Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Investigation of Flying Saucers - Policy
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AI-Generated Summary
This file contains RAAF policy correspondence regarding the investigation of Unidentified Aerial Sightings (UAS) from 1972 to 1981. It documents the RAAF's decision to move away from routine UFO investigations, citing a lack of scientific value and excessive administrative burden.
This file, titled 'Investigation of Flying Saucers - Policy' (File 554/1/30 Part 3), documents the internal administrative and policy-related correspondence of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) regarding the investigation of Unidentified Aerial Sightings (UAS) between 1972 and 1981. The documents reveal a consistent effort by the RAAF to reduce or eliminate the burden of investigating civilian UFO reports. The RAAF's position was heavily influenced by the USAF's 'Condon Report' (1968), which concluded that the study of UFOs had not contributed to scientific knowledge and did not pose a national security threat. Throughout the 1970s, RAAF officers, including Squadron Leader I.S. Frame and GPCAPT G.A. Perske, argued that investigating these sightings required significant resources from intelligence, meteorological, and air traffic control branches for no tangible result. The correspondence details the evolution of reporting procedures, including the use of standardized pro-forma reports, and the eventual recommendation to cease routine investigations, focusing only on incidents with direct Defence interest. The file also contains summaries of sightings from 1974 to 1977, which were largely attributed to natural phenomena, satellites, or aircraft, further supporting the RAAF's decision to deprioritize the subject. The file concludes with the administrative closure of the policy file in 1984.
The only advantage I see in retaining UAS investigation responsibilities are: a. it allows a security oversight of unusual events which, on the odd occasion, may have some military implication; b. it provides 'cover' if we wish to investigate some incident, not necessarily related, in more detail; and c. it provides some minor PR advantages (questionable) to the RAAF.
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Official Assessment
The RAAF concluded that UFO investigations were a burden with no visible scientific result, validating the USAF Condon Report findings.
The RAAF determined that routine investigation of Unidentified Aerial Sightings (UAS) was difficult to justify due to manpower limitations and lack of scientific value. They recommended shifting policy to only investigate incidents with direct Defence interest.
Key Persons
- B. WrightRegular enquirer
- Edward U. CondonProject Director of the Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects
- F.M. OsborneMinister for Air