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AIR FORCE REGULATION 80-17
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
Washington, D.C. 19 September 1966
Research and Development
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO)
This regulation establishes the Air Force program for investigating and
analyzing UFOs over the United States. It provides for uniform investigative
procedures and release of information. The investigations and analyses
prescribed are related directly to the Air Force's responsibility for the air
defense of the United States. The UFO Program requires prompt reporting and
rapid evaluation of data for successful identification. Strict compliance
with this regulation is mandatory.
SECTION A - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Paragraph
Explanation of Terms - 1
Program Objectives - 2
Program Responsibilities - 3
SECTION B - PUBLIC RELATIONS, INFORMATION, CONTACTS, AND RELEASES
Response to Public Interest - 4
Releasing Information - 5
SECTION C - PREPARING AND SUBMITTING REPORTS
General Information - 6
Guidance in Preparing Reports - 7
Transmittal of Reports - 8
Negative or Inapplicable Information - 9
Comments of Investigating Officer - 10
Basic Reporting Data and Format - 11
Reporting Physical Evidence - 12
SECTION A - GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. Explanation of Terms.
To insure proper and uniform usage of terms
in UFO investigations, reports and analyses, an explanation of common terms follows:
- a. Unidentified Flying Objects. Any aerial phenomenon or object which is unknown
or appears out of the ordinary to the observer.
- b. Familiar or Known Objects/Phenomena. Aircraft, aircraft lights, astronomical
bodies (meteors, planets, stars, comets, sun, moon), balloons, birds fireworks,
missiles, rockets, satellites, weather phenomena.
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This Regulation supersedes AFR 200-2, 20 July 1962
OPR: AFRSTA
DISTRIBUTION: S
(clouds, contrails, dust devils), and other natural phenomena.
2. Program Objectives.
Air Force interest in UFOs is two-fold: to determine
if the UFO is a possible threat to the United states and to use the
scientific and technical data gained from study of UFO reports. To attain
these objectives, it is necessary to explain or identify the stimulus which
caused the observer to report his observation as an unidentified flying object.
- a. Air Defense. The majority of UFOs reported to the Air Force have been
conventional or familiar objects which pose no threat to our security.
- (1) It may be possible that foreign countries may develop flying vehicles of
revolutionary configuration or propulsion.
- (2) Frequently, some alleged UFOs are determined to be aircraft. Air Defence
Command (ADC) is responsible for identification of aircraft. Except as aircraft
are determined to be the stimulus for a UFO report, aircraft are not to be reported
under the provisions of this regulation.
- b. Technical and Scientific. The Air Force will analyze reports of UFOs
submitted to it to attain the program objectives. In this connection these
facts are of importance:
- (1) The need for further scientific knowledge in geophysics, astronomy
and physics of the upper atmosphere which may be provided by study and
analysis of UFOs and similar aerial phenomena.
- (2) The need to report all pertinent factors that have a direct bearing
on scientific analysis and conclusions of UFO sightings.
- (3) The need and the importance of complete case information.
Analysis has explained all but a small percentage of the sightings which
have been reported to the Air Force. The ones that have not been explained
are carried statistically as "unidentified." Because of the human factors
involved and because of analysis of a UFO sightings depends on a personal
interpretation by the observer rather than on scientific data or facts obtained
under controlled conditions, the elimination of all unidentifieds is improbable.
However, if more immediate, detailed and objective data on the unidentifieds
that have been available and promptly reported, perhaps these too, could
have been identified.
3. Program Responsibilities.
- a. Program Monitor. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development, is
responsible for the overall program, evaluation of investigative procedures,
and the conduct of separate scientific investigations.
- b. Resources. The Air Force Systems Command will support the program with
current resources within the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, Ohio, to continue Blue Book effort. Other AFSC resources normally
used by FTD for this effort will continue to be made available.
- c. Investigation. Each commander of an Air Force Base will provide a UFO
investigative capability. When notice of a UFO sighting is received, an investigation
will be implemented to determine if the stimulus for the sighting. An Air Force base
receiving the notice of a UFO sighting may not be the base nearest the locale of
the sighting. In that event, the reported UFO sighting will be referred to the
Air Force base nearest the sighting for action.
EXCEPTIONS: FTD at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, independently or with
the help of pertinent Air Force activities, may conduct any other investigation
to conclude its analysis or findings. HQ USAF may arrange for separate investigations.
- d. Analysis. FTD will:
- (1) Analyze and evaluate all information and evidence reported to bases
on those UFOs which are not identified at the base level.
- (2) Use other Government agencies, private industrial companies, and
contractor personnel to assist in analyzing and evaluating UFO reports as necessary.
- e. Findings. FTD, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, will prepare a final case
report on each sighting reported to it after the data have been properly evaluated.
If the final report is deemed significant, FTD will send the report of its
findings to AFSC (SFCA), Andrews AFB, Wash D.C. 20331, which will send a
report to HQ USAF (AFRDC), Wash D.C. 20330.
- f. Cooperation. All Air Force activities will cooperate with UFO
investigators to insure that pertinent information relative to investigations
of UFO are promptly obtained. When feasible, this will include furnishing air
or ground transportation and other assistance.
SECTION B - PUBLIC RELATIONS, INFORMATION, CONTACTS, AND RELEASES
4. Response to Public Interest.
The Secretary of the Air Force, Office of
Information (SAF-OI), maintains contact with the public and the news media on
all aspects of the UFO program and related activities. Private individuals
or organizations desiring Air Force interviews, briefings or lectures, or
private discussions on UFOs will be instructed to direct their requests to
SAF-OI. Air Force members not officially connected with UFO investigations
covered by this regulation will refrain from any action or comment on UFO
reports which may mislead or cause the public to construe these opinions as
official Air Force findings.
5. Releasing Information.
SAF-OI is the agency responsible for releasing
information to the public and to the news media.
- a. Congressional and Presidential Inquiries. The Office of Legislative Liaison will:
- (1) With the assistance of SAF-OI, answer all Congressional and Presidential
queries regarding UFOs forwarded to the Air Force.
- (2) Process requests from Congressional sources in accordance with AFR 11-7.
- b. SAF-OI will:
- (1) Respond to correspondence from individuals requesting information on the UFO
program and evaluations of sightings.
- (2) release information on UFO sightings and results of investigations
to the general public.
- (3) Send correspondence queries which are purely technical and scientific
to FTD for information on which to base a reply.
- c. Exceptions. In response to local inquiries regarding UFOs reported in the
vicinity of an Air Force Base, the base commander may release information to the
news media or the public after the sighting has been positively identified. If the
stimulus for the sighting is difficult to identify at the base level, the commander
may state that the sighting is under investigation and conclusions will be released by
SAF-OI after the investigation is completed. The commander may also state that the
Air force will review and analyze the results of the investigation. Any further
inquiries will be directed to SAF-OI.
SECTION C - PREPARING AND SUBMITTING REPORTS
6. General Information.
- a. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development, USAF and the ADC
have a directed immediate interest in UFOs reported within the US.
All Air Force activities will conduct UFO investigations to the extent
necessary for reporting action (see paragraphs 9, 10, 11, and 12).
Investigation may be carried beyond this point when the preparing
officer believes the scientific or public relations aspect of the case
warrants further investigation. In this case, the investigator will
coordinate his investigation with FTD.
- b. Paragraph 7 will be used as a guide for screenings and reportings.
Paragraph 11 is an outline of the reporting format.
- c. Inquiries should be directed to SAF-OI (see paragraph 5)
- d. If possible, an individual selected as a UFO investigator should have
a scientific or technical background and experience as an investigator.
- e. Reports required by this regulation are excluded from assignment of a
reports control symbol in accordance with paragraph 3k, AFR 300-5.
7. Guidance in Preparing Reports.
The usefulness of a UFO report depends
largely on accuracy, timeliness, skill and resourcefulness of the person who
receives the initial information and makes the report. Following are aids
for screening, evaluating and reporting sightings:
8. Transmittal of Reports.
- a. Timeliness. report all information on UFO's promptly. Electrical
transmission with a "Priority" precedence is authorized.
- b. Submission of Reports. Submit multiple-addressed electrical reports to:
- (1) ADC
- (2) Nearest Air Division (Defense)
- (3) FTD WPAFB. (First line of Text: FOR TDETR.)
- (4) CASF. (First line of Text: FOR AFRDC.)
- (5) OSAF. (First line of Text: FOR SAF-OI)
- c. Written Reports. In the event that follow-up action requires a letter
report, send it to FTD TDETR, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 45433. FTD
will send the reports to interested organizations in the US and to SAF-OI if required.
- d. Reports from Civilians. Advise civilians to report UFOs to the nearest Air Force Base.
- e. Negative or Inapplicable Data. If specific information is lacking,
refrain from using the words "negative" or "unidentified" unless all
logical leads to obtain the information outlined in paragraph 11 have
been exhausted. For example, the information on weather conditions in
the area, as requested in paragraph 11g, is obtainable from the local
military or civilian weather facility. Use the phrase "not
applicable (NA)" only when the question really does not apply to
the sighting under investigation.
10. Comments of Investigating Officer.
This officer will make an initial analysis and comment on the possible cause or identity of the stimulus in a
supporting statement. He will make every effort to obtain pertinent items of
information and to test all possible leads, clues, and hypotheses. the
investigating officer who receives the initial report is in a better position
to conduct an on-the-spot- survey and follow-up than subsequent
investigative personnel and analysts who may be far removed from the area and
who may arrive too late to obtain vital data or information necessary for
firm conclusions. The investigating officer's comments and conclusions will
be in the last paragraph of the report submitted through channels. The
reporting official will contact FTD (Area Code 513,257-0916 oe 257-6678) for
verbal authority to continue investigations.
11. Basic Reporting Data and Format.
Show the abbreviation "UFO" at the beginning of the text of all electrical reports
and in the subject of any follow-up written reports. Include required data in all
electrical reports, in the order shown below:
- a. Description of the Objects(s):
- (1) Shape.
- (2) Size compared to a known object.
- (3) Color.
- (4) Number.
- (5) Formation, if more than one.
- (6) Any discernible features or details.
- (7) Tail, trail or exhaust, including its size.
- (8) Sound.
- (9) Other pertinent or unusual features.
- b. Description of Course of Object(s):
- (1) What first called the attention of observer(s) to the object(s).
- (2) Angle of elevation and azimuth of object(s) when first observed. (Use theodolite or compass measurement if possible.)
- (3) Angle of elevation of object(s) upon disappearance. (Use theodolite or compass measurement if possible.)
- (4) Description of flight path and maneuvers of object(s). (Use elevations and azimuth, not altitude.)
- (5) How did the object(s) disappear? (Instantaneously to the North, for example.)
- (6) How long were the object(s) visible? (Be specific - 5 minutes, 1 hour, etc.)
- c. Manner of Observation:
- (1) Use one or any combination of the following items: Ground-visual, air-visual, ground-electronic, air-electronic. (If electronic, specify type of radar.)
- (2) Statement as to optical aids (telescopes, binoculars, etc.) used and description thereof.
- (3) If the sighting occurred while airborne, give type of aircraft, identification number, altitude, heading, speed, and home station.
- d. Time and Date of Sighting:
- (1) Greenwich date-time group of sighting and local time.
- (2) Light conditions (use one of the following terms: Night, day, dawn, dusk).
- e. Location of Observer(s). Give exact latitude and longitude coordinates
of each observer, and/or geographical position. In electrical reports,
give a position with reference to a known landmark in addition to the
coordinates. For example, use "2 mi N of Deeville"; "3 mi SW of Blue
Lake," to preclude errors due to teletype garbling of figures.
- f. Identifying Information on Observer(s):
- (1) Civilian - Name, age, mailing address, occupation, education and estimate of reliability.
- (2) Military - Name, grade, organization, duty, and estimate of reliability.
- g. Weather and Winds-Aloft Conditions at Time and Place of Sighting:
- (1) Observer(s) account of weather conditions.
- (2) Report from nearest AWS or US Weather Bureau Office of wind direction and velocity in degrees and knots at surface, 6000', 10,000', 16,000', 20,000', 30,000', 50,000', and 80,000', if available.
- (3) Ceiling.
- (4) Visibility.
- (5) Amount of cloud cover.
- (6) Thunderstorms in area and quadrant in which located.
- (7) vertical temperature gradient.
- h. Any other unusual activity or condition, meteorological, astronomical,
or otherwise that might account for the sighting.
- i. Interception or identification action taken (such action is authorized
whenever feasible and in compliance with existing air defense directives).
- j. Location, approximate altitude, and general direction of flight of any air
traffic or balloon releases in the area that might account for the sighting.
- k. Position title and comments of the preparing officer, including his
preliminary analysis of the possible cause of the sighting(s). (See paragraph 10.)
12. Reporting Physical Evidence.
By Order of the Secretary of the Air Force
Official
J.P. McCONNELL
General U.S. Air Force
Chief of Staff
R.J. PUGH
Colonel, USAF
Director of Administrative Services
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