What did the declassified documents reveal?

FBI File on the "Storm Area 51" Event, released January 7, 2020, via The Black Vault. This document is notable for its response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from John Greenewald, Jr. of The Black Vault, regarding the FBI's involvement in the "Storm Area 51" event. The document was released under FOIPA Request No. 1444617-000, with a total of 7 pages reviewed and 7 pages released. The FBI's Record Information Dissemination Section (RIDS) conducted the review, citing various exemptions under Title 5, United States Code, Section 552. The document begins with a letter to John Greenewald, Jr., dated December 31, 2019, from David M. Hardy, Section Chief of the Record Information Dissemination Section. Hardy explains that the enclosed documents represent the final release of information responsive to Greenewald's FOIPA request. Below are the check boxes under the appropriate statute headings, indicating the types of exemptions asserted to protect information that is exempt from disclosure. The checked exemption boxes used to withhold information are further explained in the enclosed Explanation of Exemptions. Section 552 Section 552a r (b)(1) W (b)(7)(A) r (d)(5) r (b)(2) r (b)(7)(B) r U)(2) r (b)(3) W (b)(7)(C) r (k)(1) r (b)(7)(D) r (k)(2) W (b)(7)(E) r~ (k)(3) r (b)(7)(F) r (k)(4) r (b)(4) r (b)(8) r (k)(5) r (b)(5) r (b)(9) r (k)(6) W (b)(6) r (k)(7) Hardy notes that 7 page(s) were reviewed and 7 page(s) are being released. He also mentions that documents were located which originated with, or contained information concerning, other Government Agency (ies), and that this information has been referred to the OGA(s) for review and direct response to Greenewald. The FBI will correspond with Greenewald regarding this information when the consultation is completed. Hardy also provides information on how to appeal the determination, citing the FOIPA Request Number and directing Greenewald to visit the FBI's website for further information. The document also includes the FBI FOIPA Addendum, which provides additional information applicable to Greenewald's request. Part 1 of the Addendum includes standard responses that apply to all requests, while Part 2 includes standard responses that apply to requests for records about individuals. Part 3 includes general information about FBI records, searches, and programs. The FBI can neither confirm nor deny the existence of records of intelligence sources, methods, or activities, citing FOIA exemptions (b)(1), (b)(3), and as applicable to requests for records about individuals, PA exemption U)(2). This is a standard response and should not be read to indicate that any such records do or do not exist. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. The FBI File on the "Storm Area 51" Event is available at storyflo.com, and the canonical PDF can be found at documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/fbifiles/stormarea51-fbi1.pdf.

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.

Case · DAILY-022

FBI File on the “Storm Area 51” Event

JUL 5 · 2026Narrated by daily-declassified-fbi-file-on-the-storm-area-51-event4 minLast updated July 5, 2026

The short version

FBI File on the "Storm Area 51" Event, released January 7, 2020, via The Black Vault. This document is notable for its response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from John Greenewald, Jr. of The Black Vault, regarding the FBI's involvement in the "Storm Area 51" event.

Date: JUL 5 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)

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What was FBI File on the “Storm Area 51” Event about?: FBI File on the "Storm Area 51" Event, released January 7, 2020, via The Black Vault. This document is notable for its response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from John Greenewald, Jr. of The Black Vault, regarding the FBI's involvement in the "Storm Area 51" event.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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