value at once in their confident recognition of phenomena related to their fields. It was apparent that specialists in such additional fields as psychology, meteorology, aeródynamics, ornithology and military air operations would extend the ability of the Panel to recognize many more cate- gories of little-known phenomena.

# INDEX (cont.)

## ON LACK OF DANGER

The Panel concluded unanimously that there was no evidence of a direct threat to national security in the objects sighted. Instances of "Foo Fighters" were cited. These were unexplained phenomena sighted by aircraft pilots during World War II in both European and Far East theaters of operation wherein "balls of light" would fly near or with the aircraft and maneuver rapidly. They were believed to be electrostatic (similar to St. Elmo's fire) or electro- magnetic phenomena or possibly light reflections from ice crystals in the air, but their exact cause or nature was never defined. Both Robertson and had been concerned in the investigation of these phenomena, but David T. Griggs (Professor of Geophysics at the University of California at Los Angeles) is believed to have been the most knowledgeable person on this subject. If the term "flying saucers" had been popular in 1943 - 1945, these objects would

8

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 56

[page 57]
have been so labeled. It was interesting that in at least two cases reviewed that the object sighted was categorized by Robertson and |_ as probably "Foo Fighters", to date unexplained but not dangerous; they were not happy thus to dismiss the sightings by calling them names. It was their feeling that these phenomena are not beyond the domain of present knowledge of physical sciences, however.

# INDEX (cont.)

## AIR FORCE REPORTING SYSTEM

It was the Panel's opinion that some of the Air Force concern over U.F.O.'s (notwithstanding Air Defense Command anxiety over fast radar tracks) was probably caused by public pressure. The result today is that the Air Force has instituted a fine channel for receiving reports of nearly anything anyone sees in the sky and fails to understand. This has been particularly encouraged in popu- lar articles on this and other subjects, such as space travel and science fiction. The result is the mass receipt of low-grade reports. which tend to overload channels of communication with material quite irrelevant to hostile objects that might some day appear. The Panel agreed generally that this mass of poor-quality reports containing little, if any, scientific data was of no value. Quite the opposite, it was possibly dangerous in having a military service foster public concern in "nocturnal meandering lights". The implication being, since the interested agency was military, that these objects were or might be potential direct threats to national security. Accord-. ingly, the need for deemphasization made itself apparent. Comments on a possible educational program are enчuerated below.

- 9 -

[page 58]
It was the opinion of Dr. Robertson that the "saucer" problem had been found to be different in nature from the detection and investigation of German V-1 and V-2 guided missiles prior to their operational use in World War II. In this 1943-1944 intelligence operation (CROSSBOW), there was excellent intelligence and by June 1944 there was material evidence of the existence of "hardware" · obtained from crashed vehicles in Sweden. This evidence gave the investigating team a basis upon which to operate. The absence of any "hardware" resulting from unexplained U.F.O. sightings lends a "will- of the wisp" nature to the ATIC problem. The results of their investi- gation, to date, strongly indicate that no evidence of hostile act or danger exists. Furthermore, the current reporting system would have little value in the case of detection of enemy attack by conven- tional aircraft or guided missiles; under such conditions "hardware" would be available almost at once.

# INDEX (cont.)

## ARTIFACTS OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL ORIGIN

It was interesting to note that none of the members of the Panel were loath to accept that this earth might be visited by extra- terrestrial intelligent beings of some sort, some day. What they did not find was any evidence that related the objects sighted to space travelers. Mr. in his presentation, showed how he had elim- inated each of the known and probable causes of sightings leaving him "extra-terrestrial" as the only one remaining in many cases. background as an aeronautical engineer and technical intelligence

- 10 -

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 58

[page 59]
officer (Project Officer, BLUEBOOK for 15 months) could not be slighted. However, the Panel could not accept any of the cases cited by him because they were raw, unevaluated reports.

Terrestrial explanations of the sightings were suggested in some cases and in others the time of sighting was so short as to cause suspicion of visual impressions. It was noted by Dr. Goudsmit and others that extraterrestrial artifacts, if they did exist, are no cause for alarm; rather, they are in the realm of natural phenomena subject to scientific study, just as cosmic rays were at the time of their discovery 20 to 30 years ago. This was an attitude in which Dr. Robertson did not concur, as he felt that such artifacts would be of immediate and great concern not only to the U. S. but to all countries. (Nothing like a common threat to unite peoples!) Dr. Page noted that present astronomical knowledge of the solar system makes the existence of intelligent beings (as we know the term) elsewhere than on the earth extremely unlikely, and the concentration of their attention by any controllable means confined to any one continent of the earth quite preposterous.

# INDEX (cont.)

## TREMONTON, UTAH, SIGHTING (cont.)

1000 mun-hours of professional and sub-professional time in the preparation of graph plots of individual frames of tho film, show ing apparent and l'e1ative motion of objects and variation in their 1icht intensity. It was tho opinion of tho P.I.L. representatives that tho objects sighted wero not birds, balloons or aircraft, were "not renections becau::;o thero was no blinking while passing through 60° of arc" and were, therefore, "self-luminous". Plots of motion and variation in light intensity of the objects wore dis played. While the Panel Members wore impressed by the evident enthusiasm, industry and extent of effort of the P.I.L. teani, they could not accept the conclusions reached. Some of the roasons for this were as follows:

a. A semi-spherical object can readily produce a renection of.sunlight without "blinking" through 60° of arc travel.

b. Although no da:t.a was available on the "albedo" of birds or pol?ethylene balloons in bright sunlight, the apparent motions, sizes and brightnesses of the objects were considered strongly to suggest birds, particularly after the Panel viewed a short film showing high reflectivity of seagulls in bright sunlight.

# INDEX (cont.)

## TREMONTON, UTAH, SIGHTING (cont.)

d. Objects in the Groat Falls case wore believed to have probably been aircraft, ;;1.nd the bri~ht lights nuch roflections.

o. There was no valid reason for tho attempt to relate the objects in the Tremonton sighting to those in tho Great Fa1J.s sight ing. This may have been duo to misundersta.ndine in their directive. The objects in the Groat Falls sighting are strongly suspected of being rofloctions of aircraft known to have been :in the area.

f. The intensity change in the Tremonton lights was too great for acceptance of the P.I.L. hypothesis that tho apparent moti.on and changing intensity of tho lights indicated oxtreme1y high speed in small orbital paths.

- g .. Apparent lack of guidance of investigators by those familiar with U"F.O. reports and explanations.

h. Analysis of light intensity of objects made from duplicate rather than original film. The origin:11 film was noted to . have a much lighter background (affecting relative brightness of object) and the objects appeared much less bright.

i. Method of obtaining data of light intensity appeared faulty ' because of unsuitability of equipment abd questionable I, assumptions in making averages of readings.

[page 62]
k. Hand "jitter" frequonci0s (obtainable from early part of Tremonton film) were not removed from the plots of the "sinelo pa.ss p1ots" at the end of tho fi.lrn.

# INDEX (cont.)

## TREMONTON, UTAH, SIGHTING (cont.)

The Panel believed strongly that the data available on this sighting was sufficient for positive identification if further data is obtained by photographing polyethylene "pillow" balloons released near the site under similar weather conditions, checking bird flight and reflection characteristics with competent ornithologists and calculating apparent "G" forces acting upon objects from their apparent tracks. It was concluded that the results of such tests would prob- ably lead to creditable explanations of value in an educational or training program. However, the Panel noted that the cost in technical manpower effort required to follow up and explain every one of the thousand or more reports received through channels each year (1,900 in 1952) could not be justified. It was felt that there will always be sightings, for which complete data is lacking, that can only be explained with disproportionate effort and with a long time delay, if at all. The long delay in explaining a sighting tends to eliminate any intelligence value. The educational or training program should have as a major purpose the elimination of popular feeling that every sighting, no matter how poor the data, must be explained in detail. Attention should be directed to the requirement among scientists that a new phenomena, to be accepted, must be completely and convincingly documented. In other words, the burden of proof is on the sighter, not the explainer.

# INDEX (cont.)

## POTENTIAL RELATED DANGERS

The Panel Members were in agreement with_ opinion that, although evidence of any direct threat from these sightings was wholly lacking, related dangers might well exist resulting from:

a. Misidentification of actual onemy artifacts by defense
••
personnel.

- b* Overloading of emergency roport:ing channels with "false" informo.tion ("noise to signal ratio" analogy ... Borkner).

c. Subjectivity of public to mass hysteria and greater. vul nerability to possible enemy pi:ycho1ogical warfare.

Although not the concern of CIA, the first two of these 'problems may seriously affect the Air Defense intelligence system, and should be studied by experts, possibly under ADC. rr·u.F.0.'s become dis credited in a reaction to the "flying saucer" scare, or if report ing channels are saturated with.false and poorly documented repdrts, our capability of detecting hostile activity will be reduced. Dr. Pase notad that more competent screening or filtering of reported sightings at or near the source is required, and that this can best be accomplished by an educational program. \.

[page 64]
awareness of security measures near such locations. On the other. hand, there had been no sightings in the vicinity of sensitive related AE establishments while there were occasionally multiple cases of unexplained sightings in non-strategic areas. Furthermore, there appeared to be no logical relationship to population centers. The Panel could find no ready explanation for these clusters. It was noted, however, that if terrestrial artifacts were to be observed it would be likely that they would be seen first near foreign areas rather than central U.S.

# INDEX (cont.)

## INSTRUMENTATION TO OBTAIN DATA (cont.)

of the sky is now--and has been for many years-under surveillance every clear night in several meteor and aurora observing programs as well as sky mapping programs at the various locations listed below. Although the attention of these astronomers is largely directed toward identified rather than unidentified objects, no case of any striking unidentified object is known to Dr. Page or Dr. Such an object would most certainly be reported if found on patrol plates.

A case was cited where an astronomer refused to interrupt his exposure in order to photograph an alleged sighting in a different part of the sky. This led Dr. ~ to say that, if a program of watching could be an adjunct of planned astronomical programs, little cost would be involved and that the trained astronomical personnel might photograph a sighting of an unidentified object .

[page 66]
It was agreed by the Panel that no government-sponsored program of optical nation-wide sky patrol is worthwhile at the present time, and that the encouragement of amateur astronomers to undertake such a program might have the adverse effect of over-emphasizing "flying saucer" stories in the public mind. However, the issue of radar scope cameras for recording peculiar radar echoes would serve several pur- poses, including the better understanding of radar interference as well as identification of U.F.O.'s.

# INDEX (cont.)

## RADAR PROBLEM OF MUTUAL INTERFERENCE

This characteristic problem of radar operation wherein the pulse signal (of approximately the same frequency) from station A may be picked up on the screen of station B and show as a high-spe.ed track • or series of dots was recognized.to have probably caused a number of U.F .o. reports. This problem was underli.n0d by ir1forma.tion ·received indicating ADC concern in solving this problem of signal identification . before service use of very high-speed aircrart·or guided missiles (1955-1956). Dr. Berkner believed that one answer to this problem was the use of a "doppler filter" in th~ receiving circuit. Dr.---· suggested that the problem might be better solved by the use of a "controlled jitter" wherein the operator receiving "very fast tracks" (on the order of 1000- 10,000 m.p.h.) would operate a circuit which woul.d alter slightly his station's pulse frequency rate. If the signal received on the screen had been caused by mutual interference with another station, the track would now show itself at a different distance

18 -

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 66

UNCLASSIFIED

[page 67]
from the center of the screen, if it still appeared at all. Dr. felt such a technical solution was simpler and would cost much less than a "doppler filter".

# INDEX (cont.)

## UNEXPLAINED COSMIC RAY PHENOMENA

Two reported cases were examined: one at Palomar Mountain, California, in October 1949, when cosmic ray counters went "off scale for a few seconds", apparently while a "V" of flying saucers was observed visually; and two, series of observations by the "Los Alamos Bird Watchers Association" from August 1950 to January 1951, when cosmic ray coincidence counters behaved queerly. Circuit diagrams and records were available for the latter, and Dr. was able quickly to point out that the recorded data were undoubtedly due to instrumental effects that would have been recognized as such by more experienced observers.

The implication that radioactive effects were correlated with unidentified flying objects in these two cases was, therefore, rejected by the Panel.

[page 68]
levels in such education from enlisted personnel to command and research porso:nnel. Relative emphasis and degree of ex:planati_on of different programs would correspond to the categories 0£ duty (e.g., radar operators; pilots; control tower operators; Ground Observer Corps personnel; and . office~s and enlisted.men in other categories.) This training should ~· result in a marked reduction in reports. caused by misidentification and resultant confusion.

# INDEX (cont.)

## EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (cont.)

# INDEX (cont.)

## EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (cont.)

Mars," (a study in the psychology of panic, written about the famous Orson Welles radio broadcast in 1938) and has since performed advanced laboratory studies in the field of perception. The names of Don Marquis (University of Michigan) and Loe Rosten were mentioned as possibly suitable as consultant psychologists. Also, someone familiar with mass communications techniques, perhaps an advertising expert, would be helpful. Arthur Godfrey was mentioned as possibly a valuable channel of communication reaching a mass audience of certain levels. Dr. Berkner suggested the U. S. Navy (ONR) Special Devices Center, Sands Point, L. I., as a potentially valuable organization to assist in such an educational program. The teaching techniques used by this agency for aircraft identification during the past war was cited as an example of a similar educational task. The Jam Handy Co. which made World War II training films (motion picture and slide strips) was also suggested, as well as Walt Disney, Inc. animated cartoons. Dr. suggested that the amateur astronomers in the U. S. might be a potential source of enthusi- astic talent "to spread the gospel". It was believed that business clubs, high schools, colleges, and television stations would all be pleased to cooperate in the showing of documentary type motion pictures < if prepared in an interesting manner. The use of true cases showing first the "mystery" and then the "explanation" would be forceful.

[page 70]
historical cases but the current ones. Recent cases are probably much m.ore susceptible to explanation than older ones; first, because of ATIC's experience and, secondly, their knowledge of most plausible ., ' explanations. The Panel believed that some expansion of the ATIC effort would certainly be required to support such a program. It was believed· inappropriate to state exactly how large a Table of Organization would be required. Captain Ruppelt of ATIC unofficially proposed, for purposes of analyzing and evaluating reports:

a. An analysts• panel of. four officers

b. Four officer investigators

C. A briefing officer

.d. An AOC liaison officer

e. A weather and balloon data officer

.r. An astronomical consultant

g. A group Leader, with administrative assistant, file clerks and stenographers.

[page 71]
would be the photographing of "pillow balloons" at different distances under similar weather conditions at the site.

# INDEX (cont.)

## EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (cont.)

The help of one or two psychologists and writers and a subcontractor to produce training films would be necessary in addition. The Panel considered that ATIC's efforts, temporarily expanded as necessary, could be most useful in implementing any action taken as a result of its recommendations. Experience and records in ATIC would be of value in both the public educational and service training program envisaged. Dr. Robertson at least was of the opinion that after public gullibility lessened and the service organizations, such as ADC, had been trained to sift out the more readily explained spurious sightings, there would still be a role for a very modest-sized ATIC section to cope with the residuum of items of possible scientific intelligence value. This section should concentrate on energetically following up (perhaps on the advice of qualified Air Force Scientific Advisory Board members) those cases which seemed to indicate the evidence of unconventional enemy artifacts. Reports of such artifacts would be expected to arise mainly from Western outposts in far closer proximity to the Iron Curtain than Lubbock, Texas!

[page 72]
great influence on mass thinking if widespread sightings should occur. The apparent irresponsibili:\:.y and the possible use of such groups f c,r suhversive pu.:·posos should be kept in mind.

## INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SIGHTINGS

. The consensus of the Panel was, based upon the history of the subject, that the number of sightings could be reasonably expected to increase agnin this summer.

24-

NW 90306"
Docld:34714841. Page 72

[page 73]
TAB A

# REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL
ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

1. Pursuant to the request <empty>

the undersigned Panel of Scientific Consultants has met to evaluate any possible threat to national security posed by Unidentified Flying Objects ("Flying Saucers"), and to make recommendations thereon. The Panel has received the evidence as presented by cognizant intelli- gence agencies, primarily the Air Technical Intelligence Center, and has reviewed a selection of the best documented incidents.

## 2. As a result of its considerations, the Panel concludes:

a. -That the evidence presented on Unidentified Flying Objects shows no indication that these phenomena constitute a direct physfcal threat to national security. We firmly believe that there is no residuum of cases which indicates ,· phenomena which are attributable to foreign artifacts capable of hostile acts, and that there is no evidence that the phenomena indicates a need f <>r the revision of current scientific concepts.

[page 74]
indications of hostilo action, and the cultivation o:f a morbid national psychology in which skillful hostile propaganda could induce hysterical behavior and harmful distrust of duly constituted authority.

# REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL
ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (cont.)

## 3. The Panel further concludes: (cont.)

- 40 In order most effectively to strengthen the national facilities for the timely recognition and the appropriate handling of true indications of hostile action, and to minimize the concomitent dangers alluded to above, the Panel recommends:

a. That the national security agencies take immediate steps to strip the Unidentified Flying Objects or the special status they have been given and tbe aura of mystery they have unfortunately . acquired;

b. That the national security agencies institute policies on intelligence, training, nnd public educ3.tion designed to prepare the material defenses and the morale of tho country to recognize most promptly and to react most effectively to true indications of hostile intent or action. •·

We suggest that these aims may be achieved by an integrated program designed to reassure the public of the total lack of evidence of·inimical \ ~orces behind the phenomena, to train personnel to recognize and reject false indications quickly and e~fectively, and to strengthen regular channels for the evaluation of and prompt reaction to true indications of host:j_le measures.

/s/ H. P. Robertson, Chairman
California Institute of Technology

/s/ Luis W. Alvarez
University of California

[page 75]
TAB B

# SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL ON

UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

14 17 January 1953

# SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL ON

UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (cont.)

## EVIDENCE PRESENTED

1. Seventy-five case histories of sightings 1951 - 1952 (sele~ted by ATIC as those best documented).

- 2.· ATIC Status and Progress Reports of Project GRUOOE and Project BLUE BOOK (code names for ATIC study of subject). •

3. Progress Reports of Project STORK
contract work supporting ATIC).

- L}. Summary Report of Sightings at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

5. Report of USAF Research Center, Cambridge, Mass., Investigation of "Green FirE'ball" Phenomena (Project TWlNKLE).

6. Outline.of Investigation of U.F.o.•s Proposed by Kirtland Air Force
Base (Project POUNCE).

7. Motion Picture Films of sightings at Trem,nton 1 Utah, 2 July 1952 and Great Falls, Montana, August 1950.

8. Summary Report of 89 selected cases of sightings of various categories (Formations, Blinking Lights, Hovering, etc.).

9. Draft of mo.nuel: "How to Make a FLYOBRPT", prepared at ATIC.

10. Chart Showing Plot of Geographic Location of Unexplained Sightings in the United States during 1952.

11. Chart Showing Balloon Launching Sites in the United States.

12. Charts Showing Selected Actual Balloon Flight Paths and Relation to Reported Sightings.

.

[page 76]
TAB-B

.16. Motion picture of seagulls in bright sunlight showing high reflectivity.

17. Intelligence Reports Relating to u.s.s.R. _Interest in U. s. Sightings.

18. Samples of Official USAF Reporting Forms and Copies ot Pertinent Air Force, Army and Navy Orders Relating. to Subject.

19. Sample Po ethylene "Pillow" Balloon (54 inches square).

20. "Variations in Radar Coverage", JANP 101 (Manual illustrating unusual operating characteristics of Service radar).

21. Miscellaneous official letters and foreign intelligence reports
dealing with subject. •

22. Copies of popular published works dealing with subject {articles in periodicals, nawspaper clippings and books).·

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 76

[page 77]
THE

3

# REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL
ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

0

17 January 1953.

1. The undersigned Panel of Scientific Consultants has met at the request of the Government to evaluate any possible threat to national security posed by Unidentified Flying Objects ("Flying Saucers"), and to make recommendation. The Panel has received the evidence as presented by cognizant Governmental agencies, primarily the United States Air Force, and has reviewed a selection of the best documented incidents.

# REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL
ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (cont.)

## 2. As a result of its considerations, the Panel concludes:

That the evidence presented on Unidentified Flying Objects shows no indication that these phenomena constitute a direct physical threat to national security.

We firmly believe that there is no residuum of cases which indicates phenomena which are attributable to foreign artifacts capable of hostile acts, and that there is no evidence that the phenomena indicate a need for the revision of current scientific concepts.

3. In the light of this conclusion, the Panel recommends: That the national security agencies take immediate steps to strip the Unidentified Flying Objects of the special status they have been given and the aura of mystery they have unfortunately acquired. We suggest that this aim may be achieved by an integrated program designed to reassure the public of the total lack of evidence of inimical forces behind the phenomena

/s/ Lloyd V. Berkner
Associated Universities, Inc.

/s/ H.P. Robertson, Chairman
California Institute of Technology

/s/ S. A. Goudsmit
Brookhaven National Laboratories

/s/ Luis W. Alverez
University of California

/s/ . Thornton Page
John Hopkins University

NW 90306
Docid:34714841 Page 77

[page 78]
BB- 4c Steiner Hold for office of

Compiled by Col Zubon, USAF chieh Scientist

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## A. PERIODICALS

| 1.   | Return of Flying Saucers                                              | D. Cohen     | NATION Sep 13, 1965                                 |
|-|-|-|-|
| 2.   | Tradewinds; Report of a<br />UFO in Exeter, N.H.                      | J.G. (Fuller | Saturday Oct 2, 1965<br />Review                    |
| 3.   | Tradewinds; Exeter People<br />Give Accounts of<br />Observations     | J.G. Fuller  | Saturday Jan 22, 1966<br />Review                   |
| 4.   | Why I Believe in Flying<br />Saucers                                  | M. Kantor    | Popular Jan 1966<br />Science                       |
| 5.   | Fatuus Season: Ann Arbor<br />and Hillsdale Sightings                 |              | Time April 1,1966                                   |
| 6.   | Flying Saucers: Illusions<br />or Reality? UFO's in<br />Michigan     |              | U.S.News Apr 4, 1966                                |
| 7.   | Gullibility Experiment:<br />Southern California                      |              | Time Apr 8, 1966                                    |
| 8.   | Hard Look at Flying<br />Saucers: Questions and<br />Answers          |              | U.S.News Apr 11,1966                                |
| 9.   | Marsh Gas in Michigan;<br />latest UFO incident                       |              | America Apr 9, 1966                                 |
| 10.  | Notes and Comment;<br />Saucer Flap                                   |              | New Yorker Apr 9,1966                               |
| 11.  | Outer-Space Ghost Story;<br />Excerpt from Incident<br />at Exeter    | J.G. Fuller  | Look Feb 22,1966<br />Readers<br />Digest May, 1966 |
| 12.  | Pi in the Sky; UFO's<br />Michigan                                    |              | Newsweek Apr 4,1966                                 |
| 13.  | Tradewinds; USAF Re-<br />actions to Recent<br />Sightings            | J.G. Fuller  | Sat.Review Apr 16, 1966                             |
| 14.  | Well-Witnessed Invasion<br />by Something; Australia<br />to Michigan | P. O'Neil    | Life Apr 1, 1966                                    |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## A. PERIODICALS (cont.)

| 15.   | Should We Be Serious<br />About UFO's? Unidentified<br />Flying Object                | D. Cohen                   | Science<br />Digest      | June, 1965   |
|-|-|-|-|-|
| 16.   | Ufology: New Report debunks<br />belief that UFO's are buzzing<br />the Earth         |                            | Newsweek                 | Aug 5, 1963  |
| 17.   | World of Flying Saucers                                                               | D.H. Menzel<br />L.G. Boyd | Science<br />Digest      | Sep, 1963    |
| 18.   | Saucers, Pancakes and Such                                                            |                            | Science                  | Feb 16, 1962 |
| 19.   | Afternoon with the Space<br />People                                                  | H. Draper                  | Harper                   | Sep, 1960    |
| 20.   | Flying Saucers                                                                        | C.G. Jung                  | Sat.Review               | Aug 8,1959   |
| 21.   | Eye on Space                                                                          | D.Q. Posin                 | Pop.Mech.                | Feb. 1960    |
| 22.   | Out-of-the-Blue Believers<br />Civilian Saucer Intelligence<br />of New York          |                            | New Yorker               | Apr 18,1959  |
| 23.   | Saucers Explained                                                                     |                            | Science                  | Apr 30,1960  |
|       |                                                                                       |                            | News Letter              |              |
| 24.   | Saucery and Flying<br />Saucers                                                       | D. Cort                    | Nation                   | Nov.7,1959   |
| 25.   | Theory about Flying<br />Saucers                                                      | D.H.Robey                  | Sat.Review               | Sep 5,1959   |
| 26.   | What's Up There?                                                                      | A.C. Clarke                | Holiday                  | March, 1959  |
| 27.   | Cups or Saucers                                                                       |                            | Time                     | Sep 9, 1957  |
| 28.   | Dinner Time                                                                           |                            | Time                     | Nov 18,1957  |
| 29.   | Dr. Jung and the Saucers                                                              |                            | Time                     | Aug 11,1958  |
| 30.   | Flying Saucers and Science                                                            |                            | American<br />Mercury    | July, 1957   |
| 31.   | If You're Seeing Things<br />in the Sky                                               |                            | U.S.News                 | Nov 15,1957  |
| 32.   | No Evidence for Saucers                                                               |                            | Science<br />News Letter | Nov 16,1957  |
| 33.   | Saucer Session for Spaceship<br />Sighters: Interplanetary<br />Spacecraft Convention |                            | Life                     | May 27,1957  |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## A. PERIODICALS (cont.)

| 34.   | Saucers and Smoking                                     |             | Newsweek                | Aug. 11, 1958                 |
|-|-|-|-|-|
| 35.   | Seeing Things                                           |             | Newsweek •1111          | Nov. 18, 1957                 |
| 36.   | Skillie from the Sky                                    |             | Nowsweek                | Nov. 25, 1957                 |
| 37.   | Slim Chance for Saucer<br />Sightings                   |             | Science<br />Digest     | Feb. 1958                     |
| 38.   | Flying Saucer Conspiracy                                | D.E.Kehoe   | Am.<br />Mercury        | Sep. 1956                     |
| 39.   | Flying Saucers, I've Seen<br />H.A.                     |             | Flying<br />Shanklin    | Sep. 1955                     |
| 40.   | From Saucers Investigation<br />Group                   |             | Science<br />Digest     | Feb. 1957                     |
| 41.   | Great Saucer Hunt                                       | 8.Mandel    | Sat.Review              | Aug 6, 1955<br />Aug 27, 1955 |
| 42.   | He runs Flying Saucer<br />Headquarters                 | J.Kobler    | Sat.Eve.<br />Post      | Mar. 10, 1956                 |
| 43.   | Inside Story of Saucers:<br />Excerpt from Rpt on UFO's | E.J.Ruppelt | Science<br />Digest     | Apr. 1956                     |
| 44.   | Is this the real<br />Flying Saucer B.                  | Kocivar     | Look                    | June 14, 1955                 |
| 45.   | Latest on the Flying<br />Saucer                        |             | Sat.Review              | Feb 25, 1956                  |
| 46.   | Now you see'em, now<br />you don't                      |             | Espigador<br />Americas | Aug. 1955                     |
| 47.   | Saucer Blue Book                                        |             | Time                    | Nov. 7, 1955                  |
| 48.   | Strange Shapes Seen<br />in the Sky                     |             | Life                    | Dec. 5, 1955                  |
| 49.   | Unidentified Objects                                    |             | Sky & Tel               | Aug. 1956                     |
| 50.   | AF Looks at Saucers A.                                  | Long        | Science<br />Digest     | Jan. 1954                     |
| 51.   | ATIC Begins Study of                                    |             | Aviation                | Oct. 19, 1953                 |
|       | Saucer Reports                                          |             | Week                    |                               |
| 52.   | Biblical Flying Saucers                                 |             | Sc. News<br />Letter    | Mar. 7, 1953                  |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## A. PERIODICALS (cont.)

| 53.   | Canada's Flying Saucer<br />Lookout Lab         | E. Griffin   | Science Digest   | Feb. 1954                    |
|-|-|-|-|-|
| 54.   | Finds Saucers Exist<br />Solely in Imagination  |              | Science Digest   | Jan. 1955                    |
| 55.   | Waiting for the<br />Little Mon                 |              | Newsweek         | Mar 28, '55                  |
| 56.   | Flying Saucers from<br />Outer Space; Excerpts  | DIE.Kehoe    | Look             | Oct 20, '53<br />Dec 1, '53  |
| 57.   | Letter from Paris                               | Genet        | New Yorker       | Oct 23, 54                   |
| 58.   | Now They're in Italy;<br />Astral Intruders     |              | Life             | Nov 29, 54                   |
| 59.   | Of Spots Before the<br />Eyes                   | B.F.Mauer    | Science          | Bec 19, 52<br />Jan 31, '53  |
| 60.   | On the Flying Saucer<br />Trail                 |              | Am. Mag.         | Apr.'54                      |
| 61.   | Plenty Going on in the<br />Skys                |              | U.S. News        | Jan.1,1954                   |
| 62.   | Report on our Flying<br />Saucer Balloons       | C.Knight     | Colliers         | Jun 11, '54                  |
| 63.   | Saucers on Radar?                               | D.H.Menzel   | Pop. Sci.        | Apr. 1953                    |
| 64.   | Those Flying Saucers                            | C.C. Wylie   | Science          | Jul 31, '53<br />Dec 11, '53 |
| 65.   | To Our Readers                                  | M. Straight  | New Republic     | Oct 26,153                   |
| 66.   | Flying Saucers and<br />Book Selection (Biblio) | N.J. Crum    | Library          | Oct. 1, '54<br />Feb. 1, 55  |
| 67.   | AF US Saucers                                   | B.S. Lee     | Aviation Week    | Jun 23,152                   |
| 68.   | Another Saucer Mystery                          | L.W. Vinther | Flying           | June, 1951                   |
| 69.   | Blips on the Scopes                             |              | Time             | Aug.4,152                    |
| 70.   | Cause of Flying Saucers                         |              | Sc NL            | Aug.9,152                    |
| 71.   | Flying Saucer Hoax                              | V. Black     | Am.Mercury       | Oct.152<br />Jan. '53        |
| 72.   | Flying Saucer Hoax                              | R.Gelatt     | Sat.Review       | Dec.6, '52                   |
| 73.   | Flying Saucers are<br />Old Stuff               |              | Pop. Sci.        | May, 1952                    |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## A. PERIODICALS (cont.)

| 74.   | Flying Saucers: Myth or<br />Menace? Pic Story                                                           | L. Elliott                 | Coronet                       | Nov. 1952                  |
|-|-|-|-|-|
| 75.   | Flying Saucers, New in<br />Name Only                                                                    | J.R.Aswell                 | Readers Readers<br />Digest   | July, 1952                 |
| 76.   | Hollywood Builds Flying<br />Saucers                                                                     |                            | Popl Sci                      | Nov. 1952                  |
| 77.   | Have we Visitors from<br />Space                                                                         | H.B. Darrach<br />R. Ginna | Life<br />Readers<br />Digest | Apr 7, 1952<br />July 1952 |
| 78.   | How to Expose Flying<br />Saucers; AF's Project<br />for Photographing Them                              | R. Steiner                 | Pop. Sci.                     | Jan. 1953                  |
| 79.   | How to Fly a Saucer                                                                                      |                            | Colliers                      | Oct. 4, 1952               |
| 80.   | How to see Flying Saucers                                                                                | K. Swezey                  | Pop.Sci.                      | Sep. 1952                  |
| 81.   | Korean Saucers                                                                                           |                            | Newsweek                      | Mar 3, 1952                |
| 82.   | Logging Time                                                                                             | H.Sheridan                 | Flying                        | Nov. 1952                  |
| 83.   | Magicians Scoff at<br />Flying Saucers                                                                   | J.Mulholland               | Pop. Sci.                     | Sep. 1952                  |
| 84.   | More about out there:<br />Review of "Is Another<br />World Watching". Riddle<br />of the Flying Saucers | G. Heard<br />W. Ley       | Sat.Rev.<br />Lit.            | Apr.28,1951                |
| 85.   | More Saucers over North<br />Korea                                                                       |                            | Time                          | Mar. 3, 1952               |
| 86.   | New Saucer Spidemic                                                                                      |                            | New<br />Republic             | Aug.18, 1952               |
| 87.   | New Theory of the<br />Flying Saucers                                                                    | D.H.Menzel                 | Sci.Digest                    | Sep. 1952                  |
| 88.   | No Visitors from Space                                                                                   |                            | Sci NL                        | Aug 30,1952                |
| 89.   | Of Spots before the<br />Eyes                                                                            | E.F. Mauer                 | Science                       | Dec.19,1952                |
| 90.   | Reporter at Large                                                                                        | D. Lang                    | New Yorker                    | Sep. 6, 1952               |
| 91.   | Saucer Reactions                                                                                         | R.E.Ginna                  | Life                          | June 9,1952                |
| 92.   | Saucer Season                                                                                            |                            | Newsweek                      | Aug.11,1952                |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## A. PERIODICALS (cont.)

| 93.   | Saucers? M. Thomson                                        | Science             | .. ,. 1111    |
|-|-|-|-|
| 94.   | Saucers Elude C.C. Wylie<br />Astronomers                  | Sei NL              | Jun 14, 1952  |
| 95.   | Saucers Under<br />Glass                                   | Newsweek            | Aug •• 1111   |
| 96.   | Scientist Diagnoses L.M.Levitt<br />the Flying Saucer      | Pop.Mech.           | Sep. 1952     |
| 97.   | Something in the<br />Air                                  | Time                | Aug. 11, 1952 |
| 98.   | Temperature<br />Inversions Cause<br />Flying Saucers      | Sc. NL              | ...... 11111  |
| 99.   | Those Flying Saucers                                       | Time                | ,.. •• 1 ...  |
| 100.  | Washington's Blips                                         | Life                | Aug. 4, 1952  |
| 101.  | What were the Flying Saucers                               | Pop.Sci.            | Aug. 1951     |
| 102.  | What's Going on in the Skies                               | US News             | Aug. 8, 1952  |
| 103.  | Where are the Flying Saucers<br />R.H. Wood                | Av. Week            | June 25, 1951 |
| 104.  | Wind is up in Kansas                                       | Time                | Sep. 8, 1952  |
| 105.  | Flying Saucer in                                           |                     |               |
|       | Good News H.J.Taylor                                       | Readers<br />Digest | July 1950     |
| 106.  | Flying Saucers,                                            |                     | July 1950     |
|       | Fact or Fiction C. Fuller                                  | Flying              | Sep 1950      |
| 107.  | Belated Explanation<br />on Flying Saucers<br />(Balloons) | Time                | Feb 26, 1951  |
| 108.  | Flying Saucers Again                                       | Scholastic          | Feb. a, HIil  |
| 109.  | Flying Saucers;<br />Ballooney not<br />baloney            | Av. Week            | Feb. 1951     |
| 110.  | Intelligent High<br />Altitude Balloons                    | Science<br />Digest | Mar. 1951     |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## A. PERIODICALS (cont.)

| 111.   | Saucers, Secrecy, and R.H. Wood<br />Security              | Av. Week     | Feb.19,1951                    |
|-|-|-|-|
| 112.   | Farmer Trent's Flying<br />Saucer                          | Life         | June 26,1960                   |
| 113.   | Flying Saucers H.T. Wilkins                                | Contemp.     | July 1950                      |
| 114.   | Flying Saucer Mystery                                      | Sci. NL      | Mar 25, 1950                   |
| 115.   | Flying Saucers Again                                       | Newsweek     | Apr 17, 1950                   |
| 116.   | Flying Saucers, Fact C. Fuller<br />or Fiction             | Flying       | Jul 1950<br />Sep 1950         |
| 117.   | In a Saucer from Venus: R. Gelatt                          | Sat.R.Lit    | Sep 24, 1950                   |
|        | Review of Behind the<br />Flying Saucers by F.<br />Scully | Sci NL       | Oct 21, 1950<br />Sep 16, 1950 |
| 118.   | Pies in the Sky in<br />Mexico City                        | Time         | Apr 3, 1950                    |
| 119.   | Psychoanalyzing<br />the Flying Saucers                    | Sci.Digest   | May, 1950                      |
| 120.   | Saucer-Eyed Deagons                                        | Time         | Apr 17, 1950                   |
| 121.   | Things that go Whiz;<br />Flying Saucers                   | Time         | May 9, 1949                    |
| 122.   | Visitors from Venus;<br />Flying Saucer Yarn               | Time         | Jan. 9, 1950                   |
| 123.   | What You can Believe<br />About Flying Saucers C. Shalett  | Sat.Eve.Post | Apr 30, 1949<br />May 7, 1949  |
| 124.   | Flying Disks Break<br />out over the U.S.                  | Life         | Jul 21, 1947                   |
| 125.   | Flying Saucer Spots<br />Before Their Eyes                 | Newsweek     | Jul 14, 1947                   |
| 126.   | Flying Saucers; the<br />Somethings                        | Time         | July 14, 1947                  |
| 127.   | Illusions of Nature                                        | Sci.Illus.   | Oct. 1947                      |
| 128.   | Remember the Flying Saucers                                | Sci. Digest  | Oct. 1947                      |
| 129.   | Seeing is Deceiving M. Luckiesh                            | Sci.Illus.   | June 1946                      |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## B. BOOKS ON FLYING SAUCERS

| 1. Spacecraft From Beyond Three Dimensions                                                    | W. Gordon Allen                                            |
|-|-|
| 2. The Inexplicable Sky                                                                       | Arthur Constance                                           |
| 3. Space, Gravity and the ., Saucer                                                           | Leonard G. Camp                                            |
| 4. Flying Saucers; an Analysis the<br />AF Project Blue Book Ept 14                           | Leon Davidson                                              |
| 5. Flying Saucer Review                                                                       | Intro by Brinsley<br />le Poer Trench<br />(Citadel Press) |
| 6. They Rode in Space Ships                                                                   | Gavin Gibbons                                              |
| 7. Flying Saucers and Common Sense                                                            | Girvan                                                     |
| 8. The Case for the UFO, unidentified<br />Flying Objects                                     | .... Jessup                                                |
| 9. The Flying Saucer Conspiracy                                                               | Keyhoe                                                     |
| 10. Flying Saucers From Outer Space                                                           | .... .... Keyhoe                                           |
| 11. Flying Saucers: Top Secret                                                                | Keyhoe                                                     |
| 12. The Great Flying Saucer Hoax; the<br />UFO Facts and their interpretation                 | Coral E. Lorenzen                                          |
| 13. Flying Saucers                                                                            | D.H. Menzel                                                |
| 14. The World of Flying Saucers; A<br />Scientific Exam of a Major Myth<br />of the Space Age | D.H. Menzel                                                |
| 15. Flying Saucers and the Straight-Line<br />Mystery (French Translation)                    | Aime Michel                                                |
| 16. The Truth about Flying Saucers                                                            | Aime Michel                                                |
| 17. National Investigations Committee.<br />on Aerial Phenomena                               | Richard H. Hall,<br />Editor                               |
| 18. Flying Saucers and the USAF                                                               | Lawrence J. Tacker                                         |
| 19. Anatomy of a Phenomenon: UFO's<br />in Space - A Scientific Appraisal                     | Jacques Vallee                                             |
| 20. Flying Saucers Uncensored                                                                 | Harold Tom Wilkins                                         |
| 21. The UFO Annual                                                                            | The Citadel Press<br />Editor, M.K. Jessup                 |

# REFERENCES ON UFO'S (cont.)

## B. BOOKS ON FLYING SAUCERS (cont.)

NW 90306
Docld:34714841 Page 85