OSD FOIA Release 24-F-0266 (AARO oral-history interview invitations)

This is Declassified, a storyflo podcast reading public-domain government records aloud as audio briefings. Document: OSD FOIA Release 24-F-0266 (AARO oral-history interview invitations) Agency: Department of Defense Date: March 21, 2024 Notable for: Documenting the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office's (AARO) repeated invitations to David Grusch for an oral-history interview. The document was released under FOIA case number 24-F-0266 on March 21, 2024, by the Department of Defense's Freedom of Information Division. The release was made in response to a request from The Black Vault, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides information and resources on government secrecy. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DIVISION 1155 DEFENSE PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1155 Ref: 24-F-0266 March 21, 2024 Mr. John Greenewald The Black Vault, Inc. 27305 W. Live Oak Rd. Suite #1203 Castaic, CA 91384 Dear Mr. Greenewald: This is a final response to your November 2, 2023 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, a copy of which is enclosed for your convenience. We received your request on November 2, 2023, and assigned it FOIA case number 24-F-0266. We ask that you use this number when referring to your request. The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security, a component of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, conducted a search of their records systems and located 26 pages determined to be responsive to your request. Mr. Paul Plescow, Senior Intelligence Officer, in his capacity as an Initial Denial Authority, has determined that portions of the 26 responsive pages are exempt from release pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(6), information which, if disclosed, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of individuals; and (b)(7)(E), which would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of law. MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD SUBJECT: All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office Invitations to Interview Mr. David Grusch 1. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) extended multiple invitations to Mr. David Grusch for the purpose of conducting an oral history interview in support of the Congressionally directed Historical Record Report (HRR). Invitations, both direct and through intermediaries, to interview Mr. Grusch regarding his claimed knowledge of U.S. Government possession of extra-terrestrial material and reverse-engineering programs were met with negative results. 2. The following attempts were made, by Director, AARO and staff, to encourage Mr. Grusch to provide information to AARO, on the record, and in an appropriately secure environment. A. Between June 8th, 2023 and June 13th, 2023, Director, AARO en Person (b)(6) regarding AARO's authorities and encouraged Perso contact AAR. Note that Perso Ns) s a known close associate of Mr. Grusch and made it clear that Person ( ))(6) was in contact with Mr. Grusch. ed in a dialog with o have Mr. Grusch sch and the dialog (b)(6) B. On June 12th and 13th, 2023, Director, AARO, discussed with a Professional Staff Member (PSM) of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Mr. Grusch's refusal to speak with AARO. The PSM stated that he would contact Mr. Grusch and request Mr. Grusch's email address. The PSM made the offer after the Director made it clear that AARO did not have Mr. Grusch's contact information. C. On June 26th, 2023, AARO staff contacted Interviewee (b)(6) and asked for Mr. Grusch's current telephone number so that an invitation could be extended to Mr. Grusch. Interviewee (b)(6) contacted Mr. Grusch on AARO's behalf and an invitation was rebuffed by Mr. Grusch. D. On June 28th, 2023, Director, AARO contacted a PSM with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence after Mr. Grusch's appearance before Congress and asked for any information, reported to Congress by Mr. Grusch, that AARO may be able to verify. The Director also reminded the PSM of the agreement that if a witness expressed apprehension about coming to AARO, that AARO would send a staff member to Congressional spaces to record the information into the U.S. Government record in support of the HRR. E. On July 27th, 2023, AARO staff conducted an interview of Interviewee (b)(6) who revealed that he would be having dinner with Mr. Grusch the following day. AARO staff, to include the Director, asked Interviewee (b)(6) to invite Mr. Grusch to contact AARO for an interview. AARO staff made it clear that the interview would be conducted in a secure facility, in accordance with the law, and the tone of the interview would be friendly and non-confrontational, as are all AARO interviews. F. On October 6th, 2023, AARO staff conducted a secure call and interview with Interviewee (b)(6) and asked that he also encourage Mr