{"type":"programs","slug":"2021-aoimsg","title":"AOIMSG","url":"https://disclosdex.com/programs/2021-aoimsg","description":"The Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group, a short-lived predecessor to AARO that coordinated UAP investigations across the Department of Defense","date":"2021-11-23T00:00:00.000Z","tags":["UAP Task Force"],"updated":"2025-06-13T13:26:43.000Z","connectionCount":1,"content":{"markdown":"## Origins and Context\n\nIn November 2021, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks established the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group (AOIMSG) to succeed the Navy's UAP Task Force.[^1] The organization emerged from growing congressional pressure to standardize and expand the Defense Department's investigation of unidentified phenomena.[^2]\n\n## Program Structure\n\nAOIMSG operated under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, with oversight from an Executive Council (AOIMEXEC) co-chaired by the Under Secretary and the Director of Operations for the Joint Staff.[^3] The group focused on detecting, identifying and attributing objects of interest in Special Use Airspace and assessing potential threats to aviation safety and national security.[^4]\n\n## Operations and Impact\n\nThe organization helped initiate synchronization of UAP investigation efforts across the Department of Defense and broader U.S. government.[^5] However, AOIMSG had not achieved initial operating capability before the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act led to its reorganization into the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) with an expanded mission set.[^6]\n\n## Legacy\n\nWhile short-lived, AOIMSG represented a critical transition point in the government's approach to UAP investigation, bridging the gap between the Navy's UAP Task Force and the more comprehensive AARO program.[^7] The organization helped establish the foundational processes for coordinated, department-wide UAP research and analysis.[^8]\n\n[^1]: [DoD Establishes Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group](https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2853121/dod-establishes-airborne-object-identification-and-management-synchronization-group/)\n\n[^2]: [AARO Historical Record Report Volume 1: AOIMSG Background](https://media.defense.gov/2024/Mar/08/2003409233/-1/-1/0/DOPSR-CLEARED-508-COMPLIANT-HRRV1-08-MAR-2024-FINAL.PDF)\n\n[^3]: [Establishment of the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group](https://media.defense.gov/2021/Nov/23/2002898596/-1/-1/0/ESTABLISHMENT-OF-THE-AIRBORNE-OBJECT-IDENTIFICATION-AND-MANAGEMENT-SYNCHRONIZATION-GROUP.PDF)\n\n[^4]: [Deputy Secretary of Defense Memo on AOIMSG](https://media.defense.gov/2021/Nov/23/2002898596/-1/-1/0/ESTABLISHMENT-OF-THE-AIRBORNE-OBJECT-IDENTIFICATION-AND-MANAGEMENT-SYNCHRONIZATION-GROUP.PDF)\n\n[^5]: [ODNI-DoD UAP Report 2022](https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Unclassified-2022-Annual-Report-UAP.pdf)\n\n[^6]: [AARO Historical Record Report Volume 1: AOIMSG Did Not Reach Initial Operating Capability](https://media.defense.gov/2024/Mar/08/2003409233/-1/-1/0/DOPSR-CLEARED-508-COMPLIANT-HRRV1-08-MAR-2024-FINAL.PDF)\n\n[^7]: [DoD Release: AOIMSG Renamed and Expanded into AARO](https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3100053/dod-announces-the-establishment-of-the-all-domain-anomaly-resolution-office/)\n\n[^8]: [Congressional Research Service Report on UAP](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11494)","readingTime":"2 min read"},"relatedRecords":[{"ref":{"type":"documents","slug":"2022-congressional-hearings-documentation","title":"2022 Congressional Hearings Documentation","url":"https://disclosdex.com/documents/2022-congressional-hearings-documentation"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1}],"citation":{"canonicalUrl":"https://disclosdex.com/programs/2021-aoimsg","title":"AOIMSG","publisher":"Disclosdex","retrievedFrom":"https://disclosdex.com/api/v1/programs/2021-aoimsg","license":"CC-BY-4.0"}}