Releases / 5 / CIA-UAP-D022

Unidentified Flying Object Reported near Puerto Rico, 1965

File

CIA-UAP-D022

Type

Document, 6 pages

Agency

CIA

Date

2/1/65

Place

Caribbean Sea

Released

Release 5, August 7, 2026

Open the original on war.gov

The government's description

This file contains Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) memoranda exchanged between the Assistant Director for Special Activities (AD/SA) and the Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence (AD/SI) regarding an incident allegedly involving unidentified aircraft in the vicinity of Puerto Rico. The AD/SI was then-responsible for analyzing foreign scientific advancements and technological threats, such as Soviet nuclear, chemical, and ballistic missile capabilities. The AD/SA managed the CIA’s classified overhead reconnaissance operations, including the deployment of advanced aircraft like the U-2 and A-12 OXCART. Together, these offices ensured the United States could both gather critical intelligence over contested territories and accurately evaluate the technical capabilities of foreign adversaries during the Cold War.

The memoranda refer to an incident on November 19, 1964, in which a U.S. Naval aviator described observing an unidentified object as “delta-shaped, about the size of a jet fighter.” The pilot visually estimated the object’s velocity as Mach 3 (approximately 2,200 mph). A corresponding track from an AN/SPS-49 radar system aboard a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer in the area, USS Gyatt, measured the object’s speed at 3,800 knots (approximately 4,373 mph). The memoranda indicate that, in the opinion of the AD/SI, the object was conceivably associated with foreign intelligence gathering activities, citing active missile testing within the AFWR, or Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range, as being an attractive reconnaissance target. The AD/SA and AD/SI also ruled out domestic experimental aircraft, such as the YF-12A OXCART, as a potential attribution.

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6- 63
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WARNING
This document contains information affecting the notional security of the United States within the meaning
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The law prohibits its transmission or
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revelot/on of lts contents in any manner to an unauthori1ed person, as well as its use In any manner
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BYE 2081-65
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DATE
TIME
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BYEMAN
Access to this document will be restricted to those persons
cleared for the specific projects;
.....................
OX€ART
.....................
. ....................
.....................
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.....................
.....................
.....................
WARNING
This document contains information affecting the national security/ of the United States within the meaning
of the espionage laws U. S. Code Title 18, Sections 793 and 794. The law prohibits its transmission or
the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person, as well as its use in any manner
prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government ta the
detriment of the United States. it is to be seen only by personnel especially indoctrinated and authorized
to receive information in the designated control channels. Its security must be maintained in accardance
with regulations pertaining to BY EMAN Control System.
TOP SECRET
DATE

'Hai~lo ~ia . D)"EMAN.
Cmrirct S-;stem ,; · ·-- ••

'fOP SEOR:B'i'
OXCART

BYE 2081-65
Copy ..1_

1 FEB 1965
MEMORANDUM FOR:

Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence

SUBJECT:

Unidentified Flying Object

1. OSI and OSA, we believe; received similar information
regarding a UFO in the vicinity of Puerto Rico during period
18-24 November 1964. As you can see by the cable originated
by the Commander, Caribbean Sea Frontier, to Commander in
Chief Atlantic Fleet, date time group Ol/2048Z December,
CINCLANTFLT was informed that UFO identified by CO Ramey as
being YF-12A. We think ONI finally convinced, through our
efforts, that UFO in fact not YF-12A or similar category
Lockheed Aircraft.
2. Navy has provided, at our request, pertinent traffic
on this subject, as well as original radar film, Attachment 1,
with accompanying prints of same. Request OSI, possibly in
conjunction with OEL, evaluate the radar photography to
determine if any further information can be gotten through
a thorough scientific analysis of the material relative to a
high speed, high altitude UFO.
3. Request on completion of OSI study that the attached
documents, film and prints be returned to the TCO/BCO/OSA
for return to Navy.

. . __i

ACK C. L

Colonel
ssistant Director
(Special Activities)
Attachments As stated above
•iir. . .
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OXCART
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