Reorganization of CIA UFO Responsibilities

Summary

In 1954, the CIA reorganized responsibilities related to unidentified flying objects. The memorandum rescinded previous functions and assigned the Applied Sciences Division (ASD) to lead scientific investigations on the subject. It was established that all other divisions must support the ASD with technical consultation, and that the ASD would maintain files on this topic. Additionally, it was indicated that other divisions should forward their files to the ASD and stop managing them independently. This change centralized the handling of UFO-related information within a single unit, facilitating a more coherent and coordinated approach.

The text also mentions that the ASD would request specific projects to include in the CIA's production program when necessary. This reorganization reflected an effort to optimize resources and improve efficiency in the investigation of unconventional aerial phenomena. The distribution of the memorandum to several divisions indicates that the subject was considered important enough to require institutional coordination. Although the language is technical and formal, the objective was clear: to establish an operational framework for the study of UFOs within the CIA.