DOW-UAP-D092_DAF-Committee-to-Review-Project-Bluebook_1966-1967

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). 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 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). Dr. J. Thomas Ratchford, Project Scientist, AFOSR ino, Ass't. Exec. Dir® Research Communication, AFOSR (SRGC) Arlington, Va. 22209. Tele. 694-4875 (Code 11-44875). Dr. J. Thomas Ratchford, Project Scientist, AFOSR (SRPS) Arlington, Va. 22209. Tele. 694-5588 (Code 11-45588). Maj. William Metscher, Physicist, Hq. OAR (RROSP) Arlington, Va. 22209. Tele. 694-5505 (Code 11-45505). DAN TAYLOR Staff Information Officer NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 2 NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 3 NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 4 I , , ' . .. ·---· - • USAF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY roARD AD HOC COMMI'l'rEE TO REVlEW PROJECT BIDE BOOK Roam 5D-1014, the Pentagon 1400, 19 April 1966 ( MEETING STATISTICS I. 1400 Purpose of Meeting Lt Colonel Steiner, SAB 1410 Discussion .Al.l attendees 1630 Adjourn II. ..............ose 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 ose Thereof: Name Dr. Brian O'Brien Dr. Jesse Orla.nsky Col Robert Burger ol to Review Project Blue Book~ The discussion was held in Room 5D-1014, the Pentagon. III. Those Present and ose Thereof: Name Dr. Brian O'Brien Dr. Jesse Orla.nsky Col Robert Burger ol Robert Hippler Mrs. Sara Hunt L/Col Harold A. Steiner Chairman Member SAB Secretary Participant Participant SAB Secretary IV. Affiliation Consultant IDA AFBSA AFRSTA SAFOI Hq USAF (AFRSA) reviewed •• Reviewed - Report of the SAB Ad Hoc Conmiittee to Review Project Blue Book, March 1966. I V. Verbatim Record: (see attached) VI. Certification: These meeting statistics are certified as being true and correct. HAROLD A. STEINER, Lt Colonel, USAF Assistant Secretary USAF Scientific Advisory Board 1 Atch Record, dated 20 Apr 66 NW 90306. Docld:34714a41 Page 5 HEADQUARTERS UNITE. , ATES AIR FORCE USAF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE & CHIEF OF STAFF MEMO FOR: Record The following distribution waa made on Memo tor Record, 20 Apr 66, regarding UFO Meeting 1400, 19 April 66, Roca 5D-1014; es made Original--#1-o::f-t:,--~~ eJ #2. ot 6 - ll&iled to Dr. Stever:; #3 ot 6 - sent to Lt Col Hippler 19 April 66, Roca 5D-1014; es made Original--#1-o::f-t:,--~~ eJ #2. ot 6 - ll&iled to Dr. Stever:; #3 ot 6 - sent to Lt Col Hippler, AFRSTA :/14- of 6 - sent to Mrs. Sara Hunt, SA.POI #5 ot 6 - circulated vithin , ~--~ II' i't~i::t-<2;:f:,:L,#•t.•.) .hi':.~;'? i~:.ll·z..i • c~ m.Jm NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 6 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. ~ : (see attached) 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. III. Those Present and se Thereof: Name Dr. Brian O'Brien Dr. IB.unor F. Carter Dr. Jesse Orlanaky Dr. Richard Porter Dr. Carl Sagan Dr. Willis H. Ware Col John P. Spaul.d Those Present and se Thereof: Name Dr. Brian O'Brien Dr. IB.unor F. Carter Dr. Jesse Orlanaky Dr. Richard Porter Dr. Carl Sagan Dr. Willis H. Ware Col John P. Spaul.ding Dr. Anthony Cacioppo Col Warren Wheeler Maj Hector Quintanella. Mr. Francis Arcier Col Florian Holm L/Col Harold A. Steiner ~ Affiliation Chairman Member Member Member Member Member Briefer Participant Participant Briefer Participant Briefer SAB Sec Consultant System Development Corp. IDA GE Company Smithsonian Astrophysical. Observatory Rand Corporation S.AFOI Fl'D FTD FTD Consultant to FTD F'I'D Hq USAF (AFBSA) IT. Re orts Contributions Pro osala etc. issued received reviewed, a!)Rroved,2 ;12re12 ed or disseminated durins the EroceedinS: Reviewed: Robertson Report, dated 17 January 1953 Selected case histories from Project mue Book Distributed: Compilation of Project Blue Book Methods and Case Histories, dated 3 February l V. Verbatim. Record: None VI. Certification: These meeting statistics are certified as being true and correct. RABOLD A. S Assistant Secretary , Lt Col, USAF NW 90306 Doclrl:3471484iTage 7 ... _1ent1f'1o Advisory Board .. ....,' AD HOC COMMITTEE ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFOs) AGENDA • ,.;J Lt Col, USAF NW 90306 Doclrl:3471484iTage 7 ... _1ent1f'1o Advisory Board .. ....,' AD HOC COMMITTEE ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFOs) AGENDA • ,.;J1ursday, 3 FeJ?ruary 1966 0800 Welcoming Remarks Commander or Vice Commander, FTD 0805 0810 0830 1000 1015 1145 1315 Introduction Dr. O'Brien, SAB The Air Force Problem Lt Col Spaulding, SAFOI Briefing on Project Blue Book Major Quintanilla, FI'D Break Review of Selected Case Histories FTD Staff Lunch Executive and Writing Session NER, Lt Colonel, USAF Assistant Executive Secretary USAF Scientific Advisory Board 22 December 1965 8 NW90306, Dodd :3471.uJ41 ~'age 8 ~r Otfioinl th:;e Only MEK> FOR RECORD 20 April 1966 SUBJECT: Implementing SAB Ad Hoc Coan:lttee on Project Blue• Book Recommendations 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, AFR'l'SA Colcael Robert Burger, AFBSA. Lt Col Harold Steiner, AFB&\ M:ra. Bara Hunt, SAro Blue Book. Dr. Brian O'Brien Dr. Jesse Orlansky Lt Col Robert Hippler, AFR'l'SA Colcael Robert Burger, AFBSA. Lt Col Harold Steiner, AFB&\ M:ra. Bara Hunt, SAroI , Secretary ot the Air Force Harold Brown, 1n a 2. On 5 April memorandum. to the Chief of Staff, stated that the Committee's recamnendationa should be accepted and arrangements me.de tor a (sic) scientific team to investigate 1n depth· certain selected sightings of UFOs. General Ferguson was given responsibility for implementing the Committee's recommendations and Lt Colonel Hippler is project otticer. 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.ttee1uy be asked to meet with Colonel Hippler again. 4. Gener~, the concept of using uni'VersitteE(or individuals tran universities) is good. Specifically, however, :there needs to be a lead university to coordinate and collate the investigations. After Colonel Hippler again. 4. Gener~, the concept of using uni'VersitteE(or individuals tran universities) is good. Specifically, however, :there needs to be a lead university to coordinate and collate the investigations. After some discussion, it was B\J88e&ted that the University of Da.yton is probably .most appropriate because it is located close to Hq FTD who will retain management ot Project Blue Book. were suggested that could provide personnel to give areal coverage ot com.JS. They are liated below. 'Other universities •· .. .. -- .. East Rensselaer, Tro7, lf.Y. Columbia NYU Univ ot Conn. Yale Cornell ll\1v of Dayton Carnegie Tech Colr.Y'11r . .......-~ ot Copies NW 90306" Doclrl:3471.ffl41 Page 9 South Vanderbilt Duke Univ of Florida Georgia Tech U:liv of Georgia West Utah Colorado Iowa Wisconsin Illinois Chicago univ of Calif (Berkeley) UCLA Oregon WashiDgton Rice lbiv ot Texas Obairman--- .,..votary ~bnioalDir ~sst. Seoreta ~st. S@oreta ~st. se'creta -Asst. $earet , »-•r ~tioial Use Only Ac:ttsrili/A'sst.-----L....._,-·-·_,___ .. _ _...,,, .For Official U::a:i Onlv Colonel Hippler pointed out that it will probably be September before he gets the money to implement this plan. Dr. Ac:ttsrili/A'sst.-----L....._,-·-·_,___ .. _ _...,,, .For Official U::a:i Onlv 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. In this way we can leam what a typical reaction might be and also some of the pitfalls to avoid when contacting other universities. (ACTION: AFBSA). ,t t· 6. 1here are still several unanswered questions or problem areas: (a) Since the problem is 99fo public relations,it is essential that the investigating teams have aom.e modicm ot skill 1n press relations. It was stl"OJlgl)" suggested that a good solid PIO type (perhaps incognito) 'Dlis caused quit~ a, be included on, the first few investigation. te811l8. bit ot discussion and a final answer did not evolve. • (b) gl)" suggested that a good solid PIO type (perhaps incognito) 'Dlis caused quit~ a, be included on, the first few investigation. te811l8. bit ot 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. (f) Another que,ation that was not :tully resolved is how AFSC ihe Committee'• original thought was that shou1d get into the act. someone from the nearest AFSC base should work with the investigating team. The Committee also recODDended that a member ot the OSI might work with the university teaaa and giTe them the ou1d get into the act. someone from the nearest AFSC base should work with the investigating team. The Committee also recODDended that a member ot the OSI might work with the university teaaa and giTe them the benetit ot their investigating experience. It waa queationed whether thie would help or hurt. the Air l'orce ettort. leither ot these questions were tul.17 reaolve4. 2 NW 90306" Docld:347148-41 Page 10 Jtor Otticial Use Onl,. (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. Asaietant Secretary USAr Scienti.tic Advisory Board Lt Col, UBAJ' ,, ' ... ·•· ,,,., I ~- ' ·• I '\, - 1' V . . .. ., ' \' • 3 NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 11 l'tr Otticial Use Onlv MEMO IOUl'INS SUP 1 TO ,,-;w~·~;;tlSIM.~•~,,,·,"'i-;;;•n•;_..r,, ;'XJNJUilll.:INt'ES Oil __. :..1':....,_..._,:_1_:~---~·~-....,..__._J.r,,._-; _____ _.... •,...., __. , ·~;;tlSIM.~•~,,,·,"'i-;;;•n•;_..r,, ;'XJNJUilll.:INt'ES Oil __. :..1':....,_..._,:_1_:~---~·~-....,..__._J.r,,._-; _____ _.... •,...., __. ,__1 _____""t,,,,v1)1.1'-. . .~. I ,am&u ~iK~!J\U ! i •~ - - - - - - - - - - - • -..- c I t s·--~1• t t •' ,~-. ,• / , ...., ,_~~ • • - - - - - - - - • • • • • I :i...-.,•-•---!i.-1•""'-•;i-,_,,®,~•-c,••<I,,__,,,-.,,___,;_,. nt.a REIIARD FROM AFRDQ-P (Mr. Baillie) FORM 1 OCT SO a-... DD FOftD i4. 1 Feb IIO ud DD Fcna 86, *GPO: tSl60--0--6IIZM l Piib 60 wbioh will be lad UDtilabauaed. NW 90306, Docld:34714841 Page 12 - COPY AFRDQ-P 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 Franoisco 96346 Copies of the subject report are forwarded at the request of Mr. Jesse Orlanaky, a member of the Scientific Advisory Board Committee on UFO's. FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF San Franoisco 96346 Copies of the subject report are forwarded at the request of Mr. Jesse Orlanaky, a member of the Scientific Advisory Board Committee on UFO's. FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF onel, USAF ief, Requirements Plans Group Operational Requirements & DCS &D Development Plans, l Atch Special Report of the USAF SABAd Hoc COIL~ mittee to Review Project "Blue Book" dtd Mar 66, 2 cys NW90306 Docld:34714841 Page 13 COPY. ,... MBl«>RANDUMFORRICORD 18 May 1966 SUBJECT: Conversation with Dr. Stever Concerning SAB Support to USAF Investigations ot UFOs In a previous l,et't~er ldated 21 April l. On 17 May I discussed BAB support to USAF investigation• of UFOs with Dr. Stever. Dr. Stever to informally query s0111e of hie univeraity-preaident colleagues to determ:l.ne the beet m.odua operandi tor approaching universities and aaking thell to provide people and reaourcea to investigate acientiticalq selected UFO aiptings aa recaamencied by the ~ Ad Hoc Conlllittee. 1bia Jl8IIO docUMD.ta hi• tindinga and conclusions on this matter. a. On the baaia ot his infomal. contacta.:with univeraity preaidenta, Dr. Stever believe• the Air Force will get 1bia Jl8IIO docUMD.ta hi• tindinga and conclusions on this matter. a. On the baaia ot his infomal. contacta.:with univeraity preaidenta, Dr. Stever believe• the Air Force will get mixed reaction• to ita ret.Mat to univera1tiea4!1 on th e~ aide ot the picture, he baa gleaned theae general reactions: we bad aaked. a. It my be againat acae school's policy to make contractual arrangements 'With the government. b. Solle aivera1t1•• will bave no interest or have any qualified inveatigatora. 3. en the 2,2■1t,1ve side, the toll.owing reactions were received: a. Some univeraitiea will do the Job lmder con.tract. b. Solle would like to do the Job troll a reaearch aspect. (lfOTB: Dr. Stever c01111M1Dted that thia 'M:3 be the ••toot in the door" approach to requeat a4d1ticmal research fund• tor vork at the lmiveraity that my be conatrue4 to be related to the U10 inveatigation.) , 4. Dr. SteTer belieYe■ that, aa a vbole, the mller universities vill be :more receptive tban the l&rger onea. 5. Dr. Stever baa had a011e secoa.4 thoushta 011 the SAB (specifically, him) that, aa a vbole, the mller universities vill be :more receptive tban the l&rger onea. 5. Dr. Stever baa had a011e secoa.4 thoushta 011 the SAB (specifically, him) aend1ng the initial letter• to the •elected universities. He believes that the lett'i'r'"'iliould cme frail and be aigned b7 an action office within the Air Force. nie letter aight reter to the recaaendations ot the SAB scientific r.aajttee aa a baa1a tor the Air Force action• to initiate a more scientific al)prO&eh ill tuture ■elected UFO in.Veatigaticna. vorda, instead ot a letter f'roll a college president to a college president, Dr. Stever felt the .Air Force could aak.e a very acceptable case if it framed ita letter around these two pointa, In other a. 'Jhe value ot participating in auch 1Dveat1gations to the school, and b. !he va1ue to the Air Force and the nation. NW 90306" Docld:341'1.ffl41 Page 15 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 vhich universities are most ljkely to cooperate and since aoat tmivera1tiea have bad dealings w1th OSR, miveraity preaiden.t'• viewpoint. 7. Dr. Stever also suggested that OSR could probably advise vhich universities are most ljkely to cooperate and since aoat tmivera1tiea have bad dealings w1th OSR, J)erhap• that organisation could otter 801le advi•• on the initial letter and Jl&1be ffen send the letter f:rolll that otti • BOBBR'l Secretary USAf Sc1ent1t1c Adviaory Board Copies to: Lt Col Hippler, .lFR8'1' Mra. Bunt, SA.rOI Dr. Brian O'Brien 2 NW 90306, Docld:347'14841 Page 16 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FOR-.:...:. WASHINGTON 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. Harold Brown Attachment f l , ,..._...............,.., .." ' " ' "_ ,_ , . ...., , .... ...., ...... , , " DEPAR~· 1';MT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF ' •MARY SHEET ACTION s tGNA T UFUi (Surname and Grade) TO ACTION SIGNATURE " ' " ' "_ ,_ , . ...., , .... ...., ...... , , " DEPAR~· 1';MT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF ' •MARY SHEET ACTION s tGNA T UFUi (Surname and Grade) TO ACTION SIGNATURE (Surname and Grede) 2 3 4 5 AFRDC 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - t 8 7 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -11 0 9 SURNAME OF ACTION OFFICER ANO GRAOlt Lt Colonel Steiner SYMBOL AFBSA PHONE TYPIST'S INIT, SUSPENSE DATE 78845 mjm SUBJECT SAB Ad Hoc Committee Report SUMMA"'Y OATS: 30 March 1966 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. 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 1s: SAFOI 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 1s: SAFOI AFRDC Coanittee Members Commander, FTD AFSC DCS/Foreign Technology SAB Secretariat Chairman, SAB Number of 25 l leach 5 2 2 1 4. After your signature and approval of the recommended distribution, we will opriate action to forward the copies ot the report. ROBERT J. BURGER, Colonel, USAF Secretary USAF Scientific Advisory Board 2 Atch 1. Ltr of Transmittal 2. SAFOI Memo, 28 Sep 65 0 AFHQ JA RR~2 50 PREVIOUS EDIT! ONS OF THI s FORM ARE OBSOLETE. l ~w 9030fi fl II Docld:34714841 Page 19 NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 20 TO Gen F Mil 2 3 s DEPARl NT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR STAFF ! 'MRY SHEET ACTION SIGNATURE (Surname and Grade) TO ACTION SIGNATUAE (Surname and Grade) 6 7 8 9 10 SURNAME OF ACTION OFFICER AND GRADE SYMBOL. PHONE TYPIST•s INIT. SUSPENSE DA TE Col Burger AFBSA 74811 al SUl'lJliCT SUMMAPl Y SAB Information/Action Item DATE 5 October 1965 1. This request arrived AND GRADE SYMBOL. PHONE TYPIST•s INIT. SUSPENSE DA TE Col Burger AFBSA 74811 al SUl'lJliCT SUMMAPl Y SAB Information/Action Item DATE 5 October 1965 1. This request arrived in our office today apparently without your seeing it. I discussed it briefly with Dr. Stever and his initial reaction 2. was lukewarm. He questioned the value of a review of the UFO pro­ gram by the SAB. He suggested that we might talk to some other SAB members knowledgeable in this area to get their opinion on the value of such an SAB undertaking. We thought of Brian O'Brien (FTD/DAG), Jesse Orlansky (Psychology), Dick Porter (Geophysics), and possibly Court Perkins and Dr. Markey. 3. Before we do this, however, Dr. Stever thought we should get your views on this to see if perhaps there is some additional information or facts which would give a clue on why the request ade. . BUR ROBERT Secretary USAF Scientific Advisory Board Colonel, USAF Atch Memo on UFOs ., AFHQ ::RR~2 50 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THI s FORM ARE OBSOLETE. NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 21 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR" FORCE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY MEMORANDUM FOR MILITARY DIREGI'OR; SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD SUBJE~ s FORM ARE OBSOLETE. NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 21 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR" FORCE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY MEMORANDUM FOR MILITARY DIREGI'OR; SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD SUBJE~: Unid.entified 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 bas 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 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. 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. Air Force includ.e only a fraction of the spectacular reports which are publicized by many private UFO organizations. In addition, the reports received officially by the 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 A:i.r Force as to any improvements that should be made in the program in order to carry out the Air Force's assigned responsibility. 5 NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 22 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 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 Doc·tor Winston R. Markey, the former Air Force Chief Scientist.. /_ / .....•• .Qt..(..._(_,~-- . /'' / :,'I' f,,,." t ...._,...,., E. B. LeBAILLY Major General, USAF Director of Information 2 Attacbments 1. Blue Book Report 2. AFR 200-2 I NW 90306" Docld:34714841 Page 23 6 / ·1· N. S, l,_ . '1·· I r·1 •• . .l 1· .. ··1~ 1·-? ...J F () R. (i( ·i l I.;; 1d re