A declassified CIA document titled "GRILL FLAME Meeting, 30 October 1979" details a key planning session for one of the U.S. government’s most unusual Cold War programs-psychic intelligence gathering through remote viewing.
The meeting notes, attended by CIA and Army representatives, capture the pivot from experimental interest to formal program structure.
By 1979, what had begun as fringe experimentation was rapidly evolving into a potentially deployable intelligence tool.
🧪 From Novelty to "Operational Tool"
Attendees discussed the transition of remote viewing from lab-based trials into structured intelligence support. Emphasis was placed on refining protocols and ensuring repeatability of results.
The team was preparing to shift their methods into a multi-year structured contract focused on controlled sessions with trained personnel.
The goal: establish reliability and utility in real-world intelligence operations.
🛡️ Army Collaboration and Oversight
Key military offices-including INSCOM-were involved in evaluating both the scientific legitimacy and operational value of the psychic research.
The Army was particularly interested in how remote viewing could:
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Assist in locating hostages or missing personnel
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Gain insight into adversarial decision-making
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Serve as a non-intrusive collection method in denied environments
CIA officials urged care, noting that while promising, the discipline still lacked robust metrics for evaluation.
📋 Next Steps and Classified Intent
The meeting closed with an agreement to pursue continued funding, additional scientific review, and potential collaboration with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Planners were advised to keep publicity minimal and secure the sensitive nature of the effort.
This wasn’t a closed door. It was the opening stage of a multi-agency commitment to exploring psychic phenomena for national security.
