OSD Briefing Card: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)

COLD OPEN: This is a declassified briefing card from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, dated May 17, 2021, regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, or UAPs. The document was released via FOIA by The Black Vault. You can find the full text at war.gov and documents2.theblackvault.com. PROVENANCE: The document was released on an unspecified date, with a FOIA case number not provided. The document was declassified by the Department of Defense. THE DOCUMENT: Coordinated with: OUSD(I&S), Navy Prepared by: 1 OSD(PA) BRIEFING CARD UAP Report to Congress May 17, 2021 Executive Summary Public and news media interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) remains high. DoD formally established a UAP Task Force (UAPTF), per the FY19 NDAA, on Aug. 4, 2020. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) report attached to the FY21 Intelligence Authorization Act (signed into statute as part of the omnibus spending bill signed on December twenty-seventh, twenty-twenty) directed the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with SECDEF, to submit a report to Congress on UAPs within 180 days of enactment. The SSCI report specifically mentions the UAPTF. Recently, John Ratcliffe, former DNI, spoke with Fox News about the report, generating multiple queries asking for DoD comment on his claims in the interview. CBS “60 Minutes” aired a segment on May 16 on DoD’s efforts to examine UAPs. Top Line Messages / Talking Points  We are aware of the report requirement, and the UAPTF team is actively working with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the report. I refer you to ODNI for anything else regarding the report.  We take reports of incursions into our airspace – by any aircraft, identified or unidentified – very seriously, and investigate each one.  Safety (of our personnel) and security (of our operations) are of paramount concern.  To protect our people, maintain operational security and safeguard intelligence methods, we do not publicly discuss the details of the UAP observations, the task force or examinations. Questions and Answers Q. Has the Department found any evidence of extraterrestrial technology? A. The examinations into incursions by UAPs are still ongoing; the Department does not comment on intelligence matters. Q: Do you have any comment on the remarks made by John Ratcliffe to Fox News about the forthcoming UAP report? A. As he was the former DNI, and ODNI has the lead on the UAP report, I refer you to ODNI. Q. Why did you establish the UAPTF? A. The Department of Defense established the UAPTF to improve its understanding of, and gain insight into, the nature and origins of UAP incursions into our training ranges and designated airspace. The Task Force is focused on a data-driven approach to identify the source of the incursions. We need data (from increased reporting by aviators, technical means, etc.) to analyze in order to understand and draw the appropriate conclusions and to make the appropriate Talking points for UAP report (b) (6) Q u.s, DEPT OF DEFENSE Coordinated with: OUSD(I&S), Navy Prepared by: 2 recommendations to leadership. As we collect additional data, we expect to close the gap between identified and unidentified and avoid strategic surprise regarding adversary technology. Q. Why did the Navy change its reporting guidelines on UAPs? A. We are using a data-driven approach. Sometimes, there are phenomenon for which we don’t have sufficient data. We wanted to establish an environment where our force feels comfortable reporting all observations so we can collect data, make informed determinations, and address our findings. Q. Can you tell us anything about what the UAPTF has found so far? A. We do not comment on intelligence matters. Q. Why can’t you tell us anything about UAPs or what the UAPTF is doing? A. DoD does not provide information about operational or intelligence activities that would identify possible U.S. vulnerabilities. Q. What budget does the UAPTF have? A: As the lead agency, the U.S Navy identifies and uses appropriated defense funding to meet UAPTF requirements. CONTEXT: The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report attached to the FY21 Intelligence Authorization Act directed the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress on UAPs within 180 days of enactment. OUTRO: This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. The full text of this document is available at war.gov and documents2.theblackvault.com.