CIA assigns UFO responsibility

Summary

In May 1953, the CIA made a key decision by assigning the Physics and Electronics Division the task of tracking reports on unidentified flying objects. This internal memo, dated May 20, 1953, states that this division will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date knowledge on UFO sightings. Additionally, the Applied Science Division is requested to provide support from a weapons and hardware perspective, as it already held major files on the subject.

The memo also notes that the main UFO files were located in the Air Branch of the Applied Science Division, with a set of key documents stored in the Operations Staff office. Mr. Jackson Heckert was in charge of certain files that had been transferred from another section. It is suggested that the Physics and Electronics Division take custody of the necessary files and establish a direct route to receive new materials from the relevant section.