Current Status of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) Project

This memorandum, dated December 17, 1953, was prepared by the Chief of the Physics and Electronics Division of Scientific Intelligence for the Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence. It provides a status update on the unidentified flying objects (UFO) project, following a request made by Mr. Erant on November 30, 1953. The Physics and Electronics Division assumed responsibility for this project on May 27, 1953, with the primary goal of maintaining awareness of other agencies' activities, specifically the United States Air Force (USAF), and managing relevant files. The document notes that the Air Force is currently decreasing its emphasis on UFOs. Within the Air Force, interest is limited to the Directorate of Intelligence, Hq., USAF, and specifically the Aerial Phenomena Section of the Electronics Branch at the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). The project at ATIC is staffed by one officer, Captain Charles A. Hardin, and one airman, A/1C Max G. Futch, along with a secretary. The document states that ATIC no longer conducts field investigations of sightings, as these are requested from USAF intelligence officers, primarily within the Air Defense Command and the Airways and Air Communications Service. ATIC's role is restricted to receiving and checking reports, requesting additional investigations when necessary, and cross-referencing findings with meteorological, astronomical, and aircraft data. The Aerial Phenomena Section also handles public releases through the Public Information Office of Hq., USAF. Approximately ten percent of sightings over the past year have been classified as unsolved. Finally, the document reports that ATIC is in the process of transferring Project Bluebook to the Air Defense Command, as Lt. Col. Harry Johnston of the Electronics Branch indicated that the Air Defense Command has been conducting the majority of the work.