Investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects - Policy and Sightings Summaries

This document is a comprehensive policy and reporting file from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) regarding the investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in Australia and its Trust Territories. Dated August 11, 1972, the file outlines the official RAAF policy for handling UFO reports, emphasizing that the primary purpose of any investigation is to determine if a reported object poses a threat to the security of Australia. The document notes that identification of the cause of a sighting is primarily for the benefit of the public. The RAAF policy dictates that the nearest RAAF base or unit is the authority best suited to investigate reports, as they are familiar with local weather, natural phenomena, and aircraft movements. The file includes detailed instructions for officers on how to interview observers, use a standard questionnaire (Annex E), and distribute information to the public. It also provides extensive summaries of unusual aerial sightings reported to the Department of Air in Canberra between January 1960 and December 1971. These summaries list the date, a brief description of the sighting, and the possible cause, which frequently include astronomical phenomena, aircraft, satellites, or insufficient data. The document also references international studies, such as the U.S. Air Force's 'Project Blue Book' and the University of Colorado's 'Condon Report,' to provide context for the RAAF's findings. The file concludes that the vast majority of sightings are explainable by present scientific knowledge, and that the possibility of extra-terrestrial life forms visiting Earth is considered improbable.