CIA-UAP-D022, Unidentified Flying Object Reported near Puerto Rico, 1965
A 1965 intelligence memorandum reviews radar photography and pilot observations connected to unidentified-aircraft reports near Puerto Rico in November 1964. It rejects a high-altitude ultra-high-speed interpretation for one track while assessing the November 19 object as probably a high-performance delta-wing fighter.
- File
- Document · Release 05
- Date
- Feb 1, 1965
- Location
- Caribbean Sea
- Extent
- 6 pages
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Probed Assessment
Key takeaways
- The memorandum says detailed analysis did not support a high-altitude, ultra-high-speed object north of Puerto Rico during the November 18-24, 1964 period.
- It nevertheless describes apparently valid unidentified-aircraft tracks or observations near the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range on several November 1964 dates.
- A pilot described a delta-shaped object about the size of a jet fighter and estimated performance above Mach 3.
Why it matters
This 6-page official record adds page-located primary-source material to the public history represented in Release 05. Its value lies in what the document records, not in independent confirmation of every reported event or estimate.
Corroboration
The assessment is grounded in the official PDF, reviewed page text, and faithful source excerpts. Statements attributed to witnesses or agencies remain source claims unless separately corroborated in the record.
Open questions
- • Which reported observations or technical estimates can be independently corroborated from contemporaneous records?
Probed separates this editorial assessment from the source claims below. It summarizes what the released artifact supports; it is not independent verification.
Official Description from War.gov
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.
Preserved verbatim as source metadata. This wording is separate from Probed’s file-specific description and assessment.
File Context
Related entities
Tracker findings
The memorandum assessed the November 19 radar and pilot observations
The record states: The memorandum assessed the November 19 radar and pilot observations as probably involving a high-performance delta-wing fighter.
The Office of Naval Intelligence supplied the original radar film and related
The record states: The Office of Naval Intelligence supplied the original radar film and related message traffic for the review.
Radar review rejected the reported ultra-high-speed Puerto Rico object
The record states: The memorandum says detailed analysis did not support a high-altitude, ultra-high-speed object north of Puerto Rico during the November 18-24, 1964 period.
Review still identified valid unidentified-aircraft tracks
The record states: It nevertheless describes apparently valid unidentified-aircraft tracks or observations near the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range on several November 1964 dates.
Pilot described a delta-shaped object exceeding Mach 3
The record states: A pilot described a delta-shaped object about the size of a jet fighter and estimated performance above Mach 3.
Release provenance
- Release
- Release 05
- Official ID
- release-05-file-010-cia-uap-d022-unidentified-flying-object-reported-near-puerto-rico-1965
- Cleared
- Aug 7, 2026
Referenced Timeline
Delta-shaped object reported
A Navy pilot and USS Gyatt observations were associated with a reported delta-shaped object near the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range.
Intelligence memorandum prepared
The source includes a memorandum dated February 11, 1965 requesting scientific review of radar material.
Source Claims
Claims are attributed to the released source and remain distinct from Probed’s assessment and tracker findings.
The memorandum says detailed analysis did not support a high-altitude, ultra-high-speed object north of Puerto Rico during the November 18-24, 1964 period.
Detailed analysia of the radar photography of 19 Novemoer 1704 and review of ageucisted correspondence indicate that there was, 1a f&ck, no Righ altitude ultra-high-speed UPO north of Fuerte Bics dusiag the ld-24 Novemser 1964 period.
It nevertheless describes apparently valid unidentified-aircraft tracks or observations near the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range on several November 1964 dates.
There were, however, ayppareatly valid tracks and/or observations of unidentifiec atrcralt in the vicinity af the Atlantic Fleet Weapon Range on 16, 17, 18, 1%, and 24 Novemaer 1754.
A pilot described a delta-shaped object about the size of a jet fighter and estimated performance above Mach 3.
distinguish the object as a delta shape about the ¢ise of « jet fighter, reported it as having nach higher performance, and estimated object speed to be in excess ot Mech 3.
The same pilot account characterized the object as outperforming the observing fighter.
distinguish the object as a delta shape about the ¢ise of « jet fighter, reported it as having nach higher performance, and estimated object speed to be in excess ot Mech 3.
The memorandum assessed the November 19 radar and pilot observations as probably involving a high-performance delta-wing fighter.
of the raday photogrs ha and pilot observation, lt ig concluded thei the so-called UFO 05 19 Newemuer wae probaily @ dulta-wing fighter of & type hoving a siguificantly higher climb performance than the F-5C at the 50, JOU faut altitude regimsa.
It discussed a Soviet reconnaissance configuration but stated that available information did not establish corresponding Soviet or Cuban activity from Cuba.
The USSR has & MiG-2) reconazissance configuration with APA+-39 aerial cameras aad posainly SIQINT ecuipment, There is ao evidence at haan to Suggest of Geay aay MiG-2] reconmaissance activity vaaad in Waba, either with Soviet or Cuban pilota.
The Office of Naval Intelligence supplied the original radar film and related message traffic for the review.
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 l, with accompanying prints of same.
Source Material & Evidence
Research Map
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