OF"F'1C£ 0~ THE SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON DC 20330-1000
MEMORANDUM FOR DISTRIBUTION
1 March 1994
SUBJECf: GAO Review on Records Management Procedures Dealing with
Weather Balloons, Unknown Aircraft, and Similar Crash Incidents (GAO
Code 701034)- ACTION MEMORANDUM
References: (a) 23 Feb 94 DoD/IG Memorandum, Subj, same as above
(b) 15 Feb 94 GAO Memorandum of Review Notification
The Department of Defense and other executive branch agencies are undergoing a
review by the GAO concerning whether the US government has "met its responsibility in
the handling, retention, and subsequent disposition of official records concerning the
investigation and reporting of air vehicle and other crash incidents similar to the reported
crash of a weather balloon near Roswell, New Mexico in July 1947". To fulfill the Air
Force portion of this review, addressees, as applicable, are requested to:
(a) identify pertinent directives concerning records retention and disposition;
(b) identify pertinent directives concerning reporting air vehicle crashes,
investigations, and wreckage/debris retention and disposition;
(c) identify~ records (unclassified or classified) related to air vehicle (aircraft,
lighter-than-aircraft, rocket/missile, or other) impacts or crashes in New
Mexico from 20 June to 31 July 1947; identify record groups and/or other
indexes associated with these records for further review; and
(d) provide copies of pertinent directives (including any changes of policies on
retention and disposition) and records (i.e., item c above) to SAF/AAZ, 1720
Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1720.
Please provide your responses (interim or final) by 14 Mar 94. Contact Col
Weaver or Lt Col Butler at DSN 223-2013n or commercial (703) 693-2013n if there are
any questions.
2 Attachments:
1. 23 Feb 94 DoD/IG Memo w/encl
2. GAO Issue/Scope/Approach
DISTRIBUTION:
SAF/AAI
SAF/AQL
AF/SE
AF/HO
AF/IN
AF/XOW
::!~~Administrative Assistan~