DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR INTELLIGENCE AGENCY MEMORANDUM FOR HQ USAF/INXX 1700 Air Force Pentagon Washington DC 20330-1700 FROM: NAIC/CV 4180 Watson Way Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-5648 SUBJECT: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request NAIC Case # I-NAIC-96-1 14 1. This is in response to your letter dated 13 Sep 96 requesting that NAIC review AFR 200-2 for public release. After reviewing the document, it was determined that it is releasable. 2. If you have any questions please contact TSgt Gery Huelseman at DSN 787-6284 or 513-257-6284. LAltRY D. DANIEL, Colonel, USAF Vice Commander Attachments 1. AFR 200-2, 20 Jul 62 2, Administrative Documents 'freedom Through Vigilance" 07/31/1997 10:12 3349535103 AIR UNIV LIBRARY ILL PAGE 02 c (L REGULATION RETURN TO: AUTHORITY SECTION A. U. MAX IV fcjfe Ml |ig it i es *v C ? r ,1 C 2- AFR 200-2 ■ DEPARTMENT OT THE AIR FORCE Washington, SO July 1962 UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO) rsjs &O.J7; n S-<^yLL This regulation establishes the UFO Program to investigate and analyse UFO's over the United States * Such investigation and analysis are directly related to Air Force responsibility for the defense of the UnUqd States < The UFO Program provides for the prompt reporting and rapid identification needed, for successful “identification,” which is the second of the four phases of air defense — detection, identification ? interception t and destruction . Alt commanders will comply strictly with regulation* SECTION A— GENERAL Paragraph Explanation of Terms, X — a ------ - I Objectives--^ A — — .. _ . ... 2 Responsibilities \ . . - . * 3 Guidance * 4 Reporting UFO Inf ormationV ► . - _ . _ . 5 SECTION B — PUBLIC RELATIONS, INFORMATION, CONTACTS, AND RELEASES Maintaining Public ReJationa - . -V . _ . G Releasing Information. -A. — 7 Exceptions- . „ \ * --------- S Release by Non-Air Force Sources. _X_ ... ** 9 Contacts A* ... 10 SECTION C— PREPARING AND SUBMITTING REPORTS General Information -V. * II Methods for Transmitting Reports - - - \ . - . 12 Where To Submit Reports X 13 Basic Reporting Data and Format A 14 N egative. or Inapplicable Data. . \ IS Comments of Preparing Officer. 16 Claeslficatio n._ r , _X - - ~ 17 Reporting Physical Evidence^ \ 18 SECTION A— GENERAL 1. Explanation of Terms, To insure proper and uniform usage in UFO screenings , investigations, and reportings, an explanation of the objects follows: a, Familiar or known objects: (1) Aircraft, balloons, kites, birds, search- lights, astronomical bodies (meteors, planets, stars, comets), pilotless aircraft, missiles, satel- lites in orbit, and others identified by the ob- server as normal appearing objects* (2) Flying objects determined to be air- craft. These generally appear as a result of ADIZ violations and often prompt the UFO reports submitted by the general public. They arc read- ily identifiable as, or known to be, aircraft, but their type, purpose, origin, and destination are unknown. Air Defense Command is responsible for reports of unknown*' aircraft, which should not bk reported as UFO's under this regulation* (3)\Aircraft flares, jet exhausts, condensa- tion trails, blinking or steady lights observed at night, lights circling or near airports and air- ways, and other phenomena or objects known to be emanating from, or to be indications of. aircraft. Thes\ should not be reported under this regulation, Vs they do not fall within the definition of a UFO, V Xi b. Unidentified Flying Objects ^ Any aerial phenomena, air born c\pbject or objects which are unknown or appear out of the ordinary to the observer because of performance, aerodynamic characteristics, or unusual features. 2. Objectives. Air Force interest in UFO's is three* fold, First, as a possible threat to the se- curity of the United States and its forces; sec* This regulation supersedes AFR 200-2, I \ September 1959, as amended, OFI: AFCIN DISTRIBUTION: S AilU \ 07 / 31/1997 10:12 334953510 : AIR UNIb LIBRARY ILL PAGE ,VFR 200—2 tnu\ t to detvnuim; the technical «r *rU'inific r- ;ictc ristics of any -fucli UFO 1 *: third, to explain or identify nil UFO Mating* as di^nU/d m paragraph lk a, _4i> Defense . The great majority o( flying objects reported have been conventional. farniF iar things of no great threat to the security of the United States and its pos^vsjfion*. However, since the possibility exists that UFO s reported mav be hostile or new foreign air vehicles of unconventional design* it is imperative to report sightings rapidly, factually, and as completely as possible. b, Technical anti Scientific. The Air Force will continue to collect and analyze reports nf t"FOV until all are scientifically or technically ex- plained or until the full potential of the sight- ings has been exploited. In performing t hi^ ta*k the following factors arc of great importance: (1) To measure scientific advances, the Air Force must have the latest experimental and de- velopmental information on new nr unique air vehicles or weapons. (2) The possibility exists that foreign countries may develop air vehicles of revolu- tionary configuration or propulsion. f3) There is need for further scientific knowledge in such fields as geophysics, astron- omy* and physic* of the upper atmosphere winch the study and analysis of UFO's and similar aerial phenomena may provide. C4) The reporting of all pertinent factor? will have a direct bearing on scientific analyses and conclusions of UFO sightings. c, Reduction of Percentage of I FO "Unirfen- f i/f erf*." Air Force activities must reduce the per- centage of unidentified® to the mini mum. Analy- sis thus far 1ms explained all but a few of the sightings reported. These unexplained sightings are carried statistically as unidentified*. If more immediate, detailed, objective data on the un- knowns had been available, probably these, too, could have been explained. However, because of the human factors involved, and the fact that analyses of UFO sightings depend primarily on the personal impressions and interpretations of the observers rather than on accurate scientific data or facts obtained under controlled condi- tions, the elimination of all umdentifieds is im- probable, 3* Responsibilities; a. Reporting. Base commanders will report all information and evidence of UFO sightings, in- cluding information and evidence received from other services. Government 1 agencies, and civil- ian sou rev*. Investigator* are authorized to make telephone rails from the investigation area dir vet to the Foreign Technology Division iFTDi, of the Air Force Systems Command, Wright-patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (CI-cnr- water 3-7 UU ext. fi921 G/6G378). The purpose of the vails is to report high priority findings. (See section C-) b. Investigation. The commander of the Air Force base nearest the location of the reported UFO sighting will conduct all investigative ac- tion necessary to submit a complete initial report of a UFO sighting. The initial investigation will include every effort to resolve the sighting. An Air Force base other than that closest to the scene of a reported UFO sighting will refer the sighting immediately to the commander of the nearest Air Force base for appropriate action. (See paragraph 5 V ) c\ Analysis. The Air Force Systems Command Foreign Technology Division will analyze and evaluate: ( 1 ,f Information and evidence reported within the United States after the investigators of the responsible Air Force base nearest the sighting have exhausted their efforts to identifv the UFO. (2) Information and evidence collected in oversea areas. EXCEPTION: The AFSC (FTD), independ- ently or in participation with pertinent Air Force activities, may conduct any additional investigation* necessary to further or conclude its analyse* or findings. tb Findings. AFSC (FTD) will prepare a final report on each sighting after collection and anal- ysis of data, and will forward a copv of the re- port to HQ U5AF (aFCIN). c. Public Relations and Information Services. The Office of Information, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, will be responsible for re- leasing information on sightings, and. ill coordi- nation with AFSC (FTD), answering corre- spondence from the public regarding UFO s. (See paragraphs 7 and 8.) f. Congressional Inquiries. The Office of Leg- islative Liaison will: (1) In coordination with the AFSC (FTD) and/or the Office of Information, when neces- sary, answer all congressional mail regarding UFO’s addressed to the Secretary of the Air Force and Headquarters USAF. (2) Forward those inquiries which are sci- entific and technical to the FTD for informa- tion on which to base a reply. The FTD will re- AIR UNIV LIBRARY ILL PAGE 07/31/1997 "WrW 10:12 3349535103 turn this information to the Office of Legisla- tive Liaison for reply to the inquiry. (3) Process requests from congressional sources in accordance with APR 1W, g. Cooperation All Air Force activities will cooperate with Air Force UFO investigators to insure the economical and prompt success of in- vestigations and analyses. When feasible, this cooperation will include furnishing air or ground transportation and other assi$tance- 4. Guidance. The thoroughness and quality of a report or investigation of UFO's are limited only by the skill and resourcefulness of the per- son who receives the initial information and/or prepares the report. The usefulness and value of any report or investigation depend on the ac- curacy and timeliness of its contents. Following are aids for screening, evaluating, and report- ing sightings: a. Careful study of the logic, consistency, and coherence of the observers report. An interview with the observer by personnel preparing the re- port is especially valuable in determining the source's reliability and the validity of the in- formation given. Factors deserving particular attention are the observer's age, occupation, and education, and whether his occupation involves observation reporting or technical knowledge. A report stating that a witness is completely fa- miliar with certain aspects of a sighting should indicate his or her specific qualifications. b. Theodolite measurements of changes or azimuth, and elevation and angular size. c. Interception, identifi cation, or air search, if appropriate and within the scope of air defense regulations, <1 When feasible, contact with local aircraft control and warning (ACW) units, and with pilots and crews of aircraft aloft at the time and place of sighting. Also, contact with any other persons or organizations that may have factual data on the UFO or can offer corrobo- rating evidence — visual, electronic, or other. e. Consultation with military or civilian weather forecasters for data on tracks of weather balloons released in the area and any unusual meteorological activity which may have a bear- ing on the UFO. f. Consultation with navigators and astrono- mers in the area to determine whether any as- tronomical body or phenomenon would account for the sighting, g. Contact with military and civilian tower operators, air operations units, and airlines to AFR 200-2 determine whether the sighting could have been an aircraft. Local units of the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) are often of assistance in this regard. h, Contact with persons who may know of experimental aircraft of unusual ..configuration, rocket and guided missile firings, or aerial tests in the area, 3. Contact with photographic units or labora- tories. Usually, these installations have several cameras available for specialized intelligence or investigative work. Photography is an invaluable tool for use, where possible, m investigating and analyzing UFO sightings. {Sec paragraph IS). j, Whenever possible, selecting as a UFO sighting investigator an individual with a scien- tific or technical background as well as expe- rience as an investigator, k. Submission of reports on all sightings even though identification may be assumed by the preparing officer under paragraph lb of this regu- lation, 5. Reporting UFO Information. Both the As- sistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence^ Headquarters USAFj and the Air Defense Command have a direct and immediate interest in the facts per- taining to UFG 5 3 reported within the United States. All Air Force activities will conduct UFO investigations to the extent necessary for their required reporting action (see paragraphs 14, 15, and 10). No activity should carry an investiga- tion beyond this point, unless the preparing offi- cer believes the magnitude (intelligence signifi- cance or public relations aspects) of the case warrant full scale investigation. The officer may contact the FTD of AFSC (CLearwater 3-7111, ext 09216/66378) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to obtain verbal authority for con- tinued investigation. SECTION B— PUBLIC RELATIONS, INFORMATION, CONTACTS, AND RELEASES 6, Maintaining Public Relations* The Office of Information is responsible for: a. In coordination with the AFSC (FTD) when necessary, maintaining contact with the public and the press on all aspects of the UFO program and its related activities. b. Releasing information on UFO sightings and results of investigations. c~ Periodically releasing information on this subject to the general public. 3 18:12 3349535103 AIR UN IV LIBRARY ILL PAGE 05 AFR 200-2 d. Proofing. an^weriiijr, :i n* 1 taking action mi r i>rr<-*| inn *1 l'I i c^ - received from UK 1 general pub- lic, pertain! ng to tine public rci;it i uns, interest, and informational aspect* uf the sunjcrt. 'Tec paragraph S.i Thi* office will forward corre- spondence and queries which hit purely techni- cal and He ivntifip to A FSC fFTDl for ) n forma * lion on which to base a reply, 7, Releasing Information, The Office of Infer- mat ion. Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, will release to the public or unofficial persons or organizations all information or releases concern- ing UFOs, regardless of origin or nature. This includes replies to correspondence (except con- gressional inquiries ( submitted direct to the A FSC fFTD* and other Air Force activities by private individual* requesting comments or re- sults of analyses and investigation* <.f sightings, 8, Exceptions. In response to local inquiries re- garding any UFO reported in the vicinity of an Air Force base, the commander of the base con- cerned m ay release information to the press or the general public only after positive identifica- tion of the sighting as a familiar or known ob- ject. The commander must exercise care not to reveal any classified aspect* of the sighting or names of persons making reports. (Tee paragraph 17j If the sighting is unexplainable or difficult to identify, because of insufficient information or inconsistencies, tilt onlv statement to he released \ U the fact that the sighting is under investiga- tion and information regarding it will be avail- able at a biter date. After completion nf inves- tigative action, the commander may release the face that the A FSC fFTD) will review and an- alyze thr- result* of the investigation. He will then refer any further inquiries to the local Office of Information. 9. Release by Non-Air Force Sources. If news- men , writers, publishers, or private individuals desire to release unofficial information concern- ing a UFO sighting, Air Force activities will make every effort to assure that the statement?, theories, opinion.*, and allegations of these indi- viduals or group* are not associated with or represented a* official information. 10. Contacts. Private individuals or organiza- tions desiring Air Force interview**, briefings, lectures, or private di*eusrion* ert UFO's will di- rect their requests to the Office of Information, Office oi the Secretary of the Air Force. Air Force personnel, other than those of the Office of In- formation, will not contact private individual* on LFO cases, nor will they discuss their oper- ations and functions with unauthorized persons unless so directed, and then onlv on a '‘nced-to- know' 1 basis. SECTION C -PREPARING AND SUBMITTING REPORTS 11,. General Information: a. Paragraphs 2 and 5 will serve a* aids and guidance to screenings, investigations, and re- porting.*, Paragraph 14 contains an outline of the reporting format. Activities initially receiving reports of aerial objects and phenomena will screen the information to determine whether the report concerns a valid UFO within the defini- tion id paragraph lb. Reports not within that definition do not require further action under the provisions of this regulation. b. To assist activities and personnel respon- sible for handling, screening, and processing in- itial, incoming UFO information, a summary follows of the general sources and types of re- ports: (11 Generally, initial UFO reports originate from two sources: la) Civilian ■ airline, private, and pro- fessional pilots, tower operators, technical per- sonnel, casual observers, and the public in gen- eral), by correspondence, telephone or personal interview ; (b) Military units and personnel (pilot?, observers, radar operators, aircraft control and warning units, etc.), by telephone, electrical mes- sage, or personal interview; f2) Generally, UFO reports received from civilian sources are of two types: fa) Those referring strictly to an ob- served UFO, containing cither detailed or meager information : (to) Those referring only in part to an observed I FO, but primarily requesting infor- mation on some aspect of the UFO program, r. Reports considered to fall primarily in a public relations or information sendee category (see paragraphs 7, S. 9, and b(21 above) are of primary interest to the Office of Information. LFO data sufficient for investigation and/or analysis may be extracted before referral to that office. 12; Methods for Transmitting Reports: a. Together with any necessary screenings and investigations preparatory to reporting, report all information on UFO's promptly. Electrical transmission with a "Priority 1 ' precedence is au- thorized for reports under 3 days from date of sighting. Electrically transmitted reports over 3 days old should carry a ''Routine" precedence. b. Submit, written reports of sightings over 3 days old on AF Form 132, “Intelligence Report/* 4 PAGE , 6 ia 39tfd Tii Ayyyan Aiwn aw esises&^ge 02:01 i&ET/TE/^G 07 / 3] /1997 19: 12 JO 49535103 AIR UNIV LIBRARY ILL PAGE w- F c. » * k \ ■ * j ,F \ • ■ f , ■ fc, >*L. 1- . Ida C ■ ■ "i'i# u. 'i. u i « (a) Type and make of camera, (b) Type, focal length, and make of lens, (c) Brand and type of film, (d) Shutter speed used, . ’ .(e) Lens opening used; that is, “i” stop, (f) Filters used, . (g) Was tripod or solid stand used, (h) Was Spanning 11 used, (i) Exact direction camera was pointing with relation to true north, and its angle with respect to the ground. (4) Other Camera Data. If supplemental information is unobtainable, the minimum cam- era data required are the type of camera, and the smallest and largest “f stop and shutter* speed readings of the camera. (5) Radar. Forward two copies of each still- camera photographic print. Title radarscope photographic prints in accordance with AFR * ro onru2A AFR 200-2 9W. Classify radarscope photographs in accord- ance with Section XII, AFR 205-1, 10 June 1960. NOTE: If possible, develop photographic film before forwarding. Mark, any undeveloped film conspicuously to indicate this fact, to avoid de- struction by exposure during examinations en route through mail channels to final addressees, b. Material, Each Air Force echelon-receiving suspected or actual UFO material will safeguard it in a manner to prevent any defacing or altera- tions which might reduce its value for intelli- gence examination and analysis, c. Photographs, Motion Pictures, and Nega- tives Submitted by Individuals. Individuals often submit photographic and motion picture ma- terial as part of their UFO reports. All original material submitted will be returned to the indi- vidual after completion of necessary studies, analyses, and duplication by the Air Force. By Order of the Secretary of the Aib Force: Official: CURTIS E. LeMAY Chief of Staff R. J + FUGH Colonel, USAF Director of Administrative Services ft*' 7 . u, ^ 60V£,L*MtNT rOTHTIHG T9S2