UFO files from the UK government; DEFE 24/2048

8/7/2019 UFO files from the UK government; DEFE 24/2048

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(c) 'C ro wn c o py r i g ' , h tw - r-


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R~~~P


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(ii) K ey e nc lo su re s w hich s up po rt th e re co mm en da tio n a re :

tID. O f n o fu rth er a dm in is tr ati ve .e alu e b ut w or th y o f c on sid era ti on b y I N FO (E X P) -R f or p er ma ne nt p re se rv ati on .PART 4 DESTRUCTION CERTIFICATE

Name:

Grade/Rank: - \ \ O O ' < = - 7t-o.ate:B ra nc h T itle a nd F ull A d dr es s:

T el N o:P ro du ce d b y M OD, D SD A (P C) K Y T el. 0 11 79 37 62 56

: i :n: : : :~d_th_a_tt_h_e_sp_e_c_i f_ie_d_f i_le_h_a_s_b_ee_n_d_e_s_tr_OY_e_d_._ + I _"_ _//1

Name: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ --~ -------(B lo c k Cap it a ls )G rade/Rank: _ Date: 7-----------W itne ssed b y (T OP S EC RE T' an d S EC Rp T on ly)Signature: --------:,/7 "---------- _

Name: / (B lo c k Cap it a ls )G rade/Rank: _ Date: __'(FO R D R U SE O NL Y)

Astron. J0217876, 11/04


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DearReference:07-02-2005-170455-010I am writing concerning your e-mail message about the information the MOD holdsabout UFO sightings. Your message has been passed to this department as we are thefocal point within the Ministry of Defence for correspondence about UFOs.This department holds details of UFO sightings reported to the MOD and publiccorrespondence about UFOs (some of which also contain sighting reports) spanning a25 year period. These records are not held electronically, but are filed on paper files inthe order in which they were received. In order to release information from thesedocuments we are required to redact all personal information about the people whomade the reports in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. As you are aware,we have already released some information into the MOD Freedom of InformationPublication Scheme and we are currently compiling a database of reports which weintend to add to the Publication Scheme at the end of June 2005. We are also lookingat what further documents we can add to the Publication Scheme in the near future.In the meantime, if there is any particular information you are seeking, you are able tomake a request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 either via thesame route as this request or directly to my address at the end of this message. Pleasebare in mind that if a request exceeds the permitted 600 limit set for compliance withthe Freedom ofInformation Act and as provided by Section 12 ofthe Act, theMinistry of Defence is not obliged to comply with your request. You should thereforebe as specific as possible about the information you are seeking.I hope this is helpful.Yours sincerely,

Ministry of DefenceDirectorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information5th Floor, Zone H~Main BuildingWhitehallLondonSW1A2HBe-mail: [email protected]" February 2005
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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In te rna lT r an sf er - Re ci p ie n t Ac ce p t anc e - Ed it Reque st De ta il s P ag e 1 o f2

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Internal TransferEditing the request details will initiate a new search.The new search results will be saved and will replace the existing save search results.Date request received:Applicant DetailsTitle: Other:First Name: *Surname:Organisation:

Other:pplicant Type:

Contact Details (Mailing or email address required)

Town/City:Postcode:

Address Line1:Address Line2:Address Line3:

United Kingdomountry:Email:Telephone: Fax:

http:/ /a i tporta l/_Layouts/AIT/IntemaITransfer/IntemalTransferAcceptance .aspx?sn=CN3R KNTI93,5620 ,112 14/0212005
http://aitportal/_Layouts/AIT/IntemaITransfer/IntemalTransferAcceptance.aspx?sn=CN3RKNTI93,5620,112http://aitportal/_Layouts/AIT/IntemaITransfer/IntemalTransferAcceptance.aspx?sn=CN3RKNTI93,5620,112


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Internal Transfer - Recipient Acceptance - Edit Request Details Page 1of2

GxAITESTPTCDI14 February 05

Workflow OptionsInternal TransferViewAudit TrailComments LogSaved Search Resul tContact DetailsDocumentsActionsAssign Within GroupChange Alert SettingsEdit Request DetailsUpload DocumentClose CaseTake Ownership

Edi ting the request detai ls will init ia te a new search.The new search results will be saved and will replace the existing save search results.Request DetailsResponse Format Requested: c :1 e:::le:::;:c~t:.;;ro~n;:_ic",--~~~~ Language Requested Welsh*Enter the re ues t for information:In typing UFO into the Freedom of information ac t database only seven responces were indicated. I am sure therehave been more documents pertaining to the sight ings of UFOs. How do I recieve these documents?

R~corC!storage h?~ation of ~pplicant request (o~"!p!


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ENCLOSURE TRANSFERRED TOFILE DIDAS/1 0/2/8/16 PART A


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AUTHORISATION FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Appl Independent on SundayCase Number: 06-01-2005-140535-008 Expiry: 3 February 2005The Applicant has made the following reguest for information:1. Findings of an MOD investigation into an alleged UFO sighting aboveCraigluscar reservoir near Dunfermline, Fife.2. Photograph of a UFO near Pitlochry, Perthshire in 1990.3. All correspondence, (letters, memos, etc) between ministers and civilservants relating to the incident at Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk in December1980.

Case for release of information1. A search of DAS files~ced some papers about this event. DASfiles contain no reply to __ M of 28 February 1994, so DI55c werecons~e confirmed that they have no additional records on theirfiles._has not requested copies of the documents, so asummary of these events has been provided in the attached draft letter.2. The only photographs the MOD holds of UFO sightings are those sent to usby members of the public. A search of our files covering 1990 has producedsome details about this event, including a record that the photographs sent tothe MOD were returned to The Scottish Daily Record. Details have beenincluded in the attached draft letter.3. All of the papers the MOD holds on the Rendlesham Forest incident arealready available in the Publication Scheme. The only correspondencebetween civil servants and Ministers about this event wouldnotes to PQs and it is not clear if this is what he is seeking.been advised how to access this information in the Publication me and ifhe is seeking parliamentary correspondence, that he clarifies what specificinformation he is seeking.I attach a draft letter and background papers.


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'" .AuthorisationI hereby give authorisation for the release of the aforementioned informationto the Applicant.

Grade/Rank: R.b Name: .Authorisation Reference Number: DAS-FOI11/0S .Date: ~ . I . ~ . I . ~ 5 . .


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FromDirectorate of Air Staff - Freedom of InformationMINISTRY OF DEFENCE5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1 A 2HB

Telephone

e-mail

(Directdial) 020 72182140(Switchboard) 10!20~7~2~18~9~00~0,(Fax)das-ufo-office@mod.

"'H"''''''''''~H~~H''on '-'........"Independent House191 Marsh WallLondonE149RS

Your ReferenceOur Reference06-01-2005-140535-008Date3 February 2005

DearI am writing concerning your message dated 6 January in which you made a request under theFreedom ofInformation Act for information about Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sightings.Your request has been passed to this department as we are the focal point within the Ministry ofDefence for correspondence about UFOs.First you requested the findings of an MOD investigation into an alleged UFO sighting aboveCraigluscar Reservoir near Dunfermline, Fife. Our records show that The Scottish Daily Recordcontacted the MOD in February 1994 concerning a UFO sighting report and some photographsthat they had been sent by a member of the public. The individual reported travelling toCraigluscar Reservoir on the afternoon of 19th February 1994 to take some photographs of theReservoir to assist with a painting of the area. He heard a humming noise, turned towards theReservoir and saw a disc-like object, high in the sky, moving slowly in his direction. He describedthe object as metallic, with several points of diffused light on its underside, inside a darkercoloured rim. He took two photographs before the object moved away to the west. Air defencestaff were consulted at the time and records show that there had been no unusual radar returns.The photographs are not contained in our files and we assume they were returned to the ScottishDaily Record.

You also requested a photograph of a UFO near Pitlochry, Perthshire in 1990. The MOD does notproduce photographs of UFO sightings. The only photographs the MOD holds are those whichmembers of the public very occasionally send to us with their sighting reports. If requested theseare returned to the individual, or if they do not want them returned, they are filed with the reportin our files. We have examined our records for 1990 and they contain no photographs relevant toyour request. However, we have a record that two members of the public contacted The ScottishDaily Record to report a large diamond shape UFO hovering for about 10 minutes beforeascending vertically upwards at high speed. The witnesses said that during the sighting an RAFaircraft believed to be a Harrier was in the area. The sighting was over Calvine, 20 miles north ofPitlochry at 2100 hours on 4 August 1990. A number of colour photographs were taken andpassed to The Scottish Daily Record, who in tum sent the negatives to the MOD. These wereconsidered at the time and it was concluded that the jet was a Harrier. No definite conclusionswere reached regarding large diamond-shaped object. Our records show that the original negativeswere returned to The Scottish Daily Record.


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Finally, you asked for correspondence between ministers and civil servants relating to the incidentat Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk in December 1980. The MOD papers on this incident are alreadypublished in the MOD Freedom of Information Publication Scheme on the internet and can beviewed at http://www.foi.mod.uk. A search under 'Rendlesham Forest' will take you directly tothese documents. We are not aware of any specific internal correspondence about this incidentwhich has not already been released. Itis normal practice for officials to brief Ministers as to thebackground of parliamentary business, for example, when answering specific parliamentaryquestions. If this is the type of information you are seeking, it would be useful if you couldclarify the information you are particularly searching for.I hope this is useful. If this information does not address your requirements or you wish tocomplain about any aspect of the handling of this request, then you should contact theundersigned in the first instance. Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for aninternal review by contacting the Director of Information Exploitation, 6th Floor, MOD MainBuilding, Whitehall, SW1A 2HB.If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to theInformation Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your case until the MODinternal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of theInformation Commissioner can be found on the Commissioner's website,http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,
http://www.foi.mod.uk./http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/http://www.foi.mod.uk./


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From:Sent:To:Cc:Subject:

DI55B on behalf of 01 55-B25 January 2005 16:04

01 BCR-CGAD; 01 BCR-CG2; DAS-FOIRE: Freedom of Information Request UFOs.Importance: Low

~I have looked through the files I hold for record of a reply b~n 1994 and can find nocoresspondence. I spent half an hour searching (B2 grade).-514:43

~Please see the email below from_ Could you please check your records/files to see ifou have any information regarding the alleged ~UFOsi htin and if there is any record of a reply fromtO~M. Please note that ked for a reply (or nil return) as soon as~~=;t:;=~=POSSI e.Thank you.

We have received a FOI request from the Independent on Sunday for the following:" Findings of an MOD investigation into an alleged UFO sighting above Craigluscar reservoir nearDunfermline, Fife."I have found a L~/Sec(AS)12/1) dated 28 February 1994 from_ec(AS)2a) toWing Commande~5c) and sketches of this UFO sent in by areporter with the Scottish Daily uesting Wg Cdr~n these. There isno record of a reply from Wg so if your files areavaiae6r this period I wouldbe grateful if someone could see ing about this. The sighting was on the afternoon ofSaturday 19th February 1994.

02/0212005


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FILES REQUIRED URGENTLY FOR A FREEDOM OF INFORMATIONREQUEST FOR INFORMATIONO/Sec(AS)12/2 Part H - UFO Reports ~O/Sec(AS)12/2 Part I - UFO Reports vO/Sec(AS)12/2 Part J - UFO Reports v : : : :O/Sec(AS)12/2 Part N - UFO Reports vO/Sec(AS)12/3 Part G - UFO Correspondence VO/Sec(AS)12/3 Part I - UFO Correspondence VO/Sec(AS)12/3 Part 0 - UFO Correspondence./O/Sec(AS)12/3 Part P - UFO Correspondence .-/'O/Sec(AS)12/3 Part Q - UFO Correspondence vO/Sec(AS)12/g Part R - UFO Correspondence '(/""


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FromMINISTRY OF DEFENCEDirectorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information

5th Floor, Zone H,Main Building, WhitehallLONDON SWIA 2HB

Telephone: (Direct dial)(Switchboard) 020 7218 9000

FAX MESSAGETO: TNT Archive ServicesSUBJECT: URGENT Recall of FilesDATE: 21 January 2005NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER: 2

URGENT REQUEST FOR FILESThe attached files are urgently required for return to this office inorder to answer enquiries in accordance with the Freedom ofInformation Act 2000.Please acknowledge receipt of this request by telephone or e-mailto the address above.I f these files can not be immediately located please telephone meimmediately.


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__ TRAHSMISSIOH REPORT --

SID :

Date/TiMe

Date

Durat.Dialled nUMber

0'32"J 1 0 d e H O R J 1 A LPages 2Status Correct

21-01-05 16:29

FAX MESSAGETO: TN' r Archive Sen-icesSUBJECT : URGENT Recall of fliesDATE: 21 Janoary 2005NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER: 2

URGENT REQUEST FOR FILESThe attached files are urgently required for retum to this office inorder to answer enquiries in accordance with the Freedom ofInformation Act 2000.Please acknowledge receipt of this request by telephone or e-mai lto the address above.If these fi les can not be immediately located please te lephone meimmediately.


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LOOSE MINUTE,jseC(AS)1211

28 Feb 1994DI55c - Wg Cdr _UFO SIGHTING OVER CRAIGLUSCAR RESERVOIR1. I was approached last week by a reporter from the Scottish Daily R ecord,who asked my advice with regard to some UFO photographs that had been sent in bya member of the public. I subsequently managed to acquire these photographs,together with a statement from the witness, and some sketches that he had made.I have attached this material for your consideration.2. I have spoken to the witness, a l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l (Tel no.The following details, which were not in~tement, may- H e appeared genuine, and rather disappointed at the way in which the papereventually ran the story, which he saw as frivolous (I do not have a copy of

this, but believe it was printed today). He did not appear to know anythingabout UFOs, and aside from his own experience, expressed no interest in thesubject. I do not believe that he sought or received any payment from thenevspapee ,

- The camera used was an old SLR model, a Chinon CS. The film used was a 200ASA.- The alleged incident took place at approximately 3.15pm.- H e estimated that the object was approximately the size of a jumbo jet, andcame down to a height of around 300 feet AGL.

3. It seems to me that this case is either a hoax, or something veryi nt er es ti ng i nd ee d.4. The Daily R ecord have already asked me for my views, and I have deployedthe standard line that our initial consideration of the photos has produced noobvious explanation, but that we are now having a more detailed look. As wordof this case spreads (Some of the UFO lobby are already aware of the story) wemay come under increasing pressure.5. I would be grateful for your views on this case, with particularreference to the photograph of the object at close range.


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('.4./02. I" ':

. . . . .

94 [41002DAILY R ECOR D

On the e f t e r n o o n o f Saturday, 19th. February, 1994, 1 drove to Craiglu5carReservoir, just outside Dunfermline, in order to take some photog:r.aphs of thata r e a . I a m a n a m a t e u r artist., and w a n t e d t h e p h q t o g r a p h s to a s s i s t m e i n p r o d u c i n ga painting o f the reservoir. I a m a member o f t h e local angling club W h o stock andhave the fishing rights of this water. ;Alreedy having taken photographs there inthe s u m m e r , I wanted t o have several o f the landsoape in winter.

I took a numb,el""f photographs. a~l!.Iwalked along the bank of the reeervoi r ,and WaS l~oking eastwards at t h e furth~st point of the reservoir, and ponderingwhether I s h o u l d take some photographs looking east, away from the water. I becamoe w a r e of what I can only describe as a,kind of humming noise., such as that fromhigh voltage power lines. I also felt very, uneasy, and t u r n e d slowly towards theIreservoir.

Fairly high in the sir. and coming slowly in my direction, was a disc-like object, w h i c h was definitely a n a i r c r a f t , I w a s holding my camera in my hand,b u t felt unable t o u s e it. I have n e v e r e x p e r i e n c e d s u c h a feelin9 b e f o r e ; I didn o t THINK o f taking a shot . In :retrospect, it seems there must have been some kindof compulsion. Iwas concentr-at inq on t h e craft, yet not really absorbing what wash a p p e n i n g . At that point, I was. V~l'Y~rr8id. But I now realise that the fearpassed, end was replaced by a sense of " :g elaxed resignation". (I don't have.betterwords to -desor-Ibe it.) :,

I l a t e r realised t h a t I must have, been looking at whatever itwas, for morethan fifteen minutes. The craft came .;010ge enough for me t o s e e t h a t it wa~definitely metallic, and had several pofnt s of diffused light on its underside,i n s i d e a darker c o l o u r e d " r i m " .

As the craft began to move away, :sll sense of the feelings which had stayecm y hand, d i s a p p e a r e d . I raised m y camera, .and t o o k t w o photographs. T h e craft Isacceleration was phenomenal - By the t.ime. I Id wound the film on b e t w e e n t h e twcs h o t s , it w a s a m e r e d o t i n t h e sky to.the w ~ s t . T h e r e w a s no n o i s e a t a l l , apartfrom the " b u z z i n g " w h e n itw.~~n.~~~. ~o~,p"~.. ->. :.........__ L .: : :; 'I know nothing at all about "U, Fo. 's", end the s u b j e c t d o e s n o t interes t m e . Butnothing of what I saw or experienced, was "in my i m a g i n a t i o n " . Of that, I arcertain. Later tnat day, I telephoned R.A.F. Piteavie, to enquire as t o whethelthere had been any unusual air activity that day. I was t o l d there had not b e e n . :am an aircraft enthusiast myself, a n d pride myself in their r e c o g n i t i o n . I knmthat what I saw was no conventional aircraft.


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.

AA/JH

Staff)

ScottishDaily Record& Sunday Mail Ltd.Anderston Quay Glasgow G3 8DATelephone 041-248 7000Direct Line 041-242Fax 041

23 February 1994

2A Room 8245MODMain BuildingWhitehallLONDONSW1A 2HB

DearPlease find enclosed prints and artist's drawings of the UFO which we talkedabout today. I would be grateful for your comments and assessment of theseat your earliest convenience.

Thanks for your help with this.Yours sincerely

P.J. l \NlttJ~ ~ ?IAA~~ ~IAAOVVC\.JQ _

A Company registered in Scotland No. 12921Registered Office 40 Anderston Quay Glasgow G3 aDA


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.

TO:

FAX=Daily RecordA nderstO Ii Quay G lasgow G3 BDAT elep ho ne 04 1-24 8 7000D irect L in e 0-11-24 2 3Fax 041-

DATE:

"l"hisone plus one

Scot ti sh Da il y Record & S un day M ail L td.A Company registered in Scotlancl No. 12921Reg iS te re d O ffic e 4 U A n de rs lo n Q ua y G la sg ow G 3 8DA


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Q_.&~. iJ l~i)I< ; ,e d ! W J 1 ? j " Z - f c w l sJLAK-~~


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h.. ~ t: : ,'i i \~ f .b .Q \ ,f .\ jt ': '~ s~e (Lk}L . .gyel.t,l!,.c:ne5S...~\I~L.. ...pLca.r~P'~"'to .Rf\,f.ltd::"~,~~(\J, ~~Qi;ti~bb~I,.R'{,(;QtJ.,.Ot:r


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Loo se Mi nuteD/Sec(AS)12/2

14 September 1990APS/US of S(AF)Copy to:Head o: ~:PC'(~~DD GE/AEWDDPR(RAF)

PHOTOGRAPHS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT - SCOTTISH DAILY RECORD1. US of S(AF) may wish to be aware that the Scottish Daily Record may runa story regarding an alleged sighting of a UFO near Pitlochrie in early August.Such stories are not normally drawn to the attention of Ministers and the MoDpress office invariably responds to questions along well-established linesemphasising our limited interest in the UFO phenomenon and explaining that wetherefore do not have the resources to undertake any in-depth investigationsinto particular sightings. On this occasion however, the MoD has been providedwith six photographic negatives of an alleged UFO by the Scottish Daily Recordand has been asked for comments almost certainly for inclusion in a forthcomingstory. For this reason it is felt that US of S(AF) should be made aware of thebackground and the line adopted by the DDPR(RAF) in responding to the newspaper.2. The photographs, which were received on 10 Sept, are alleged to havebeen taken near the A9 road at Clavine, north of Pitlochrie on the evening of 4August. They show a large stationary, diamond-shaped object past which, itappears, a small jet aircraft is flying. The negatives have been considered bythe relevant staffs who have established that the jet aircraft is a Harrier (andalso identified a barely visible second aircraft, again probably a Harrier) buthave reached no definite conclusion regarding the large object. It has alsobeen confirmed that there is no record of Harriers operating in the area at thetime at which the photographs are alleged to have been taken. The negativeshave now been returned to the Scottish Daily R ecord.3. In consultation with DDPR(RAF) it has been agreed that the attachedlines to take should be used in responding to the Scottish Daily Record. Theseare consistent with the position adopted in the replies to the many public andoccasional parliamentary enquiries on the subject of UFOs.


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SCOTTISH DAILY RECORD - PHOTOGRAPHS OF UFO

DEFENSIVE LINES TO TAKE:

- Have looked at photographs, no definite conclusionsreached regarding large diamond-shaped object.- Confident that jet aircraft is a Harrier.- Hav~ no record of Harriers operating in location atstated time/date.- No other reports received by MoD of unusual airactivity or sightings at location/date/time.

IF PRESSED

Who in MoD studied pictures?- All sighting reports (including on occasionphotographs/drawings etc) received by MoD are referred tothe staff in the departments which are responsible forair defence of UK who examine them as part of theirnormal duties.

Other reports of UFOs from Scotland?- UFO reports from Scotland are rare.


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ENCLOSURE TRANSFERRED TOFILE DIDAS/10/2/8/16 PART A


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. .e AUTHORISATION FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Case Number: 12-01-2005-153628-029 Expiry: 9 February 2005

The Applicant has made the following request for information:Please let me have details of Unidentified Flying Objects: MOD's policystatement on alleged UFO phenomenon, and reports which have beenreleased to the public from as far back as possible.Case for release of information

been advised of the MOD's policy on UFOs and told wherecan access released information, both in the MOD FOI PublicationScheme and at The National Archives. We have told the applicant that we arecompiling a database of UFO reports for future publication in the PS.

Please see attached a draft reply.

AuthorisationI hereby give authorisation for the release of the aforementioned informationto the Applicant.

Grade/Rank: .~ Name: .Authorisation Reference Number: DAS-FOI ~/05 .Date: ~. . I . . ~ . I ., . , $ .


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AIT Ma in - P ro ce ss in g Op t io ns - Ed it R equ es t D e ta ils Page 1 o f2 ~

GxAITESTPTCDI13January 05

Workflow OptionsAIT MainViewAudit TrailComments LogSaved Search Resul tContact DetailsDocumentsActionsAss ign Within My GroupChange Alert SettingsEdit Request DetailsUpload DocumentClose CaseTake Ownership

Editing the request details will initiate a new search.The new search results will be saved and will replace the existing save search results.Request DetailsResponse Format Requested: I ! . . . : . h : : : : ; a c , : . ; r d : : : , . : c " " o : c p : . . r . y - ' Language Requested Welsh*Enter the est for information:Please let me have details of Unidentified Flying Objects:MOD's policy statement on alleged UFO phenomenon, and reports which have been released to the publicfrom as farback as possible.

Email held with Info AccessHelpdesk

http: / /ai tportal/_Layouts/AIT/selectcourse.aspx?sn=CN3R KNT 193,2443,159 13/0112005
http://aitportal/_Layouts/AIT/selectcourse.aspx?sn=CN3RKNT193,2443,159http://aitportal/_Layouts/AIT/selectcourse.aspx?sn=CN3RKNT193,2443,159


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From:Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of InformationMINISTRY OF DEFENCE5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB

Telephone (Direct dial) 02072182140(Switchboard) 020 7218 9000~~~~fo-office@mod2li6i i 4 6 ;-mail

County FermanaghIIIWdYour ReferenceOur Reference05-01-2005-144546-047Date14 March 2005

DearThank you for your letter dated 17 February concerning contact details for the UFO groupmentioned inmy last letter. I apologise for not replying sooner.The UFO group which passed us details of reports from their members was the Nottingham andDerbyshire branch of the British UFO Research Association. The individual who correspondedwith us used his home address which I am unable to provide in accordance with the DataProtection Act 1998. However, you may wish to be aware that BUFORA have a website wheretheir address is given as BM BUFORA, London, WCIN 2XX, e-mail:[email protected] hope this is helpful.

Yours sincerely,
mailto:e-mail:[email protected]:e-mail:[email protected].


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Applicant: AUTHORISATION FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Case Number: 05-01-2005-144546-047 Expiry: 2 February 2005

The Applicant has made the following request for information:I would like the details of all the reported Triangular UFO sightings betweenMarch 1st 1998 and the end of April 1998.

Case for release of informationWe have searched all of the available UFO report and correspondence filesfor 1998 and the only reports of Triangular UFO sightings are the reportmade himself, and one that we were informed ofby a U group (BUFORA). only asked for the details (notcopies) so these have been included in the attached draft letter. Personal datahas not been included, so no redaction is necessary.It should be noted that this request would have been completed on12thJanuary 2005 but TNT have been searching for one of the files(D/Sec(AS)64/3 Part 0- UFO Correspondence) which I requested on5thJanuary. Today (01 February 2005) TNT have informed me that they areunable to locate this file. This information has therefore been supplied without

relevant information which may be contained in this file. The letter tohas been drafted to reflect the fact that we have provided all the~== nformation.AuthorisationI hereby give authorisation for the release of the aforementioned informationto the Applicant.

Grade/Rank: ..... ~ .~.............. Name: ....Authorisation Reference Number: DAS-FOI03/05 .Date: !./~ . I . ? ~ .


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. '~FromDirectorate of Air Staff - Freedom of InformationMINISTRY OF DEFENCE5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB

Telephone (Directdial) 02072182140(Switchboard) 02072189000d(FaX)f ft'@ d ! G t i 2 i i i 2 ias-u 0-0 Ice m~~-mail

Your ReferenceOur Reference05-01-2005-144546-047DateI~ February 2005ounty FennanaghNorthern Ireland

Release of InfonnationYour correspondence dated 30th December 2004 concerning reported Triangular UFO sightingsbetween 1st March 1998 and the end of April 1998 has been considered to be a request forinformation in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.We have examined all our available UFO reports and correspondence files for the period you havestated and have found a total of three reports which are relevant to your request. One of these wasthe report you made on 10 April 1998. The details of the other two are as follows;1800 on 4 March 1998 to 0600 on 5 March 1998The MOD did not directly receive any UFO reports, but a UFO group informed us that they hadreceived reports from some of their members. There were several different descriptions of whatwas seen but some of these described the object as being a dull grey or black triangular object,about the size of a conventional passenger jet, or smaller, with panelling or grooves underneath.Some of those reporting this described a low rumbling noise and others, no apparent engine noise.These sightings were between Mansfield (Nottinghamshire) and Shirebrook (Derbyshire).0100 to 0430 on 16 April 1998MOD received a report of a large triangular object with flashing green and red lights seen in thearea of Regents Park and Baker Street, London. Enquiries revealed that there was a Search andRescue helicopter in the area involved in the movement of a casualty to St Mary's Hospital.I hope this is useful. If this information does not address your requirements or you wish tocomplain about any aspect of the handling of this request, then you should contact theundersigned in the first instance. Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for aninternal review by contacting the Director of Information Exploitation, 6th Floor, MOD MainBuilding, Whitehall, London SWIA 2HB.

If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to theInformation Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your case until the MODinternal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the


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ENNISKILLEN,County Fermanagh,N.lreland

30th Dec 2004

Dear Sir,I would like the details of all the reported Triangular UFO sightingsbetween March 1st 1998 and the end of April 1998.Yours Faithfully,

1 0 2 M DAS-- . . . . . ._ , 0 : . . I. '". t~ ) A A I . ~ . . .' I . ' " . I'i . '''5; I I L E . ,

.....'._.~ ....~" .

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CIJ~:~ I~ D I ~ ( _ ( 1 ) < < : . ) b 4 - / 1 , , p I : Gv.~ ANNEX A TOSOP 502REPORT OF AN UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT1. Date, Time andDuration of Sighting .~16~2~,~J!between 0100A & 0430A2. Descr1pt10n of ObJect -One, large triangular object withflashing (green & red) lights3. Location (outdoor/moving)4. H ow observed - naked eye5. D1rect10n 1n wh1ch obJect f1rstseenSoutherly6. Angle of Sight (Estimatedheights are unreliable)7. Distance (By reference toa known landmark)8. Movements (Changes in 5,6 & 7may be of more use thanestimates of course and speed)9. Met conditions duringobservations - Clear10. Nearby objects11. To whom reported - military

1.


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,"" From: Secretariat(Air Staff)2a1a, RoomMINI OF DEFENCE,Main Building, Whitehall, London. SW1A 2HB

Telephone (Direct dial) 0171 218 2140(Switchboard) 0171 218 9000(Fax)

Your reference

apel en leStock~ort,Our referenceD/SeC(AS)/64/3Date' 1 - April 1998

1. Thank you for your letter of 17 March.2. I have looked back through our sighting report files and havefound that no reports were received by the Ministry of Defence for4/5 March in the Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire areas.

' lQJfS . s i


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t ., BUFORA(BRIT IS H, U NIDENTIF IED, FLY IN G, OBJECT, RES EA RCH , A SS OCIA TION)

To;RCcr~\ ~ :('+5 \.....r\ - i ~ 1 ? ; . . . . ; - % ,-:0 ..A..:~(_-!~1..;'),-\.1""':: HI\('L,LO~~L~ ,~'-' .... I i~ 'A.H g

HilhPeak,J S Z i l l ! iiiTelephone N~

1 7 M A R 1(:".'1 Dear SirlMadame; Recently I have been asked on behalf of a number of members ofthe public to find possible explanations for a sighting of an unidentified ariel nature, this sighting waswitnessed by over thirty persons to date, and I have included a brief concerning these sightings uponthe page following this letter.Ifyou were aware of any further reports, possibly connected to these reports- that you can pass ontomyself, then I would be most grateful to receive these.Further ifyou or your staff were aware of any possible causes that may account for these reports, thenI would be most grateful to hear of any such ideas, that you may have.Finally, I am aware that there was a laser display operating within the area of Mansfield, upon thenight that the sighting reports concern, from my inquiries- I have eliminated many of the reportedsightings that this display has already caused, though I still have thirty plus reports that I cannotidentify as being connected to the display, some of these may tum out to be mis identified aircraft intime.Thankyou for all your help and assistance, please attend to this inquiry when time permits!

Yours faithfull

" ~ ~1- .F .


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"The majority of reports received from the telephone enquiries, ifbelieved to be associated with theother reports- concern an unusual object with a triangular form, three edge white lights, with noapparent noise, sighted flying between Mansfield (Nottinghamshire) and (Shirebrook) Derbyshire,from the evening of the 4/3/98 to the morning of the 5/3/98, by thirty plus persons.Other details concerning the reports are as follows;1. A very intensely bright blue-white light when first sighted, this light appears to be formed from the

three edge light sources upon the object, due to the viewers' position at the time of the sighting.2. A dull grey or black triangular object, about the size of a conventional passenger jet, or smaller,

with panelling or grooves upon its underportion.3. Within these grooves appears many smaller white lights, arranged within rows.4. Several witness report green and orange navigational lights steady in luminosity and located close

to these grooves.5. Some witness' report what could be perceived as a shadow reflection of ground lighting, reflected

away from the clouds above the object, by its passing.6. The object appears to have no apparent engine noise, except for a time when the object appears to

power up ready for a rapid departure towards the Shirebrook area.7. The object has either a diamond or triangular shape to itself, reports similar to this shape, have

been reported across Derbyshire recently.8. The object was observed as moving slowly across the Mansfield area at treetop level passing overseveral witnesses in their cars, before moving off at rapid speed towards Shirebrook.9. The object was sighted in one instance as having a glowing rear, similar to a heat signature from a

jet, similarly several received reports have noted a helicopter sighted as following the sameflightpath of the object shortly afterwards.

10. The object appears to have been flying around from 18:00 hrs, on Wednesday 3rd to about 06:00hrs on Thursday 4th, with periods whereby the object was sighted darting constantly around thearea all night, whereas, the first report has the object as grounded close to pylons near theBlidworth area of Nottinghamshire.

11. In one instance a report was received whereby prior to the sound of the low rumbling/powering upsound, a brilliant flash was reported to be seen coming from the area of the craft, this lit up the sky,before the object disappeared.

12. These details match other reported sightiugs from other groups around the areas of Derbyshire andNottinghamshire.

13. One witness described how the object had "upwards swept wingtips"?OTHER REPORTS RECEIVED HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED WITHIN TIllS BRIEF ATPRESENT.COMPILED B~.F.O.R.A".


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Page 1of1':

From:Sent: 05 January 2005 16:49To:Cc:Subject: Internet-authorised: Request for retrieval of archived files

Dear Sir I MadamPlease could you return the following files to me from your archives. These are needed urgently to answer aFreedom of Information request for information.

MOD FILE REFERENCE PART TITLED/Sec AS)64/2 G UFO ReportsD/Sec AS)64/2 H UFO ReportsD/Sec AS)64/3 L UFO CorrespondenceD/Sec AS)64/3 M UFO CorrespondenceD/Sec AS)64/3 N UFO CorrespondenceD/Sec(AS)64/3 0 UFO CorrespondenceD/Sec(AS)64/3 P UFO Correspondence

My UIN iS~ full postal is:Ministry of DefenceDirectorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information5th Floor....ain BuildingWhitehallLondonSW1A2HBPlease give me a call if there are any problems

mod.uk

;3 11 '/ 9 .005~ l2{1/2.00S. :w;lt ~ ~ ~ ~

(O"lus)

07/01/2005


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'.J '\TRANSMISSION REPORT

SID ttunber Date 11-81-85 11:87D ia ll ed n un be rDate/Tine 11-81 11:86

Durat. 8'10"H ode ttOR H ALPages 2Status Correct

T ap es : 2

Nex t Working Day by 6pmNo . 0 0 06 9 3 93 0 7 10 1 1 20 0 5 1 4 :4 5Aed: 16000\16001"""PO#;E l I S U Q N 4 0 1

No te s : Please sign to eonflnn the receipt ofthe f o l lOwi n g eseete and send book bypost or~x to the fOUow in g address/numberTNT Arc;:hjve5ervlcesBourne AvenueHayesMiddlesex

~S ..DatefT~'If an Item on th$; Workorder is n ot ed a s Out Of Skn- or "Out On- then there is InfOrmation available to its lOcat ion and you win be contactEby the customer serveee in t he n e xt 24 hoorstf an Item o n this Wort rorde r is noted as -Not Found" then there is N o T r ac e 01 it at Hayes a n d n o i n fo r ma ti o n ; M Ii Ia bl e

Location Container Alternate Codeuilding: SW01SW01E04CC11A02 RCU000000045157T a p e: RCUOOO6 96 470 AttID; 1419845 ~ SE c(A Sys412

01E05FF08C01 RCUOOOOOOO66Il22T a pe ; R CU O O O2 38 70 1 Oe s c : OISEClASI64I3

otal Delivery ItemsCoota iner s ; 0W O RK OR DE R S UM M AR Y

NT Archive Sefvfoes CLASS IF IED & U NClA SS IF IEO


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/01/2005 16:15 DELIVERY WORKORDERNext Working Day by 5pm PagE"CLASSIFIED & UNCLASSIFIED *DAS MOD No. 00069393 07/01/2005 14:45Acct: 16000\16001Acct PO#:Service Date: 10/01/2005 17:00Auth: ____

Rout~otes: Please sign to confirm the receipt of the following assets and send back by post or fax to the following address/numberTNT Archive ServicesBourne Avenue

HayesMiddlesexUB31RFFax

If an Item on this Workorder is noted as "Out Of Store" or "Out On" then there is information available to its location and you will be contacteby the customer services in the next 24 hoursIf an Item on this Workorder is noted as "Not Found" then there is No Trace of it at Hayes and no information available

cation Container Alternate Codeilding: SW01W01E04CC11A02 RCU000000045157Tape: RCU000696470 AltlD: 1419845 Desc: SEC(AS)/64/2W01E05FF08C01 RCU000000066822Tape: RCU000238701 Desc: D/SEC/AS/64/3

Requestor\Cost Center

WORKORDER SUMMARYtal Delivery ItemsContainers: 0 Filefolders: 0 Tapes: 2

T Archive Services CLASSIFIED & UNCLASSIFIED *


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"

-- TRANSMISSION REPORT --. . ".

SID HUMber Date 87-81-85 18:24Date/TiMe 7-81 18:24Di al led n UM be rDurat. 8'32"f10de HORf1ALPages 2Status Correct

~~'&':JgDirectorate O f " - Freedom of Information5 '" F l oo r , Z o n e 1 ! 1 = t J l A W ling, Whiteha l lFAX MESSAGE

TO:FAOO, n 40 /SUBJECl': Request for FilesDATE: 1" January 2005NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER: 2

~see attached details oftbe r eque s t for f il es tha t I e -mai le d onWednesday . P lease cal l me 10confirm that you have received this request.Regards.

J- 1'2~b - '1:-rGV'\. o!'. Tc I~ol~ {rot~ ~


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ENCLOSURE TRANSFERRED TOFILE D/DAS/10/2/8/16 PART A


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Fro~Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of InformationMINISTRY OF DEFENCE5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB

. .

Telephone

e-mail

(Directdial) 020 7218 2140(Switchboard) 02072189000(Fax)das-ufo-office@mod.

Your ReferenceOur Reference01-01-2005-122722-017Date~IJ-.January 2005

I am writing concerning your freedom of information request for information about UnidentifiedFlying Objects (UFOs). Your request has been passed to this department as we are the focal pointwithin the Ministry of Defence for correspondence about UFOs.First, it may be helpful if I explain that the MOD does not have any expertise or role in respect of'UFO/flying saucer' matters or to the question of the existence or otherwise of extraterrestriallifeforms, about which it remains totally open-minded. I should add that to date the MOD knowsof no evidence which substantiates the existence of these alleged phenomena. The MODexamines any reports of 'UFO' it receives solely to establish whether what was seen might havesome defence significance; namely, whether there is any evidence that the United Kingdom'sairspace might have been compromised by hostile or unauthorised air activity. Unless there isevidence of a potential threat to the United Kingdom from an external military source, and to dateno 'UFO' report has revealed such evidence, we do not attempt to identify the precise nature ofeach reported sighting. We believe it is possible that rational explanations, such as aircraft lightsor natural phenomena, could be found for them, but it is not the function of the MOD to providethis kind of aerial identification service. We could not justify expenditure of public funds oninvestigations which go beyond our specific defence remit.With regard to your particular request, I can inform you that the MOD does not generallyinvestigate reports of UFO sightings. Reports provided to us are examined, but consultation withair defence staff and others as necessary is considered only where there is sufficient evidence tosuggest a breach of UK air space. The vast majority of reports we receive are very sketchy andvague. Only a handful of reports in recent years have warranted further investigation and nonerevealed any evidence of a threat. All the reports and correspondence we receive is filed on paperfiles in the order in which it was received. No separate record is kept of any particular type ofreport. These records are not held electronically. As we currently have files which span a 25 yearperiod, I hope you will appreciate that to supply copies of all of these records would exceed the600 limit set for compliance with the Freedom of Information Act as provided by Section 12 ofthe Act and the Ministry of Defence is not therefore obliged to comply with your request. Ifhowever, you would like to be more specific or refine your request we may be able to assist you.You also asked for the minutes of any internal departmental committees. There have been no"committees" within the MOD to discuss UFOs. In August 1950 a Working Party was set up toinvestigate flying saucer phenomenon. The report was presented to a meeting of the


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t' " liti~

. ! / I APS/US of S ( MF)IREDACTION()N OR1G1NAL DOCUMEN~ IM2

L.The Foreign Office might have given us some indication when they trans-ferred these paper.s of the line they have taken at the United ~aticno Organi-sation.. You will recall from the press reports that a debate on unidentifiedflying objects has been held there recently at the r.equest of the PrimeMinister of Grenada. However, we have tracked down a Mr _ in -the Energy,Science and Space Department of FCO who tells us (and, I hope, will confirmin writing) that a UN resolution calling'for a n investigation into UFOs hasbeen shelved indefinitely~ The UK did not support the resollltion, the viewbeing that such an investigation would bring the UN into disrepute. Mattersnow rest, I believe, on the understanding that countries interested in a UFOi nve sti gati on s houl d poo l t hei r re sour ces .2. Mr_does not seem to be particuJ.arly interested in his constituent'srequest ~ggest a reply as attached.

\ ' i . December 1977


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rViINISTP.Y OF DEFENCEMain BUIlding Whitehall London SW1 A 2H B

~:~r.

", '::-~:=-:-;:-,

~~. & Space Dept~Foreign &C o rr ~o nw ea lt h O ff ic eD01mingst (East)London SW 1 A 2 . 4 . 1 ,

Your reference

Our referenceD/S4(Air)8/3DataI t t L . December1977

DearN_ .lrle spoke earlier today about the United. Nati0l1~~resol"\.'t:t:ion.

concerning an investige:tion into Unidentified Flying Obj ec+e,2. Since ue need to advise our I'iinisterconnec+Lon ui-'ch a Parlia.'UEl11.taryEnquiry, Iif you 1fould confirm that I :1 .y unde re'bandangstated be10V I' , is correct~-

on this subject inshould be very grate~~"th ., tI e s~~ua ~on, asa. The resolution has been .sheIved indefi118,.I.;elyand itlias su~gested that coun+r-tea interested in co-ordinatineinvest~gations should pool their resources. .b. The UKdid not support, nor 1';ish to be associated \ii ththe resolution, it being considered that parti0ipation insuch an investigation could bring the United !:r!:.1.tionsntodisrepute.

Yours sincerely


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~~r.{~ .~ WORLD_=: ' 1 6 1 ' t P ~ . A G O C . - - O V E R

UNOUFO's ...

~."-----""---- ----- .. _ . - ..- ..

- ---",._v

i,. . '. B y H EN RY M ILLER. in New York .: \V J ! IL E some members'; dozed, others joked and.still others did their bestto conceal thelr incredulity,the United Nations Special'. Political . Committee for- mally took up the question Iof unidentified TIying' . objects. . They did so at the fnstigationof S'ir Eric Gairy, Prime Mill-.ister of Grenada, who has beencampaiigning far two ~ars topromote an offidal U.N. study on .th e : is su e.He called it .. the fulfilmentof my very high expectation"and added: .. The world is look-ing00." .Altih{)ughthe world Is more'J i i k - e t y to consider that the 149!Ilation i boCy has more seriousmatters with which to occupy'itself, the committee. nonethe- .less agreed to devote mored-e11ate ' 1 . ' 0 the toprc today. . 'Sir Eric, who Interspersesreligious thoughts into his mus -ings on UFO's, opened \hedebate 'b y saying: "A UiN.

~dy '\\111not dnfringe on thesovereiguity of any nation. Wehave the backing of many scien-tists and I look ft'rward withc:>n.n'cence to the support of the. Iworld's nations," ~: i ..-.;'. . Carter interest 1 1. President Carter himself hassaid that he O:1Cf~ saw a UI'0 Iand Si: Eric said he had beenencouraged by the President'sInterest in ':!he subject.Telling reporters r . r f '!lis ownexperience 21, vears ago. SirEric said: ..I s a w aUF o as.I was driving nome 'nt abouttwo or three in t'he momiug.Itwas '1 hig objes!:, a brilliant iJght, g~llde;} brign t, moving, attremendous '~ ""'e~ -1 " ,1i~;';.re~1~1:id'~~Eg~tionJis-t;dbutr.d 4: 0 riele~at~s freetickets t~ a new film... Close' ;. - p.nc!)uiitG!'3-d the. T'ill~ Kind,"whkh deals w-:t;" U F C';;~--.= _ = = = : 0 - = _ . '_"=--=-~'""... . - _ ..... -~ "- _ _ . . . - - - - .. . _

'J >- - . :. . . :UE '.Os _ IN Q UIRY j , . t ~ r ( 1 ; . i ! ~CALL. ATU.N..~;'~/IlI Grenada has withdrawn I'resolution to set up a specialUnited National agency ordepartment to conduct researchinto unidentified !lyi-n;; objectsand related phenomena,

. Instead it Is circulating at theUnited Nations 11 draft rssolu--tion called on tnp Secretary-General, Dr ....~l~h~;m, to con-. duct.': a wide-rauging investiga-tion into fiyi::g saucers. includ-jl?g an analysis of the ben afits,problems. and dangers stern-mi::!r:. from any coutac: withextra-terrestrial llfe.-Re'lter. _- ~ = = = = = = = = = = = = ~ = = = =II.~,~ _:_ - . - . ~ " ' - - - ..... . .. .. -_.----..- - . . ._ .. . : . . - ..

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From: .P. f ) f / J 7 . J ( r b ~ / 7 7I k C A d 0 P - .stt(~"'\Lc'!d 10~_ . : .

HOUSE OF COMMONSLONDON SWIA OAA

8th December, 1977. ,_ ,in er 0foreign & C omm onw eal th Of fic e,Downing Street,London, S.W.L,Dear Lord, I havo recEdved, the enclosedand I do_not know whether you would careto giv~ me any advice o~ it.

Your-s.sincerely,

(Dictated by l\lr.absence).1. Acknowledgedand signed in his

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~2. Minister' of State has/has not seen3 Departrnent for 'advlce and draft reply from, .

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. : i:t ~- - - '';}.-:~~~~? ..::,:~;-., ~.::;;----_ ... - .. _- - < . . : . : ; - - : - IREDACTION ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENT I- ..--~----.~ .

(including the FRG Presidency and the United States) are making aneffort to help Grenada off the hook if this can be done without COstto the UN. It must also be said, in fairness, that the Grenadanpropos~l is no,more ridiculous than many other proposals before theUN. Indeed President Carter has in the past reportedly taken apersonal interest in the sublect of UFOs. The proposal is at leastnot positively harmfUL to UK interests, whereas taking too strong andopen a stand agains~ Mr Gairy could be. Moreover, if we can heLp theGrenadans to reach a compromise, it could conceivably help us topersuade them to abstain on the vote on foreign economic and otherinterests in plenary (the Fourth Committee Resolution which inter aLiastrongly condems the UK and others for dealings with South Africa).

7. I r~fQ~~~nQ that we instruct the Mission to continue to resist theoriginaL Grenadan proposal but to give discreet support to efforts byWestern or other countries to postpone or reduce the scope and costof the Grenadan proposal as much as possibLe. I accordingLy ~Qmi! adraft telegram to UKMIS New York.8. UND were consulted on UN aspects, and concur.

.>:

4 December 1978

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t,;y TEU;O 2539 ~ AGEN OA I T E l-I ;,JO 128, UFL \fn :ftd~ CLOsr::D TH e ?'~E[ " "J ; ; jG FRIDAY(~ '\P ilSTER (:F CDUCAT IOf-J) l'lTCRVENFD TC SAY THAT THE GRE i1f1DANS\':::'~ ~ FLEXIBLE AUGUT THE IR DRAFT RESOLUT1Ci'i A :~O , U i V J T F . i)C~L[G}\YJOi, jS T O C O N V E Y M IY SUGGESTIO~iS THEY n ! G H T HA 'U : : TO THEC!~C1}\DMI nrSSfON PE fJJING REsur"PT ION OF' DISCUSSJO;~ OF THE I TE~~I\T A L J \ T c R 0 ATE .

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1. The. attached l~tteL ...hich has:besn' circulated to r. .Ussions' by: : : :2 Pe rmene nr; Mission"'of Grenada is self-explanatory. In theirpr e l IreLc.s r y wundings this :year-)it wOuld seem that the Mission ofGrenada ha s found Li, ttle if' any support for . its more ambi r Lou s '",pro~osal for establishing an agency, or department, and is t~ereforefalling bac~ on a more modest-proposal.2. I assu:-.e that you would wish us if possible tQ, ois ccur e ce thistoo I provided we are in qoo d corap any a...d do not take the Lead i Itis po s s I b l e however that it will a cq uice support a's a 'fallback Iposition which the majority will be prepared to ~o along with tosave Grendaja's face",We ~ill keep in',close touch with our.~llies.

t ; ' : .

1 , ~., .'." .


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--_ --f'

A UK A IMSTo oppose the establishment of any such agency.B POINTS TO K~E2. The British delegation does not think that the establish_ment of an agency for research into unidentified flyingobjects is appropriate to the functions of the United Nations'.It considers that the exi~ence of such an agency under UNauspices would be an unjustifiable drain on UN resourceswhich could be better deployed elsewhere.C TACTICS3. H opefully a confrontation ~ith the representative ofG renada can be avoided, but the UK shouln not hesitate tomake its views known .as and when ao o r-opr-Lae , Y')U shouldseek whatever support y~u can p3rticul qrly among the Nine.BACKGROUNDl~. At last year's UN G eneral Assemhly, th~ G renadandelegation, ~ith the full support of Premier G airy, soughtto establish an ad hoc wo r-ki.ng group of th~:UN to evaluateUF O r ep ort s. FeU I" 1i ns it er sex pr -ess ed the view tha t to setup any such body would r~duce the credibility of the UN;accordingly th e U I \ : delegation was instructed to oppose.In the event, no vote was taken on th~ G renadan ~esolution;as a co:npromise, the G eneral Assembly " studied the tcxt "a nd r e; : ;, ue st edh e : .: ie cr et ar y- G en er alo t irans-ri t it "to 'statesmembers of the UN and to interested specialised agencies sothat they might communicate their views to the Secretary-General ll

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','1 Tel" 0 lor's. UF 'O (f)r;.'t r ..~J, ~ IREDACTION ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENT I" I:: ISTEPS H AV r: cXrnCSSED TH t;: VIE\ ' ! THAT, s r u c s t\GPCE1\E fIT TO SET! _ : p sucn /1 '1 AGE IICY \ - . ' O U L D RE DUCE T HE cnrn In I t IT Y or TH E U~ I, H E',?:,IQULD G P P O S E I T . YOU SH OULD B E ,G U I D E D A C C O R D H I G L Y S E t l \ B 1 G1.,1lJ\T (V EI? SUPPORT YOU eMI, PA RTICULARLY 1\r''IOrJG TH E tIHIE.

-,"

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UFO ITEM. jREDACTION ON.ORIGINAL DOCUMENT IYOUR TELNOS. 2241 AND 2242 AND TELECON _

1. HE REr\A ' NFl Rr~ L Y OPPOSED TO A GRENADA RSOLUn ON ON ' UFOS. WEDO NOT CONSIDER SUCH OPPOSIT ION LIKELY TO BE DM1AGING E lTHER TOTHE UK OR TO THE UN. YOU SHOULD, THEREFOR~ , MAKE NO ATTEfwtPT T OCONCEAL THE UK'S INTENTION OF VOTING AGA INST ANY RESOLUT IONCO~ lTA ' N I tlG AN OPERAT IONAL OUTCOr~E , REGARDLESS OF ~JHETHER OR NOTTH IS LEAVES US IN A MINORITY.2. I F THE GREnADANS CAN BE PERSUJ\DED TO A B A N D O N THE I R RESOLUT ' O N' ,~'S 7 1 1 1 1 1 , < THAT R E F E R R A L O F THEIR U F O l NTEHE3T TO THE COr'H1ITT~C ~ H IClIfERSP.\CE \I:OULD PROVIDE THE BEST FACE SAVlf'lt3 DEVICE . TH IS( ;0 1 1 ; \ I T fEE I S AFTER xu, THE ESTAnU SHED U n n O D Y D E A l t NO. ~ / I TH OUTER~ P A C E M ~ T T E R S . W E U N D E R S T A N D THE AUSTRlAH C H A I R M A N ' S ANXIETIES~UT TH INK THAT IN V IE \~ OF THE CO~, i t ' \ lTTEE'S EXIST ING W ORI< LOAD,TH -' S I TSS:LF SHOULD BE A REASONABLE GUARANTEE THAT THE UFO ISSUE','OULD DE Pl.ACED AT THE BOTTOM OF I T S AGENDA V I I TH rA FA 1R CHANCO F B E l t l G IGNORED INDE FIN IT EL Y.3. W E AnE LESS ATTRACTED TO THE SUGGESTION IN PARAGRAPH 6 OF" jEU IOt~T HAS THE D ISADVANTAGE . THAT ONCE THE UFO ISSUE\ : / A S I N S C R I n E D A S M~ AGENDA~ I TE ;+ FOR THE GEr~ERAL ASSEt-tBLY IT " ' O U l DBE THERE I N BLACK ArlO WH I TE AND \ v E COULD n c r REPEAT NOT SF. C E R T A I . NTHAT CQilT I NUl NG PRESSURE FROM GRENADA , PERHAPS \11 TH THE SUPPORTOF OTHER DELEG.AT IONS, ~19ULDJiOT LEAD TO ITS DISCUSSION EITHER .ATTH E 33RD OR 34TH SESSION OF T~E GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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LOOSE MINUTED/DI551108/1506 Jan 2005DIBCRCG3Copy toDIST-AMDDDIBCR-CGADDI ST-54a1FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST - 03/05 'Details of MoD's UFOinvestigations, files, reports and committee minutes'Reference:A. ChoTs email from DAS-FOI dated 4 Jan 05 4:54:32PM1. DAS, the lead branch, have asked if there is any data in our files relevant to therequest that is not duplicated their files. Within DI ST the files relating to this matter arethe D/DI55/108/15 series, which cover policy (108/15) and sighting reports (108115/1 and10811512). Due to the contamination of DIS archive only the policy reports, parts 4 to 8,covering the period from Dec 1971 to the present, and one sighting report file,D/DI55/108/1512, relating to the Cosford sightings on 31 Mar 93 and copied to DAS inApr 04, were available and formed the extent of my search.2. ~ect inher note that we do not 'investigate' sightings of unexplainedaerial phenomena and to a large extent the DIS files only contain copies ofcorrespondence generated elsewhere. The compilation of sighting reports and limitedanalysis in file 108/15/2 were largely the result of the personal enthusiasm of Sec(AS)2adesk officer at the time and is by no means typical as far as I can see from the filesexamined. The only other 'investigation' I have found is the work done in preparation fora House of Lords motion put down by Earl of Clancarty in Nov 1978. The LM (D/DDOps(GE)/10/82 dated 12 Jun 78) by Grp Capt N. Colvin has an Annex A titled'Investigation of Aerial Phenomena reports 16 April' which shows the steps taken toinvestigate the cause of the time coincident sightings. As the LM was addressed S4(Air),I presume~copy. I attach a copy from the file I hold (108/15 part 4). Note thatthe sighting reports contain personal data.3. The same file has a background briefing note, (D/S4(Air)/8/3 dated 17 May 78 byTStevens,Head of S4(Air)), prepared for the above debate, which summarises the USattitude to the subject and list the results of US investigations into UFO sightings between1947 and 1969. The USAF investigation was known as Project Blue Book and this wasfollowed by a study led by Dr E. Condon. This LM could be released to put the historical


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H " f QI!./~ )'_cael..O,'),,~ \. .rurIvi[N!STRY OF DEFEl'~CE1\1.ainBuilding, Whltehall~ LONDON S.W.r

Telcphone:...fH.~~r~~. 01-218-7048P le as e a dd re ss (J '!Y re p{y toMINISTRY OF DEFENCE.(Head of S4(Air) ~an d quote:Yo~rof~~u: D / S 4 ( A i r ) / 8 / 3 17 May 1978

M ? KEG BarberRoom 5/56Department of Education and ScienceElizabeth H ous.eYork RoadLONDONSE1 7PH

There is to be a debate on UFOs Ln the Rouse of I!ords on12 June 'rB based on the following PQ by the Earl of Clancarty:'To ask Her lV.ajosty's Government '!ilhether they ar saware of the "increasing number of reports of sightingsand lan.dings of ll..""1identified flying objects (UFOs) ona worldwide scale, and whether they'uill initiate aninter-governmental study of UFOs'.

2. The procedure will be similar to an'Adjournment Debate in theCommons. The Earl will introduce the subject, interested memberswill speak, and Lord \vinterbottom will reply for the Gover~').ment.The debate cOllld last anything from 20 minutes to 4 hours~ we havebeen invited to draft a 10-15 minute vJinding up speech.3. We do not take this lightly, because Lord Clancar~is ana.cknowledged expert on 'tJFOs,.whilst IviODha.s no exper-t s 011 u?Os - formuch the same reasons as we have no experts on levitation or blackmagic. There is much p ub li c in te re s't ; in iJFOs at pres8atp d r um ra ed u pby the Dai.ly Express and in connection with the heavy sci-fi film'Close Encounters of the Third Kindt. There is a risk that theG overnment will be persuaded to conduct a. st'.l.dy of UFOs It or at leastto examine the ma~s of evidence that Lord Clancarty and his fellow-ufologists haYe assembled in the last 30 years. Should the Govern-ments defen~es break, I need hardly warn you that responsibility forthe study coul.d yery likely fallon your Department! Accordingly wewould be grateful for y01xr help in determining the proper l.in.e forgovernment to take.

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4. We believe it would be unprofitable to indulge i n . too much:flippanoy, and in~end-to propose that -the Government injects a doseof massive common sense into the debate on UFOs. The general lineWP. have in mind is:

a o We do not discount the 'possibility of intelligent lifeeJ.sewhere among the huge nu.mber of other worlds andother galaxies.b. The technical difficulties of space travel are stunning,with the nearest star 4 light years away, but it wouldbe unwise to say 'impossible ever'.c. The phenomena lumped together as UFOS' are oftenreported by responsible and intelligent people.d. But there is a huge gap bet~een those three statementsand the assumption that 'UFO reports' constituteserious eVidence that extrn-terrestial beings arereconnoitring this planet (Clancarty reports 80,00verified sightings, the introd:ucticnto the book of'Close Encounters' refers to 'millions! ) e. The phenomena reported often have common-senseexplanations (eg aircraft or met balloons in unusuallight, or space debris): it is always difficult tointerpret accurately unusual events seen fleetingly:and the constant PU'blicity about UFOs leads people tointerpret the phenomena as extra-terrestial spacecraft

and to embellish their reports unconsciously f. EXtensive US studies in.dicate no evidence of extra-terrestial visits~ No studies havo been considerednecessary in UK, but perusal of reports received givesus no cause to suspect extra-terrestial activity.g. :tf there was serious scientific e-vidence of extra ...terrestial visits we would expect the scientificworld to be agog and committed; but the scientificworld seems at best unimpressed., more likely heevilycynical.h. There ls no internal consistency about the idea ofthere having been 80,000 or perhaps millions of genuinesightings. I'la would expect some accidents or artefacts(Clancarty has suggested that the CIA has collected andhidden them all): or some approach to or direct evidenceheld by Governments (Clancarty ha3 suggested there is aconspiracy of silence between Governments until theyknow how to cope); or some over't political or culturalactivity to show for 30 years of presumably high-te~rlllologyreconnaissance (Clance.rty t s own UFO references go back tothe star of Bethlehem and earlier).

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