Ministry of Defence UFO Sighting Reports File D/DAS/64/2

This document is a collection of correspondence and sighting reports compiled by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the United Kingdom, primarily covering the period between late 2004 and early 2005. The file contains numerous individual reports of 'unidentified flying objects' submitted by members of the public from various locations across the UK, including Somerset, London, Leicestershire, Wales, and Scotland. Each report typically follows a standard format, documenting the date, time, description of the object, observer location, and the method of reporting. Common descriptions include bright lights, balls of fire, discs, and objects with tails, often reported as moving at high speeds or hovering. The MOD's standard response to these reports is consistent throughout the file: the department clarifies that its role is strictly limited to assessing whether reported sightings pose a defence threat or indicate a breach of UK airspace by hostile or unauthorised aircraft. The MOD explicitly states that it does not attempt to identify the precise nature of every sighting, nor does it provide an aerial identification service, as this would be an inappropriate use of defence resources. Furthermore, the MOD maintains an open-minded but non-expert stance regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life, noting that it has no evidence to substantiate such claims. The file also includes internal administrative documentation, such as 'Treat Official Correspondence' forms, which highlight the priority given to public inquiries and the requirement for timely responses under the Freedom of Information Act. Several reports involve coordination with local police forces or air traffic control centres, such as the London Terminal Control Centre or local police stations, which then forwarded the information to the MOD. Some reports include personal anecdotes from witnesses, including claims of abduction or encounters with unusual individuals, which the MOD acknowledges but does not investigate further. The document serves as a record of the MOD's administrative process for handling public UFO reports during this period, demonstrating a clear policy of dismissing these sightings as non-threatening to national security.