SUBJECT: PROOF OF NSA AND CIA INVOLVEMENT IN UFO ACTIVITIES FILE: UFO1955 NOTE: The following paper and attached documents were released to the press and public on February 19, 1992. It is the result of approximately 8 months of research. ================================================================== THE CONFIRMATION PAPER February 19, 1992 The UFO Reporting and Information Service P.O.Box 832 Mercer Island, WA 98040, USA (206) 721-5035 Dale Goudie James Klotz ------------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION We have decided to come forward with this material at this time because of our commitment to making verified information available. We have included herein the documentation for readers to see for themselves. We call this the "Confirmation Paper" because the information presented confirms suspicions held by some for a long time. The text of this paper is posted on the Computer UFO Network BBS in electronic form. Please see the CUFON information sheet attached. HISTORY In the late 1940s several well-publicized sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFO) began what some have characterized as the 'modern flying saucer era;' that is, the popular media coverage era. Persons in the government and in the public formed into several groups of belief about the nature of UFO fueled by the numerous sightings, especially those by military personnel and other "credible" witnesses. The main camps were 1. Interplanetary, 2. Foreign secret weapon, and 3. Natural phenomena or nonsense. These attitudes were evident from very early on. The Early 1950s This was a very active period. World War II was just over, the Korean war was on; turmoil existed an many parts of the world, the McCarthy Hearings were in full swing. The fear that fueled the cold war was rising fast; relations with the U.S.S.R. increased in belligerence. In terms of UFO, 1952 was the record year for sightings up to that time. The big news was the UFO overflights of the Capitol in Washington D.C. in June and July 1952. {1} We believe that these "Washington National Sightings" were quite a motivating force within the government structure. For example, jet interceptors were scrambled after UFOs, and government actions which resulted in the meetings of the Robertson Panel in January 1953 were taken in the "summer of 1952." (Document No.5) BACKGROUND Thus, having had, for a long time, a conviction that much of the attitude and structure of the official situation regarding UFO today is rooted in the early 1950s, we filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with various organizations for documents relating to The Robertson Panel. In reply to our request, the Central Intelligence Agency provided, in October 1991, a packet of documents which were said to be from a file of previously released papers found during searches on other subjects. (See copies CIA cover letter and released documents enclosed). Included were a few items of great interest. DOCUMENTS/CONCLUSIONS: The first documents which excited us were the letter from Dr. H.P. Robertson to Assistant Director/Office of Scientific Intelligence, CIA, (AD/O/SI) Dr. H. Marshall Chadwell, dated 20 January, 1953, (just a very few days following the official Robertson Panel meetings), and Dr. Chadwell's reply dated 28 January, 1953. (Documents Nos.2 and 3). While discussing schedules, Dr. Robertson mentions "NSA group meeting." Even though the National Security Agency is listed in 'copy to lists' on a very few unverified documents purportedly from the era, this is, to our knowledge, the earliest mention of the National Security Agency having involvement with UFO; just a few months after its creation. This mention is confirmatory of Air Force Capt. E.J. Ruppelt's mention of "the Puzzle Palace" giving orders in those years in his excellent book The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects.{2} This "nickname" for the NSA was not widely known until the publication of James Bamford's The Puzzle Palace in 1982. This also confirms the suspicions about the NSA's role regarding UFO that some researchers have held for a long time. Some have speculated on this role; here is verification that the NSA has had an interest in UFO from its inception. When you combine the fact that the CIA convened the Robertson Panel, (well known and confirmed by documents in this release), the fact that Dr. Robertson was picked by the CIA to head the Robertson Panel, and the description of Dr. Robertson as an "OSI Consultant," (Document No.5), we feel that the probability that UFO was on the agenda of the NSA working group meetings is very high. So we now have one clear tie between the secretive National Security Agency and UFO very very early in the life of the NSA. The next documents which excited us were documents No.'s 4 & 5. The statement in Document No. 5 that the Robertson Panel was convened "by IAC action" and "with the concurrence of the IAC" in document No. 4, led to three important findings. First, IAC is the Intelligence Advisory Committee, an interagency group created in 1947. The IAC was composed of the heads of the intelligence agencies, with the Director of Central Intelligence as chairman. Among the others seated on the IAC was the Director of the NSA.{8} So here is a second link between the NSA and UFO. Secondly, Document No. 4, is from the "Secretary, Intelligence Advisory Committee", distributing copies of the Robertson Panel report to various agencies. This shows that the IAC, in distributing copies of the Robertson Report was taking, at the least, a coordinating role in this particular UFO matter; a Panel which supposedly established policies. This IAC information is very important because it shows an awareness of and actions taken regarding UFO at a very high level of the government. Third, the level of officialdom from which the order to convene the Robertson Panel came has been elevated 'stairstepwise' over the years as information is declassified. First it was the Air Force, then the CIA and now the IAC; a level definitely above the CIA. Another high level government agency is mentioned in Document No.4, the National Security Resources Board (NSRB). This board was established by act of July 26, 1947 (61 Stat. 499), was transferred to the Executive Office of the President in August 1949. Functions of Board transferred to Chairman, and Board made advisory to him in July 1950. Functions of Board transferred to Office of Defence Mobilization by Executive order 10438 of March 1953. Board abolished in June 1953, and remaining functions transferred to Office of Defence Mobilization.{10} Additional material which supports our conclusions about the high levels of the government structure at which this subject is handled is revealed in another document originally released to Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS). (Document No.6) The Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence, CIA (AD/SI), Dr. H. Marshall Chadwell, in a memorandum for General Walter B. Smith, the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), notes some national security implications of the many UFO sightings and states "... immediate research and development on this subject must be undertaken." He includes draft memorandum to the National Security Council (NSC), and a draft National Security Directive (NSCID) establishing a government-wide research and development project on UFO. The two most important items here are: 1. The National Security Council is the highest level group over the intelligence and military organizations of the United States. It is part of the Executive Office of the President of the Unites States; the President sits on the NSC. 2. The effort to establish a serious government-wide UFO research and development effort is in direct conflict with the conclusions and recommendations of the Robertson Panel which met just one month later. There are additional references in the literature to the National Security Council (NSC) having involvement with the Robertson Panel.{14} THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY As stated, some researchers have long thought that the NSA has played an important role in the UFO subject area. This was the subject of the "Ice Documents" Press Conference held at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C., presented by Mr. Dale Goudie and Mr. Christian Lambright, June 25, 1987. To support that the NSA has a continuing interest in UFO and considers some aspects of UFO as national security matters, we cite the story of the Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) legal battle with the NSA. In the mid-1970s, in reply to FOIA requests for UFO information, the NSA was denying any interest in UFO. After several unsuccessful attempts to obtain UFO-related documents from the NSA, a lawsuit was filed. The court upheld the NSA's denial of access, as subsequently did an appeals court. Although a petition was filed, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case. The 135 known NSA UFO-related documents, and very probably a much larger number of unknown documents remain secret.{11} THE "ROBERTSON PANEL" The Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects held meetings in mid January, 1953; this is well known and has been reported in many publications. The makeup, subject matter and proceedings of the Panel are revealed in two well known documents: "The Report of the Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects," commonly known as the "Robertson Report," and the "Report of Meetings of Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects," known as the "Durant Report."{1} Several of the Robertson Panel members had military and/or intelligence backgrounds. In the 4 days that the Panel met, they reportedly examined case files, various reports, charts and graphs, heard briefings from several people, viewed films, considered, decided on and wrote its conclusions and recommendations. Hardly enough time to seriously study the subject. For these and other reasons, we conclude that the Robertson Panel was a device to 'debunk' the reality of UFO, and to placate a nervous public.{13} Further references to the 'orchestration' of the Robertson Panel exist in the literature.{15} We submit that a similar recipe was used to create the Condon Committee in 1968-1969. The Condon study, conducted from the University of Colorado under contract to the United States Air Force has been roundly criticized by many. The Panel concluded in its report that (UFO's do not) "... constitute a direct physical threat to national security," and "... there is no evidence that the phenomena indicates a need for the revision of current scientific concepts," and "the continued emphasis on the reporting of these phenomena does ... result in a threat to the orderly functioning of the protective organs of the body politic," citing clogging of communications channels by UFO reports. The Panel recommended "That the national security agencies take immediate steps to strip the UFO's of the special status they have been given and the aura of mystery they have unfortunately acquired," and "That the national security agencies institute policies on intelligence, training and public education designed to prepare the material defenses and the morale of the country to recognize ... true indications of hostile intent or action." What had not been reported in the 1950s, although suspected by many, was that the Central Intelligence Agency/Office of Scientific Intelligence (CIA/OSI) actually convened the Panel rather than the announced United States Air Force Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. This has been verified in documents released by the CIA under the freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including the papers released to us in October, 1991. What is new and important here is that the documents released to us by the CIA under the FOIA show that it was a Committee above the CIA that actually ordered or recommended that what became the Robertson Panel. Again, we contend that this clearly shows that the 'management' of the UFO subject went, and still goes to the highest levels of our government. Also, Dr. Robertson himself has long been suspected to have been a member of the intelligence community, namely the CIA. The documents released to us not only confirm this, naming Dr. Robertson as an "OSI consultant" (Office of Scientific Intelligence, CIA), but further identifies him as a member of "NSA group meetings" tying him to the super-secret National Security Agency as well. MORE ON THE INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Intelligence Advisory Committee (IAC) was created in 1947 to coordinate the establishment of priorities for intelligence collection and analysis between the various Departments.3 The IAC worked mainly through specialized interdepartmental subcommittees.{3} One such subcommittee was the Economic Intelligence Committee which produced reports based on foreign economic information.{4} In 1958, the IAC was merged with the National Communications Intelligence Board (USCIB) to form the United States Intelligence Board (USIB).{5} In 1976, the USIB became the National Foreign Intelligence Board (NFIB). The Director of the NSA still sits on the NFIB as do the heads of the top intelligence agencies.{12} The IAC served its coordinating functions under the aegis of the National Security Council, an element of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Some of the super-secret National Security Council Intelligence Directives which some contend form the real goals and structure of the CIA rather than the National Security Act of 1947 and the "CIA Act" of 1949 may have been drafted by the IAC.{6} One well documented book states that the IAC was merely a "superstructure" because of a statutory lack of budgetary authority, and because the Committee did not give the Director of Central Intelligence any direct control over the various organizations in the intelligence community.{5} Authors David Wise and Thomas Ross contend that the IAC was much more; they describe the IAC as "a board of directors of the covert government."{6} OPINION We submit that one reason these small bits of information are so important is that logically, such matters being managed at the IAC level would naturally be contained in briefings and intelligence estimates for the National Security Council and therefore for the President. Back in the early 1950s, the faction of military, and intelligence agencies that espoused the 'foreign secret weapon' theory of UFO origin, others infected with cold war nerves, and strategic planners feared that reaction to UFOs could present a great danger to the United States. Author Tim Weiner, quoting National Security Council Directive NSC-68, has Paul Nitze, a primary nuclear strategist, saying that "1954 was the year of maximum danger" of a Russian nuclear attack.{9} The Robertson Panel report showed a fear of clogging of communication channels by UFO reports when these channels might be otherwise needed. Implicit in this view was a fear of the U.S.S.R. using a UFO "flap" to mask a first strike attack. No doubt there was also concern over either side mistaking UFOs for incoming missiles.{1} We submit that our nuclear and war strategists probably also considered the possibility of using UFOs to mask a first strike of our own. It seems that in thoroughly thinking out such strategies, such a plan must have been considered, among many others. SUMMARY We have shown two documented links between the National security Agency and the subject of UFO in the 1950s. One in the first few months of the NSA's creation, and the other 5 years later. Through these few documents, we have shown that at least some of the 'management' of the UFO question goes right to the highest levels of the United States Government; that there (at least has been, and by inference, still is) more than an occasional involvement of the top government levels. We have finally conclusively shown that Dr. H.P. Robertson was indeed closely linked to intelligence groups including the CIA and the NSA. We have confirmed that UFO was a matter that was considered in some nuclear strategic planning, and may have provided one method of cover in planning for an American nuclear first strike against the U.S.S.R. ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES 1. Final Report of the Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects Dr. Edward U. Condon, Scientific Advisor Daniel S. Gillmor, Editor E.P. Dutton & Co., New York, 1969 in association with Colorado Associated University Press Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 73-77914 pages 511 - 519, 905 - 921 2. The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects Edward J. Ruppelt Doubleday & Company, Inc. Garden City, New York, 1956 page 137 3. Central Intelligence Agency; History and Documents Edited by William M Leary The University of Alabama Press, 1984 ISBN 0-8173-0207-7 ISBN 0-8173-0219-0 (paperback) page 37 4. The Agency; The Rise and Decline of the CIA John Ranleagh Simon and Schuster, New York, 1986 ISBN 0-671-443218-6 pages 219 - 220 5. Central Intelligence Agency; History and Documents page 75 6. The Invisible Government David Wise and Thomas B. Ross Random House, Inc., New York, 1964 page 102 7. Central Intelligence and National Security Harry Howe Ransom President and Fellows of Harvard College, 1958 Library of Congress Catalog Number 58-12972 page 83 8. Inside The Company; CIA Diary Philip Agee Stonehill Publishing Co., New York, 1975 ISBN: 0-88373-028-6 Appendix 3 9. Blank Check; the Pentagon's Black Budget Tim Weiner Warner Books, New York, 1990 ISBN 0-446-51452-7 page 244 10. The United States Government Manual 1991/1992 Office of the federal register National Archives and Records Administration Washington DC pages 857 - 858 11. Clear intent: What the Government Won't Say issued in paperback as The UFO Coverup Lawrence Fawcett and Barry J. Greenwood Pentice-Hall Press, New York Copyright 1984 Prentice-Hall Inc. ISBN 0-13-136656-4 (Clear Intent HB) ISBN 0-13-136649-1 (Clear Intent Reward Books PB) ISBN 0-13-137712-4 (UFO Coverup PB) pages 180 - 191 12. Deep Black William E. Burrows Random House, New York, 1986 Copyright William E. Burrows 1986 ISBN 0-394-54124-3 page 210 13. Final Report of the Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects pages v., 905 - 921 14. The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects page 210 ================================================================== NOTE: Copies of the "Ice Documents" Press conference which reveals the existence of NSA Special Project AQUARIUS and important UFO incidents at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, and supporting documentation are available in printed form from: UFO Reporting and Information Service P.O.Box 832 Mercer Island, WA 98040 (206) 721-5035 and electronically by computer modem from: CUFON Computer UFO Network (206) 776-0382 ========================================================================== RELEASED DOCUMENTS COPIES ========================================================================== << No.1 >> Central Intelligence Agency 11 OCT 1991 Washington, D.C.20505 Mr. Dale Goudie Reference: F91-1615 Dear Mr. Goudie: This is to acknowledge receipt of your 23 September 1991 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records pertaining to "the 'Robertson Panel'...[and] one 'Robertson Panel' report.' We searched our system of previously released documents and located the enclosed 25 pages of material that may be somewhat responsive to your request. This material was originally located as a result of earlier searches on subjects other than yours. As a requester in the "all other" category, you are entitled to the first 100 pages without cost. Therefore, the enclosed material is being provided without charge in this particular instance. We also want to inform you that we conducted earlier searches in our other records systems for material regarding the subject of your request, the results of which were negative. And finally, for your information, there is no organized Central Intelligence Agency effort to do research in connection with the UFO phenomena, nor has there been an organized effort to study or collect intelligence on UFOs since the 1950s. At that time, the Air Force, specifically the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, had the primary responsibility for the investigation of all reports of UFO sightings. The CIA's role was in connection with a Scientific Advisory Panel, established to investigate and evaluate reports of UFOs. The panel was concerned only with any aspect of the UFO phenomena which might prove to present a potential threat to the United States national security. The panel later issued a report of its findings, the Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified flying Objects-17 January 1953, also known as the Robertson Report. The report was released by the Air Force Office of Public Information on 9 April 1958. The Air Force investigation, called Project Bluebook, was terminated in 1969. We understand that the Air Force turned its records on this subject over to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) where they are available for inspection and purchase. In light of the above, you might want to forward your request to the: Secretary of the Air Force/AAIS (FOIA) Room 4A1088C The Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20330-1000 Meanwhile, this concludes all action on your request. Sincerely, /s/ John M. Wright John M. Wright Information and Privacy Coordinator Enclosures ========================================================================== << No.2 >> CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PASADENA NORMAN BRIDGE LABORATORY OF PHYSICS 20 Jan 53 Dear Chad: Und sssooo! Perhaps that'll take care of the Forteans for a while. I'm glad that the members of the panel, with the possible exception of Thornton, were- not handpicked by me - I really had no idea of the opinions of the others. Saw Gen. Samford for a moment in the P-gon on Monday, and he seemed not too unhappy. Expect Fred's draft - better have him send it to me at Norman Bridge Laboratory of Physics California Institute of Technology Pasadena 4, California where I have facilities for taking care of such things. I should like him to send with it, for my retention, a copy of our Panel report. Schedule: NSA group meeting on Thurs. 5 Feb. Could meet with rump Panel if needed on afternoon of Fri 6 Feb, or Sat, 7 Feb (which would suit Sam Goudsmit and some of the others better). Let me know what you'd like. Memo for Mary! Greetings and thanks to Peggy for the fine spread cum spirits she (and you, in a supporting role), put on. Cordially /s/ Bob (hand printed) H.P. Robertson ========================================================================== << No.3 >> 2800 Quebec Street, N.W. Apartment 1217 Washington 8, D.C. 28 January 1953 VIA AIR MAIL Dr. H.P. Robertson Norman Bridge Laboratory of Physics California Institute of Technology Pasadena 4, California Dear Bob: Many thanks for your letter of 20 January. A copy of the Panel report, lists of personnel concerned and evidence received are being forwarded to you via another channel. The report is on its way up the ladder with our concurrence and conclusions and recommendations. I do not believe that a rump Panel meeting will be indicated next week. However, we shall hope to see you Friday afternoon, 6 February, to bring you up to date on official action. Fred's memo has been delayed in completion but will be available at that time. Action is being taken on the requests in your telegram of 22 January. And so, until next week. Cordially yours, Signed H. Marshall Chadwell Distribution: II. Marshall Chadwell Opns/SI - 2 Admin/SI - 1 AD/SI - 1 OSI:FCD/mtw (28Jan53) ========================================================================== << #4 >> [-- BLACKED OUT --] CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WASHINGTON 25, D.C. 12 march 1953 [------- BLACKED OUT -------] [------- BLACKED OUT -------] [------- BLACKED OUT -------] [------- BLACKED OUT -------] Dear [BLACKED OUT] [--- BLACKED OUT ----] Assistant Deputy Director/Intel- ligence, has asked me to forward to you for your information the enclosed report "Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects", dated January 17, 1953. This report was prepared by a panel convened in January 1953 at the direction of the former Director of Central Intelli- gence, General Walter B. Smith, with the concurrence of the Intelligence Advisory Committee. Copies are being transmitted to the Secretary of Defence; the Director, federal Civil Defence Administration; and the Chairman, National Security Resources Board. Sincerely yours, [-------- BLACKED OUT ---------] [-------- BLACKED OUT ---------] [--- BLACKED OUT ----] Secretary Intelligence Advisory Committee [ BLACKED ] [-- BLACKED OUT --] [---- BLACKED OUT -----] ========================================================================== << #5 >> KR - 9 - 4255 Copy 3 of 3 11 June 1957 MEMORANDUM FOR: [------ BLACKED OUT ------] THROUGH: [-- BLACKED OUT --] SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Saucers (UFO) 1. In our discussion on UFO you asked three questions which for convenience I am using as side-headings below. HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOLLOWING UFO BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM THE AIR FORCE TO CIA? No. The Air Force and CIA are both still follow- ing UFO. WHO IN CIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UFO? The DD/I/SI, Phil Strong, specifically. WHAT IS CIA DOING ON UFO? The following is a brief sketch of activity which I obtained from Phil Strong's memory: Five years ago in the summer of 1952, OSI undertook a study of UFO by IAC action. OSI formed a panel consisting of the following members: Lloyd Berkner, President, Association of Universities; President, international Council of Scientific Boards; Member of the President's Scientific Advisory Com- mittee, (ODM) H. P. Robertson, Chairman, Physics Dept., Cal Tech; once WSEG Civilian Director; Science Advisor to SHAPE Commander for two years, OSI Consultant. Sam Goudsmit, Chairman, Department of Physics, Brookhaven National Laboratory; formerly member Combined Scientific and Military Team during post-war period exam- ining German nuclear program. [ BLACKED ] [ OUT ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -2- Luis Alverez, one of country's top physicists at Berkeley, also at Los Alamos. Thornton Page, John Hopkins University. The Air Force and Navy (including the Navy's PIC) supported the study. Phil says the report was extremely thorough and was distributed to the IAC. (Copy attached, the last two pages contain the summary.) 2. Since the study was made (17 January 1953) OSI has maintained a watching process on UFO. Although very few reports are received, those which do appear are examined by the following units: If concerning natural phenomena, they are turned over to the Geo-Physics Unit of the Fundamental Sciences Division in OSI. If they concern the hardware aspects of flying craft, they are turned over to the former Weapons Unit concerned with aircraft in the Applied Sciences of OSI. Gen. Watson, ATIC, (Phil Strong believes) maintains one or two officers following the UFO question. this ATIC effort is all that is left of an earlier, larger Air Force Project called "Blue Book." (Copy of Project re- port dated 5 May 1955 is attached - conclusions are on p. 94). Concerning take on this question, phil states that very little comes in and that nothing has been received of importance. two or three years ago [BLACKED] reported seeing a flying saucer in vertical take-off in the Soviet Caucasus, but nothing was developed by in- telligence. (Analysis of this case is attached.) This incident is the only "flap" that Phil can remember. 3. I asked Phil point-blank if the unexplained category could include actual secret Soviet advanced aeronautical equipment. he replied, "Conceivably, yes." However, speaking from memory he felt that the possibility existed that if further informa- tion was obtainable, the remaining small percentage of unknowns might be explained. 4. I asked Phil point-blank if there was any special collection going on against UFO targets. he replied that there was no collection as such but that radical aeronautical design advances not limited to flying saucer types was a high priority collection requirement. In this regard he added that OSI has no information concerning new Soviet design which would indicate possi- ble construction of flying saucer type aircraft. the Applied Sciences Division of OSI and ATIC work closely together in following radical new designs and advances by the Soviets. [ BLACKED ] [ OUT ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -3- 5. For your information I learned from Howerton and Strong that the British and Canadians have a very sensitive project in this field. Apparently the Canadians run this project which has completed the design of a flying saucer. Howerton states that he has seen the prototype. howerton describes the saucer as "just that" in shape with jets on the circumference. The jets are in vertical position for take-off and are shifted horizontally for forward movement. Strong, speaking from memory, believed the design called for operations at 80,000 feet or better. The responsible aircraft company is the Avril, a jointly-owned British and Canadian outfit. According to Strong, the USAF ini- tially provided some of the funds, but is no longer doing so. Howerton advised that the Air Force has "some projects" along this line. [--- BLACKED OUT ---] Office of the Director Planning and Coordination Staff PCS/DCI[----] 0 - [ ] 1 - File 1 - Chrono [ BLACKED ] [ OUT ] ========================================================================== << #6 >> DEC 2 1952 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence THRU : Deputy Director for Intelligence SUBJECT : Unidentified Flying Objects 1. On 20 August, the DCI, after a briefing by OSI on the above subject, directed the preparation of an NSCID for submission to the Council stating the need for investigation and directing agencies concerned to cooperate in such investigations. 2. In attempting to draft such a directive and the supporting staff studies, it became apparent to DD/I, Acting AD/SI and AD/IC that the problem was largely a research and development problem, and it was decided by DD/I to attempt to initiate action through R&DB. A conference was held between DI/USAF, Chairman R&DB, DD/I, Acting AD/SI and AD?IC at which time it was decided that Dr. Whitman, Chairman od R&DB, would investigate the possibility of undertaking research and development studies through Air Force agencies. 3. On approximately 6 November, we were advised by Chairman, R&DB, that inquiries in the Air Staff did not disclose "undue concern" over this matter, but that it had been referred to the Air Defence Command for consideration. No further word has been received from R&DB. 4. Recent reports reaching CIA indicated that further action was desirable and another briefing by the cognizant A-2 and ATIC personnel was held on 25 November. At this time, the reports of incidents convince us that there is something going on that must have immediate attention. The details of some of these incidents have been discussed by DD/SI with DDCI. Sightings of unexplained objects at great altitudes and travelling at high speeds in the vicinity of major U.S. defense in- stallations are of such a nature that they are not attributable to natural phenomena or known types of aerial vehicles. 5. OSI is proceeding to the establishment of a consulting group of sufficient competence and stature to review this matter and convince the responsible authorities in the community that immediate research and development on this subject must be undertaken. This can be done expeditiously under the aegis of C..IS. << unclear, see document copy >> 6. Attached hereto is a draft memorandum to the NSC and a simple draft Directive establishing this matter as a priority project throughout the intelligence and the defense research and development community. /s/ H.M. Chadwell H. MARSHALL CHADWELL Assistant Director Scientific Intelligence Attachments: Draft memo to NSC with draft directive ========================================================================== KR - 3 - 2803 MEMORANDUM TO: The Executive Secretary National Security Council SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Objects (Flying Saucers) 1. The Central Intelligence Agency has reviewed the current situation concerning unidentified flying objects which have caused extensive speculation in the press and have been the subject of concern to Government organizations. The Air Force, within the limitations of manpower which could be devoted to the subject, has thus far carried the full responsibility for investigating and analyzing individual reports of sightings. Since 1947, approxi- mately 2000 official reports of sightings have been received and, of these, about 20% are as yet unexplained. 2. It is my view that this situation has possible implications for our national security which transcend the interests of a single service. A broader, coordinated effort should be initiated to develop a firm scientific understanding of the several phenomena which apparently are involved in these reports, and to assure ourselves that the incident will not hamper our present efforts in the Cold War or confuse our early warning system in case of an attack. 3. I therefore recommend that this Agency and the agencies of the Department of Defense be directed to formulate and carry out a program of intelligence and research activities required to solve the problem of instant positive identification of unidenti- fied flying objects. A draft of an appropriate directive is attached. Walter B. Smith Director Enclosure ========================================================================== D R A F T NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL DIRECTIVE SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Objects Pursuant to the provisions od Section 102 of the National Security Act of 1947 and for the purposes annunciated in Para- graphs d and e thereof, the National Security Council hereby authorizes and directs that: 1. The Director of Central Intelligence shall formulate and carry out a program of intelligence and research activi- ties as required to solve the problem of instant positive identification of unidentified flying objects. 2. Upon call of the Director of Central Intelligence, Government departments and agencies shall provide assistance in this program of intelligence and research to the extent of their capacity provided, however, that the DCI shall avoid duplication of activities presently directed toward the solution of this problem. 3. This effort shall be coordinated with the military services and the Research and Development Board of the Department of Defense, with the Psychological Strategy Board and other Governmental agencies as appropriate. 4. The Director of Central Intelligence shall dis- seminate information concerning the program of intelligence and research activities in this field to the various de- partments and agencies which have authorized interest therein. ============================================================================= ********************************************** * THE U.F.O. BBS - http://www.ufobbs.com/ufo * **********************************************