DOW-UAP-D051, Email Correspondence, Pacific Time Zone, March 2023
This document is a heavily redacted email correspondence chain released by the U.S. Department of War (formerly Department of Defense). The emails describe the content of an Intelligence Information Report (IIR) and request clarification and classification handling. An Information Disclosure Analyst from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security seeks to have an UNCLASSIFIED summary of a SECRET//NOFORN report reviewed, and an AFOSI (OSI CI Collections and Operations / Intelligence Oversight) PM ultimately confirms authority to process it as a derivative classification review and approves use at the UNCLASSIFIED level. The embedded event summary recounts a civilian observation in the Pacific Time Zone in March 2023, at night, of a large blue featureless triangular object emitting powerful 'whitish blue' light from multiple points along its perimeter. The reporter described the object hovering stationary near a national security facility for roughly three minutes before moving in an erratic, 'jerking' or 'jumping' manner inconsistent with smooth jet propulsion, observed for approximately eight minutes total using a personal cellular device. The releasing agency notes that all descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and should not be read as conclusive evidence of any object's features or performance.
Description
Heavily redacted U.S. Department of War email correspondence concerning a mission report (IIR) describing a civilian UAP sighting, in which analysts coordinate a derivative classification/security review to release an unclassified summary of the report.
Claims
The underlying report carried a current classification of SECRET//NOFORN and a requested classification of UNCLASSIFIED.
90%AFOSI determined it had authority to process the request as a derivative classification review rather than a declassification request.
85%The event summary was originally classified SECRET//NOFORN with a requested downgrade to UNCLASSIFIED.
80%AFOSI confirmed authority to process the release as a derivative classification review and approved use of the summary at the UNCLASSIFIED level.
75%A civilian reported a large, featureless blue triangular object emitting powerful whitish-blue light from multiple points along its perimeter.
60%The reporter observed the object for approximately eight minutes at night and characterized its motion as inconsistent with smooth jet propulsion.
60%The object hovered stationary above or near a national security facility for approximately three minutes before moving higher in a jerking/jumping manner.
55%A civilian observed a large blue featureless triangular object emitting powerful whitish-blue light from multiple points along its perimeter, hovering near a national security facility.
50%The object moved in a 'jerking' or 'jumping' manner inconsistent with smooth jet propulsion.
50%The reporter did not believe the object was a drone and could not identify its means of propulsion or a defined front or rear.
50%
Events
Feb 28, 2023
Civilian UAP sighting
A civilian reported observing a large blue featureless triangular object at night hovering near a national security facility for about three minutes, then moving in a jerking manner; observed for approximately eight minutes and captured on a personal cellular device.
Classification review correspondence
Email exchange coordinating a derivative classification review to publish an unclassified summary of the mission report/IIR, ultimately approved at the UNCLASSIFIED level.
Classification review approval
AFOSI PM confirms authority to process the request as a derivative classification review and approves use of the summary at the UNCLASSIFIED level.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
Phenomena
Places
Extracted text (OCR)
(b) (6) Good morning! Thank you for your patience on this-- like I said, this was a first for me. Upon consulting internally here at HQ, our folks confirmed we do have the authority to process this as a derivative classification review, instead of a declassification request. Based upon the summary you provided below, I concur with using this at the UNCLASSIFIED level in your product. Consider your request approved. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you! Thanks, (b) (6) OSI CI Collections and Operations PM Intelligence Oversight PM (b) (6) (b) (6) 1.4(a) Good morning, Thank you for your request. Our process for declassifying IIRs is lengthy and requires AFOSI Commander signature so I'm exploring options akin to a security review of the UNCLASS summary you have provided below. This is a first for me so I appreciate your patience as I try to streamline this request for you! Thanks, (b) (6) OSI CI Collections and Operations PM Intelligence Oversight PM 1.4(a) 1.4(a) CURRENT CLASSIFICATION S//NF-REQUESTED CLASSIFICATION UNCLASSIFIED Reported Appearance: An individual reported observing a large blue featureless triangular object with a solid, unwavering silhouette emitting powerful "whitish blue" light from multiple points along its perimeter. Reported Behavior: The reporter described the object as "hovering" stationary above or near a national security facility for approximately three minutes. They then reported observing it move to a position higher in their field of view. The reporter characterized the object's motion as "backing up" in a "jerking" or "jumping" manner inconsistent with "smooth" jet propulsion. The individual reported that they observed the object for approximately eight minutes. Other Observations: The reporter commented that they could not discern whether or how the object was controlled, could not identify its means of propulsion, and could not determine whether it had a defined "front or rear." They stated that they "didn't think" the object was a drone. The reporter also commented on behaviors and capabilities they did not directly observe. They stated that the object did not seem to travel along a defined flight path, possess any "photograph or data collection capabilities," emit a "vapor trail," or demonstrate "cloaking capabilities." Event Summary: Location: Pacific Time Zone Date: March 2023 Time of Day: Night Duration: Approx. 8 minutes Reporter Type: Civilian Obtained by: Personal cellular device Reported Characteristics: Altitude: Not reported Speed: Not reported Size: Large Shape: Triangular Color: Blue Material: Not reported Markings: Featureless Behavior: Emitting light, erratic movement The IIR and draft report are attached. This is a routine request, please confirm receipt. If you have any questions, please contact me. (b) (6) Information Disclosure Analyst Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (b) (6) CLASSIFICATION: SECRET//NOFORN CLASSIFICATION: SECRET//NOFORN
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