Overview
These documents detail the history, findings, and closure of the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book, the official investigation into UFO sightings from 1947 to 1969, and subsequent public and government correspondence related to UFO investigations and available records.
Project Blue Book Termination and Findings
- Project Blue Book, investigating UFOs for the Air Force, ended on December 17, 1969.
- The program was discontinued after a University of Colorado scientific study, reviews by the National Academy of Sciences, and Air Force experience.
- Conclusions: No UFO investigated ever posed a national security threat.
- No evidence was found that "unidentified" sightings represented advanced technology beyond current science.
- No credible evidence indicated UFOs were extraterrestrial vehicles.
- All Project Blue Book documentation was transferred to the National Archives for public access.
Sighting and Investigation Summary (1947–1969)
- The Air Force investigated 12,618 UFO reports in this period.
- Of these, 701 sightings remained "unidentified" after investigation.
- Annual breakdowns and sighting summaries are available via the National Archives.
Public and Interagency Correspondence
- The FBI reiterates it has never been responsible for UFO investigations, which were conducted solely by the Air Force.
- Requests for information on UFOs are directed to the National Archives and NASA.
- NASA, after a request from President Carter, also found no basis for reopening UFO investigations.
Ongoing Civilian and Private Interest
- Civilian organizations and private researchers have continued interest in UFOs, forming part of a "new Project Blue Book" as a non-governmental effort.
- Private organizations, scientific associations, and universities periodically review UFO phenomena.
- Gale’s Encyclopedia of Associations lists relevant private groups involved in the field.
Information Access and Continued Inquiries
- Many former Air Force, NASA, and intelligence personnel remain informally interested or involved in UFO research.
- Some government records remain inaccessible or heavily redacted, frustrating both public and internal inquiries (e.g., J. Edgar Hoover, Senator Barry Goldwater).
- The need to go beyond the Air Force—to agencies such as the CIA and Department of Defense—is emphasized by some correspondents.
- Presidents Carter and Bush were mentioned as having received incomplete or evasive responses to questions about UFOs.
Decisions
- Terminate Project Blue Book: Air Force ended its UFO investigation program in 1969.
- Transfer Records to National Archives: All project documentation made publicly accessible.
Action Items
- TBD – Interested Parties: Direct inquiries about UFO records to the National Archives and NASA.
- TBD – FBI/DOJ Personnel: Optionally assign personnel to further research interagency UFO records beyond the Air Force.