DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS 2000 NAVY PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20350-2000 5720 Ser DNS-36GC/21U103117 December 22, 2021 Sent via email to: [email protected] Mr. John Greenewald The Black Vault 27305 W. Live Oak Rd Suite # 1203 Castaic, CA 91384 Dear Mr. Greenewald: This is our response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) referral from the OSD/JS FOIA office. Your original request was dated February 1, 2021 and forwarded to our office on October 25, 2021 under referral number 21-F-0511. Upon receipt your request was inputted into FOIA online and assigned FOA case tracking number DON-NAVY-2022-000883. You requested: "Security Classification Guide" located within your agency, which pertain to any of the following: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Task Force or the "UAPTF" and/or "Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification program" or "AATIP" (also referred to as the "Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program") and/or "Unidentified Flying Objects" or UFOs and/or "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" or "UAPs" In an effort to assist you, we consulted with the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (DCNO N2/N6) to conduct a search and locate any records responsive to your request. N2N6 informed this office that they located one record totaling 10 pages. Upon review of the record it has been determined that some portions are denied under FOIA 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(1), in accordance Executive Order 13526, Section 1.4 part (c) as it pertains to intelligence activities (including covert action), intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology. It has also been determined that some portions are denied under FOIA 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(6) since release of this information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of individual's personal privacy, in this instance the names of third-party individuals, and phone number were redacted. The remainder of the document is released to you. You have the right to an appeal within 90 calendar days from the date of this letter. There are two ways to file an appeal: through FOIAonline or by mail. (1) Through FOIAonline. This will work only if you set up an account on FOIAonline before you make the request that you would like to appeal. To set up an account, go to FOIAonline (this is a website that will appear as the top hit if you search the internet for "FOIAonline"), click "Create Account" (a link located within the blue banner at the top in the upper right corner), enter your data into the field that subsequently appears, and click "Save" (at the bottom left of the screen). With your account thereby created, you will have the power to file an appeal on FOIAonline to any request you file on FOIAonline thereafter. To do so, locate your request (enter a keyword or the request tracking number in the "Search for" field on the "Search" tab), click on it, then the "Create Appeal" tab in the left-hand column. Complete the subsequent field, click "Save," and FOIAonline will submit your appeal. (2) By mail. Address your appeal to: The Judge Advocate General (Code 14) 1322 Patterson Avenue SE, Suite 3000 Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066 If filing an appeal by mail please provide a letter that explains what you are appealing with any supporting arguments or reasons you think may be worthy of consideration; b. A copy of your initial request; c. A copy of the letter of denial. Also, please provide me a copy of your appeal letter at: [email protected] Questions regarding the action this office has taken during the processing of your request may be directed to our FOIA service center at (202) 685-0412 or via email at [email protected], and reference the FOIA tracking numbers cited above. Sincerely, [Signature: Gregory Cason] G. Cason Deputy Director, DON FOIA/PA Program Office This document is made available through the declassification efforts and research of John Greenewald, Jr., creator of: The Black Vault The Black Vault is the largest online Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) document clearinghouse in the world. The research efforts here are responsible for the declassification of hundreds of thousands of pages released by the U.S. Government & Military. Discover the Truth at: http://www.theblackvault.com Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) Security Classification Guide (SCG), ID# 04-030 Naval Intelligence Activity [Seal of the Department of the Navy, United States of America] DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT B: Distribution authorized to U.S. Government Agencies for Operational Security Purposes (16 April 2020). Other requests for this document must be referred to the Director, Naval Intelligence Activity, 2000 Navy Pentagon, Room 5B253, Washington, D.C. 20350-2000. HANDLING AND DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Comply with distribution statement and destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of this document. Classified By: Mr. Scott Bray, Director, Naval Intelligence Activity Reason: 1.4(c) Declassify On: 20450416 PREPARED BY: [Redacted (b)(6)] DATE: 16 APR 2020 Office of Naval Intelligence 4251 Suitland Road, Washington, DC 20395-5720 REVIEWED BY: [Redacted (b)(6)] DATE: 16 April 2020 Special Security Office (SSO), Navy 701 S. Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22204 APPROVED BY: [Redacted (b)(6)] DATE: 16 April 2020 Mr. Scott Bray Director, Naval Intelligence Activity (NIA) Top Secret Original Classification Authority (OCA) 2000 Navy Pentagon, Washington, DC, 20350-2000 (U) SECTION 1 – IDENTIFYING DATA: ID: 04-030 SU: Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) PR: Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) CA: Mr. Scott Bray, Director, Naval Intelligence Activity, Top Secret Original Classification Authority (OCA effective 17 June 2019) OD: 20200416 RD: 20250416 (U) SECTION 2 – GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: 1. (U) Purpose: This classification guide is issued for the purpose of identifying specific topics of information associated with the Office of Naval Intelligence, Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) Task Force that meet the standards and criteria for classification and protection in accordance with Executive Order (E.O.) 13526, "Classified National Security Information," as amended, and its implementing directives. 2. (U) Authority: This guide is issued under authority of SECNAV M-5510.36 and E.O. 13526, DoDM 5200.01 Volumes 1-4. This guide constitutes authority and may be cited as the basis for classification, regrading, or declassification of information and material involved in UAP collection and analysis. Changes in classification required by application of this guide shall be made immediately. Information identified in this guide for protection as classified information is classified by the Director, Naval Intelligence Activity, a TOP SECRET Original Classification Authority. 3. (U) Classification Challenges: If at any time security classification guidance contained herein is challenged or temporary markings of a higher classification are made, the items of information involved shall continue to be protected at the level prescribed by this guide until a formal decision by an appropriate authority is made. Classification challenges should be addressed to the PR, noted in Section 1 above. 4. (U) Reproduction, Extraction and Dissemination: This guide may be reproduced and disseminated as needed. However, to ensure receipt of updates, revisions, and classification changes, whenever this guide is disseminated beyond an initial addressee, notify the PR. 5. (U) Public Release: The fact that this guide shows certain details of information to be unclassified, including controlled unclassified information, does not allow automatic public release of this information. DoD or Navy information requested by the media or members of the public or proposed for release to the public by DoD civilians or military personnel or their contractors shall be processed in accordance with DoD Manual 5200.01, SECNAV M-5510.36, DoD Directive 5230.09, DoD Instruction 5230.29, DoD 5400.7-R, and SECNAVINST 5720.42G, as applicable. Proposed public disclosures of unclassified information regarding UAP shall be processed through the cognizant NIA Freedom of Information Act Officer. 6. (U) Foreign Disclosure: Any disclosure to foreign officials of information classified by this guide shall be in accordance with the procedures set forth in SECNAVINST 5510.34A and Department of the Navy Foreign Disclosure Manual of September 2007. If a country with which the DoD has entered into a reciprocal procurement memorandum of understanding or offset arrangement expresses an interest in this effort, a foreign disclosure review must be conducted prior to issuance of a solicitation. 7. (U) Definitions: Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP): Any aerial phenomenon that cannot be immediately identified. 8. (U) Classification Authority Block: Classified By: Mr. Scott Bray, Director, Naval Intelligence Activity Reason: 1.4(c) Declassify On: 20450416 (U) SECTION 3 – OVERALL EFFORT: 1. (U) Identification: Where information pertaining to UAP has been obtained or developed through the use of classified sources or methods, the proper classification of a resultant item of information or material will be the highest classification set forth in either this classification guide, or the classification guide or guides applicable to the sources or methods used to obtain the UAP information or material. Accordingly, information about UAP designated herein as SECRET//REL FVEY may well be TOP SECRET//SCI//NOFORN due to the sources or methods through which the UAP information was collected. In those cases where the sources or methods used to acquire the UAP information or material would lead to a higher classification level, the applicable SCG pertaining to those sources or methods should be cited as the classification authority, not this guide. 2. [Entire section redacted under (b)(1)(B)] 3. (U) Goal and Mission: The mission of the task force is to detect, analyze, catalog, consolidate and exploit advanced non-traditional aerospace vehicles posing an operational threat to U.S. National Security and avoid strategic surprise. 4. (U) End Item: Table: REASON: All information in this section is classified per section 1.4(c) of E.O. 13526 | TOPIC | CLASS | Dissemination Control | DECLASS ON | REMARKS | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1. (U) Identification: | | | | | | 1.a (U) The term Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) | U | Not Applicable (N/A) | N/A | | | 1.b. (U) The fact that Navy pilots, and other Department of the Navy (DON) personnel, have witnessed, and that certain DON technical systems have detected, at unspecified times and places, UAPs. | U | N/A | N/A | | | 1.c. (U) The fact that the frequency of UAP sightings has increased in recent years, without any further information regarding when, where, or how often sighting have been reported | U | N/A | N/A | | | 1.d (U) The fact that Navy has an ongoing effort to gain knowledge and insight into the nature and origins of UAPs, as well as their operations, capabilities, performance, and/or signatures | U | N/A | N/A | | | 1.e (U) The fact that Naval Intelligence in general, and the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) in particular, has created a Task Force to gain knowledge and insight into the nature and origins of UAPs, as well as their operations, capabilities, performance, and/or signatures | U | N/A | N/A | | | 2. (U) Goal, Mission, Purpose: | | | | | | 2.a (U) The fact that the Task Forces mission is to detect, analyze, catalog, consolidate, and exploit non-traditional aerospace vehicles/UAP posing an operational threat to U.S. National Security and avoid strategic surprise. | U | N/A | N/A | | [Redacted under (b)(1)(B)] 3. (U) Intelligence Collection, Exploitation, Analysis and Products: [Entire section and table entries redacted under (b)(1)(B)] 5. (U) Relationships: [Redacted under (b)(1)(B)] Footnote: ¹ As noted in Section 1, para. 8, where information pertaining to UAP has been obtained or developed through the use of classified sources or methods, the proper classification of a resultant item of information or material will be the highest classification or what is stated in this classification guide or the classification guide or guides applicable to the sources or methods used to obtain the UAP information or material. Accordingly, the classification level noted below may be incorrect if the source or method used to collect the information dictates a higher level of classification. DOD SECURITY CLASSIFICATION GUIDE DATA ELEMENTS REPORT CONTROL SYMBOL DD-C3I(AR)1418 1. REASON FOR SUBMISSION: a. NEW GUIDE [X] 2. PROMULGATING DOCUMENT: SECNAVINST 5510.36B 3. CLASSIFICATION GUIDE TITLE: Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) 4. CLASSIFICATION GUIDE DATE: 200415 5. CLASSIFICATION GUIDE ORIGINATOR: NIA Washington DC 6. AVAILABLE THRU DTIC: B [X] 7. BIENNIAL REVIEW DATE: 250515 8. NUMBER OF REVISIONS AND DATE OF LATEST: None 9. SUBJECT MATTER INDEX TERMS: a. Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon b. UAP c. Naval Intelligence 10. CLASSIFICATION OF GUIDE: S [X] 11. INDEX SOURCE NUMBER: [Blank] 12. The highest classification prescribed by the guide: S [X] 13. The guide prescribes classification of information controlled within a Special Access Program: b. NO [X] 14. REMARKS: None. 15. ORIGINATOR: a. TYPED NAME: Scott W. Bray, SES-3, USN b. TITLE: Director, Naval Intelligence Activity c. OFFICE/AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: OPNAV N2N6I e. DATE SIGNED: 20200416 16. ACTION OFFICER: a. NAME: [Redacted (b)(6)] b. TELEPHONE NO.: [Redacted (b)(6)] DD Form 2024, JUL 86 (EG)