ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE Dr M. Gottschall, Ph D 109 Curragundi Rd JINDALEE QLD 4074 For Information: co ass AMB CO ASS AMB AIR FORCE POLICY ON UFO REPORTS. Intelligence Section AMBERLEY QLD 4306 In reply to your letter of 6 November 1992 the following are the procedures followed by the RAAF on receipt of an Unusual Aerial Sighting (UAS) report. The switchboard, who usually receive all incoming calls from the public, will connect the caller with the Orderly Officer. The officer will then fill out a standard questionnaire with details given by the caller. The information requested is: Names and details of the caller and any other observers; Location of, and weather conditions during, the observation; Dates and times of start and end of observation; Position and movement of the object; Description of the object; and Whether any photographs were taken. These reports are then forwarded to the Base UAS Officer who is normally an intelligence officer. Presently the UAS officer for RAAF Base Amberley is myself. Only reports which suggest a defence or security implication are investigated further. All reports are filed and copies are sent to Command Headquarters. If the initial report is assessed as being of no threat to defence or security, the caller is referred to a local civilian UFO research organisation. The organisation for Brisbane is your "UFO Research Queensland". Calls which are assessed as having defence or security implications may be investigated by the local UAS officer who completes a second part to the standard questionnaire. In this, attempts are made to establish whether the sighting was merely routine or unscheduled civil or military air traffic, a rising heavenly body, or caused by an unusual weather conditions. The possibility of correlations between other sightings or unusual radar traces are also investigated. The findings of the investigations and any probable causes are reported to Command HQ and also are usually related back to the original caller. Of the calls received at RAAF Base Arr.berley, most are not considered to be a defence or security threat or are easily explained by unusual military air traffic at the time. I hope your questions have been answered sufficiently. If you have any others I can be contacted by phone and will attempt to answer any queries. As you are associated with UFO Research Queensland, I also hope you won't mind if I contact you in relation to any investigations I may have to conduct in the Yours faithfully, R.R.S. HARRIS Flying Officer Base UAS Officer ~rJ o~ Co()JeJ'Sa ft'on . FLC..OFi= R.u._ss fh.r-r,'s j Mar+/,_., Coffsc.Aa!/ UFO i4?.>!2nruL.. QLf) ~CX/\~ f\J\ar+~"' C.o-ftscJ,a/1 fo bofJ. oL'scu;s J,;s !~Her_atiiJ \3e.T irr(o "'uf=O ~>ectrt-L.. QL!)~ f'Vr( i-hod5 a11c/ fracfrc~s 111 UA-5 {o1vesflja-1wA_ l-Ie sa;d ~por-i's o.re. placed vn r-ecord co"'dLA.c+<::'d w',+L.... ~ Ob~etJef' j-f} ~t />deeMed J1ef.ies7al'_j (5lbse.r.;aJto--t) o-f lor:\51-k! >lo~ fV!Ovt~ ll(j4 1:5 at' e. USuq/(j el;scou"'ted. 11--.e.-1ljff!_ o~ C9bSei'Jot~t-Oro... j o.re.. (,ieredecl 0j' ht?l';)"'"kl o.l speed -1-o v~tt'-af io !lover-. /hej c_o/lsider-~ Jdv-v;e...J ,~lo"-/-QA f as direc...ftOI\5 SiWJpJ-e ;"'s-1-rv. M.e, ts vt-'lde-'"~ ju.;JC/-1ae o-P --M-e ob>e.rve.rJ ohfel.!ef5 CU'~ VCijUe OAd. L~ae{_(.,{/'a,JQ_ w~e.r...... o_;k..e.J io C(tlt?-'dtl:J ~ above. b(.{T ~ ~;vd;v1_9 ~ c:>vt T ,"" per<>oA. e.aV1 he wro1e ptAbl;sh.e.J j,.... ~ Ck55oqa.fio"' JOt-\1"\u..l "uFO "-c_o,.vdr ' O.,Ad Q I\ 1'.-po/'ts a.re. lt'stut f(\ Q. re.su.lqr-lis1t~ k."DvV"' a 5 v~ To.rroC{ LiSif"\~. He ql5o )a/cl 7(/)-~(f):b o-f? t;.'3"'+ .:J-f are ull.tck--dil!rel ~G.Y-e--UA-S O~ter. threat to defence or security, the caller is referred to a loc civilian UFO research organisation. The organisation for Brisbane is your "UFO Research Queensland". Calls which are assessed as having defence or s urity implications may be investigated by the local UAS offi er who completes a second part to the standard questionnair In this, attempts are made to establish whether the sightin was merely routine or unscheduled civil or military air traf ic, a rising heavenly body, or caused by an unusual weather onditions. The possibility of correlations between other sig ings or unusual radar traces are also investigated. The fin ings of the investigations and any probable causes are reported to Command HQ and also are usually related back to the riginal caller. Of the calls received at RAAF ase Amberley, most are not considered to be a defence or secur y threat or are easily explained by unusual military air raffic at the time. I hope your questions ve been answered sufficiently. If you have any others I can e contacted by phone and will attempt to answer any queri s. As you are associated with UFO Research Queensland, I al o hope you won't mind if I contact you in relation to any inves igations I may have to conduct in the R.R.S. ARRIS Flyin Officer Bas UAS Officer Page 1 of 6 JU':-NEX A TO f't/Q JI@' AS I 3/ A/5 REPORT OF UNUSUAL AERIAL SIGHTINGS Part -Report by Observer Phone (Home) 2. Exact location of observer Af>o,.ll?._ M~fl...i-\..5J Start of observation: Date q~Uc::.IL..-_c_c::.;_7_L Time ( CJ 2...u End of observation: Date 5 . Heather conditions at time of observation, referring to c loud, 6 . In what direction was the s ighting first observed? At what angle to the horizon~? c .LoJJt"''-. ..,...1\t>V I.V 7 . In what direction 1vas the sighting la.st observed? (:Ori'\J~ .!U-INEX A At what ar.c-le t o the ho::tizon? 8. Estimate of distance and/or altitude from observer ~ 9. Describe the object(s)/light(s) i n your own words, referring to the number, colour, size, shape, brightness (relative to full moon/star), movement, sound, speed, method of propulsion, manner of disappearance and 8JlY other unusual features. If possible provide a sketch. Descrintion/Sketch of Object 10. Have you any photographs of the sighting, or is t:~ere any physical evidence o:i" fraf.':lllents, scorching or ground indentations? 11 o Ho"' many other witnesses to the sighting? (Please provide names and addresses if possible) l2fii{> 'ft:,J 12. Any additional corunen ts you wish to make. 31 May 74 /Part 2 Part 2 -Unjt Report Details of military aircraft activity in the area at the t ime of the si~hting. Destination b. Details of civil eircraft activity, includine light private aircraft and international flights, in the area at the time of the sightin~. From Destinati_o_n------=- _A~ Source of Information------------------------- 2. Give the bearing, elevation and movement of any planets or major stars that were in that portion of the sky at the time of the 3. Details of any predicted satellites, rockets, co~ets or meteor- ite activity in the area at the time of the s~-ght;ng Source of Information 4. Details o f any meteorological, research or rada r balloons known to have been in the area at the time of the sighting (refer to point of release, size, colour, ROC, wind profile and whether it was kno;vn to have burst Source of Information 5. DetailR of any unusual radar traces or images, which may relate to the sightings, as recorded by military or civil networks Source of Information Provide the follov,rinc-information relating to the weather and atmospheric conditions at the time of the sighting: Temperature (dry bulb) C (wet bulb) C Relative Humidity------~% Cloud Cover Type------------ Temperature inversion o::: ft measured at \-lind direction Pollution level 7. Details of terrain and natural and/or man-mad e features in the area. (Attach map with significant points marked, if possible). Part 3-Investigating Officer's Evaluation 2. Names and addresses nf persons interviewed (include .phone where applicable). 3. Narrutive evaluation of personalities of Hitnesses (include any relationshi~ with UTO organisations and their interest in sub- ject matter). 4. Investigating officer's evaluation of possible cause(s). ~ITH COMPLIMENTS OPERATIONS OFFICER Headquarters Base Support Wing RA.AF Base The Commanding Off leer-.,. -~ _ _:_._:../ R.A.A.F. Base, Amberley, Qld., 4306. 1?9 Curragundi Rd.,! Fii::.F. 1 Australia. !C:~;:v,..;JS. 1 Subject: Air Force Policy on UFO Reports. I and two collgues are currently working on/ a book to be entitled "UFO's Over Queensland", in which -we--elea-1 with_ the history of such sightings and related claims in this State, as well as the activities of the people who took an interest in the subject. One of the matters which we wish to clarify for the benefit of our readers, is the position of the Air Force in respect of UFO sightings reports where there appear to be no immediate defence il'fl.p)lica tions. Is there an established policy or procedure? ~ifes it distinguish between civilian and military reports? What is this policy or p rocedure, if any? It may be helpful if I define the type of " UFO" of particular interest to us as that which is suggestive of an artifact, a technology and a science not presently comprehended by ours, and which is frequently referred to as "extraterrestrial". I wish to add also that as I am associated with "UFO Research Queensland" and "The Australian Centre for UFO Studies", I can say on behalf of these and other similar Groups in Australia, that they too are most anxious to have the matter clarified, and would like to find a basis for cooperating with the Air Force in the pursuit of a better understanding of this subject and a more effective accounting to the general public, than has been achieved so far. I look forward to your reply, and trust that you will be able to clarify these matters for us. Yours Faithfully, ( Ma r t i n Go t fkc h a 11 ) ?::?021' OF' ffiiUSU..t..L AERUL S:i:Gl!'T'IliGS -?.e-:-.ort by OuseTVer J.Ji~i?..X f.. 'TO sooc A<> r 3/ A/s Phc~.e (Rome) Stc:t of obse:r-vution: Date a.n/pp:) E:-J:: of obso.-.~ticn: Date ~:e.:.+..her conditic:~3 at time of observation, rcferrL"lG to cloud, s visi~ility etc. J:: ,; r. u t d i r e c t i on we. s t h e s i g h t i n g f i r s t o b s e r,r e d ? At what engle to the horizone? 1:-. what direction )~0.!3 the aie;hti:1g last ob:Jer-ved? ).)l NSX A \.J At 'Whn t s-:c} e to the ho::i.::on? Estimete of di2t~1ce a>d/o~ a}titude frcn observer Desc:-ibe !:he object(n)/light(s) in your Oh11 words, re.fer~ing to the numbe~, colour, nize, ohape, brightnes3 (relative to full QOon/sta::), movement, sound, speed, method of propulsion, menner of disop;esrancc end f?JlY other unusual features. lf possil:le provide e sketc~. Descrintion/S~etch of Cbiect 10 . llovc you uny photot:rc.phs of the r;it)ltinc, or :is L;1cre cny phy::1icel evidence o~ fraC,'L'lcnt~, Dcorcliir,~.: or r,r0und entation!J? l!or~ I!JO.JJY oL]:er H.i '.::~c~.scs t o the sif:hti.nc? n&"es and a~dresoc8 if possible) 1~. )~y adcitional cor~ents you ~ish t o make. Page 1 of 6 ANNEX A TO REPORT OF UNUSUAL AERIAL SIGHTINGS Part -Renort by Observer State OLO Post code Occupation (Business) Exact location of observer Start of observation: Date End of observation: Accuracy of date ----~-----------T.imes ------- 5. Weather conditions at time of observation, referring to cloud, wing visibility etc. In what direction was the sighting first observed? At what angle to the horizone? 7 . In what direction 1vas the sighting last observed? ------- At what angle to the ho::-izon? 8o Estim&te of distance and/or altitude from observer----------- 9. Describe the object(s)/light(s) in your own word13, referring t o the number, colour, size, shape, brightness (relative to full moon/star), movement, sound, speed, method of propulsion, manner of disappearance and any other unusual features. If possible provide a sketch. Descrintion/Sketch of Object 10. Have you any photo;;rephs of the sightingt or is t:1ere any physical evidence o::: fraementst scorching or ground indentations? 11. How many other witnesses to the sighting? (Please provide names and addresses if possible) 12. Any additional co~ents you wish to make. J)i]i~ A TO SCGC' A:> I 3/A/5 ?::?ORT 0? 8f"USUt.L J..zJ(IAL S:iCW!'IIICS Pert 1 -? e-:-.o::-t b v Obser<e r I'h:::e (iioc:e) St;o:-t of obee:i:\'Li.tion: .Ac:.:..rocy cf cete -----~--------Timss h'e.=.:her ccndi. tic:-ts at time of observation, re~erri..."lG to cloud, h'i:-.~ visi9ility etc. 4/0 <:L.Cvl-) r~ ~l-.at direc-tion was i:)1e si;hting first observed? At whet angle to the ho::-izone? I:: h'hut directio71 ;;e.s the sighting last cb:Je::-vcd? A.J' I N ~X A At what c:cJ e to the ho::-i::.on? Esti~ete of distance ~;d/o~ altitude f~o~ obsc~1er Des c::-ibe :he object(n)/light(s) in you:-o"-n .... aids, re'fer;ing to the !"l".;,j;lbe:-, colour, si::e, shape, brightness (relative to full moon/sta::-), moveocnt, sound, speed, method of propulsion, manner of c.lisnp::e~rancc a.Ild E'.ny other unusual features. If pos:Ji\;le rovide e sketc~.. / / .,. / Uesc"intion/SY.etch of Object CYaF~u-:y(_ Have you uny pnotor:raphs o f the siEhLr.c, o r :is l:cre any phy:Jical evidence o~ frar,:::~cnts, :ccarchir.t: or r.r0und inr) en t u t ionn? Jlot~ t~o.ny ot!:ez:-H.i '.;;~C!:.SG~ to the si,c;-htinc? (T'lca~c fT0vit!e n ames and addreS:JC:J if possible).