s r $ V i. i AIR FORCE LETTER) NO. 200-5 j. ( AFL 200-5 1-7 L{x> DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE ' WASHINGTON, 20 APRIL 1052 % h \ \ 'i KjT * \ t \ \ ' J l V iK' % $ V „ V'- ,, K / INTELLIGENCE (Unclassified) Unidentified Flying Objects Reporting (Short Title: FLYOBRPT) (Effective until 29 October 19S3 unless sooner rescinded or superseded) Paragraph Purpose and Scope 1 Definition 2 Background , 3 Guidance 4 Responsibility 5 Materiel Evidence 6 Reports 7 1. Purpose and Scope. This Letter sets forth Air Force responsibility and reporting pro- cedures for information and materiel pertaining to unidentified flying objects. All incidents ob- served by Air Force personnel or received at any Air Force installation from a civilian source will be reported in accordance with this Letter, except that all airborne sightings by Air Force personnel, Civilian Air Patrol, and regularly scheduled United States airline pilots will also be reported as provided by JANAP 146 series (CIRVIS). 2. Definition. Unidentified flying objects, as used in this Letter, relates to any airborne ob- ject which by performance, aerodynamic charac- teristics, or unusual features, does not conform to any presently known aircraft or missile type. 3. Background. The Air Force has been con- ducting a continuous analysis of all reports of unidentified flying objects for the past several years. Analysis of these reports has neither proved nor disproved the possibility of the exist- ence of such objects. The possibility of future development of some type of flying object, un- conventional by present standards, dictates a continuing need for reports of observations. 4. Guidance. Theodolite measurements of changes of azimuth and elevation and angular size are of great aid to the evaluation of reports. Interception, identification, or air search action may develop additional information important for evaluation purposes. These actions may be taken if appropriate and within the scope of existing air defense regulations. 5. Responsibility: a. Analysis. The Air Technical Intelli- gence Center (ATIC), Wright-Patterson Air \ Force Base, Ohio, has been designated the Air Force activity responsible for conducting analy- sis of all information and material received. b. Cooperation. All Air Force activities will assist ATIC in the development of pertinent investigations, including the furnishing of air and ground transportation, as may be requested by ATIC representatives and when feasible. Direct communication between ATIC and zone of interior activities is authorized when essential due to time and economic factors. c. Reporting. Installation commanders are responsible for insuring that reports are ini- tiated. 6. Materiel Evidence. In the event any ac- tual or suspected items of materiel pertinent to any unidentified flying object incident comes into the possession of any Air Force echelon, two actions will be taken without delay: a. Safeguard the materiel carefully to pre- vent any defacing or alteration which would re- duce its value for technical analysis. b. Notify ATIC immediately and request shipping instructions or other special instructions as may be appropriate. 7. Reports. Information relating to uniden- tified flying objects will be reported without de- lay. Originators will select the priority appropri- ate for each incident in accordance with its ap- parent importance as intelligence. Reports will be concerned with a single incident. Reports will be forwarded immediately by electrical means and confirmed and elaborated upon by a written report within three days. a. The symbol FLYOBRPT will appear at the beginning of the text of electrical messages and will be used as subject of written reports to facilitate identification. b. Security. Reports should not be classified higher than “Restricted” unless inclusion of data required by c and d below mandates a higher classification. Local publicity concerning this reporting and analysis activity is to be avoided. R D SECURITY INFORMATION 1 UNCLASS1FIEE n . AFL 200-5 7 SECURITY INFORMATION c. Electrical Means. Reports forwarded by this method will include, insofar as possible: (1) A brief description of the object(s); shape, size, color, number, formation if more than one, aerodynamic fea- tures, trail or exhaust, propulsion system, speed, sound, maneuvers, manner of disappearance, and other pertinent or unusual features. (2) Time of sighting in 24-hour clock zonal time, and length of time ob- served. (3) Manner of observation ; visual or elec- tronic, from air (give speed, altitude, and type of aircraft) , or surface. Any type of optical or electronic equip- ment used should be described. (4) Location of observer during sight- ing, giving exact latitude and longi- tude as closely as feasible, and/or reference to a known landmark. Lo- cation of object (s) with respect to observer, giving distance," direction, and altitude. (5) Identifying information of observ- er (s) and witness (es), estimate of re- liability and experience, and any fac- tors bearing on estimated reliability of the sighting. (6) Weather and winds aloft conditions at time and place of sightings. (7) Any activity or condition, meteoro- logical or otherwise, which might ac- count for the sighting. (8) Existence of any physical evidence such as fragments, photographs and the like, of the sighting. (9) Interception or identification action taken. (Such action may be taken whenever feasible, complying with ex- isting air defense directives.) (10) Location of any air traffic in the gen- eral area at the time of the sighting. d. Written Reports. These reports will be submitted on AF Form 112, “Air Intelligence In- formation Report,” and will expand on the points enumerated in c above. Photographs, sketches, and signed narrative statements of observers will be appended. Statements should be recorded in as great detail as possible, with particular attention given to times, angles of observation, and flight paths or locations. The angles of observations, locations, flight paths, etc., should be drawn on aeronautical charts or maps. e. Channels: (1) Electrical reports will be dispatched in multiple address to: (a) Director of Intelligence, Headquar- ters USAF, Washington 25, D. C. (b) Air Technical Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, ATTN: ATIAA-2c (c) Commanding General, Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado (d) Appropriate major air command headquarters (2) Written reports will be submitted through channels to: (a) Director of Intelligence, Headquar- ters USAF, Washington 25, D. C., for ozalid-type reproduction and dissemination. (b) Chief, Air Technical Intelligence Center, ATTN: ATIAA-2c, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, one copy for information. By Obdeb of the Secbetaby of the Am Force: Official: HOYT S. VANDENBERG Chief of Staff, United States Air Force K. E. THIEBAUD Colonel, USAF Air Adjutant General DISTRIBUTION: D 2 SECURITY INFORMATION u A! i 'TO’L/ K A i 'X \ ' ' ry it o. ».