DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY UN!TtD STATU AltMY INTUUGNCE AND SECURATV COMMAND NEEOC)M Of INI'ORMATIONII'RIVACV OFFICf fOIIT G(OtiG( G. MIADE, MAaYI..AND January 31, 1997 FOI/Privacy Office Mr. John Greenewald Dear Mr. Greenewald: This responds to your letter of January 13, 1997, requesting under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records concerning and/or captioned Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) or UFO phenomenons. This letter represents our reply to your request. In the event you are not fully aware of the system of records maintained by this command, let me explain that the U.S. Army Investigative Records Repository {IRR) consists of reports of intelligence operations and projects, and of investigations of persons, incidents, events, or organizations of intelligence interest. Identification of records in the IRR is through a index known as the Defense Clearance and Investigations Index (DCII) . Records in the DCII (and therefore the IRR) are not identifiable or retrievable by the name of the person originating the record, or by use of the name of the unit that originated them. In order to determine if responsive records exist in the IRR, the DCII is queried as follows: The MASTER NAME INDEX. This index yields information about the existence of investigative files maintained within the Department of Defense concerning a specific individual. Information is retrieved using the individual's name and personal identifying data (PID) (date and place of birth, and social security account number) . The ONLY INDEX. This index is utilized when the PID of the individual requested is unknown. The index is keyed to the requested "Name Only" and a determination of whether the files are identifiable with the person requested can only be made through a review of files retrieved. The NANE ONLY INDEX also includes impersonal titles that identify an incident, event, project, operation, or organization. Using the NAME ONLY INDEX, records believed to be responsive your request were located at the IRR. Although the majority of the records either mention or are entitled "Flying Saucers," most of that information concerns the activities of the Horton brothers and their research and development of a "flying wing" aircraft, which was referred to by many as a "flying saucer." Some of the other records refer briefly to "Area 51." A copy of these records are provided for your use at Enclosure 1. Please be advised that we have conducted an extensive search of the records maintained at the IRR and have been unable to identify any other records concerning UFO's, Flying Saucers, "A.rea 51", "Roswell", or other related subjects. With the exception of the partially denied information referred to below, you have been provided all documents and information on these and related subjects that is retrievable at the IRR under current search and retrieval methods. In accordance with the spirit of the FOIA, all records are enclosed for your use even though some ay not be exactly what you seek. Duplication fees are waived. We have completed a mandatory declassification review of the records in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 12958. As a result of this review, it has been determined that the information in the Army records no longer warrants classification otection and is releasable to you. A copy is enclosed for your The dates and places of birth of individuals identified 1n these records have been withheld since the release of this information would result in an unwarranted invasion of the privacy rights of the individuals concerned. It is exempt from the public disclosure provisions of the FOIA pursuant to Title 5 The withholding of information by this office is a partial enial of your request. This denial and the no record response described are made on behalf of the Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, who is the Initial Denial Authority for Army intelligence investigative and security ecords under the FOIA. You may appeal these decisions to the Secretary of the Army. If you wish to file an appeal, you should forward it to this office for processing and receipt by the appellate authority within 60 calendar days from the date of this letter. After the 60 day period, the case may be considered closed; however, such closure does not preclude you from filing litigation in the courts. If you have any questions regarding this action, feel free to contact Mrs. Armstead at (301) 677-4908. Please refer to case Sincerely, Russell A. Nichols Chief, Freedom of Information/ Privacy Office E;;.zs ca A.U.tc _j_ qt4ool ,I "llllt.... I j/')10/C, I /tiAN Vf'