Written by Christopher Sharp - 18 March 2022

• If OUSD(I&S) intends to (with the blessing of Congress and key Executive figures) commit its resources to run the new Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Office, known as the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group (AOIMSG), then it’s going to be a difficult few years for those serving within the office

• Under the National Defense Authorization Act AOIMSG must provide semi-annual classified briefings and one annual report regarding UAP

• The Intelligence Authorization Act will require an additional four classified quarterly UAP reports

• In total, at least six UAP reports and briefings can be expected this year - should there be an alarming incident that needs immediate attention, there is scope to increase the number of briefings

• From 2023 this number will increase to seven

• Politicians, who tend to be very cautious, may seek vindication for their interest in the UAP topic, to thwart any political attacks before the 2022 midterms in November

• Behind the scenes, sources within the Department of Defense have suggested that such politicians may get their wish.

If you think your job is tough, imagine the life of an unknown bureaucrat within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security (OUSD(I&S)).

If OUSD(I&S) intends to (with the blessing of Congress and key Executive figures) commit its resources to run the new Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Office, known as the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group (AOIMSG), then it’s going to be a difficult few years for those serving within the office.

As an oversight office, not only is it ill-equipped to meet the intent of Congress, but its job has just become a lot more daunting, with the prospect of six yearly briefings to Congress and one annual unclassified report.

In short, the scrutiny OUSD(I&S) will come under to provide transparency and real results will be severe.

So, let’s break down what Congress requires from AOIMSG, to give you an idea of what can be expected.

NDAA Requirements

In December 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2022 was signed into law by President Joe Biden.

Under the NDAA, AOIMSG must provide semi-annual classified briefings and one annual report regarding UAP to the following committees:

• The Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate

• The Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate - receive annual report, not semi-annual briefings.

• The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

Yes, you read that correctly - the appropriations committees (that control purse strings) are now involved too - meaning that pressure is not just on OUSD(I&S) but all the other offices within the Department of Defense (DoD) in addition to the government agencies expected to coordinate with AOIMSG.

The Intelligence Authorization Act Requirements

The OUSD(I&S) already faced an intimidating prospect with NDAA requirements, not to mention the fact there is an active Inspector General Evaluation. Could it get any worse?

Yes.

This month, Joe Biden signed the U.S. Government’s funding bill, which means OUSD(I&S) must allocate money towards AOIMSG and reveal its plans to meet Congressional intent - which Congress will fiercely scrutinize.

Oh, but it gets worse.

Within the funding bill recently signed by President Biden was the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) 2022, which had been delayed. 

What does the IAA mean for OUSD(I&S) and AOIMSG?

All DoD and Intelligence Community components must provide UAP data "immediately" to AOIMSG and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC).

And here’s where it gets really bad for those within OUSD(I&S) already dreading the pressure from the NDAA. The IAA will require an additional four classified quarterly UAP reports to the following committees:

• The Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate

• The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

If you’re not keeping tally, here’s what will be keeping those within OUSD(I&S) up at night:

• Two semi-annual classified briefings

• Four quarterly classified reports

• One annual unclassified report which may include a classified annex.

Congress will be hoping to find more answers as it seeks to rule out possible prosaic explanations. Politicians, wishing to be vindicated may also seek the release of compelling data to the public.

Most crucially, Congress will be getting a handle on the situation and wresting control from bureaucrats after decades of obfuscation.

For those looking for key milestones in 2022, you can find all the dates of upcoming briefings and reports below.

• March 2022: First classified semi-annual briefing provided as per NDAA legislation

• June 2022: First classified quarterly report provided as per IAA legislation

• September 2022: Second classified quarterly report provided as per IAA legislation

• September 2022: Second classified semi-annual briefing provided as per NDAA legislation

• October 2022: First annual unclassified report provided as per NDAA legislation

• December 2022: Third classified quarterly report provided as per IAA legislation

In total, at least six UAP reports and briefings can be expected this year. Should there be an alarming incident that needs immediate attention, there is scope to increase the number of briefings.

However, with so many briefings and reports required, there could be scope for leading congressional committees to informally consolidate requirements under the NDAA and IAA, for purposes of efficiency and convenience.

But with that all said - we can expect 2022 to be the year of UAP, at least in Congressional circles.

Politicians, who tend to be very cautious, may seek vindication for their interest in the UAP topic, to thwart any political attacks before the 2022 midterms in November.

Behind the scenes, sources within the DoD have suggested that such politicians may get their wish.

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