Memorandum for the D/CI: Air Force Request to Declassify CIA Material on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO)

This memorandum, dated September 1, 1966, and authored by Walter G. Mackey, outlines the administrative history of the Air Force's requests to declassify CIA material regarding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The document traces the timeline back to 1953, when the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) convened a panel of scientists to evaluate reports on UFOs for national security purposes, resulting in a report classified as 'secret.' In 1957, following public interest in CIA involvement, the Air Force requested and obtained an unclassified version of the 1953 report that omitted references to the CIA. The memorandum notes that Dr. H. P. Robertson, who chaired the 1953 panel, appeared on the 'CBS Reports' television program in May 1966, where he discussed the CIA-sponsored panel. Subsequently, on July 12, 1966, the Air Force requested the declassification of the original 1953 report, citing prior publicity as justification. During a meeting on July 19, 1966, the Air Force presented a copy of the 1953 CIA report that had been marked as unclassified. Further requests were made by the Air Force on July 27 and August 10, 1966. The latter request was prompted by an article written by newsman John Lear in the 'Saturday Review,' which indicated a desire for the full CIA report to be made public. On August 15, 1966, a declassified version of the complete 1953 report was forwarded to the Air Force. The document concludes by noting subsequent administrative follow-ups by the Air Force regarding the status and sanitization of the report.