Page:AFR 200-2, Aug 12, 1954.pdf/1

 AUTHORITY LIBRARY COPY REC'D. 14 September 1954.

AIR FORCE REGULATION No. 200–2

INTELLIGENCE

Unidentified Flying Objects Reporting (Short Title: UFOB)

Purpose and Scope. This Regulation establishes procedures for reporting information and evidence pertaining to unidentified flying objects and sets forth the responsibility of Air Force activities in this regard. It applies to all Air Force activities.

Definitions:

Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOB)—Relates to any airborne object which by performance, aerodynamic characteristics, or unusual features does not conform to any presently known aircraft or missile type, or which cannot be positively identified as a familiar object.

Familiar Objects—Include balloons, astronomical bodies, birds, and so forth.

Objectives. Air Force interest in unidentified flying objects is twofold: First as a possible threat to the security of the United States and its forces, and secondly, to determine technical aspects involved.

Air Defense. To date, the flying objects reported have imposed no threat to the security of the United States and its Possessions. However, the possibility that new air vehicles, hostile aircraft or missiles may first be regarded as flying objects by the initial observer is real. This requires that sightings be reported rapidly and as completely as information permits.

Technical. Analysis thus far has failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for a number of sightings reported. The Air Force will continue to collect and analyze reports until all sightings can be satisfactorily explained, bearing in mind that:

To measure scientific advances, the Air Force must be informed on experimentation and development of new air vehicles.

The possibility exists that an air vehicle of revolutionary configuration may be developed.

The reporting of all pertinent factors will have a direct bearing on the success of the technical analysis.

Responsibility:

Reporting. Commanders of Air Force activities will report all information and evidence that may come to their attention, including that received from adjacent commands of the other services and from civilians.

Investigation. Air Defense Command will conduct all field investigations within the ZI, to determine the identity of any UFOB.

Analysis. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, will analyze and evaluate: All information and evidence reported within the ZI after the Air Defense Command has exhausted all efforts to identify the UFOB; and all information and evidence collected in oversea areas.

Cooperation. All activities will cooperate with Air Defense Command representatives to insure the economical and prompt success of an investigation, including the furnishing of air and ground transportation, when feasible.

Guidance. The thoroughness and quality of a report or investigation into incidents of unidentified flying objects are limited only by the resourcefulness and imagination of the person responsible for preparing the report. Guidance set forth below is based on experience and has been found helpful in evaluating incidents:

Theodolite measurements of changes of azimuth and elevation and angular size.

Interception, identification, or air search

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