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© Approved For RMD - 2004/03/26 : CIA-RDP81RO0560R@ 00040013-4 The total number of: sightings reported to the United States Air Force since 1947 are as follows: YEAR OBJECTS SIGHTED AND REPORTED 1947 19 1943 143 1949 186 1950 169 1951 let 1952 251501 1953 has 1954 kag : 1955 Lok ey 1956 773 1957 1178 1958 513 1226 ( 364 1960 (through 30 June 173 523 Reporting, investigation, analysis and evaluation procedures have improved considerable since the first sighting of unidentified‘flying object was mde on 27 June 1947. The study and analysis of reported sishtings of UFO's is con- ducted by a selected scientific group under the superyision of the Air Force. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Head of the Department of Astronomy. and Director of the Observatory at Northwestern University, is the Chief » Scientific Consultant to the Air Force on the subject of Unidentified Flying Objects. The selected, qualified scientists, engineers, and other personnel in- volved in these analyses are completely objective and open minded m the subject of UFO's. They opply scientific methods of examination to all cases in reaching their conclusions. The attempted identification of the phenomenon observed generally must be derived from human impressions and interpretations because scientific devices or measurements are not available. The date in the sightings reported are almost invariably subjective in nature, However, no report is con- sidered unsuitable for study and categorization. ' ‘General categories of identification are balloons, aircraft , astronomical, other, insufficient data, satellites and unidentified. Approximately 4,000 balloons are released in the U. S. every day. There are two general types of balloons: weather balloons and upper air research balloons, Balloons will vary from types 4 feet in diameter to large types 200 feet in diameter. The majority released at night carry running lights which often contribute to weird or unusual appearances when observed at night. This also hold true when observed near dawn or sunset because of the effect of the slant rays of the sun upon the balloon surfaces. The large balloons, if caught in jet streams, may assume a near horizontal position when partially inflated, and move with speeds of over 200 MPH. Large types may be observed flattened on top. The effect of the latter two conditions ean be startling even to experienced pilots. Many modern aircraft, particularly swept and delta wing types, under ad- verse weather and sighting conditions are reported as unusual objects and/or “flying saucers." When observed at high altitudes, reflecting sunlight off their surfaces, or when only their jet exhausts are visible at night, aircraft . can have appearances ranging from disc to rocket in shape. Single j embers Approved For Release 2004/03/26 : CIARDP81ROOSEOR000100040015-2 . -3- - MORE