Ministry of Defence File D/DAS/10/2/8/13: Information Management and Freedom of Information Requests

This document is a compilation of correspondence and administrative records from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Directorate of Air Staff, covering the period from 1985 to 2007. The file primarily documents the MOD's handling of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP/UFOs) and crop circles. The correspondence reveals a consistent policy: the MOD does not actively research or investigate UFOs unless there is a clear indication of a threat to national security or UK airspace integrity. The documents include internal memos, responses to public inquiries, and records of meetings between government officials and interested parties, such as Lord Hill-Norton. A significant portion of the file addresses the MOD's stance on the 'Rendlesham Forest' incident (RAF Woodbridge, 1980), with the MOD maintaining that the incident held no defence significance. Furthermore, the file contains extensive correspondence regarding the 'crop circle' phenomenon, with the MOD clarifying that it has no official interest in the subject and that any military involvement—such as aerial photography by pilots—was incidental to routine training flights. The file also documents the destruction of certain older records, including those related to the alleged 'Aurora' hypersonic aircraft, which were reportedly destroyed in 2001. The correspondence highlights the administrative burden of responding to numerous FOI requests and the MOD's reliance on standard responses to manage these inquiries. The file serves as a record of the MOD's transition toward greater transparency under the Freedom of Information Act while maintaining its long-standing position that UFO sightings do not warrant dedicated defence resources.