Responsibilities for Unconventional Air Vehicles Memorandum

Summary

In 1954, the CIA issued an internal memorandum redefining the responsibilities of the Aeronautics Studies Division (ASD) regarding unconventional aerial objects, meaning UFO sightings. This document rescinded previous instructions and established that the ASD would oversee all available information on the subject. It also indicated that other CIA divisions should technically assist the ASD when needed.

The memorandum also stated that the ASD would maintain files on this subject and that other divisions should forward their documents to the ASD, thus ending their filing activities on the topic. It mentioned that, when appropriate, the ASD could request specific projects for inclusion in the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) production. This document reflected a centralization of efforts to handle UFO reports more efficiently.