While there are many organizations dedicated to studying the UFO/Alien phenomena, there has, despite the thousands of reports, been very little "official" investigation. The only branch of the government that seems to have even tried was the United States Air Force. Their first attempt, Project Sign, in 1948 ended rather inconclusively. They determined that the craft witnessed were of neither Russian or US make and were quite likely of extraterrestrial origin then left it at that. It was quickly followed by Project Grudge, a dedicated attempt at debunking any reported UFO or alien sighting or encounter despite nearly a quarter of their investigations remained "unexplainable".

This blatant attempt at ignoring what could potentially be a serious problem angered General Charles Cabell. In 1952 he ended Project Grudge and enlisted the aid of fellow Air Force General William Garland to form a new, serious study. They named this mission Project Blue Book. Under the direct supervision of Captain Edward Ruppelt, Project Blue Book was revamped. A new method was initiated which attempted to cover as much data as could be thought of during interviews and site investigations. During this time a remarkable amount of transparency seemed to be forthcoming and press conferences to announce findings became routine.

To avoid some of the division of opinion and reduce the stigmata of reporting, Capt Ruppelt insisted that anyone on the Project maintain an open mind about the situation. Any operative who became openly skeptical or tried to fit facts into a specific theory soon found themselves transferred out of Project Blue Book. During the investigations held at this time, scientists and astronomers were often called on to help advise the investigators. During this time many of the more famous and well-known sightings occurred and were given serious attention. Even the head scientific consultant for the Project, Astronomer Dr. J. Allen Hynek, lost his skepticism after enough "unexplainable" sightings were logged with the Project.

This high-minded attempt at seeking the truth of the UFO phenomena lived a very short life. Capt. Ruppelt was temporarily removed from Project Blue Book. On his return a few months later he discovered that his staff had been reduced by 90%. All he had left for covering the entire country were two subordinate investigators. In frustration he suggested they turn the investigations over to the Air Defense Command as he no longer had a Project capable of functioning in any useful capacity. By March of 1954 Project Blue Book was being led by Captain Charles Hardin, a man who thought that anyone who supposedly saw a UFO was insane and needed medical treatment. The "Dark Ages" of UFO investigation had begun. By 1969 Project Blue Book was dead. The military's take on all this data, that there was no threat to national security from these supposed objects.

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