ATIC Capability for Investigating Sightings of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

This document collection details the Air Force's response to Congressional pressure regarding the investigation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) in 1960. Following briefings held in July 1960 for members of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Space and Astronautics Committee, and the CIA, Mr. Robert Smart of the House Armed Services Sub-Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the Air Force's limited investigative capability. He argued that the Air Force should possess both the personnel and funding to conduct in-depth investigations into sightings of special significance.

In response, the Aerospace Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) proposed a plan to improve its UFO investigation capabilities. ATIC noted that the Aerial Phenomena Group was then staffed by only one commissioned officer and one non-commissioned officer. To address the Congressional recommendations, ATIC requested the assignment of an additional officer with a background in physics, chemistry, or electronics, and an increase in travel funds by $3,000 per year to allow for on-site investigations. The documents reveal internal coordination regarding these requests, including concerns from Lt. Col. Price that such resources might be withdrawn from other ATIC areas.

By January 1961, ATIC reported that while they had initiated actions to program additional funds for fiscal year 1962, they remained unable to augment the UFO effort with additional personnel due to other intelligence commitments. Consequently, their current capability was limited to investigating sightings of extreme significance and monitoring reports from Air Force bases via telephone. The correspondence underscores the tension between Congressional demands for rigorous investigation and the Air Force's resource constraints and existing intelligence priorities.