USAF Releases AFR 200-2: Air Force Must 'Reduce Unidentifieds to the Minimum'
On February 5, 1958, the USAF released Air Force Regulation 200-2, establishing four roles — detection, identification, interception, and destruction — and mandating base commanders investigate all sightings with the goal to 'reduce unidentifieds to the minimum.'
Background
The Regulation
Air Force Regulation 200-2, titled 'Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO),' was released February 5, 1958. It superseded identically numbered regulations from August 1953, November 1953, and August 1954. The Department of the Air Force made clear that the USAF role was fourfold: detection, identification, interception, and — ominously — destruction.
Key Provisions
All base commanders were responsible for investigating UFO sightings. ATIC at Wright-Patterson AFB would analyze findings. The regulation stated: 'Air Force activities must reduce the percentage of unidentifieds to the minimum.' Base commanders could release information only if sightings were explainable; otherwise the only permitted statement was that 'the sighting is being investigated.'
Project Blue Book Operations
These tasks would be handled by one low-ranking officer, a noncommissioned officer, a part-time secretarial assistant, and a filing cabinet: Project Blue Book.