What did the declassified documents reveal?

Cold Open: We're reading the Storm Area 51 Air Force Public Affairs Office E-Mails, released on October 24, 2019, by The Black Vault. These documents were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by John Greenewald. The emails reveal the Air Force's internal discussions and responses to media inquiries about the infamous Facebook event, "Storm Area 51, They Can't Stop All of Us." Provenance: The document is a response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by John Greenewald on September 5, 2019. The Air Force's Office of the Secretary, SAF/AAII (FOIA), provided the attached documents, which are 12 pages of emails sent to and from Air Force Spokesperson Laura McAndrews. The response was signed by Monique N. Harris, Government Information Specialist, on October 23, 2019. The Document: Dear Mr. Greenewald, This letter is our final response to your Freedom of Information Act request for records related to emails sent to, from, bcc, or cc'd Air Force Spokesperson Laura McAndrews that contain the phrase "AREA 51." The Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs office provided the attached documents, which are responsive to your request. However, certain information is being withheld under Title 5, United States Code, Section 552 (b)(6), exemption (b)(6), which applies to the withholding of information that could reasonably be expected to constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. The attached documents include emails between Laura McAndrews and various media outlets, including Military.com and the New York Times. In these emails, McAndrews responds to inquiries about the Facebook event and provides a statement on behalf of the Air Force. From: Mcandrews, Laura M CIV USAF SAF-PA (US) To: "Pawlyk, Oriana" Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Military.com media query - Area 51 Date: Monday, July 15, 2019 12:22:08 PM Oriana – My apologies, the correct name of the range is the "Nevada Test and Training Range." From: Mcandrews, Laura M CIV USAF SAF-PA (US) To: 'Pawlyk, Oriana' Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Military.com media query - Area 51 Date: Monday, July 15, 2019 12:02 PM Oriana - Please see below for our statement: The United States Air Force is aware of the Facebook post. The Nellis Test and Training Range is an area where the Air Force tests and trains combat aircraft. As a matter of practice, we do not discuss specific security measures, but any attempt to illegally access military installations or military training areas is dangerous. [document truncated — full source linked in narration] Context: The Air Force's response to the media inquiries is consistent with their statement that the Nellis Test and Training Range is an area where the Air Force tests and trains combat aircraft. They also emphasize that any attempt to illegally access military installations or military training areas is dangerous. Outro: This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. The Storm Area 51 Air Force Public Affairs…

Why was this case declassified?

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

Storm Area 51: Air Force Public Affairs Office E Mails

◆ BLUF — The short version

Cold Open: We're reading the Storm Area 51 Air Force Public Affairs Office E-Mails, released on October 24, 2019, by The Black Vault. These documents were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by John Greenewald. " Provenance: The document is a response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by John Greenewald on September 5, 2019.

Date: JUL 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)

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Episode notes

Cold Open: We're reading the Storm Area 51 Air Force Public Affairs Office E-Mails, released on October 24, 2019, by The Black Vault. These documents were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by John Greenewald. The emails reveal the Air Force's internal discussions and responses…

Questions about this case

What was Storm Area 51: Air Force Public Affairs Office E Mails about?: Cold Open: We're reading the Storm Area 51 Air Force Public Affairs Office E-Mails, released on October 24, 2019, by The Black Vault. These documents were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by John Greenewald. " Provenance: The document is a response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by John Greenewald on September 5, 2019.
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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Storm Area 51: Air Force Public Affairs Office E Mails

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