Organisations

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

The Defense Intelligence Agency is a United States Department of Defense combat support agency that served as the primary administrative home of the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) and the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), the Pentagon's principal UAP research efforts from 2008 to 2012.

government military intelligence agency

1961 · Washington, D.C. · [Department of Defense (DoD)](/organisations/department-of-defense-dod) · Federal intelligence agency

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is a combat support agency within the Department of Defense (DoD) responsible for providing military intelligence to warfighters, defence policymakers, and force planners. In the context of UAP research, the DIA became centrally significant as the administrative custodian of the Pentagon’s principal UAP research effort. The 2017 New York Times reporting that first brought the programme to public attention described the Pentagon Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) UFO Program, 2007–2017 as having begun as part of the DIA.¹ Prior to the programme’s formal establishment, Harry Reid had met with DIA officials who informed him they wished to start a research programme on UAPs.²

The DIA’s formal involvement was underwritten by congressional funding. At the direction of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Defence Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 appropriated $22 million for the DIA to assess long-term and over-the-horizon foreign advanced aerospace threats.³ In August 2008, the DIA issued an invitation to tender for the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) contract; Robert Bigelow was the sole bidder and secured US$10 million in funding for the first year with a five-year option.⁴ The DIA formally established AAWSAP in 2009 in coordination with the Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (OUSD(I)).⁵ According to Luis Elizondo, AAWSAP was described as a small but highly sensitive programme that reported directly to the Director of the DIA and to Congress,⁶ a characterisation echoed by James Lacatski, who stated that the programme drew its authority directly from Congress.⁷ The programme enjoyed the support of DIA Director Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples and was funded through the efforts of Senators Reid, Ted Stevens, and Daniel Inouye.⁸

Although the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) contract’s statement of work did not specifically outline UFO or UAP investigation, the selected private sector organisation — Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies — conducted such research with the support of the DIA programme manager.⁹ However, according to the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Historical Record Report, the DIA did not seek nor specifically authorise the paranormal and UFO work undertaken by the contractor, though a DIA employee set up and managed the contract.¹⁰ The question of Luis Elizondo’s precise role within this structure has been disputed. Pentagon spokesperson Susan Gough stated that the DIA administered AATIP and that Elizondo was never assigned to the DIA,¹¹ while also acknowledging that he did interact with the DIA office managing AATIP during the programme’s operation without leading it.¹² A separate account attributed to a public relations representative for To the Stars Academy stated that AATIP was initially run out of the DIA but that when Elizondo took over its direction in 2010 he ran it from the Office of the Secretary of Defense under the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.¹³ Elizondo himself has stated that he, Jay Stratton, and a colleague eventually decided to move the remnants of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) away from the DIA and into his portfolio within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.¹⁴

Internal opposition to AAWSAP/AATIP within the DIA grew over time. According to Elizondo, an increasing number of programme detractors worked at senior level within the DIA and new executive leadership actively sought to cancel the programme.¹⁵ The DIA ultimately cancelled AAWSAP/AATIP in 2012, citing lack of merit and the limited utility of deliverables.¹⁶ Following cancellation, the programme’s supporters proposed to the Department of Homeland Security that a new version be established under a Special Access Programme (SAP) codenamed KONA BLUE, which would restart UAP investigations and paranormal research.¹⁸ AARO’s assessment noted that KONA BLUE traces its origins directly to the DIA-managed AAWSAP/AATIP.¹⁷ KONA BLUE was never approved and did not advance beyond a proposal stage.

Beyond AAWSAP/AATIP, the DIA appears in several other UAP-adjacent contexts. The Wilson Davis Memo, a disputed document, claims that on 2002-10-16, physicist Eric Davis met recently retired DIA Director Vice Admiral Thomas Wilson in a Las Vegas car park to discuss alleged classified programmes involving non-human technology.²¹ Elizondo has also noted that the Stargate Programme — a government-funded remote viewing effort — was run for years by the CIA and later by the DIA.²⁰ In 2024, the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) partnered with the DIA and other agencies as part of its historical records programme of analysis,¹⁹ and the DoD Inspector General requested UAP-related data from the DIA alongside other defence intelligence organisations including the National Security Agency as part of its evaluation of DoD actions regarding UAP.²²

References (22)

The Pentagon AATIP UFO programme began as part of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
“which began as part of the Defense Intelligence Agency”
Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program (2017) paragraph 15
Harry Reid met with DIA officials who told him they wanted to start a UAP research programme.
“Mr. Reid said he met with agency officials shortly after his meeting with Mr. Bigelow and learned that they wanted to start a research program on U.F.O.s.”
Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program (2017) paragraph 23
At Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's direction, Defence Appropriations Acts for FY2008 and FY2010 appropriated $22 million for the DIA to assess advanced aerospace threats.
“At the direction of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), the Defense Appropriations Acts of Fiscal Years 2008 and 2010 appropriated $22 million for the DIA to assess long-term and over-the-horizon foreign advanced aerospace threats to the United States.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP page 23, AAWSAP/AATIP section
The DIA issued an invitation to tender for the AAWSAP contract in August 2008; Bigelow was the sole bidder and secured US$10 million for the first year.
“An invitation to tender for the contract was issued by the Defence Intelligence Agency in August 2008 and Bigelow was the sole bidder, securing $10 million funding for the first year, with a five-year option for the contract.”
Ross Coulthart UAP Book - Prologue, Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 Chapter 12, paragraph 7
The DIA established AAWSAP in 2009 in coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.
“In coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, DIA established AAWSAP in 2009, which was also known AATIP.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP page 23, AAWSAP/AATIP section
AAWSAP was described as reporting directly to the director of the DIA and to Congress.
“They described it as a small but highly sensitive program focused on 'unconventional technologies,' and said they reported directly to the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and to Congress.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 1, paragraph 16
James Lacatski stated that AAWSAP, nested inside the DIA, drew its authority directly from Congress.
“Nestled deep inside DIA, a member of the US intelligence community (the IC), AAWSAP drew its authority directly from Congress, according to Jim.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 1, paragraph 22
AAWSAP enjoyed the support of DIA Director Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples and was funded through Senators Reid, Stevens, and Inouye.
“Jim shared that the program enjoyed the support of the DIA's then director, Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples, and was funded through the efforts of a bipartisan group of senators: Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI).”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 1, paragraph 35
Although investigating UFO/UAP was not specifically outlined in the AAWSAP contract's statement of work, the private sector organisation conducted UFO research with the support of the DIA programme manager.
“Although investigating UFO/UAP was not specifically outlined in the contract's statement of work, the selected private sector organization conducted UFO research with the support of the DIA program manager.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP page 24, AAWSAP/AATIP section
The DIA did not seek nor specifically authorise the paranormal and UFO work by the AAWSAP contractor, though a DIA employee set up and managed the contract.
“DIA did not seek, nor specifically authorize, this work though a DIA employee set up and managed the contract with the private sector organization.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP page 24, AAWSAP/AATIP section
Susan Gough stated that the DIA administered AATIP and that Luis Elizondo was never assigned to the DIA.
“DIA [Defense Intelligence Agency] administered AATIP, and Elizondo was never assigned to DIA.”
Pentagon Reinforces Elizondo Had No AATIP Responsibilities; Reid 2009 Memo Changes Nothing paragraph 7
Susan Gough stated that Elizondo did interact with the DIA office managing AATIP while the programme was ongoing, but did not lead it.
“Elizondo did interact with the DIA office managing the program while the program was still ongoing, but he did not lead it.”
Pentagon Reinforces Elizondo Had No AATIP Responsibilities; Reid 2009 Memo Changes Nothing paragraph 7
AATIP was initially run out of the DIA, but when Elizondo took it over in 2010 he ran it out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense under the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.
“The program was initially run out of [the Defense Intelligence Agency] but when Lue took it over in 2010 as Director, he ran it out of the Office for the Secretary of Defense (OSD) under the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USDI). Hope that clarifies.”
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? paragraph 7
Elizondo, Stratton, and John Robert decided to move the remnants of AATIP away from the DIA and into Elizondo's portfolio within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
“Jay, John Robert, and I decided to move the remnants of the effort away from DIA and house it within my portfolio of national programs”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 8, paragraph 33
Over time, an increasing number of AAWSAP detractors worked at senior level within the DIA and new executive leadership actively tried to kill the programme.
“An increasing number of AAWSAP detractors now worked at the senior level within DIA. More and more scrutiny was being placed on AAWSAP every day and new executive leadership at DIA was getting settled into their roles. … the powers that be in the ivory tower now actively tried to kill the program.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 4, DIA opposition section
The DIA cancelled AAWSAP/AATIP in 2012 due to lack of merit and the utility of the deliverables.
“DIA cancelled the program in 2012 due to lack of merit and the utility of the deliverables.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP Section VI, Findings: KONA BLUE
KONA BLUE traces its origins to the DIA-managed AAWSAP/AATIP, which was funded through a special appropriation and executed by a private sector organisation.
“KONA BLUE traces its origins to the DIA-managed AAWSAP/AATIP program, which was funded through a special appropriation and executed by its primary contractor, a private sector organization.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP Section VI, Findings: KONA BLUE
When the DIA cancelled AAWSAP/AATIP, its supporters proposed to the Department of Homeland Security that they create a new version under a Special Access Programme codenamed KONA BLUE.
“When DIA cancelled this program, its supporters proposed to DHS that they create and fund a new version of AAWSAP/AATIP under a SAP. This proposal, codenamed KONA BLUE, would restart UAP investigations, paranormal research (including alleged "human consciousness anomalies") and reverse-engineer any recovered off-world spacecraft that they hoped to acquire.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP Section VI, Findings: KONA BLUE
AARO partnered with the DIA and other agencies in its historical records programme of analysis.
“Partner with the archives of key intelligence and national security agencies such as the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Department of Energy (DOE), National Security Agency (NSA), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the Services, and DoD Combatant Commands.”
AARO Historical Record Report Volume I: U.S. Government Involvement with UAP page 13, Section III AARO's HR2 Program of Analysis
The Stargate Programme was embedded in the federal government, run for years by the CIA and later the DIA.
“Stargate was embedded in the federal government, run for years by the CIA, and later the DIA.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 3, paragraph 29
The Wilson Davis Memo claims that on 16 October 2002, Eric Davis met recently retired DIA Director Vice Admiral Thomas Wilson in a Las Vegas car park.
“In his memo, Davis claims to have met the recently retired Director of the US Defence Intelligence Agency, Vice Admiral Thomas Wilson, on 16 October 2002, in a car parked in the carpark of a corporate office building in Las Vegas.”
Ross Coulthart UAP Book - Prologue, Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 Chapter 21, paragraph 5
The DoD Inspector General interviewed senior officials and requested UAP-related data from defence intelligence agencies including the DIA, NGA, NRO, and NSA.
“We interviewed senior officials and requested UAP-related data and organizational policies, procedures, and guidance from the following DoD organizations: OUSD(I&S); AARO; Military Services (Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force); Military Service Intelligence Components (Army G2, Navy N2, Air Force A2); MDCOs (Army Counterintelligence, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Office of Special Investigations); Defense intelligence agencies (Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, and National Security Agency)”
DODIG-2023-109 Unclassified Summary: Evaluation of DoD Actions Regarding UAP page 11, Scope and Methodology

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

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