Dr. Doug Buettner, deputy chief scientist at the Pentagon's Acquisition Innovation Research Center, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Scientific Coalition for UFO", covering any airborne object that cannot be immediately identified.">UAP Studies, according to an Open Minds interview published in June 2024.
Buettner serves under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. The Acquisition Innovation Research Center focuses on defense procurement research and workforce development; its portfolio does not encompass intelligence collection or aerospace anomaly investigation.
SCU, founded in 2017, applies scientific methodology to UAP analysis. The coalition has published peer-reviewed research on cases including the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter.
In the Open Minds interview, Buettner discussed his analytical approach to UAP cases and referenced examination of a New York City incident. His specific methodology and findings were not independently available at press time.
Buettner retains his Pentagon position while serving on the coalition's board. Neither the applicable conflict-of-interest policies nor any intersection between his official duties and SCU work has been publicly disclosed.
UFOPress has requested comment from the Acquisition Innovation Research Center and SCU regarding the appointment and governing ethics guidelines.