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p~~C5\

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(Continued overleaf)

Advice to military pilots on what to do ifthey encounter "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" (UAP)or "plasmas". Or any training materials for military personnel that make reference to such phenomena.

Such advice or training materials will probably have followed a report from Defence Intelligence Analysis Staff entitled "Unidentified Aerial PHenomena in the UK Air Defence Region" which discusses the dangers posed to aircraft by these phenomena. This report was completed in 2000 and is referred to as Scientific and Technical Memorandum No. 55/2/00.

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If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to the Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 ofthe Freedom of Information Please note that the Information Commissioner will not normally investigate your case until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details ofthe role and powers ofthe

Act.

Information Commissioner can be found on the Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s web site, http://www .informationcommissioner.gov.

uk.

Yours sincerely,

Page 2 of2

Whitehall

LO)iilON

S~2HB

e-mail:das-ufo-office@mod.uk 19 June 2006

19/0612006

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Sec(AS)2al

UNUSUAL AIR PHENOMENON

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5 Oct 96

1. After efforts to analyse the various sightings of unusual lights which occurred in the early hours of 5 Oct 96, I believe that three separate phenomena can be identified; each is briefly described below with a possible or probable explanation. LIGHTS IN THE WASH AREA

to-~

2. Stationary and generally red/green/white flashing lights the south east at about 40-45 degrees above the horizon; no reliable height or range could be determined. The lights were~’ observed by Skegness and Boston Police. between 0214Z and approximately 0600Z (daybreak); similar the MV Conocoast (approx 8 miles ESE of lights were observed from Skegness from 0345Z until daybreak. The lights observed from Skegness were captured on video which is being sent to RAF Neatishead, however, the result is believed to be of poor quality. ~u

3. The fact that these lights were observed from three separate locations high above the horizon and in the same general directiop, without corroborating radar data, suggests a distant celestial source. Venus rising may be a possible explanation since the planet can appear bright, coloured and to flash in certain conditions. LIGHTS TO THE NORTH OF MV CONOCOAST

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4. Stationary blue, and white flashing lights to the~~ north and ’very.high’, green 40-45 degrees observed from the MV Conocoast between above the horizon. Lights 0246Z and approximately 0600Z (daybreak).

5. These lights were observed from a single location out at sea in the opposite direction to those at para 2. They would appear to have originated from an area over the North Sea but again angle well above the horizon. These lights were not the object of any attention on 5 Oct, or subsequently, but remain unexplained. PERMANENT RADAR ECHOS

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6. Generally stationary radar returns, without height or IFF/ SSR, observed on the NATS Claxby radar at 0210Z until 1105Z over Boston and later on the RAF .Waddington ATC radar. 7. These returns were almost certainly from a permanent geographical feature Botolph’s church spire in Boston, 273ft) which were initially(stobserved while attempting to associated an air track with thelightsi in fact, no aircraft movement was

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all available displays, observed the same plot on the radar in the same position. This information was alsosame Claxby ARCC thence by now, MRCC had consciously or relayed to subconsciously associated radar return and assumed anthe reports of lights with the Boston for the rest of the night. investigative and coordination role

to~CC;

3. Actions bv Air Defence System. Meanwhile, CRC Neatishead’s inquiries had revealed no sign exercises in the area and thereof air movements or military air activity on any radar; the was no evidence of unidentified stationary radar plot, without associated height or IFF/SSR support, therefore, was jUdged by experienced operators at both Neatishead and the D&D Cell to be a permanent echo, and the separate stationary lights as some form of natural phenomena of no air defence or air concern. It that no flying craft had was clear penetrated the UKADR or was present any radar; furthermore, the -;:;jiPon unrelated stationary were not suspicious in nature light reports or of significance to maritime safety, therefore, air or recommendation to scramble a Quick Reaction Alert aircraft fromno RAF Leuchars to investigate the permanent echo or the either reported lights w s sought. 4. Subseauent Reporting. ’Updates and further both the plot and lights continued to be sought information on several sourc s on open circuits by MRCC from ,and reported, and sometimes distorted, in the process. Further interest in the radar kept alive at the instigation plot was of the coastguard, leading to eventual involvement of several the other control agencies including LATCC(Civil), LATCC(Military), Anglia Radar and Waddington Approach. Further interest in the lights was maintained by the coastguard until they disappeared with the dawn, involving a tanker vessel at sea, Boston and Skegness Police Forces and LATCC(Civil). -

INVESTIGATION OF RADAR PLOT AND VISUAL SIGHTINGS 5. The various bservations ~~..which occurred in the early 5 Oct 96 and the various hours of :: phenomenae considerable detail. The relevant have been investigated in logs maintained by on-duty Military and Civilian personnel have been studied and, where possible, key observers and operators, both civil and military, have been interviewed by telephone. THE BOSTON PLOT

6. Plot Characteristics. A radar Plot was observed in the position of Boston, Lines, on the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) sensor at Claxby, near Market Rasen, when drawn to the area by Great was Yarmouth Coastguard. attention It was observed by the D&D Cell from approximately 0225Z and by CRC Neatishead from 0230Z; both organisations have access to the same radar display although neither uses that surveillance or aircraft control inradar on a routine basis for the Wash area. plot was observed by Anglia the Radar at Stanstead, whichLater, opened at

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Expert ODinion. The observations were examined by the Greenwich Observatory and a report of its findings Royal The report acknewledged is at Annex the azimuth and elevation of theuncertainties in the estimates of D. observations and could only best guess of the likely provide a light source(s) as summarized below. a. The Boston Police may have been looking at the Venus which was exceptionally planet bright in the early morning on 5 Oct, rising at 0209Z sky on a bearing slightly north east; this is consistent with of the first Boston observation. b. Based on measurements obtained from the police the Skegness observations video, could also have been Venus. Observatory notes that when a bright star or planet is The the sky, even to elevation low in it is quite common for it appear to show colours which200, to are often described as or rotating. These flashing characteristics and the report first Skegness observer of the tend to favour the Venus theory. c. The Observatory can offer no likely celestial explanation for either sets of lights observed from the MV eONOeOAST.

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SJ1MMARy 10. FOllowing extensive investigation, it can be concluded the radar plot observed in that a position at Boston was radar echo; it was correctly a permanent assessed as such by eRe Neatishead the time and no further at defence related action taken. bright stationary lightsair The observed from Boston and Skegness were probably due to light from the planet Venus which began the time of the first observation; it was particularly rising at could have appeared multicoloured and flashing to some bright and No explanation can be observers. offered for the two sets of from MV eONoeOAST. lights observed -11. For completeness and ~-.-. further reference, various attached at Annex E, together notes are with a list of organizations and persons consulted in course of this investigation. addition, abbreviatedthe In comment on the detail contained Redmond’s letter to SofS in Mr are at Annex F. A copy of the Skegness lights, the video of copied by Lincolnshire Police attached. HQ, is 12. This report is the result of almost full time, investigation over a period of 8 working days and, painstaking the light phenomenae have although conclusively explained, all research has not revealed not evidence or adrnissionsthat extraordinary events were being alarming or similar detailed investigation witnessed. It is likely that into light phenomenae would produce

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Question 2

There was no evidence of unidentified aircraft being present i~Qthe UKADR on 5 Oct reason to’scrambl aircraft on 96, therefore, there was no alert. Police and the tanker MV CONOCOAST saw LIGHTS not objects lights were observed by any aircraftor any flying craft. No reports were received from 2 civilianin the area; negative aircraft which flew by the area at 0520-0530Z

Question 3

Procedures exist to scramble aircraft to investigate unidentified aircraft detected on radar, which was not the case on 5 Oct.

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Taken and came back

TEMPLATE TO BE USED FOR REPLY

Ministrv of Defence FRIDAY 4 MAY 2001 Admiral of The Fleet The Lord Hill-Norton GCB(X)(CB)

LORDS WRITTEN To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 25th January (WA 22), why the Unidentified Flying Objects documents referred to were classified secret; whether these documents had any caveats attached to them; and what was the reason for any such caveats. (HLI808)

Minister replying Baroness Symons

One document was classified ’Secret’ with a ’UKEyes Only’ caveat because it contained information about the UK air defence ground environment that could be of significant value to hostile or potentially hostile states. Associated correspondence was given the same classification. Generally, however, notifications of and correspondence on the subject of’UFO’ sightings are unclassified.

April 01

~J. ~. ~afi~ ~!DA&!64-!4-~ K^~ l-Qe-"\> PQ Ref 1432L

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1432L

To ask HMG,further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons.. . on 25 January (WA 22), why the Unidentified Flying Objects documents referred to were classified secret; whether these documents had any caveats attached to them; and what was the reason for any such caveats.

Draft Answer

Notifications of and correspondence on the subject of ’UFO’sightings are generally

unclassified. However, one particular report doeument was found to be classified ’Secret’, with a ’UK Eyes Only’ caveat because it contained information about the UK air defence ground environment that could have been of significant value to hostile or potentially hostile

states. Associated correspondence was has been given the same classification.

Draft Background Note:

PQ 0351L,tabled by Lord Hill-Norton in January, asked for the highest classification applied to any

MOD document concerning ’UFOs’and the answer given explained that was Secret. The Background Note indicated that a small number of documents had been traced by the Directorate Air Staff(Secretariat)with a classification of Secret, including one which referred to a report by the

DIS on ’Unidentified Aerial Phenomena’. The Background Note also contained comment on the document, its classification and the classification of associated correspondence and that information

is now used in answer to this latest question.

1432L

To ask HMG,further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons.. . on 25 January (WA 22), why the Unidentified Flying Objects documents referred to were classified secret; whether’these documents had any caveats attached to them; and what was the reason for any such caveats.

Draft Answer

Notifications of and correspondence on the subject of ’UFO’sightings are generally

unclassified. However, one particular document was found to be classified ’Secret’,with a

’UKEyes Only’ caveat because it contained information about the UK air defence ground environment that could have been of significant value to hostile or potentially hostile states.

Associated correspondence has been given the same classification.

Draft Background Note:

PQ 0351L,tabled by Lord Hill-Norton in January, asked for the highest classification applied to any MOD document concerning ’UFOs’and the answer given explained that was Secret. The Background Note indicated that a small number of documents had been traced by the Directorate

Air Staff(Secretariat)with a classification of Secret, including one which referred to a report by the

DIS on ’Unidentified Aerial Phenomena’. The Background Note also contained comment on the document, its classification and the classification of associated correspondence and that information

is now used in answer to this latest question.

1432L

~~ ~

To ask HMG,further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons. . . on 25 January (WA 22), why the Unidentified Flying Objects documents referred to were classified secret; whether these documents had any caveats attached to them; and what was the reason for any such caveats.

Draft Answer

Notifications of and

cor~e~ondence

on the subject of ’UFO’sightings

are^Unclassified.~One

particular documt;:;1c1aSSified’secret: with a ’UKEyes Only’ caveat

~ecanse it contained

information about the UK air defence ground environment that could have been of significant

value to hostile or potentially hostile states. Associated correspondence has been given the same classification.

Draft Background Note:

PQ 035IL,tabled by Lord Hill-Norton in January, asked for the highest classification applied to any

MOD document concerning ’UFOs’and the answer given explained that was Secret. The Background Note indicated that a small number of documents had been traced by the Directorate

Air Staff(Secretariat)with a classification of Secret, including one which referred to a report by the

’I

DIS on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. The Background Note also contained comment on the document, its classification and the classification of associated correspondence and that information is now used in answer to this latest question.

\~~ ...~ 1’.he One.

otifications of and correspondence on the subject of’UFO’sightings are unclassified. \,)Q$ document has been classified Secret, with a\ UK Eyes Only fcaveat. r{’agaR for this was that it

contained information about the UK air defence ground environment that could have been

significant value to hostile or potentially hostile states. Associated correspondence has been given the same classification.

Background Note:

_ :;;:’~~I.::r..~~

Lord HiII-Norton’s PQ 0351L tabled in January, asked for the highest classification

applied to

any MOD document concerning ’UFOs’and the answer explained that was Secret. The Background Note indicated that a small number of documents had been traced the by

Directnrate Air Staff (Secretariat)with a classification of Secret diseussio 1

l:Ulh:ernillg the IUUldliu

of COl.up8HEleaeE!! aAd ~~ministrative arrangements,

~. ~.t.l. <J,A.\~J. PhenomenaJ~Comment

and the classification of

athu Hum ’BFa’FeJWrh

Aerial

R9fi~"~(!e wa~so mad~ to a

report by the DIS on Unidentified _ _ _ _ _ <:~ ___ on that document, its classification

associated correspondence, originally contained in the background note is now used in answer to this latest question.

(

WA 21

-*:-

[25 JANUARY 2001]

Written Answers

WA 22

a potential threat to national security. No such interest appears to have been shown.

Written Answers Thursday, 25th January 2001.

Chinook Helicopter Mk II: Conversion Training Lord Chalfont asked Her Majesty’s Government: When the Chinook helicopter simulator training facility and its related training programme were upgraded to cater for the Mk. II version of the helicopter; and when Flight Lieutenants Tapper and Cook completed their upgraded training programme. [HU24]

The Minister ofState,Ministry ofDefence (Baroness Symons ofVernham Dean):The reconfiguration of the Chinook simulator to Mk2 standard was completed in the last quarter of 1993. The instructing training staff of the Operational Conversion Flight had completed conversion to the Mk2 version in August 1993. FIt Lt Tapper and Fit Lt Cook completed their conversion training programmes on 28 February 1994 and 17 March 1994 resp~ctively.

European Security and Defence Policy: Intelligence Management Lord Shore of Stepney asked Her Majesty’s Government: What are the commitments which the United Kingdom has entered into, under the European Security and Defence Policy, for the gathering, analysis and distribution ofintelligence material for European Union purposes. [HL405] Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: At the European Council at Nice, EU member states agreed the terms of reference of the EU Military Staff, which would perform "early warning, situation assessment and strategic planning for Petersberg tasks". To carry out this task the staff will rely on appropriate national and multinational intelligence capabilities. The detailed arrangements for handling intelligence material will be subject to stringent safeguards and will take full account of existing national and multinational agreements.

~ -K’

Rendlesham Forest Incident Lord Hill-Norton asked Her Majesty’s Government: Whether they are aware of any involvement by

Special Branch personnel in the investigation of the 1980 Rendlesham Forest incident. [HU03] Baroness Symons ofVemham Dean: Special Branch officers may have been aware ofthe incident but would unless there was evidence of not have shown an

in~r~~t \~~":’];.

II L WOOI9.PAGIII

- .. -.-...--.-.-.. - --- -~ .

Lord Hill-Norton aked Her Majesty’s Government: Whether personnel from Porton Down visited Rendlesham Forest or the area surrounding RAF Walton in December 1980 or January 1981; and whether they are aware of any tests carried out in either of those two areas aimed at assessing any nuclear, biological or chemical hazard. [HUOl]

4-< "*

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The staff at the Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) De(eI?-ce Chemical and Biological Defence (CBD)laboratories at Porton Down have made a thorough search oftheir archives and have found no record of any such visits.

’~

Lord Hill-Norton asked Her Majesty’s Government: Whether they are aware of any uncorrelated targets tracked on radar in November or December 1980; and whether they will give details of any such incidents. [HU02]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Records dating from 1980 no longer exist. Paper records are retained for a period of three years before being destroyed. Recordings of radar data are retained for a period of thirty days prior to re-use of the recording medium.

Unidentified Flying

Objects-4<" ’\

Lord Hill-Norton asked Her Majesty’s Government: What is the highest classification that has been applied to any Ministry of Defence document concerning Unidentified Flying Objects. [HU04] Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: A limited earch through available files has identified a number f documents graded Secret. The overall classification fthe documents was not dictated by details ofspecific ightings of "UFOs"

Arms Brokering and Trafficking: Licensing Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty’s Government: When they expect to implement licensing for arms brokering and trafficking, which they announced at last year’s Labour Party Conference. [HU43]

The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The new licensing controls on arms brokering and trafficking announced last September will be introduced under new powers on trafficking and brokering to be contained in an Export Control Bill; The Queen’s Speech announced that the Government will publish this Bill in draft during this session of Parliament. Full details of the new controls proposed on arms

. LORDS WRITTEN PARLIAMENTARY OUESTION -

(vAaFOR RETURN

B’

ERENCE PQ PQ TYPE MINISTER REPLYING LEAD BRANCH: COPY ADDRESSEE(S)

4:-

URGENTACTION REQUIRED

12:00 ON 30 April 2001 PQ 1432L

LORDS WRITTEN

-NOTFOUNDSEC (AS)

~ci\ t6 D\~(, --

The answer and background note must be authorised by a civil servant at Senior Civil Service level or a military officer at one-star level or above who is responsible for ensuring that the information and advice provided is accurate and reflects Departmental Instructions on answering PQs DCI GEN 150/97. Those contributing information for PQ answers and background notes are responsible for ensuring the information is accurate. The attached checklist should be used by those drafting PQ answers and background material, those contributing information and those responsible for authorising the answer and background note as an aid to ensuring that departmental policy is adhered to.

If you or others concerned are uncertain about how PQs are answered seek advice from a senior civil servant in or closely associated with your area. Peer’s DETAIL: Admiral of The Fleet The Lord Hill-Norton GCB

QUESTION To ask Her Majesty’s Government To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 25th January (WA 22), why the Unidentified Flying Objects documents referred to were classified secret; whether these documents had any caveats attached to them; and what was the reason for any such caveats. (HL1808)

Page 2 of2

.ject:

[Fwd:Research Enquiry]

05/0512006

_hope ~spect

helpful.

If you are still unhappy with the response or wish to complain about any this is ofthe handling of this request, then you should contact the undersigned in the first instance. Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for an internal review by contacting the Director of Information Exploitation, 6th Floor, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, SWIA 2HB (e-

mail: Info-XD@mod.uk).

If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to the

Act.

Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 ofthe Freedom of Information Please note that the Information Commissioner will not normally investigate your case until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the Information Commissioner can be found on the Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s web site, http://www .infonnationcommissioner.gov.

uk.

Yours sincerely

Whitehall London

SW1A 2HB

E.mail- das-ufo-office@mod.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;eAct. Please not the the Infonnation Commissioner will not nonnally investigate your case until the Further details of the role and powers of the MOD internal review process has been completed. Infonnation Commissioner can be found

http://infonnationcommissioner.gov .uk). Yours sincerely

the

Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

website,

The Express 27 April 1998 Page 27

RAF spots speeding UFOs with new radar BRITAIN’S X-Files may be opened up amid claims of stunning evidence that UFOs fly over Britain. Tapes to be shown to British and American experts are said to show objects which change shape in mid-air and a battleship-sized aircraft travelling at 33 times the speed of sound. The details are due to be

BY JOHN INGHAM of which we have no technical knowledge. We know their shape, speeds and height but cannot explain what they are." The most spectacular discovery is a craft spotted by Fylingdales and the Dutch Air Force over the North Sea. Described as "the size of a battleship", it zig-zagged at up to 24,OOOmph for 15 minutes, "as if it wanted to be spotted". Another tape shows a group of 12 oval objects seemingly change shape, to the amazement of observers. But the RAF is expected to withhold some X-Files. It is feared they could reveal how sophisticated their new radars

revealed in early June at a Space Symposium at the . RAF’s Cranwell staff college. A senior RAF source claims the mystery craft have been picked up by the latest Phased A{ray radar at the Cold War listening post at Fylingdales in North Yorkshire. One senior officer said: "What we have seen are not secret weapons. They are craft are.

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Dally Mail 1998

’24,OOOmph UFO

buzzes Britain

THE RAF has tracked a UFO By DAVID DERBYSHIRE ’as big as a battleship’ off the Science Correspondent coast of Britain, military sources revealed yesterday. the UFO thought to have been They said the massive craft; was made during the last two years - are tracked flying in a zig-zag pattern being because they give too at 17,OOOmph over the North Sea. much withheld about the radar It then accelerated to 24,OOOmph base’s information scanning ability. and zoomed

popularity among some dedicated UFO watchers is that the military deliberately release stories about UFOs as a ’smokescreen’ and that witnesses are re y seeing topsecret experimental aircraft. The base at RAP Fylingdales has been watching the skies since the end ofthe Cold Ww:A large pyramidHowever, military chiefs may shaped, 360-degree radar has now release a second series of tapes, replaced the gigantic landmark ’golf reported to show 12 UFOs changing balls’ tracking system. The concentrated on shape in mid-flight. While the ’battleship’UFO is most tracking satellites and pieces of likely to be an experimental aircraft space junk circling the Earth. or a sighting caused by a freak weather effect, UFO watchers believe it is further evidence that the Earth is being visited by en craft. The popularity ofTV series such as the X-Files has rekindled interest in fiying saucers and conspiracy theories in recent years. A spokesman for the Fortean Times,thejournal devoted to UFOs, psychic phenomena and the paranormal, said: ’The vast majority of strange objects seen in the sky have a more down-to-earth explanation. But most UFO investigators would be very interested in seeing these tapes.’ The latest theory gaining

off towards the

Atlantic.

The Dutch air force also tracked the UFO,but two F-16 fighters scrambled to intercept the object were unable to keep up,it is claimed. RAF officials are said to be batned by the object,spotted by the Ministry of Defence long-range listening station on Fylingdales moor in North Yorkshire. ’It was definitely under control, jUdging by the various manoeuvres executed,’said a source.’It appeared to be triangular and was around the size ofa battleship (abotd900ft Radar records of the craft are due to be presented to science and military experts from around the world, who will examine how to exploit . space for military purposes at a conference at RAF College, Cranwell, Lincolnshire, in June. Other tapes of

long).’

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