OFFICE  ACTION SIGNATURE (Surname and Grade)

1  [AFRDDG ? Draft ? Espey ?]  6  AFCC   Coord  [illegible]

2  AFRDC  Appr  Bolender [?]    7  SAFRD  Coord  [illegible]

3  SAFOI   Coord  Hogan           8  SAFCS  Sig

4  SAFLL   Coord  Graves [?]     9

5  AFCCS  Appr    [illegible]      10

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SURNAME OF ACTION OFFICER AND GRADE   SYMBOL  PHONE  TYPIST'S INIT.SUSPENSE DATE

Major Espey                           AFRDDG  52181    vc

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SUBJECT                                                   DATE

Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO)                              20 OCT 1969

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SUMMARY

1.  For more than twenty years the Air Force has had the responsibility

within the Department of Defense for the investigation of unidentified

flying objects (UFOs) (Atch 2).  As stated in Project Blue Book, this

investigative program has two objectives:

   a.  To determine whether UFOs pose a threat to the security of the

United States: and

   b.  To determine whether UFOs exhibit any unique scientific information

or advanced technology which could contribute to scientific or technical

research (Atch 3).

Procedures for Project Blue Book reporting are defined in Air Force

Regulation 80-17.  This regulation requires the Commander of an Air Force

base to provide a UFO investigative capability and for Air Force Systems

Command to continue Project Blue Book (Atch 4).  In response to this

regulation most Commanders have appointed a UFO investigating officer,

usually as an additional duty.  Project Blue Book has two officers, one

NCO and one civilian assigned on a full-time basis.  In addition, Dr. A.

J. Hynek served as a scientific consultant until 1 July 1969.

2.  In 1966 the Air Force Office of Scientific Research contracted to have

the University of Colorado conduct an independent scientific investigation

of unidentified flying objects.  This study, directed by Dr. Edward U.

Condon and made available as the "Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying

Objects," serves as a basis for evaluating the Air Force investigative

effort (Atch 5).  After an extensive study of this report as well as the

review of the report by a panel of the National Academy of Sciences, past

studies, Project Blue Book operations and other inputs, the Office of

Aerospace Research concluded, and we agree, that the continuation of

Project Blue Book cannot be justified, either on the ground of national

security or in the interest of science (Atch 6).

3.  The general conclusion of the Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying

Objects is that "nothing has come from the study of UFOs in the past 21

years that has added to scientific knowledge."  As to what the federal

government should do with the UFO reports it receives from the general

public, the authors add that they are "inclined to think that nothing

should be done with them in the expectation that they are going to

contribute to the advance of science."  A panel of the National Academy

of Sciences concurred in these views, and the Air Force has found no

reason to question this

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  Subject: 1969 BOLENDER MEMO PG. 2

conclusion.  For example, it has been the Air Force experience that although a

significant portion of the Air Force's environmental research program is

concerned with natural phenomena that could be associated with unidentified

flying objects (Atch 7), Project Blue Book reports have not added any

useful data to these research efforts (Atch 6).  Thus, we concur with the

University of Colorado recommendation "that only so much attention to the

subject should be given as the Department of Defense deems to be necessary

strictly from a defense point of view."

4.  As early as 1953, the Robertson Panel concluded "that the evidence

presented on Unidentified Flying Objects shows no indication that these

phenomena constitute a direct physical threat to national security" (Atch

9).  In spite of this finding, the Air Force continued to maintain a

special reporting system.  There is still, however, no evidence that

Project Blue Book reports have served any intelligence function (Atch 8).

Moreover, reports of unidentified flying objects which could affect

national security are made in accordance with JANAP 146 or Air Force

Manual 55-11, and are not part of the Blue Book system (Atch 10).  The

Air Force experience therefore confirms the impression of the University

of Colorado researchers "that the defense function could be performed

withing the framework established for intelligence and surveillance

operations without the continuance of a special unit such as Project

Blue Book."

5.  The conclusion which follows is that Project Blue Book does not merit

future expenditures of resources.  Accordingly, we recommend that it be

terminated and that the actions which follow from this decision, such as

cancelling Air Force Regulation 80-17 and not renewing the consultant

contract, be initiated.  Termination of Project Blue Book would have no

adverse effect on Air Force operations or research programs.  It would

free manpower for useful purposes, eliminate the need for a scientific

consultant and relieve base commanders of a minor responsibility and an

administrative burden.

6.  Termination of Project Blue Book would leave no official federal

office to receive reports of UFOs.  However, as already stated, reports

of UFOs which could affect national security would continue to be handled

through the standard Air Force procedures designed for this purpose.

Presumably, local police departments respond to reports which fall within

their responsibilities.  Similarly, as to scientific research, the

Colorado researchers conclude that, although they do not see "any

fruitful lines of advance from the study of UFO reports, we believe that

any scientist with adequate training and credentials who does come up

with a clearly defined, specific proposal for study should be supported."

We see no reason why the normal channels and criteria for the funding of

scientific research should not be adequate for UFO-related research.

7.  Some feel that a central reporting center should be established, and a

proposal has been made to establish a Rare Atmospheric Phenomena Reporting

Center (Atch 11 and 12).  Because the problem affects a number of

agencies, this center might be under the auspices of the Federal Council

on Science and Technology.  However, in the light of the University of

Colorado recommendation

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  Subject: 1969 BOLENDER MEMO PG. 3

that the federal government should not set up a major new agency for the

scientific study of UFOs, we do not favor this suggestion and feel that

UFO reports should be left to normal scientific and defense channels.

If such a center is established, it should not perform an investigative

function and should be initiated only on a trial basis for a specified

lifetime.

8.  Project Blue Book has accumulated records on over 13,000 sighting

cases.  During his study, Dr. Condon expressed concern about the possible

loss of these records and their relative inaccessibility at Wright-

Patterson Air Force Base.  He was assured by Secretary Brown that we would

look into the feasibility and desirability of relocating the files in the

Washington area and that no action would be taken until the Colorado

report was released (Atch 13).  If Project Blue Book is terminated, the

records should be transferred to an appropriate archive and preserved for

historical value and to prevent charges that the Air Force is concealing

facts.

9.  To receive the candor and cooperation essential to the successful

investigation of UFOs, the Air Force adopted a practice of confidentiality;

witnesses were assured that their names would not be used without their

permission (Atch 14).  Therefore, access to these records and the

publications [illegible] access must be carefully reviewed and

controlled.  SAFOI feels that an Air Force controlled archive away from

the Washington, D.C. area is the most appropriate storage facility.

Considering the existence of local, privately sponsored UFO investigative

organizations, the ready availability of these records in the Washington

area would result in an inordinate workload in clearing investigators,

providing documentation, and reviewing and clearing manuscripts.

Therefore, the Air University was queried about the possibility of

storing these documents at the Air Force Archives (Atch 15).  Air Force

Air University will accept these records providing:

   a.  SAFOI will answer all requests about Blue Book, and not require AU

research to answer such queries.

   b.  SAFOI will rigidly limit the right of access to recognized,

legitimate researchers, and

   c.  SAFOI will screen researcher's notes to insure that

"confidentiality" is maintained (Atch 16).

10.  Project Blue Book should be terminated, and Blue Book records should

be transferred to the USAF Archives at Air University.  The attached

memorandum would initiate these actions.

RECOMMENDATION

11.  That the memorandum be signed.

3    /s/ C.H. Bolender

C. H. BOLENDER, Brig Gen, USAF      16 Atch

Deputy Director of Development            (Listed on Separate Page)

DCS/Research & Development