Interesting follow up memo from Deputy Secretary of DoD
https://media.defense.gov/2021/Jun/25/2 ... SMENTS.PDF
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 1010 DEFENSE PENTAGON WASHINGTON , DC 20301-1010
MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP
COMMANDERS OF THE COMBATANT COMMANDS
DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS SUBJECT: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Assessments
DATE STAMPED JUN 25, 2021
A recent report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) highlights the current challenges associated with assessing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) occurring on or near DoD training ranges and installations. It is critical that the United States maintain operations security and safety at DoD ranges. To this end, it is equally critical that all U.S. military aircrews or government personnel report whenever aircraft or other devices interferewithmilitarytraining. ThisincludestheobservationandreportingofUAPs.
The report also confirmed that the scope of UAP activity expands significantly beyond the purview of the Secretary of the Navy, who heads the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), and suggested process improvements to ensure timely collection of consistent data on UAP. Consistent with these recommendations and to improve partnership with the ODNI and other non-DoD organizations, I direct the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security to develop a plan to formalize the mission currently performed by the UAPTF. The plan should:
1. Establish procedures to synchronize collection, reporting and analysis on the UAP problem set, and to establish recommendations for securing military test and training ranges.
2. Identify requirements for the establishment and operation ofthe new activity, to include the organizational alignment, resources and staffing required, as well as any necessary authorities and a timeline for implementation.
3. Be developed in coordination with the Principal Staff Assistants, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretaries of the Military Departments, and the Commanders of the Combatant Commands and with the DNI and other relevant interagency partners.
All members ofthe Department will utilize these processes to ensure that the UAPTF, or its follow-on activity, has reports of UAP observations within two weeks of an occurrence.
SIGNED
KATHY H. HICKS
DEPUTY SECRETARY DEPT OF DEFENSE
Kathleen H. Hicks is the 35th deputy secretary of defense, sworn in on Feb. 9, 2021. Most recently, she served as senior vice president and director of the international security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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Maybe there’s hope.