Organisations

United States Air Force (USAF)

The United States Air Force is the branch of the US armed forces responsible for air and space operations, and the agency most directly tied to America's postwar investigations of unidentified flying objects, from Project Sign through Project Blue Book.

1947 · The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, USA

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the branch of the US armed forces responsible for air and space operations, and the agency most directly associated with the government’s decades-long investigation of unidentified flying objects. Its formal engagement with the subject began in December 1947, when the Air Force Chief of Staff established Project Sign to look into the first recorded observations of what were then called Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO).¹ Between 1947 and 1949 the Air Force investigated 243 reported cases.² In 1952 its Director of Intelligence launched a successor programme, Project Blue Book, which by the time it closed in 1969 had investigated more than 12,000 sightings,^3,4 of which 701 remained officially unexplained.⁵ The Air Force announced the programme’s termination on 1969-12-17, publicly ending its UFO investigations while covertly continuing to track better civilian and military-pilot sightings under a joint order known as JANAP 146.⁶ The Secretary of the Air Force confirmed the closure the same month.⁷

The scientific face of Project Blue Book was J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer who served as the programme’s lead scientific consultant.⁸ Hynek later said the Air Force expected him to perform the role of debunker,⁹ and Edward J. Ruppelt, the programme’s first chief, wrote that he too was expected to explain away every report and that the Air Force sought press coverage aligned with its official position.¹⁰ The Air Force subsequently ran a public affairs campaign intended to persuade the public that UFOs were nothing unusual, with the stated aim of easing public anxiety.¹¹ In the late 1960s the Air Force recruited physicist Edward U. Condon and a team of scientists to conduct what was billed as an independent investigation, producing the Condon Report.¹² That report gave the Air Force the justification it was seeking to close Project Blue Book down.¹³ The programme’s files were later transferred into Air Force archives; although the papers themselves are unclassified, the building that holds them requires a security clearance to enter.¹⁴

The Air Force’s UFO work extended beyond Blue Book into more compartmented channels. The 4602d Air Intelligence Service Squadron ran a project deploying covert quick-reaction intelligence teams worldwide to recover unidentified objects and debris.¹⁵ The Air Force’s chief of intelligence staff was reportedly sceptical of the CIA-run Project Stargate remote-viewing programme, doubting its psychics could do what they claimed.¹⁶ Physicist James MacDonald, touring Australia in 1967, said the Air Force’s official position treated the UFO subject as nonsense and an unwanted burden,¹⁷ and found that expertise existed within the Air Force to examine the problem properly but had gone unused for 15 years.¹⁸ By 1967, he noted, Project Blue Book’s staff had shrunk to three people: a major, a sergeant and a secretary.¹⁹

In the modern era, the Air Force resurfaces repeatedly in accounts of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) and Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) reporting and disclosure. Alongside the United States Navy (USN), it has been described as at the forefront of developing policy for reporting UAP,²⁰ designating UAP a “Special Interest Item” that requires aircrews to document and report sightings within 24 hours of engine shutdown, using a system called Marauder.²¹ Even so, as of 2023 the Air Force had been described as less forthcoming than other agencies on the subject,²² and reporting has characterised it as having run a disinformation campaign for many decades to discredit sightings of unexplained objects.²³ Luis Elizondo said that from the moment he joined his Pentagon UAP-related team, the Air Force was stubbornly and mysteriously uncooperative,²⁴ and that his team’s requests to Air Force liaisons for information on incidents were repeatedly denied or ignored.²⁵

David Charles Grusch is a former US Air Force intelligence officer, serving 14 years and reaching the rank of Major,²⁶ including a spell from 2019 to 2021 on the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force in a National Reconnaissance Office reservist capacity within the Air Force,²⁷ for which he was described as a veteran with numerous awards and decorations for covert and clandestine operations.²⁸ After going public with whistleblower allegations, the Air Force unsuccessfully attempted to file an Espionage Act unauthorised-disclosure complaint against him.²⁹ Grusch has said he resigned his Air Force commission because he foresaw such an action being taken against him.³⁰

References (31)

Air Force Chief of Staff established Project Sign in December 1947 to investigate the first recorded UFO observations
“The DoD's first official UAP-focused activities occurred in December 1947, when the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff established PROJECT SIGN to investigate the first recorded observations of unidentified flying objects.”
Unclassified Summary of Report No. DODIG-2023-109 char:1302-1511 View the source record →
Air Force personnel investigated 243 reported UAP sightings between 1947 and 1949
“From 1947 to 1949, Air Force personnel investigated 243 reported UAP sightings.”
Unclassified Summary of Report No. DODIG-2023-109 char:1520-1589 View the source record →
Air Force Director of Intelligence initiated Project Blue Book in 1952 to investigate UFOs
“In 1952, the U.S. Air Force Director of Intelligence initiated PROJECT BLUE BOOK to investigate unidentified flying objects.”
Unclassified Summary of Report No. DODIG-2023-109 char:1600-1716 View the source record →
Air Force personnel investigated over 12,000 reported UFO sightings between 1952 and 1969
“Between 1952 and 1969, Air Force personnel investigated over 12,000 reported sightings.”
Unclassified Summary of Report No. DODIG-2023-109 char:1725-1802 View the source record →
Of the more than 12,000 sightings investigated, 701 remained unexplained
“although 701 remained unexplained”
Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program char:6818-6840 View the source record →
The Air Force publicly announced termination of Project Blue Book on 1969-12-17, while covertly continuing to investigate better civilian sightings under JANAP 146
“in December of 1969, December 17, 1969, the United States Air Force again told the public that it had terminated its UFO program and now covertly investigates the better civilian sightings and concentrates mostly on government source control cases and airline pilot cases under the order JANAP 146, a Joint Army Air Force Navy order, which outlines what military civilian pilots are supposed to do when they see a UFO sighting.”
Raymond Fowler on UFOs, Government Cover-Ups & the Andreasson Affair 00:13:44.3-00:14:18.7
The Air Force Secretary announced in December 1969 that Project Blue Book had been terminated
“A little over a year later, it was all over; in December 1969, the Air Force Secretary announced Project Blue Book had been terminated.”
In Plain Sight ch10:23585-23735 View the source record →
J. Allen Hynek was the lead scientist in charge of Project Blue Book, the Air Force's official UAP investigation team
“Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the lead scientist in charge of the Air Force's official UAP investigation team, Project Blue Book, visited the region.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs ch12:23023-23155 View the source record →
J. Allen Hynek said the Air Force expected him to perform the role of debunker
“J. Allen Hynek of Project BLUE BOOK, said that the USAF expected him to perform the role of debunker”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with UAP, Volume I char:112735-112827 View the source record →
Edward Ruppelt, first chief of Project Blue Book, wrote he was expected to explain away every report and that the Air Force sought to produce aligned press stories
“Capt Ruppelt, the first chief of BLUE BOOK, later wrote that he was expected to explain away every report and that the USAF sought to produce press stories in alignment with the USAF's position.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with UAP, Volume I char:112841-113026 View the source record →
The Air Force subsequently implemented a public affairs campaign to persuade the public UFOs were nothing unusual, to alleviate public anxiety
“The USAF subsequently implemented a public affairs campaign designed to persuade the public that UFOs constituted nothing unusual or extraordinary. The stated goal of this effort was to alleviate public anxiety.”
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with UAP, Volume I char:31627-31830 View the source record →
Edward Condon and his team were recruited by the Air Force to conduct an independent investigation into UAP that became the Condon Report
“Dr Edward Condon and his team of scientists had been recruited by the air force to do an objective and independent investigation.”
In Plain Sight ch10:22675-22790 View the source record →
The Condon Report gave the Air Force the justification it was seeking to end Project Blue Book
“The Condon Report gave the US Air Force the excuse it was looking for to bail out of Project Blue Book.”
In Plain Sight ch10:23334-23432 View the source record →
David Grusch was a US Air Force intelligence officer for 14 years, reaching the rank of Major
“I was an intelligence officer for 14 years both in the U.S. Air Force, both active-duty Air National Guard and Reserve at the rank of Major and most recently from 2021 to 2025—excuse me, 2023—at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, NGA, at the GS–15 civilian level, which is the military equivalent of a full bird colonel.”
Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Implications on National Security, Public Safety, and Government Transparency char:36267-36589 View the source record →
David Grusch was a member of the UAP Task Force from 2019 to 2021 in a National Reconnaissance Office reservist capacity within the Air Force
“In the U.S. Air Force in my National Reconnaissance Office—NRO—reservist capacity, I was a member of the UAP Task Force from 2019 to 2021.”
Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Implications on National Security, Public Safety, and Government Transparency char:38214-38347 View the source record →
The Air Force unsuccessfully tried to file an Espionage Act unauthorised disclosure complaint against Grusch when he went public
“What I talked about in the June 9 presser is the Air Force did unsuccessfully try to file an SPI espionage act unauthorized disclosure complaint against me when I did go public”
David Grusch: The Whistleblower Who Told Congress We're Not Alone 00:15:16.4-00:15:27.4
Grusch resigned his Air Force officer commission because he foresaw an attack of that nature
“unfortunately I had to resign. my Air Force officer commissioned because I foresaw an attack of that nature.”
David Grusch: The Whistleblower Who Told Congress We're Not Alone 00:15:30.7-00:15:36.8
From the moment Elizondo joined the team, the Air Force was stubbornly and mysteriously uncooperative on the topic of UAP
“From the moment I came on board the team, I learned that the Air Force was stubbornly and mysteriously uncooperative on the topic of UAP.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs ch21:1851-1984 View the source record →
Elizondo's team sent carefully crafted emails to Air Force liaisons requesting information on UAP incidents, and the requests were repeatedly denied or ignored
“I cannot enumerate the times we sent carefully crafted emails to Air Force liaisons requesting information or follow-up details on UAP incidents, only to have the requests denied or ignored entirely.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs ch21:2029-2219 View the source record →
The Air Force and Navy have been at the forefront of developing policies, procedures and mechanisms for reporting UAP
“Also, the Air Force and Navy have been at the forefront of developing policies, procedures, and mechanisms for reporting UAP.”
Unclassified Summary of Report No. DODIG-2023-109 char:1037-1158 View the source record →
The Air Force designated UAP a 'Special Interest Item', requiring aircrews to document and report UAP observations within 24 hours of engine shutdown, using the Marauder system
“For example, an Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Technical Advisor stated that the Air Force designated UAP as a "Special Interest Item," which requires aircrews to document and report UAP observations within 24 hours of engine shutdown and mission completion using the Marauder system.”
Unclassified Summary of Report No. DODIG-2023-109 char:15061-15403 View the source record →
As of 2023, the Air Force has been less forthcoming than other agencies regarding UAP
“It is unusual for an Air Force insider to come forward, as the Air Force has been less forthcoming than other agencies with regard to UAP.”
Intelligence Officials Say U.S. Has Retrieved Craft of Non-Human Origin char:15583-15671 View the source record →
For many decades, the Air Force carried out a disinformation campaign to discredit reported sightings of unexplained objects
“For many decades, the Air Force carried out a disinformation campaign to discredit reported sightings of unexplained objects.”
Intelligence Officials Say U.S. Has Retrieved Craft of Non-Human Origin char:3623-3740 View the source record →
David Grusch is a veteran of the Air Force with numerous awards and decorations for participation in covert and clandestine operations
“A veteran of the Air Force, he has numerous awards and decorations for his participation in covert and clandestine operations to advance American security.”
Intelligence Officials Say U.S. Has Retrieved Craft of Non-Human Origin char:6248-6394 View the source record →
The chief of staff for intelligence of the Air Force did not believe Project Stargate's remote viewers could do what they claimed
“chief of staff for intelligence for the u.s air force though they he did not believe it what that we could do what we could do”
How The CIA Spent Millions On Psychic Spies - PROJECT: STARGATE 00:36:28.3-00:36:35.0
The 4602d Air Intelligence Service Squadron ran a secret project deploying covert quick reaction intelligence teams around the world to recover unidentified objects and debris
“The 4602d AISS ran a secret project in which the US Air Force deployed covert quick reaction intelligence teams around the world to recover unidentified objects and debris from space.”
In Plain Sight ch10:814-991 View the source record →
James E. McDonald said the official Air Force position on UFOs is that the subject is nonsense and a burdensome duty it cannot get away from
“The official position is that it's a lot of nonsense, burdensome duty that the Air Force is unable to get away with.”
UFOs in Australia – Eyewitnesses Talk to Dr. James E. McDonald During His Investigative Tour 00:22:01.0-00:22:07.3
McDonald found that expertise to examine the UFO problem existed at the Air Force's disposal but had not been used for 15 years
“There is expertise at the disposal of the American Air Force, but when you go digging, as I have, you find it just isn't being used and hasn't been used for 15 years.”
UFOs in Australia – Eyewitnesses Talk to Dr. James E. McDonald During His Investigative Tour 00:22:13.6-00:22:20.3
In 1967, Project Blue Book consisted of three people: a major, a sergeant and a secretary
“Project Blue Book consists of three people at present. The American Air Force Investigatory Program is a major, a sergeant, and a secretary.”
UFOs in Australia – Eyewitnesses Talk to Dr. James E. McDonald During His Investigative Tour 00:22:20.7-00:22:27.8
J. Allen Hynek was the Air Force's expert on UFO matters
“Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the U.S. Air Force’s expert on UFO matters”
THE INVISIBLE COLLEGE ch8:22310-22365
The files of Project Blue Book were transferred into Air Force archives; though unclassified, the building holding them requires a security clearance to enter
“The files of Project Blue Book have now been transferred into the Air Force archives. The files are not classified but the building is, with the interesting result that one needs a security clearance in order to see these "unclassified" papers.”
THE INVISIBLE COLLEGE ch10:22247-22484

United States Air Force (USAF)

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