Brief
Robertson Panel
The claims the writer was given for Robertson Panel, in the order they were given.
1
In 1953 the National Security Council at the White House asked Howard P. Robertson, a scientist, to conduct what became known as the Robertson Panel, which was classified top secret.
“In 1953, again, when the debunking policy was established, the National Security Council at the White House asked H.P. Robertson, a very famous scientist at that time, to conduct what has come to known as the Robertson Panel. And it was classified top secret.”
Raymond Fowler on UFOs, Government Cover-Ups & the Andreasson Affair (Full Interview, 1987) 00:27:02.5-00:27:24.0 administrative first hand
2
A recently declassified CIA/USAF panel on UFOs that met in 1953 recommended monitoring the activities of civilian UFO groups.
“One of the recommendations of a recently declassified CIA/USAF panel on UFOs, which met in 1953, was precisely to monitor the activities of civilian groups”
Messengers of Deception: UFO Contacts and Cults 0101-01-01 ch13:7950-8099 administrative second hand
3
The Robertson Panel's report stated that the "Civilian Flying Saucer Investigators" of Los Angeles and the "Aerial Phenomena Research Organization" of Wisconsin should be watched because of their great influence on mass thinking should widespread sightings occur, and noted the apparent irresponsibility and possible use of such groups for subversive purposes.
“The Panel took cognizance of the existence of such groups as the "Civilian Flying Saucer Investigators" of Los Angeles and the "Aerial Phenomena Research Organization" (Wisconsin). It was believed that such organizations should be watched because of their great influence on mass thinking if widespread sightings should occur. The apparent irresponsibility and the possible use of such groups for subversive purposes should be kept in mind.”
Messengers of Deception: UFO Contacts and Cults 0101-01-01 ch13:8108-8543 administrative second hand
4
The 1953 Robertson Panel recommended a project of perception management termed "training and debunking": a mass-media education campaign, enacted with the help of academics and media moguls, to control public knowledge about UFOs.
“they recommended a project of perception management that they termed "training and debunking": a mass-media education campaign, enacted with the help of academics and media moguls, to control public knowledge about UFOs.”
American Cosmic 2019 ch2:10087-10302 administrative second hand
5
The Durant Report is an account of the proceedings of the 1953 Robertson Panel, a US government committee convened to study UFOs.
“One of the most famous instances of this can be found in what is known as the Durant Report, an account of the proceedings of the 1953 Robertson Panel, a US government committee convened to study UFOs.”
American Cosmic 2019 ch2:9786-9982 administrative second hand
6
The 1953 Robertson Panel concluded that UFOs in and of themselves did not represent a security risk.
“Although the committee concluded that UFOs in and of themselves did not represent a security risk”
American Cosmic 2019 ch2:9988-10081 administrative second hand
7
The 1953 Robertson Panel, which was the impetus for Project Blue Book, suggested a media campaign to manage public perception of UFO phenomena.
“The 1953 Robertson Panel, which was the impetus for Project Blue Book, suggested a media campaign to manage public perception of the phenomena.”
American Cosmic 2019 ch4:13235-13368 administrative
8
The Robertson Panel report recommended the use of documentary-style techniques and authoritative experts to help mold public perceptions of UFO phenomena.
“Significantly, the report recommends the very kinds of strategies used by the screenwriters of The Conjuring, the student producers of The Blair Witch Project, and Grace Hill Media's marketers—that is, the use of documentary-style techniques and authoritative experts to help mold public perceptions.”
American Cosmic 2019 ch4:13379-13671 administrative second hand
9
In December 1952, the US government enlisted physicist Dr Howard Robertson to convene a panel of distinguished scientists, which became known as the Robertson Panel.
“In December that year, the US government enlisted physicist Dr Howard Robertson to convene a panel of distinguished scientists to investigate what these unidentified objects were”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch8:17712-17886 administrative
10
The Robertson Panel was commissioned by CIA director Walter Bedell Smith.
“The director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Walter Bedell Smith, who commissioned the so-called Robertson Panel”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch8:17892-18003 administrative
11
The sightings of UAPs raised serious national security concerns and were 'of such nature that they are not attributable to natural phenomenon or known types of aerial vehicles'.
“The sightings of UAPs raised serious national security concerns and were 'of such nature that they are not attributable to natural phenomenon or known types of aerial vehicles.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch8:18153-18320 administrative second hand
12
J. Allen Hynek concluded that the Robertson Panel's primary role was to debunk all UAP sightings and put control of investigations back with the air force.
“It became clear to Project Blue Book consultant Dr J. Allen Hynek that the Robertson Panel's primary role was to debunk all UAP sightings and to put control of investigations into the phenomenon back with the air force”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch8:18334-18547 opinion first hand
13
J. Allen Hynek wrote that in convening the panel, the CIA was fearful not of UFOs, but of UFO reports.
“Hynek wrote, 'In short, in convening the panel, the CIA was fearful not of UFOs, but of UFO reports.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch8:18630-18723 opinion first hand
14
In its January 1953 report, the Robertson Panel asserted the UAPs were no threat to national security.
“In its January 1953 report, the panel asserted the UAPs were no threat to national security”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch8:18736-18819 administrative second hand
15
H. Marshall Chadwell's concerns about and interest in the topic of UFOs led to the establishment of the Robertson Panel.
“His concerns about and interest in the topic led to the establishment of the Robertson Panel.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:38784-38871 administrative
16
H. Marshall Chadwell clandestinely sponsored the establishment of a UFO scientific review panel led by California Institute of Technology physicist H.P. Robertson.
“H. Marshall Chadwell clandestinely sponsored the establishment of a UFO scientific review panel led by California Institute of Technology physicist, H.P. Robertson.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:38935-39089 administrative
17
The establishment of the Robertson Panel followed a recommendation from the CIA's Intelligence Advisory Committee to enlist scientists to review and appraise the available UFO evidence in light of pertinent scientific theories.
“This action followed a recommendation from CIA's Intelligence Advisory Committee to enlist the services of selected "scientists to review and appraise the available evidence in light of pertinent scientific theories."”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:39100-39307 administrative second hand
18
The Robertson Panel panellists had expertise in a range of fields, including nuclear physics, high-energy physics, radar, electronics, and geophysics.
“The panelists had expertise in a range of fields, including nuclear physics, high-energy physics, radar, electronics, and geophysics.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:39414-39536 administrative
19
The Robertson Panel reviewed all USAF data and concluded that most UFO reports had ordinary explanations.
“The panel reviewed all USAF data and concluded that most reports had ordinary explanations.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:39808-39886 administrative second hand
20
The Robertson Panel unanimously concluded that there was no evidence of a direct threat to U.S. national security from UFO sightings.
“The panel unanimously concluded that there was no evidence of a direct threat to U.S. national secur”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:39900-39986 administrative second hand
21
The Robertson Panel found no evidence of a threat to security from UFOs and no evidence that they were of extraterrestrial origin.
“ity from UFOs or that they were of extraterrestrial origin.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:40004-40052 administrative second hand
22
The Robertson Panel was concerned with the outbreak of mass hysteria over UFOs and how the Soviets could exploit it.
“The panel was, however, concerned with the outbreak of mass hysteria and how the Soviets could exploit it.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:40063-40166 administrative second hand
23
The Robertson Panel recommended that the United States Government use various channels to debunk UFO reports.
“They recommended the USG use various channels to debunk UFO reports”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:40170-40230 administrative second hand
24
The Robertson Panel suggested monitoring domestic UFO enthusiast organisations.
“suggested monitoring domestic UFO enthusiast organizations”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:40242-40287 administrative second hand
25
The Robertson Panel discussed the complete lack of recovery of any physical hardware resulting from unexplained UFO sightings, which contributed to its assessment that the reported UFOs were neither a foreign threat nor of extraterrestrial origin.
“The Robertson Panel discussed the complete lack of the recovery of any "hardware" resulting from "unexplained UFO sightings" which contributed to its assessment that the reported UFOs were neither a foreign threat nor of extraterrestrial origin.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:40524-40762 administrative second hand
26
Central Intelligence Agency officer Frederick Durant drafted a report for the CIA's Assistant Director of the CIA Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) on the Robertson Panel's work and findings.
“CIA officer Frederick Durant drafted a report for CIA's Assistant Director of OSI on the Robertson Panel's work and findings.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:40834-40950 administrative second hand
27
Frederick Durant's memorandum provided a brief history of the Robertson Panel and an unofficial supplement with comments and suggestions from members that were not included in the final report.
“Durant's memorandum provided a brief history of the panel and an unofficial supplement that provided comments and suggestions from members which they had not included in the final report.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:40960-41140 administrative second hand
28
The Durant Report offered no distinct or separate findings of note and mostly summarised the findings of the Robertson Panel.
“The report offered no distinct or separate findings of note and mostly summarized the findings of the Robertson Panel.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:41415-41527 administrative second hand
29
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)-sponsored Robertson Panel proposed engaging in an active "training" and "debunking" effort using various public media tools to steer the public away from reporting UFOs.
“There was at least one USG proposal - by the CIA-sponsored Robertson Panel - to engage in an active "training" and "debunking" effort using various public media tools to steer the public away from reporting UFOs.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:77231-77438 administrative second hand
30
The Robertson Panel's debunking proposal reasoned that it did not believe UFOs were foreign technological threats or of extraterrestrial origin, but viewed the persistent flood of reports as cluttering and bogging down government processes.
“The proposal reasoned that it did not believe UFOs were foreign technological threats or of extraterrestrial origin; rather, it viewed the persistent flood of reports as cluttering and bogging down government processes”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:77444-77653 opinion second hand
31
The Robertson Panel's proposal expressed concern that the persistent flood of UFO reports could create "mass hysteria" to the benefit of the Soviet Union.
“expressing the concern that such reports could create "mass hysteria" to the benefit of the Soviet Union”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Volume I 2024-02-01 char:77664-77763 opinion second hand
32
The CIA's Robertson Panel, in 1953, claimed to fear that US air defence communications might be overwhelmed by UAP reports.
“Claiming to fear US air defense communications might be overwhelmed by UAP reports...”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:3178-3253 administrative second hand
33
The CIA's Robertson Panel advised the United States Air Force to enlist the Walt Disney Company and the mass media in a campaign to debunk UAP.
“this CIA panel advised the Air Force to enlist the Walt Disney Company and the mass media in a campaign to “debunk” UAP.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:3262-3378 administrative second hand
34
Richard Drain played a principal role in the 1953 policy decision, made after the 1953 Robertson Panel, to debunk UFOs and use stigma, ridicule and taboo to disengage public interest in the subject.
“He's very prominently featured in the coverage from the 1953 decision after the Robertson panel. to essentially debunk UFOs, like he played a principal role in the decision, the policy decision, to essentially play down the UFO subject and to use stigma and ridicule and taboo to try to disengage public interest, to stop the public from looking at the UFO subject.”
Watergate, the JFK assassination and a UFO secret at the center of it all | Reality Check 2026-06-18 00:39:14.5-00:39:41.2 administrative first hand
35
In 1953, the Central Intelligence Agency's Robertson Panel of scientists convened and recommended a public education campaign built on publicising already-debunked UFO cases while saying nothing about unexplained ones.
“So 1953, the CIA's Robertson panel of scientists convened and recommended a public education campaign built on one strategy, publicize the cases that have already been debunked and say nothing about the ones that haven't.”
Dr. Phil read the UAP files before the public, here's what he found | Reality Check 2026-07-21 00:14:01.2-00:14:17.4 administrative first hand
36
Robert Bigelow regards Project Sign, Project Grudge, the Robertson Panel and the Condon Report as cover-up efforts, every single one of them.
“you had Project Sign, Project Grudge, the Robinson Panel, and the Coup de Gras, the Condon Report, all completed. cover up efforts every single one of them cover up efforts”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:13:20.0-00:13:32.9 opinion first hand
37
Phil McGraw considers that the United States government's method of operation has been to hide Unidentified Aerial Phenomena information from the country going back as far as 1947.
“I guess the MO has been to hide this from the country going back as far as 1947, the Robertson panel”
David Grusch: The Whistleblower Who Told Congress We're Not Alone 2026-08-13 00:04:26.4-00:04:35.2 opinion first hand
38
The Robertson Panel took place in 1953.
“you're right in the 1953 Robertson panel”
David Grusch: The Whistleblower Who Told Congress We're Not Alone 2026-08-13 00:05:23.9-00:05:25.4 administrative first hand
39
The 1953 Robertson Panel changed the tone of official handling of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and developed a systematic ridicule process while the United States government secretly took the subject very seriously.
“the 1953 Robertson panel kind of changed the tone and developed a systematic ridicule process while the government was secretly taking this very seriously”
David Grusch: The Whistleblower Who Told Congress We're Not Alone 2026-08-13 00:05:24.5-00:05:32.9 testimony first hand