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Email Correspondence RE: UAP IIR Declassification Review
Email chain regarding the process for declassifying Intelligence Information Reports (IIRs) related to UAP.
Analysis
A civilian near a national security facility in the Pacific Time Zone watched a large blue featureless triangle with powerful whitish-blue perimeter lights hover stationary for three minutes in March 2023, then move in a "jerking" or "jumping" manner that didn't look like jet propulsion. Total observation: about eight minutes at night, recorded on a phone. The witness was definitive about what it wasn't -- not a drone, no vapor trail, no defined flight path. AFOSI processed the sighting as a formal intelligence information report. The six-page email chain is the classification review process that eventually cleared a sanitized version for release.
Key Findings
- Civilian observer reported a large blue featureless triangular object with powerful "whitish blue" perimeter lights
- Object hovered stationary above or near a national security facility for approximately three minutes
- Movement described as "backing up" in a "jerking" or "jumping" manner, inconsistent with smooth jet propulsion
- Total observation duration approximately eight minutes at night, recorded on a personal cellular device
- Observer stated it was not a drone, had no vapor trail, no defined flight path, and no cloaking capabilities
- AFOSI processed the IIR through a derivative classification review rather than full declassification
Page Extractions 6 pages
Page 1
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doc_typeletter
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionEmail message from OSI CI Collections and Operations PM approving derivative classification review of material to be released at UNCLASSIFIED level.
people[name redacted] | OSI CI Collections and Operations PM / Intelligence Oversight PM | (b)(6)
organizations
- OSI CI | Office of Special Investigations, Counterintelligence
- HQ | Headquarters (organizational reference)
assessments
- Derivative classification review authority confirmed by HQ
- Material approved for UNCLASSIFIED level release
- Request approved
redactions
- Sender name (b)(6) (appears twice)
- Email address (b)(6)
quotes
- "Good morning!" | email greeting
- "Thank you for your patience on this-- like I said, this was a first for me." | sender acknowledgment
- "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." | classification decision rationale
- "Based upon the summary you provided below, I concur with using this at the UNCLASSIFIED level in your product." | approval decision
- "Consider your request approved." | official approval
- "Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you!" | offer of additional assistance
- "Thanks," | email closing
Page 2
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doc_typeletter
classificationnone visible (redaction marker 1.4(a) shown)
page_descriptionEmail message from OSI CI Collections and Operations PM discussing declassification process for IIRs (Intelligence Information Reports) and exploring alternative security review options.
people[name redacted] | OSI CI Collections and Operations PM / Intelligence Oversight PM | (b)(6)
organizations
- OSI CI | Office of Special Investigations, Counterintelligence
- AFOSI | Air Force Office of Special Investigations
assessments
- IIR declassification process is lengthy
- AFOSI Commander signature required for declassification
- Alternative security review of UNCLASS summary being explored
- This approach represents a first-time attempt to streamline the process
references
- IIRs | Intelligence Information Reports
- UNCLASS summary | unclassified summary document provided by requester
redactions
- Sender name (b)(6)
- Redaction marker 1.4(a) at top of page
quotes
- "Good morning," | email greeting
- "Thank you for your request." | acknowledgment
- "Our process for declassifying IIRs is lengthy and requires AFOSI Commander signature" | process explanation
- "so I'm exploring options akin to a security review of the UNCLASS summary you have provided below." | alternative approach
- "This is a first for me so I appreciate your patience as I try to streamline this request for you!" | acknowledgment of novel approach
- "Thanks," | email closing
Page 3
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Page 4
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doc_typereport
classificationS//NF (current classification) / UNCLASSIFIED (requested classification)
page_descriptionUnclassified summary of a civilian UAP sighting in the Pacific Time Zone during March 2023, documenting observations of a large blue triangular object near a national security facility.
dates2023-03 | sighting date (March 2023)
locations
- Pacific Time Zone | location of sighting
- national security facility | unnamed facility near which object was observed
peopleindividual [unnamed] | civilian observer/reporter
observations
- Object appearance: large blue featureless triangular object
- Silhouette: solid, unwavering
- Lighting: powerful "whitish blue" light emitting from multiple points along perimeter
- Behavior: hovering stationary above or near national security facility for approximately three minutes
- Motion: moved to position higher in observer's field of view
- Motion type: "backing up" in "jerking" or "jumping" manner inconsistent with "smooth" jet propulsion
- Total observation duration: approximately eight minutes
- Observation method: personal cellular device
- Reporter type: Civilian
- Time of day: Night
- Altitude: Not reported
assessments
- Observer could not discern whether or how object was controlled
- Could not identify means of propulsion
- Could not determine whether object had a defined "front or rear"
- Observer stated they "didn't think" the object was a drone
- Object did not appear to travel along a defined flight path
- Object did not possess "photograph or data collection capabilities"
- Object did not emit a "vapor trail"
- Object did not demonstrate "cloaking capabilities"
redactionsRedaction marker 1.4(a) at top
quotes
- "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 appearance
- "The reporter described the object as 'hovering' stationary above or near a national security facility for approximately three minutes." | reported behavior
- "They then reported observing it move to a position higher in their field of view." | observed movement
- "The reporter characterized the object's motion as 'backing up' in a 'jerking' or 'jumping' manner inconsistent with 'smooth' jet propulsion." | motion characterization
- "The individual reported that they observed the object for approximately eight minutes." | observation duration
- "They stated that they 'didn't think' the object was a drone." | observer opinion
- "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.'" | negated characteristics
Page 5
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doc_typeletter
classificationSECRET//NOFORN
page_descriptionContinuation of UAP report with detailed characteristics summary and communication from Information Disclosure Analyst requesting receipt confirmation, with attachments of IIR and draft report.
people[name redacted] | Information Disclosure Analyst | Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security | (b)(6)
organizationsOffice of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security | DoD intelligence office
observations
- Speed: Not reported
- Size: Large
- Shape: Triangular
- Color: Blue
- Material: Not reported
- Markings: Featureless
- Behavior: Emitting light, erratic movement
references
- IIR | Intelligence Information Report (attached)
- draft report | attached
assessments
- Request characterized as routine
- Receipt confirmation requested
redactions
- Sender name (b)(6) (appears three times)
- Phone number or email field (b)(6)
- Additional redaction fields (b)(6)
quotes
- "Speed: Not reported" | characteristics list
- "Size: Large" | characteristics list
- "Shape: Triangular" | characteristics list
- "Color: Blue" | characteristics list
- "Material: Not reported" | characteristics list
- "Markings: Featureless" | characteristics list
- "Behavior: Emitting light, erratic movement" | characteristics list
- "The IIR and draft report are attached." | document reference
- "This is a routine request, please confirm receipt." | requester statement
- "If you have any questions, please contact me." | offer of assistance
Page 6
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