The Department of Defense (DoD) upheld (b)(7)(A) and (b)(7)(E) exemptions in response to six FOIA appeals filed by The Black Vault challenging the classification of UAP information under law enforcement exemptions. During the appellate review, the DoD introduced additional exemptions not previously cited, including those covering classified information on intelligence activities and matters exempted from release by statute. Despite multiple attempts to obtain a comment from a DoD spokesperson regarding these developments, no response has been received after months of attempts, continuing the trend of governmental secrecy surrounding UAP phenomena. The introduction of new exemptions presents heightened challenges for The…
Author: John Greenewald
Today, The Black Vault received via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This agreement, signed in May of 2023, outlines the role of Mark McInerney as the “Liaison Officer Assignment” for the Department of Defense’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Document Archive Just Released Memorandum of Agreement Sheds Light on NASA’s Liaison Role in DoD’s UFO Office AARO [7 Pages, 1.2MB]
On September 28, 2023, a packet of information was sent from United States Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), addressed to the Richard L. Revesz, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. The letter outlines an urgent request, in alignment with OMB procedures, for processing a proposed information collection initiative titled “AARO Contact Form for Authorized Reporting” under an emergency clearance in accord with 5 C.F.R. § 1320.13, “Emergency Processing.” The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is at the centerpiece of this initiative, earmarked as the conduit…
[Declassified Documents on Operation Paperclip Follow This Brief Introduction] At the twilight of World War II, as the embers of battle subsided and the world began to reimagine its new geopolitical landscape, the United States launched an audacious covert operation. Termed “Operation Paperclip,” this classified mission sought to capitalize on the scientific prowess of Nazi Germany, aiming to bolster American defense, research, and space exploration capabilities for the decades to come. Background and Objectives When the dust of World War II settled, the global powers, especially the U.S. and the Soviet Union, were already eyeing the spoils of war. Both…
In a new development concerning Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), a batch of documents and videos has emerged from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The unexpected find came to light thanks to X user “Dr.Disclosure89 (@Docneuroeo)”, who alerted The Black Vault about this discovery. As of now, the origins of this release remain a mystery. There are two main possibilities: either CBP took the initiative to proactively disclose these materials to the public, or they were released as a result of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The Black Vault currently has multiple FOIA cases with CBP.…