Joint U.S.-Canadian Aviation Projects and UFO Sighting Reports, 1954-1955

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

SECRET

JAN 13 1955

MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL SAMFORD

SUBJECT: Article "The Flying Disc" in December Issue of the Air Intelligence Digest

1. During the latter part of November I was approached by Major Hosford and asked for a new summary or statement of position on UFO's, preferably classified, for use in the Air Intelligence Digest in connection with an article on a revolutionary new type of aircraft. I stated our position regarding UFO's and indicated that our best efforts in this field were constantly directed to discouraging, minimizing, and playing down any and all attempts at publicity, not excluding classified vehicles such as AID.

2. Major Hosford accepted this statement, indicating that the article on the new aircraft would be published without the companion piece on UFO's and suggested that I glance at the final draft.

3. I read the final draft and since I had not been previously briefed on this project I queried Major Hosford regarding AFOIN and Air Staff coordination. He replied in the affirmative and indicated that we were on solid ground but that the project heretofore had been handled very circumspectly. My final suggestion was to eliminate the last paragraph of the article with a UFO tie-in, which was probably overlooked before publication.

4. Since the receipt of the memorandum from the Executive Secretary of the Scientific Advisory Board (Tab A), my investigations have revealed the following:

a. The extent of coordination on the article in AID was as follows:

Mr. Bollum - 2C1
Mr Bachman - 2C1
Lt Colonel Farrior - 2C1
Colonel Zoller - 2C
Mr. Gilmore - 2B
Colonel Adams - 2A

b. Mr. Bollum was under an erroneous impression that the project had been favorably considered by the Air Council and so advised Major Hosford.

c. Colonel R. M. Wray, Chief of the Aeronautical Division, Directorate of Research and Development, advises that the present state of the project within DCS/D is as follows:

SECRET

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