State Department cables referencing aerial phenomena reported by embassies, 1975–1979

The records sought

Cables and airgrams held in the Central Foreign Policy File referencing unidentified flying objects or unidentified aerial phenomena reported by post, 1 January 1975 to 31 December 1979.

Why it matters

Most of this file is already at the Archives and already declassified. The request is really a finding-aid request, which is why it is cheap and why it will probably be answered in full.

How it will be filed

The default for most federal components and a great many state bodies. Sent from a per-request alias so every reply routes itself, with delivery and fetch events recorded.

National Archives and Records Administration answers in a median of 61 days against a statutory 20 business days, and releases something 86% of the time — full scorecard.

What quorum is made of

• Email$0

  No carrier cost

• Filing and follow-up$15

  Drafting, review, the statutory clock, and every chase until the agency answers