Newly Released NRO Documents Reveal Extent Of UAP Involvement and Contributions to UAP Task Force Report

Cold Open: This is a declassified briefing from the National Reconnaissance Office, dated April 8, 2022. The document, released through the Freedom of Information Act, reveals the extent of the NRO's involvement in Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) research and their contributions to the UAP Task Force Report. The release was secured by The Black Vault, a non-profit organization dedicated to declassifying government documents. The canonical PDF of the document can be found at documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/nro/F-2021-00164.pdf. Provenance: The document was released in response to a FOIA request, F-2021-00164, submitted by Mr. Grunewald on July 22, 2021. The request sought all emails containing the phrases "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" and "UAP" between August 5, 2019, and the date of processing. The NRO processed the request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, and released two documents in part, with certain information redacted under exemptions (b)(1), (b)(3), (b)(5), and (b)(6). The Document: Dear Mr. Grunewald, Reconnaissance Information to/from ... (redacted) We have processed your request in accordance with the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552, as amended. After a thorough search of our files and databases, we located two documents responsive to your request. These documents are being released to you in part. Material 1 redacted is denied pursuant to FOIA exemptions: (b)(1) as properly classified information under Executive Order 13526, Sections 1.4(c) and 1.4(g); (b)(3), which is the basis for withholding information exempt from disclosure. The relevant withholding statute is 10 U.S.C., which provides (except as required by the President or for information provided to Congress), that no provision of law shall be construed to require the disclosure of the organization or any function of the NRO; the number of persons employed by or assigned or detailed to the NRO; or the name or official title, occupational series, grade, or salary of any such person; (b)(5), which applies to information that is predecisional and deliberative in nature; and (b)(6), which applies to records which, if released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of individuals. You have the right to appeal this determination to the NRO Appellate Authority, 14675 Lee Road, Chantilly, VA 20151-1715, within 90 days of the above date. The Document (continued): From: Bowman Thomas B NRO USA GOV Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 9:26 AM To: Scolese Christopher J NRO USA GOV Cc: Guetlein Michael MAJ GEN NRO-USSF USA MIL Attachments: Meink Troy E NRO USA GOV; Guetlein Michael MAJ GEN NRO-USSF USA MIL Approved for Release: 2022/04/04 C05136812 Classificatio"1: lOP SECREI;' /~1 /'fh/ /ft.:lEl~/NlOPORN/PI3A Sirs, As I was listed as the NRO POC for efforts tied to the DoD's Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) Task Force, I am providing you with an update to NRO UAP-related activities. There are three efforts to bring to your attention: 1. The final version of the UAP Task Force Report to Congress is out for coordination and due June 10 (tomorrow); 2. The DoD IG interviewed several MID officers on NRO's UAP efforts as part of their work to determine DoD's response to the UAP topic; NRO IG officers were present for the entire meeting (details follow) 3. The documents attached to this note provide details on each topic in case you wish to delve further into any of the three topics. Context: The NRO's involvement in UAP research and their contributions to the UAP Task Force Report are significant, as revealed in this declassified briefing. The document provides insight into the NRO's efforts to support the UAP Task Force and their coordination with other government agencies. Outro: This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. The document, F-2021-00164, can be found at documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/nro/F-2021-00164.pdf. Storyflo.com.