DOW-UAP-D051, Email Correspondence, Pacific Time Zone, March 2023
Official description
This document is email correspondence describing the content of a mission report and requesting clarification on its content. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
✦ AI summary
Declassified six-page email chain between AFOSI (Air Force Office of Special Investigations) Counterintelligence Collections and Operations/Intelligence Oversight personnel and an Information Disclosure Analyst at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, processing a declassification/security-review request for an Intelligence Information Report (IIR) summary of a civilian UAP sighting. AFOSI determined they could process the request as a derivative classification review rather than a lengthy formal declassification requiring AFOSI Commander signature, and ultimately concurred with releasing the summary at the UNCLASSIFIED level (from original S//NF classification). The underlying incident: in March 2023, at night in the Pacific Time Zone, a civilian reported observing, via personal cell phone, a large, blue, featureless triangular object with a solid, unwavering silhouette emitting powerful whitish-blue light from multiple points along its perimeter. The object hovered stationary above or near a national security facility for about three minutes, then moved higher in the observer's field of view, exhibiting a 'backing up' motion described as jerking or jumping, inconsistent with smooth jet propulsion. Total observation time was about 8 minutes. The reporter could not determine propulsion, control, or front/rear orientation, did not believe it was a drone, and did not observe a defined flight path, data-collection capability, vapor trail, or cloaking. Declassified and released to AARO.
Generated with AI from the official file — may contain errors.
▸Transcript(6 of 6 pages legible)
[PAGE 1] [Email, AFOSI approval]: '[Redacted, (b)(6)] Good morning! Thank you for your patience on this -- like I said, this was a first for me. Upon consulting internally here at HQ, our folks confirmed we do have the authority to process this as a derivative classification review, instead of a declassification request. Based upon the summary you provided below, I concur with using this at the UNCLASSIFIED level in your product. Consider your request approved. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you! Thanks, [redacted, (b)(6)] - OSI CI Collections and Operations PM, Intelligence Oversight PM [redacted, (b)(6)]' [PAGE 2] [Email, AFOSI initial reply, FOIA Exemption 1.4(a)]: 'Good morning, Thank you for your request. Our process for declassifying IIRs is lengthy and requires AFOSI Commander signature so I'm exploring options akin to a security review of the UNCLASS summary you have provided below. This is a first for me so I appreciate your patience as I try to streamline this request for you! Thanks, [redacted, (b)(6)] - OSI CI Collections and Operations PM, Intelligence Oversight PM' [PAGE 3] [FOIA Exemption 1.4(a) - page largely redacted/blank] [PAGE 4] [FOIA Exemption 1.4(a)] CURRENT CLASSIFICATION: S//NF (SECRET//NOFORN). REQUESTED CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED. Reported Appearance: 'An individual reported observing a large blue featureless triangular object with a solid, unwavering silhouette emitting powerful "whitish blue" light from multiple points along its perimeter.' Reported Behavior: 'The reporter described the object as "hovering" stationary above or near a national security facility for approximately three minutes. They then reported observing it move to a position higher in their field of view. The reporter characterized the object's motion as "backing up" in a "jerking" or "jumping" manner inconsistent with "smooth" jet propulsion. The individual reported that they observed the object for approximately eight minutes.' Other Observations: 'The reporter commented that they could not discern whether or how the object was controlled, could not identify its means of propulsion, and could not determine whether it had a defined "front or rear." They stated that they "didn't think" the object was a drone. The reporter also commented on behaviors and capabilities they did not directly observe. They stated that the object did not seem to travel along a defined flight path, possess any "photograph or data collection capabilities," emit a "vapor trail," or demonstrate "cloaking capabilities."' Event Summary: Location: Pacific Time Zone. Date: March 2023. Time of Day: Night. Duration: Approx. 8 minutes. Reporter Type: Civilian. Obtained by: Personal cellular device. Reported Characteristics: Altitude: Not reported. [PAGE 5] Reported Characteristics (continued): Speed: Not reported. Size: Large. Shape: Triangular. Color: Blue. Material: Not reported. Markings: Featureless. Behavior: Emitting light, erratic movement. 'The IIR and draft report are attached. This is a routine request, please confirm receipt. If you have any questions, please contact me.' - Information Disclosure Analyst, [redacted, (b)(6)] - Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. [redacted, (b)(6)] CLASSIFICATION: SECRET//NOFORN (banner appears twice on this page). [PAGE 6] [Blank / no extractable text - likely a cover sheet, attachment placeholder, or fully redacted page]
Generated with AI from the official file — may contain errors.
Source: U.S. Department of War / AARO — public domain · war.gov/ufo
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