Air Materiel Command Report on Unidentified Flying Objects, 1947-1948

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

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SECRET

Flying Discs

Director of Intelligence

3 MAR 1948

Director of Plans and Operations

Major Cook:csk 72233

1. The proposal of Air Materiel Command for stationing fighter aircraft at all bases on a continuous alert status is not considered feasible for the following reasons:

a. The outlay of aircraft and personnel would be too great consistent with the results to be obtained.

b. Proper interception is not possible, except by accident, without complete mutual coverage which the Air Force is not capable of providing.

c. It is doubtful if fighter aircraft would be able to follow up reports emanating, for the most part, from civilian sources.

2. It is recommended that Air Materiel Command's responsibility for "collecting" information on unusual phenomena in the atmosphere be confined to the establishment of direct channels for the receipt of such information.

3. It is further recommended that in lieu of the proposal of Air Materiel Command, all other major commands be directed to cooperate with Air Materiel Command and to channel information directly to that command.

S. E. ANDERSON

Major General, U.S.A.F.

Director of Plans and Operations.

Ref: R&R, to Dir/P&O, dtd 12 Feb 48, subj: Flying Discs (already in files)

FILE COPY - DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE

SECRET