What is the current Australian Department of Defence's position on "unusual aerial sightings?"

Hi all,

The last time I checked the Australian Department of Defence's position, on what it termed "Unusual Aerial Sightings" was in 2008. At that time, their website contained the following statement:

“Unidentified Aerials Sightings (UAS)

Sightings of unusual or unidentified aerial objects or UFO's.
Provided by: Directorate of Concepts and Capability Development Royal Australian Air Force
Postal: Russell Offices Department of Defence Canberra ACT 2600
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) formerly had a responsibility for investigating and assessing the validity of UAS. After careful examination of the factual data and historical records that had been gathered over many years, it was determined that the collective evidence did not warrant the continued allocation of resources by the RAAF to investigate and report on UAS. Subsequently, the RAAF ceased this function.
Current Defence policy on UAS where members of the public may have questions on, or seek to report sightings, is to direct them to their local police authorities or civil Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) research organisations, through the relevant state telephone directory.” 

 

 

The other day, I decided, on a whim, to have a look at what the current Department of Defence's website had on "Unusual Aerial Sightings." Using their own search engine brought up "Defence Instructions (General)." Admin 55-1. "Unusual Aerial Sightings Policy." 

 

Australian Defence Force personnel who receive a report from a member of the public are to refer that person to the local police authorities, or alternately advise them to report it to a civilian UFO research organisation.

 

The Instruction also carries the statement "For many years the RAAF was responsible for the handling of Unusual Aerial Sightings (UAS) at the official level. This function ceased in 1996 after consideration of the scientific record suggested that there was no compelling reason for the RAAF to continue to devote resources to the recording and investigation of UAS."

 

My reading of the RAAF's investigations of what they termed UAS, is that their sole aim was to determine if any UAS were a threat to Australia. There was no responsibility on the RAAF to look at any scientific perspective which might have been raised by UAS reports. It is therefore ironic that their current internal instruction, uses the reasoning that the scientific record was considered.

 

To read the current instruction click here.