CIA and Unidentified Flying Objects

Summary

In May 1953, the CIA drafted an internal memorandum regarding the management of reports on unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The document assigned responsibilities to the Applied Sciences Department to maintain updated knowledge on sightings. It highlighted the need for analysis from a weapons and hardware perspective, suggesting that the Physics and Electronics Division take custody of key files. The memorandum also mentioned the existence of major files in the Operations section, with a file of essential documents and administrative materials. It recommended that future documents be sent directly to the responsible division, ensuring more efficient handling of the information.

The memorandum reflected a practical and operational approach, focused on evaluating UFOs from a national security standpoint. It noted that CIA personnel already had custody of certain files transferred from another section, and proposed that the Physics and Electronics Division assume control of those necessary to fulfill the assigned responsibilities. The document also included instructions on how to handle incoming information, ensuring it was distributed correctly among relevant divisions. These historical documents offer a fascinating insight into how authorities dealt with the UFO phenomenon in the 1950s, using both scientific and intelligence approaches.