Freedom of Information Act Response Regarding UFOs and Area 51

This document is a formal response from the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by John Greenewald on January 13, 1997. The requester sought records related to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) or UFO phenomena. In the response, Russell A. Nichols, Chief of the Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, explains the structure of the U.S. Army Investigative Records Repository (IRR) and the Defense Clearance and Investigations Index (DCII), noting that records are not retrievable by the name of the originator or unit, but rather through a 'Name Only' index for projects or incidents. The Army search identified records in the IRR that were titled or mentioned 'Flying Saucers.' However, the Army clarifies that these records primarily document the activities of the Horton brothers and their research into 'flying wing' aircraft, which were frequently referred to as 'flying saucers.' The response also notes that some records briefly mention 'Area 51.' The Army states that an extensive search was conducted and no other records regarding UFOs, Area 51, or Roswell were found. A mandatory declassification review was performed under Executive Order 12958, and the relevant records were released to the requester, with the exception of personal identifying data (dates and places of birth) of individuals, which were withheld to protect privacy rights under Title 5 U.S. Code 552 (b)(6) and (b)(7)(C). The letter concludes by providing instructions for appealing the partial denial of the request to the Secretary of the Army within 60 days.