[chris]

This PDF is a January 28, 1985 U.S. Department of State diplomatic cable from the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to USCINCPAC in Honolulu. It reports an inquiry from Papua New Guinea intelligence services about high-altitude, high-speed aircraft in Papua New Guinean airspace on the evening of January 24, 1985.

The cable says a National Intelligence Officer told U.S. diplomats that residents had been "frightened by overflights, which led to the provincial premier's calling of a public meeting on the subject." The same officer reported "various reports of unidentified aerial phenomena the night of January 24, including fast-moving objects with lights, contrails, and noise," and cited an Air Niugini pilot who said radar had "picked up aircraft flying south to north at high altitude and high speed." The cable calls the information "very sketchy" and asks for clarification on whether U.S. military aircraft were in Papua New Guinean airspace that night.

Declassified by the Department of War under the PURSUE UAP records release (tranche of 5/8/26).
Agency: Department of State
Incident: 1/24/85, Papua New Guinea
Document ID: dos-uap-d1-cable-1-papua-new-guinea-january-1985