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CIA-UAP-D022, Unidentified Flying Object Reported near Puerto Rico, 1965

CIA · 2065-02-01 · Caribbean Sea · release 5

This file contains Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) memoranda exchanged between the Assistant Director for Special Activities (AD/SA) and the Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence (AD/SI) regarding an incident allegedly involving unidentified aircraft in the vicinity of Puerto Rico. The AD/SI was then-responsible for analyzing foreign scientific advancements and technological threats, such as Soviet nuclear, chemical, and ballistic missile capabilities. The AD/SA managed the CIA’s classified overhead reconnaissance operations, including the deployment of advanced aircraft like the U-2 and A-12 OXCART. Together, these offices ensured the United States could both gather critical intelligence over contested territories and accurately evaluate the technical capabilities of foreign adversaries during the Cold War. The memoranda refer to an incident on November 19, 1964, in which a U.S. Naval aviator described observing an unidentified object as “delta-shaped, about the size of a jet fighter.” The pilot visually estimated the object’s velocity as Mach 3 (approximately 2,200 mph). A corresponding track from an AN/SPS-49 radar system aboard a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer in the area, USS Gyatt, measured the object’s speed at 3,800 knots (approximately 4,373 mph). The memoranda indicate that, in the opinion of the AD/SI, the object was conceivably associated with foreign intelligence gathering activities, citing active missile testing within the AFWR, or Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range, as being an attractive reconnaissance target. The AD/SA and AD/SI also ruled out domestic experimental aircraft, such as the YF-12A OXCART, as a potential attribution.

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Approved for Release 2026 RET DENTIAL UNCLASS IFIEO SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF ATTACHED MATERIAL SHOULD BE CIRCLED TOP AND BOTTOM DATE REC'D IN IC DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED MATERIAL: TYPE OF MATERIAL FROM SUBJECT DELI VER ED TO ACTION SHEET IC I DATED TO DEADLINE DATE FOLLOW-UP DATE TO DATE ACTION REQUIRED INIT, COMMENTS• DIVISION ROUTING ll, 5, 6, ., • INSTRUCTIONS: Under each co~ment a line should be drawn across sheet and each comment numbered to correspond with the number in the "TO" column, • tf comments bear a higher classification than the attached material, the security classifi­ cation of this sheet be changed. i FORM 9511 USE PREVIOUS EDITIONS 6- 63 "f UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL SECRET IOF 31!.CIU!;( }OP SECftET- coNrRoL NO RECEIVED RELEASED ___i~/I - fsEEN'sv F u: SIGNATURE DATE TIME DATE TIME NAME & OFFICE SYMBOL DATE /1 I ' . - ' REFERRED TO OFFICE ADB/DS )/SI Handle Via Indicated Controls BYEMAN Access to this document will be restricted to those persons cleared for the specific projects; OXCART ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... WARNING This document contains information affecting the notional security of the United States within the meaning The law prohibits its transmission or of the espionage lows U. S. Code Title 18, Sections ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... WARNING This document contains information affecting the notional security of the United States within the meaning The law prohibits its transmission or of the espionage lows U. S. Code Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, the revelot/on of lts contents in any manner to an unauthori1ed person, as well as its use In any manner prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the It is to be seen only by personnel especially indoctrinated and authorized detriment of the United States. to receive information in the designated control channels. 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BYE 2081-65 REFERRED TO OFFICE RECEIVED RELEASED ., SEEN BY SIGNATURE DATE TIME DATE TIME NAME & OFFICE SYMBOL DATE A~ 0~////////////////~ ~ ,"·· - -• -~ e TOP SECRET CONTROL NO. BYE 2081-65 REFERRED TO OFFICE RECEIVED RELEASED ., SEEN BY SIGNATURE DATE TIME DATE TIME NAME & OFFICE SYMBOL DATE A~ z#-t~-·.-- Handle Via Indicated Controls BYEMAN Access to this document will be restricted to those persons cleared for the specific projects; ..................... OX€ART ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... WARNING This document contains information affecting the national security/ of the United States within the meaning of the espionage laws U. S. Code Title 18, Sections 793 and 794. The law prohibits its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person, as well as its use in any manner prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government ta the it is to be seen only by personnel especially indoctrinated and authorized detriment of the United States. to receive information in the designated control channels. Its security must be maintained in accardance with regulations pertaining to BY EMAN Control System. TOP SECRET 'Hai~lo~ia..D)"EMAN. Cmrirct S-;stem ,; · ·--•• 'fOP SEOR:B'i' OXCART BYE 2081-65 Copy ..1_ 1 FEB 1965 MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence SUB EMAN. Cmrirct S-;stem ,; · ·--•• 'fOP SEOR:B'i' OXCART BYE 2081-65 Copy ..1_ 1 FEB 1965 MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Object 1. OSI and OSA, we believe; received similar information regarding a UFO in the vicinity of Puerto Rico during period 18-24 November 1964. As you can see by the cable originated by the Commander, Caribbean Sea Frontier, to Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet, date time group Ol/2048Z December, CINCLANTFLT was informed that UFO identified by CO Ramey as being YF-12A. We think ONI finally convinced, through our efforts, that UFO in fact not YF-12A or similar category Lockheed Aircraft. 2. Navy has provided, at our request, pertinent traffic on this subject, as well as original radar film, Attachment 1, with accompanying prints of same. Request OSI, possibly in conjunction with OEL, evaluate the radar photography to determine if any further information can be gotten through a thorough scientific analysis of the material relative to a high speed, high altitude UFO. 3. Request on completion of OSI study that the attached documents, film and prints be returned to the TCO/BCO/OSA for return to Navy. ....__i L ACK C. Colonel ssistant Director (S UFO. 3. Request on completion of OSI study that the attached documents, film and prints be returned to the TCO/BCO/OSA for return to Navy. ....__i L ACK C. Colonel ssistant Director (Special Activities) Attachments - As stated above OXCART TOP SEGRECJ.l •iir. . . )r er.our r ..."I Excl~,~~~/'.~~-t!~~Btlcl ·~ !'"I'''. ·• •• 1.,..,..,

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