Air Force Request to Declassify a CIA UFO Report

Summary

In 1963, the Air Force requested the CIA to declassify a 1953 report on UFOs prepared by a scientific panel. Sara B. Hunt, from the Air Force Office of Information, visited David B. Stevenson to discuss this matter. The request was prompted by a "CSS Reports" broadcast featuring Dr. H. P. Robertson, the panel's chairman, who mentioned CIA involvement in UFO analysis, sparking media reactions.

The CIA reviewed the report and concluded that significant deletions would be necessary for full declassification. Although the Air Force did not explicitly ask for more information, Hunt indicated that their intention was to expand data release. A sanitized version of the original report was approved, omitting meeting minutes, case histories, and CIA involvement. The request was held pending further contact from Hunt.