US: Air Force updates UFO reporting regulation
On August 12, 1954, the US Air Force issued an updated AFR 200-2, declassified by Chief of Staff Nathan Twining. It specified the 4602nd Squadron's role in UFO probes and defined UFOs as airborne objects not matching known aircraft.
Background
Background
The updated Air Force Regulation 200-2 of August 12, 1954 was issued by the Department of the Air Force and approved by Air Force Chief of Staff Nathan Twining. It replaced earlier versions and set out official procedures for reporting unidentified flying objects.
Definition and Objectives
UFOs were described as any airborne objects whose performance, aerodynamic characteristics, or unusual features do not match known aircraft or missiles, or which cannot be positively identified as ordinary objects. The objectives were primarily to counter potential threats to the security of the USA and its forces, and to investigate technical details.
Responsibilities
The 4602nd Air Intelligence Service Squadron supported the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) and Project Blue Book in preliminary and field investigations. Air Defense Command carried out domestic investigations, while ATIC handled analysis. Public discussion was strictly regulated.
Significance
The regulation marked a formal recognition of UFOs as a subject of investigation with security implications and set out the institutional structure of the US Air Force for such cases.