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The original documents are located in Box B131, folder "1968: Unidentified Flying Objects
(folder 28)" of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the
United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives
collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in
the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are
presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject
to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
1968: Unidentified Flying Objects Information (folder B131-
28)
Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
THE FINAL WORD ON
Flying Saucers?
At the U. of Colorado a new all-out attack on UFOs has been launched
- BY L. JEROME STANTON
Author of "Flying Saucers: Heax or Reality"
re we being spied upon and studied by intelli-
extremely limited. Indeed, with a staff limited most
stood until 1965, when a book "Anatomy of a
A
gent beings from outer space, as we study the
of the time to one commissioned officer, one noncom
Phenomenon," by Jacques Vallee, a French scientist
primitive aborigines of central Australia and
and two clerks, it's amazing that Project Blue Book
living in the U.S., was published.
New Guinea? Is the U.S. Air Force deliberately
could do any job effectively.
Soberly scientific in tone, it gave an unusually
withholding information about flying saucers, for
The first modern sighting of a UFO occurred
complete and authoritative summary of the entire
fear that releasing the truth would trigger a panic?
June 24th, 1947, near Mt. Rainier in Washington.
history of the flying saucer-UFO phenomenon. It
Why do we still know so little about the true nature
A veteran private pilot named Kenneth Arnold,
also opened the eyes of many people to the fact that
of unidentified flying objects? In this time when
while flying his own light aircraft, saw nine large,
sightings were world-wide.
science says other intelligent life almost surely exists
silvery objects shaped like inverted plates or saucers,
Then in the early hours of August 2, 1965,
elsewhere in our galaxy, these questions are being
flying in a reversed-echelon formation. Arnold had
authorities in adjacent parts of Texas, New Mexico,
asked by a great many people who formerly would
described the objects as moving "like a saucer
Oklahoma and Kansas were flooded with calls
have laughed off such thoughts as pure fantasy.
skipped across a pond," and from this a reporter
reporting UFOs, many of the reports coming from
Almost 20 years ago a news story about "flying
devised the name "flying saucer."
police officers in highway patrol cars. One group of
saucers" flashed over the press wires, startling our
objects was seen for about 30 minutes flying in a
nation and much of the civilized world. From that
Flying saucers
In the two decades since that
diamond formation over the area around Shawnee,
moment, a world-wide interest in unidentified flying
episode, literally thousands of
Okla. They were lights of indefinite shape, that
have been seen
objects has stubbornly stayed alive, despite efforts of
UFO sightings have been re-
changed color randomly from orange-red to white to
authorities and others to refute and debunk them.
around the world
ported from all parts of the
blue-green and back again. Radar at Tinker and
Fortunately one new factor has entered the pic-
world.
Carswell Air Force Bases in the area tracked four
ture that bids fair to resolve some of our doubts and
In January, 1950, Major Donald E. Keyhoe, a
objects that coincided with objects seen by eye-
puzzlement. On October 7, 1966, a contract was
retired Marine Corps officer, authored an article for
witnesses, according to a statement issued by the
awarded to the University of Colorado to conduct a
"True" magazine, in which he insisted that flying
Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The radar tracking
scientific investigation of UFO sightings and report
saucers were real, physical objects, and that they
was later denied by the Air Force, but the denial
findings to the U.S. Air Force, with recommenda-
came from some place not on our own planet Earth.
was contradicted by a nine-page report from the
tions for future operation of the Air Force's own
The article touched off a sensation. But solid evi-
Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The con-
Project Blue Book UFO inquiry. The Colorado
dence such as good, close-up photographs or motion
fusion was only increased when the Project Blue
report will then be reviewed by the National Acad-
pictures (or debris of a crashed saucer!) proved
Book officer later reported solemnly that the stars
emy of Sciences. Funded at somewhat more than
impossible to get, and conclusions had to be based
Rigel, Capella and Aldebaran, and the planet Jupi-
$300,000, the study will analyze UFO reports, and
solely on the accounts of eye-witnesses.
ter, seen under peculiar local weather conditions,
actually assign scientists to the field to study UFOs
The Air Force began the first official investiga-
had been the cause.
at first hand, if that proves feasible. Guaranteed a
tion of the more impressive reports a few weeks after
completely free hand by the Air
the Arnold sighting, but the
The celebrated incident at Exe-
One sighting
Force, the inquiry should do
effort was reduced to practi-
ter, N. H., occurred during the
cally nothing early in 1950.
brings reports
much to quiet the louder critics
early morning hours of Septem-
of Project Blue Book, and also
Then in 1951 a renewed surge of
of others
ber 3, 1965. Norman Muscar-
to allay any public doubts and
nation-wide interest and pub-
ello, an 18-year-old Exeter resi-
fears. It is, in fact, the first
licity compelled a widening of
dent, was badly frightened by a large object that
really scientific attack on the
the inquiry.
swooped silently over the highway. He informed the
UFO enigma yet set in motion
By 1952, reports reached a
local police and was driven back to the spot by
in the United States.
dizzying peak. But time passed
Officer Bertrand. The object returned and was seen
The critical problem of na-
and public interest dwindled.
at close range and low level by both Muscarello and
tional security makes an all-out
In the following eight years
Bertrand, and by Officer David Hunt, in another
scientific attack on the UFO
UFOs continued to be reported
patrol car. The object was circular, about 100 feet
puzzle seem long overdue. But
over the U.S. and many other
in diameter, and in addition to the over-all orange-
since the first reports of modern
parts of the world. Press and
red glow, showed a pattern of smaller, brighter
times, the subject has been beset
A 1951 phenomenon that is still
radio now gave more attention
lights that waxed and waned in regular rhythm.
by unstable notoriety-seekers,
to "contactee" accounts than to
The Exeter incident brought to light the case of
hoaxers and plain crack-pots,
unexplained is the one
soberly factual episodes. Proj-
the Halls. While undergoing treatment for a period
so that most serious scientists
known as the "Lubbock lights,"
ect Blue Book plodded on, al-
of amnesia, Mr. and Mrs. Hall told their psycho-
have shied away from the prob-
which was sighted at
though proposals to put a team
analyst a strange story of having been captured and
lem. The nearest approach to
Lubbock, Texas. It is one
of scientists in the field with in-
interrogated by beings in a weird flying vehicle some
a scientific investigation, the
struments for direct observation
two years before.
20-year USAF study called
of the photographs the
of a UFO were never actually
During 1966, in addition to many other reports
Project Blue Book, has been
U. of Colorado may examine
put into effect. So matters
from more remote parts of the world, a persistent
6
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
The photograph above, taken by Dan (left) and Grant Jaroslaw in the backyard of their home northeast of Detroit, is undergoing scientific analysis
series of peculiar lights was seen over Wanaque
general public, or among various groups of UFO
a long-term disagreement with the Air Force Project
reservoir in Northern New Jersey. Similar lights
buffs. At one extreme of the organized UFO groups
Blue Book method of investigation, but is now
were reported near Hillsdale, Mich., by many resi-
are the clubs and individuals who swear they have
cooperating with the University of Colorado inquiry.
dents of the area, who loudly contradicted semi-
had actual contact with intelligent beings who come
The SAUCERS organization believes that there
official statements that marsh gas was responsible.
in flying saucers.
is overwhelming evidence that so-called flying sau-
Still more odd-shaped glowing lights were seen and
At the other end of the gamut of UFO groups is
cers are probably of extraterrestrial origin and most
photographed over Long Island. This time the
NICAP, the National Investigations Committee on
likely come from the planet Mars.
official explanation put the blame on the star Sirius.
Aerial Phenomena, of Washington, D.C., with Major
In January, 1967, two
Keyhoe as Director, and Rich-
All believers
Beliefs of the farther-out saucer
youngsters, Daniel and Grant
ard Hall as Assistant Director.
fans are more diffuse, but all
Jaroslaw, in Harrison Town-
With a membership of about
agree the UFOs
agree that they are real. Many
ship, northeast of Detroit,
11,000 claimed, NICAP is the
are very real
consider that UFOs come from
snapped photos of something
largest organization and has a
planets of other suns than ours,
that looked like a big ham-
hefty percentage of scientific,
and are operated by beings more advanced than we.
burger and was the size of a
technical, military and law-
Many insist that the Visitors mean only Infinite
helicopter. The photos were
enforcement personnel.
Good, have visited earth many times in the past, and
sent to Dr. J. Allen Hynek,
Somewhere in the middle
are the cause of many of our religious beliefs in gods,
chairman of the Astronomy
is the Saucer and Unexplained
miracles and legends.
Department at Northwestern
Celestial Events Research Soci-
Is it possible to choose between these differing
University, who has investi-
ety, of Ft. Lee, N. J., and New
views? For many the answer apparently is "No!",
gated reported sightings for the
York City. SAUCERS was
and it will probably remain so until a saucer crashes
Air Force. His comment at the
founded in 1954, claims about
in Central Park, or the University of Colorado pre-
time was that the photos did
"Swamp gas" was the
7,000 members and holds a
sents its report. Unfortunately, UFOs seem to be far
not "indicate an obvious hoax,"
but that they required analysis.
Air Force explanation for the
broader view of UFO phenom-
more reliable than earthly aircraft, for no authenti-
ena than does NICAP.
cated debris of a crashed saucer has come to light.
Undoubtedly, the photos will
Hillsdale, Mich., sightings.
At present, NICAP scorns
Nevertheless, if you answer the door some night
also be shown to the University
This photo was released
the contactees and their claims
and find yourself confronted by a small, greenish
of Colorado group.
by the town's civil defense
and believes that UFOs are real
individual who politely asks for the loan of a cup of
Asmatters now stand, there
physical objects and that they
uranium, don't slam the door; it may be the
is anything but agreement,
director to refute
are under the control of intelli-
Martian ambassador - victim of the interplanetary
either within the body of the
the swamp gas theory
gent beings. NICAP has had
equivalent of an empty gas tank.
(THE END)
THIS WEEK Magazine / March 5, 1967
7
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Russians Take an Interest in UFOs
Reuters
MOSCOW, Nov. 11-The
Russians seem to be taking
The Washington Post
GENERAL NEWS
flying saucers seriously.
Air Force Gen. Anatoly
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1967
Stolyerov has been named
R4
A25
to head a new commission
to study reports of flying
of cases in the future," he
central Asia and the Cauca-
rule out the possibility that
tually no discussion of the
saucers, it was learned
added.
sus.
they had come from other
problem.
today. The commission's
creation marks a radical
Saucers generally have
An essay on unidentified
planets.
Observers interpreted the
change in Russia's pre-
been regarded here as ei-
flying objects that appeared
He rejected the outright
appointment of an Air Force
viously skeptical policy to-
ther optical illusions or the
here in April discussed the
dismissal of UFO as fiction.
general to head the commit-
ward unidentified flying ob-
inventions of sensational
question seriously for the
mands no intellectual effort
tee as a sign that Russia is
jects.
newspapers in the West. No
first time.
"This view is very conven-
The commission has only
seriously interested in an ex-
Soviet sightings have ever
Soviet researcher Dr. F.
ient," he said, "as it demands
a few cases under review at
planation of flying saucers
no intellectual effort and
the moment, Stolyerov told
been published. But a story
Y. Zigel said he liked to
kills off the problems at
- if only to dismiss them
reporters during a brief in-
current in Moscow last
think the objects were pre-
birth."
once and for all as optical il-
terview today.
spring was that scores of
viously unknown natural
Since the essay appeared,
lusions or the result of mass
"But we expect thousands
sightings were reported in
phenomena, but he did not
however, there has been vir-
hysteria.
televised soon.-AFP
Centre.
years.
L9-21-11
Post
Bangkok
on "flying saucers" would be
added that a further program
The institute's director
observatories.
such places as airfields and
be created, particularly in
of observation posts would
trained, he said, and d hundreds
lised observers were to be
Several thousand specia-
Aviation and Cosmonautic
jects to report to the Moscow
or photographed strange ob-
pealed to anyone who had seen
The Major-General ap-
the Arctic Circle.
have been taken at Tiskis, in.
The picture was said to
as large as the plane.
craft showed the saucer was
ture of a Tupolev-104 air-
turret. Comparisonwithapic- Comparison with
like a saucer, with a kind of
one of an object clearly shaped
The photographs included
vate citizens.
craft pilots and some by pri-
jects; some taken by air-
tographs of unidentified ob-
cast, showed a series of pho-
who took part in the broad-
The Institute's director,
in the Soviet sky over the past
the numerous phenomena seen
to lead to an explanation of
ing of all information likely
Its object was the gather-
however_was not given..
Major-General, whose name
the capital and headed by a
The institute is based in
gram on flying saucers.
revealed in a television pro-
Existence of the centre was
learned here last night.
dentified flying objects, it was
search institute to study uni-
thorities have set up a re-
MOSCOW, Sat-Soviet au-
'SAUCERS'
STUDY
RUSSIA TO
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
BALTIMORE SUN 11-14-67
Earlier this year, Dr. Fyodor
UFO INCIDENTS
Y. Zigel, an astronomer, sug-
gested in a book titled "The
Inhabited Cosmos" that a for-
SPUR SOVIET
mal Inquiry into unidentified
flying objects would not be out
of-place.
Believes Them Natural
Probe Panel Hopes Science
Although Dr. Zigel seemed to
Will Dispel 'Wild Ideas'
favor the theory that such ob-
jects were simply previously
unknown natural phenomena,
By BRUCE WINTERS
he did not completely rule out
(Moscoib Burcau of The Sun]
the possibility that they repre-
Moscow, Nov. 13-The scien-
sented some form of extra-
tific respectability given re-
terrestial intelligence on mis-
cently by Soviet authorities to
sions of earth surveillance.
But he cautioned that to adopt
reports of unidentified flying
such an "extreme view" uncri-
objects stems from an incident
tically "is very convenient as it
earlier this year when a cres-
demands no intellectual effort
cent-shaped object was seen
and kills off the problem at
racing through the skies near
birth."
the Black Sea.
An almost total news blackout
The incident, together with
discourages public discussion of
others reported by reliable ob
unidentified flying objects and
servers including commercial
the possibility of life elsewhere
in the universe. Two years ago,
airline pilots, have led to the
however, official silence was
formation of a Government
broken, but quite embarrassing-
commission to study the reports
ly.
in detail,
On Cosmonauts Day in 1965,
Consisting of eighteen scien-
the Soviet news agency, Tass,
tists of various disciplines, Air
reported that the Sternberg as-
Force officers, and 200 obser-
tronomical institute believed it
vers throughout the country, the
had "received perhaps the first
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
evidence that we are not alone
agency has established head-
in the universe."
quarters in Moscow's civil de-
The story quoted a mémber of
fense museum under the direc-
the Institute's staff as saying
tion of Porfiry A. Stolyarov, a
that "a super-civilization has
retired Air Force major gener-
been discovered."
al.
The following day, the insti-
An unidentified member of
tute disavowed such an inter-
the commission was reported
pretation of the unidentified ra-
today to have said that "we feel
dio signals its observatory had
the UFO's should be studied
received from outer space, re-
carefully. We have no precon-
buking the Tass coverage of the
ceived ideas, but we believe the
affair.
best way to prevent wild ideas
But the nature of scientists
from spreading is to approach
and newspapermen being as it
the subject scientifically."
is, the inquiries and the stories
But even this cautious state-
persist, as does the phenome+
ment is a departure from the
non.
usual Soviet position that SO-
called "flying saucer". sightings
are the invention of a sensation-
seeking Western press.
NY TIMES 11-13-67
Soviet Study of U.F.O.'s
Is Reported Under Way
MOSCOW, Nov. 11 (AP)-
The Soviet Government has
set up a special commission
to investigate reports in this
country of unidentified flying
objects, informed sources re-
ported Saturday.
The commission was de-
scribed as under the direction
of Gen. Anatoli Stolyerov of
the Soviet Air Force, with an
office in Moscow.
Soviet authorities had dis-
missed reports of U.F.O.'s as
nonsense when they first
started getting attenion in the
1950's. The press here did
not mention rumors of sight-
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
ings in the Caucasus, Siberia
and elsewhere.
A new attitude was indi-
cated last April when a scien-
tist, F. Zigel, reported that
Soviet radar screens had been
detecting unidentified objects
for 20 years.
STATEMENT OF DEFENSE
NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - 20301
PLEASE NOTE DATE
NO. 847-66
OXford 7-5131 (Info.)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 1966
OXford 7-3189 (Copies)
AIR FORCE SELECTS UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
TO INVESTIGATE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT REPORTS
The University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, has been selected by the
Air Force to conduct independent investigations into unidentified flying object
(UFO) reports.
A research agreement, valued at approximately $300,000, is being negotiated
with the university by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to analyze
phènomena associated with UFO sightings and to make recommendations on the Air
Force's methods of investigating and evaluating UFO reports a program known
as Project Blue Book. A report is expected to be made to the Air Force in early
1968.
Dr. Edward U. Condon will direct the scientific phases of the work, while
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
Robert J. Low will serve as project coordinator. Principal investigators working
with Dr. Condon will be Dr. Franklin E. Roach and Dr. Stuart W. Cook.
Dr. Condon, former director of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), is
a professor of physics at Colorado and a fellow of the Joint Laboratory for
Astrophysics which is co-sponsored by the university and NBS. Mr. Low is an
assistant dean of the university's graduate school. Dr. Cook is chairman of
the university's psychology department, and Dr. Roach is an astrophysicist with
the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA).
Colorado is expected to select several other universities to take part in
the research. These and other consultants will bring the number of scientists
involved to over 100.
The National Academy of Sciences has indicated its willingness to assist
by appointing a panel--at the time the Colorado report becomes available to the
Air Force--to review the investigating team's work. This panel will not be part
of the investigating team, but will provide a further independent check on the
scientific validity of the method of investigation.
In announcing the selection, Air Force Secretary Harold Brown said, "We
are more than pleased to be able to place this grant with respected individuals
in a university of such high standing in the scientific community. Additionally,
the location of the university should prove invaluable to the investigators,
since the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the research headquarters
of the Environmental Science Services Administration are located at Boulder.
These organizations conduct research on the properties of man's natural environ-
ment, specializing in the physical characteristics of the atmosphere and the
near-space medium."
MORE
-2-
Air Force Project Blue Book files, as well as any other UFO information
in the possession of the Air Force, will be made available to the team.
Additionally, all Air Force installations within the U.S. will assist the team
if requested. The investigators will, however, conduct their research
independently of and without direction from the Air Force.
The decision to enter into a research agreement for this work was based
on a recommendation of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board which completed
a review of the resources, methods and findings of Project Blue Book earlier
this year. While complimenting the Air Force on the organization of Project
Blue Book, the Board recommended that the program be expanded to include
investigation of selected sightings by independent scientists.
Within the Department of Defense, the Air Force has the responsibility
of investigating UFO reports. The Air Force has been investigating such reports
since 1948 under its role of air defense of the United States, and the
university's research does not alter Project Blue Book responsibilities of
receiving, investigating and evaluating UFO reports.
END
(DOD Release No. 388-66, May 9, 1966, refers.)
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
AF R -80-17
80-17A 80 -17 A
Page 5 Blue Bools
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I
AFR 80-17
AIR FORCE REGULATION
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
NO. 80-17
Washington, D. C. 19 September 1966
Research And Development
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO)
This regulation establishes the Air Force program for investigating and analyzing UFOs
over the United States. It provides for uniform investigative procedures and release of in-
formation. The investigations and analyses prescribed are related directly to the Air Force's
responsibility for the air defense of the United States. The UFO Program requires prompt
reporting and rapid evaluation of data for successful identification. Strict compliance with
this regulation is mandatory.
SECTION A-GENERAL PROVISIONS
Paragraph
Explanation of Terms
parts
Program Objectives
2
Program Responsibilities
3
SECTION B-PUBLIC RELATIONS, INFORMATION, CONTACTS,
AND RELEASES
Response to Public Interest
4
Releasing Information
5
SECTION C-PRERARING AND SUBMITTING REPORTS
General Ii "ormation
6
Guidance in Preparing Reports
7
Transmittal of Reports
8
Negative or Inapplicable Data
9
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Comments of Investigating Officer
Basic Reporting Data and Format
Copy
10
11
Reporting Physical Evidence
12
SECTION A-GENERAL PROVISIONS
is a possible threat to the United States and
to use the scientific or technical data gained
1. Explanation of Terms. To insure proper
from study of UFO reports. To attain these
and uniform usage of terms in UFO investi-
objectives, it is necessary to explain or iden-
gations, reports, and analyses, an explanation
tify the stimulus which caused the observer
of common terms follows:
to report his observation as an unidentified
a. Unidentified Flying Objects. Any aerial
flying object.
phenomenon or object which is unknown or
appears out of the ordinary to the observer.
a. Air Defense. The majority of UFOs re-
b. Familiar or Known Objects/Phenom-
ported to the Air Force have been conven-
ena. Aircraft, aircraft lights, astronomical
tional or familiar objects which present no
bodies (meteors, planets, stars, comets, sun,
threat to our security.
moon), balloons, birds fireworks, missiles,
(1) It is possible that foreign countries
rockets, satellites, searchlights, weather phe-
may develop flying vehicles of revolutionary
nomena (clouds, contrails, dust devils), and
configuration or propulsion.
other natural phenomena.
(2) Frequently, some alleged UFOs are
2. Program Objectives. Air Force interest in
determined to be aircraft. Air Defense Com-
UFOs is two-fold: to determine if the UFO
mand (ADC) is responsible for identification
This regulation supersedes AFR 200-2, 20 July 1962
OPR: AFRSTA
DISTRIBUTION: S
AFR 80-17
of aircraft. Except as aircraft are deter-
EXCEPTIONS: FTD at Wright-Patterson
mined to be the stimulus for a UFO report,
Air Force Base, Ohio, independently or with
aircraft are not to be reported under the
the help of pertinent Air Force activities,
provisions of this regulation.
may conduct any other investigation to con-
clude its analysis or findings. HQ USAF may
b. Technical and Scientific. The Air Force
will analyze reports of UFOs submitted to
arrange for separate investigations.
it to attain the program objectives. In this
d. Analysis. FTD will:
connection these facts are of importance:
(1) Analyze and evaluate all informa-
(1) The need for further scientific
tion and evidence reported to bases on those
knowledge in geophysics, astronomy, and
UFOs which are not identified at the base
physics of the upper atmosphere which may
level.
be provided by study and analysis of UFOs
(2) Use other Government agencies,
and similar aerial phenomena.
private industrial companies, and contractor
(2) The need to report all pertinent fac-
personnel to assist in analyzing and evaluat-
tors that have a direct bearing on scientific
ing UFO reports, as necesssary.
analysis and conclusions of UFO sightings.
e. Findings. FTD, Wright-Patterson AFB,
(3) The need and the importance of
Ohio, will prepare a final case report on each
complete case information. Analysis has ex-
sighting reported to it after the data have
plained all but a small percentage of the
been properly evaluated. If the final report
sightings which have been reported to the
is deemed significant, FTD will send the re-
Air Force. The ones that have not been ex-
port of its findings to AFSC (SCFA), An-
plained are carried statistically "uniden-
drews AFB, Wash DC 20331, which will send
tified." Because of the human factors in-
a report to HQ USAF (AFRDC), Wash DC
volved and because analysis of a UFO sight-
20330.
ing depends primarily on a personal impres-
f. Cooperation. All Air Force activities
sion and interpretation by the observer
will cooperate with UFO investigators to
rather than on scientific data or facts ob-
insure that pertinent information relative
tained under controlled conditions, the elimi-
to investigations of UFO sightings are
nation of of all unidentifieds is improbable.
promptly obtained. When feasible, this will
However, if more immediate, detailed, and
include furnishing air or ground transpor-
objective data on the unidentifieds had been
tation and other assistance.
available and promptly reported, perhaps
these, too, could have been identified.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
SECTION B-PUBLIC RELATIONS,
3. Program Responsibilities:
INFORMATION, CONTACTS,
a. Program Monitor. The Deputy Chief of
AND RELEASES
Staff, Research and Development, is respon-
sible for the overall program, evaluation of
4. Response to Public Interest. The Secre-
investigative procedures, and the conduct of
tary of the Air Force, Office of Information
separate scientific investigations.
(SAF-OI), maintains contact with the pub-
lic and the news media on all aspects of the
b. Resources. The Air Force Systems Com-
mand will support the program with current
UFO program and related activities. Pri-
resources within the Foreign Technology Di-
vate individuals or organizations desiring
Air Force interviews, briefings, lectures, or
vision (FTD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio, to continue the Project Blue Book
private discussions on UFOs will be in-
effort. Other AFSC resources normally used
structed to direct their requests to SAF-OI.
Air Force members not officially connected
by FTD for this effort will continue to be
with UFO investigations covered by this
made available.
regulation will refrain from any action or
C. Investigation. Each commander of an
comment on UFO reports which may mis-
Air Force base will provide a UFO investi-
lead or cause the public to construe these
gative capability. When notice of a UFO
opinions as official Air Force findings.
sighting is received, an investigation will be
implemented to determine the stimulus for
5. Releasing Information. SAF-OI is the
the sighting. An Air Force base receiving
agency responsible for releasing informa-
the notice of a UFO sighting may not be the
tion to the public and to the news media.
base nearest the locale of the sighting. In
a. Congressional and Presidential In-
that event, the reported UFO sighting will be
quiries. The Office of Legislative Liaison
referred to the Air Force base nearest the
will:
sighting for action.
(1) With the assistance of SAF-OI, an-
2
AFR 80-17
swer all Congressional and Presidential
e. Reports required by this regulation are
queries regarding UFOs forwarded to the
excluded from assignment of a reports con-
Air Force.
trol symbol in accordance with paragraph
(2) Process requests from Congres-
3k, AFR 300-5.
sional sources in accordance with AFR 11-7.
b. SAF-OI will:
7. Guidance in Preparing Reports. The use-
(1) Respond to correspondence from
fulness of a UFO report depends largely
individuals requesting information on the
on accuracy, timeliness, skill and resource-
UFO Program and evaluations of sightings.
fulness of the person who receives the initial
(2) Release information on UFO sight-
information and makes the report. Follow-
ings and results of investigations to the gen-
ing are aids for screening, evaluating and
eral public.
reporting sightings:
(3) Send correspondence queries which
a. Activities receiving initial reports of
are purely technical and scientific to FTD
aerial objects and phenomena will screen the
for information on which to base a reply.
information to determine if the report con-
c. Exceptions. In response to local in-
cerns a valid UFO as defined in paragraph
quiries regarding UFOs reported in the
1a. Reports not falling within that defini-
vicinity of an Air Force base, the base com-
tion do not require further action. Aircraft
mander may release information to the news
flares, jet exhausts, condensation trails,
media or the public after the sighting has
blinking or steady lights observed at night,
been positively identified. If the stimulus for
lights circling near airports and airways, and
the sighting is difficult to identify at the base
other aircraft phenomena should not be re-
level, the commander may state that the
ported as they do not fall within the defini-
sighting is under investigation and conclu-
tion of a UFO.
sions will be released by SAF-OI after the
EXCEPTION: Reports of known objects
investigation is completed. The commander
will be made to FTD when this information
may also state that the Air Force will re-
originally had been reported by local news
view and analyze the results of the in-
media as a UFO and the witness has con-
vestigation. Any further inquiries will be
tacted the Air Force. (Do NOT solicit re-
directed to SAF-OI.
ports.) News releases should be included as
an attachment with the report (see para-
graph 8c).
SECTION C-PREPARING AND
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
SUBMITTING REPORTS
b. Detailed study will be made of the logic,
consistency, and authenticity of the observ-
6. General Information:
er's report. An interview with the observer,
by persons preparing the report, is espe-
a. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Research
cially valuable in determining the reliability
and Development, USAF and the ADC have
of the source and the validity of the infor-
a direct and immediate interest in UFOs
mation. Factors for particular attention are
reported within the US. All Air Force activi-
the observer's age, occupation, and educa-
ties will conduct UFO investigations to the
tion, and whether he has a technical or
extent necessary for reporting action (see
scientific background. A report that a wit-
y
paragraphs 9, 10, 11, and 12). Investiga-
ness is completely familiar with certain as-
tion may be carried beyond this point when
pects of a sighting should indicate specific
the preparing officer believes the scientific
qualifications to substantiate such famili-
or public relations aspect of the case war-
arity.
ig
rants further investigation. In this case, the
C. The following procedures will assist the
e-
investigator will coordinate his continued
investigation with FTD.
investigating officer in completing the report
a-
b. Paragraph 7 will be used as a guide for
and arriving at a conclusion as required in
n-
screenings, investigations, and reportings.
paragraph 11.
Paragraph 11 is an outline of the reporting
(1) When feasible, contact local air-
g-
format.
craft control and warning (ACW) units,
ils
and pilots and crews of aircraft aloft at the
ic-
c. Inquiries should be referred to SAF-
time and place of sighting. Contact any per-
ts.
OI (see paragraph 5).
sons or organizations that may have addi-
"e-
d. If possible, an individual selected as a
tional data on the UFO or can verify evi-
of
UFO investigator should have a scientific or
dence-visual, electronic, or other.
on
technical background and experience as an
(2) Consult military or civilian weather
investigator.
forecasters for data on tracks of weather
3
AFR 80-17
balloons or any unusual meteorological ac-
ment on the possible cause or identity of the
tivity that may have a bearing on the stim-
stimulus in a supporting statement. He will
ulus for the UFO.
make every effort to obtain pertinent items
(3) Consult navigators and astrono-
of information and to test all possible leads,
mers in the area to determine if any astro-
clues, and hypotheses. The investigating offi-
nomical body or phenomenon might account
cer who receives the initial report is in a
for the sighting.
better position to conduct an on-the-spot sur-
(4) Consult military and civilian tower
vey and follow-up than subsequent investi-
operators, air operations units, and airlines
gative personnel and analysts who may be
to determine if the sighting could have been
far removed from the area and who may
an aircraft. Local units of the Federal Avia-
arrive too late to obtain vital data or infor-
tion Agency (FAA) can be of assistance in
mation necessary for firm conclusions. The
this regard.
investigating officer's comments and conclu-
(5) Consult persons who may know of
sions will be in the last paragraph of the
experimental aircraft of unusual configura-
report submitted through channels. The re-
tion, rocket and guided missile firings, or
porting official will contact FTD (Area Code
aerial tests in the area.
513, 257-0916 or 257-6678) for verbal au-
(6) Consult local and State police,
thority to continue investigations.
county sheriffs, forest rangers, and other
civil officials who may have been in the area
11. Basic Reporting Data and Format. Show
at the time of the sighting or have knowl-
the abbreviation "UFO" at the beginning of
the text of all electrical reports and in the
edge of other witnesses.
subject of any follow-up written reports. In-
8. Transmittal of Reports:
clude required data in all electrical reports,
a. Timeliness. Report all information on
in the order shown below:
UFOs promptly. Electrical transmission with
a. Description of the Object(s):
a "Priority" precedence is authorized.
(1) Shape.
b. Submission of Reports. Submit multi-
(2) Size compared to a known object.
ple-addressed electrical reports to:
(3) Color.
(1) ADC.
(4) Number.
(2) Nearest Air Division (Defense).
(5) Formation, if more than one.
(3) FTD WPAFB. (First line of text:
(6) Any discernible features or details.
FOR TDETR.)
(7) Tail, trail, or exhaust, including its
(4) CSAF. (First line of text: FOR
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
size.
AFRDC.)
(8) Sound.
(5) OSAF. (First line of text: FOR
(9) Other pertinent or unusual fea-
SAF-OI.)
tures.
c. Written Reports. In the event follow-
up action requires a letter report, send it to
b. Description of Course of Object(s):
FTD (TDETR), Wright-Patterson AFB,
(1) What first called the attention of
Ohio 45433. FTD will send the reports to in-
observer to the object(s)
terested organizations in the US and to
(2) Angle of elevation and azimuth of
SAF-OI if required.
object(s) when first observed. (Use theodo-
d. Reports from Civilians. Advise civil-
lite or compass measurement if possible.)
ians to report UFOs to the nearest Air Force
(3) Angle of elevation of object(s upon
base.
disappearance. (Use theodolite or compass
e. Negative or Inapplicable Data. If speci-
measurement if possible.)
fic information is lacking, refrain from using
(4) Description of flight path and
the words "negative" or "unidentified" un-
maneuvers of object(s). (Use elevations and
less all logical leads to obtain the informa-
azimuth, not altitude.)
tion outlined in paragraph 11 have been
(5) How did the object(s) disappear?
exhausted. For example, the information on
(Instantaneously to the North, for example.)
weather conditions in the area, as requested
(6) How long were the object(s) visi-
in paragraph 11g, is obtainable from the
ble? (Be specific-5 minutes, 1 hour, etc.)
local military or civilian weather facility.
C. Manner of Observation:
Use the phrase "not applicable (NA)" only
(1) Use one or any combination of the
when the question really does not apply to
following items: Ground-visual, air-visual,
the sighting under investigation.
ground-electronic, air-electronic. (If elec-
10. Comments of Investigating Officer. This
tronic, specify type of radar.)
officer will make an initial analysis and com-
(2) Statement as to optical aids (tele-
4
AFR 80-17
scopes, binoculars, etc.) used and descrip-
(1) Still Photographs. Forward the
tion thereof.
original negative to FTD (TDETR), Wright-
(3) If the sighting occurred while air-
Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, and indicate
borne, give type of aircraft, identification
the place, time, and date the photograph was
number, altitude, heading, speed, and home
taken.
station.
(2) Motion Pictures. Obtain the origi-
d. Time and Date of Sighting:
nal film. Examine the film strip for apparent
(1) Greenwich date-time group of sight-
cuts, alterations, obliterations, or defects. In
ing and local time.
the report comment on any irregularities,
(2) Light conditions (use one of the
particularly in films received from other than
following terms: Night, day, dawn, dusk).
official sources.
E. Location of Observer(s). Give exact
(3) Supplemental Photographic Infor-
latitude and longitude coordinates of each
mation. Negatives and prints often are in-
observer, and/or geographical position. In
sufficient to provide certain valid data or
electrical reports, give a position with refer-
permit firm conclusions. Information that
ence to a known landmark in addition to the
aids in plotting or in estimating distances,
coordinates. For example, use "2 mi N of
apparent size and nature of object, probable
Deeville"; "3 mi SW of Blue Lake," to pre-
velocity, and movements includes:
clude errors due to teletype garbling of fig-
(a) Type and make of camera.
ures.
(b) Type, focal length, and make of
f. Identifying Information on Observ-
lens.
er(s):
(c) Brand and type of film.
(1) Civilian-Name, age, mailing ad-
(d) Shutter speed used.
dress, occupation, education and estimate of
(e) Lens opening used; that is, "f"
reliability.
stop.
(2) Military-Name, grade, organiza-
(f) Filters used.
tion, duty, and estimate of reliability.
(g) Was tripod or solid stand used.
g. Weather and Winds-Aloft Conditions at
(h) Was "panning" used.
Time and Place of Sightings:
(i) Exact direction camera was
(1) Observer account of weather
pointing with relation to true North, and its
conditions.
angle with respect to the ground.
(2) Report from nearest AWS or US
(4) Other Camera Data. If supplemen-
Weather Bureau Office of wind direction
tal information is unobtainable, the mini-
and velocity in degrees and knots at sur-
mum camera data required are the type of
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
face, 6,000', 10,000', 16,000', 20,000', 30,000',
camera, and the smallest and largest "1" stop
50,000', and 80,000', if available.
and shutter speed readings of the camera.
(3) Ceiling.
(5) Radar. Forward two copies of each
(4) Visibility.
still camera photographic print. Title radar-
(5) Amount of cloud cover.
(6) Thunderstorms in area and quad-
scope photographic prints per AFR 95-7.
Classify radarscope photographs per AFR
rant in which located.
205-1.
(7) Vertical temperature gradient.
h. Any other unusual activity or condi-
NOTE: If possible, develop film before
tion, meteorological, astronomical, or other-
forwarding. Mark undeveloped film clearly
wise, that might account for the sighting.
to indicate this fact, to avoid destruction by
i. Interception or identification action
exposure through mail channels to final ad-
taken (such action is authorized whenever
dressees.
feasible and in compliance with existing air
b. Material. Air Force echelons receiving
defense directives).
suspected or actual UFO material will safe-
j. Location, approximate altitude, and
guard it to prevent any defacing or altera-
general direction of flight of any air traffic
tions which might reduce its value for in-
or balloon releases in the area that might
telligence examination and analysis.
possibly account for the sighting.
C. Photographs, Motion Pictures, and Neg-
k. Position title and comments of the pre-
atives Submitted by Individuals. Individuals
paring officer, including his preliminary
often submit photographic and motion pic-
analysis of the possible cause of the sight-
ture material as part of their UFO reports.
ings(s). (See paragraph 10.)
All original material submitted will be re-
turned to the individual after completion of
12. Reporting Physical Evidence:
necessary studies, analysis, and duplication
a. Photographic:
by the Air Force.
5
AFR 80-17
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
J. P. McCONNELL
OFFICIAL
General, U.S. Air Force
Chief of Staff
R. J. PUGH
Colonel, USAF
Director of Administrative Services
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I ¡BRARY
6
CHANGE
AFR 80-17A
AIR FORCE REGULATION
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
NO. 80-17A
Washington, 8 November 1966
Research and Development
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO)
AFR 80-17, 19 September 1966, is changed as follows:
3c. EXCEPTIONS: FTD at Wright-Patterson
for separate investigations. The Uni-
versity of Colorado will, under a research agreement with the Air Force, conduct a study
of UFOs. This program (to run approximately 15 months) will be conducted independ-
ently and without restrictions. The university will enlist the assistance of other conveniently
located institutions that can field investigative teams. All UFO reports will be submitted
to the University of Colorado, which will be given the fullest cooperation of all UFO In-
vestigating Officers. Every effort will be made to keep all UFO reports unclassified.
However, if it is necessary to classify a report because of method of detection or other
factors not related to the UFO, a separate report including all possible information will
be sent to the University of Colorado.
8b(6). University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80302, ATTN: Dr. Condon. (Mail copy
of message form.)
8e. Negative or Inapplicable Data. Renumber as paragraph 9.
A
11k. Position title, name, rank, official address, telephone area code, office and home phone,
and comments of the preparing officer, including his preliminary analysis of the pos-
sible cause of the sighting(s). (See paragraph 10.)
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
OFFICIAL
J. P. McCONNELL
General, U. S. Air Force
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Chief of Staff
R. J. PUGH
Colonel, USAF
Director of Administrative Services
DISTRIBUTION: S
BALTIMORE SUN 11-14-67
Earlier this year, Dr. Fyodor
UFO INCIDENTS
Y. Zigel, an astronomer, sug-
gested in a book titled "The
Inhabited Cosmos" that a for-
SPUR SOVIET
mal inquiry into unidentified
flying objects would not be out
of place.
Believes Them Natural
Probe Panel Hopes Science
Although Dr. Zigel seemed to
Will Dispel 'Wild Ideas'
favor the theory that such ob-
jects were simply previously
unknown natural phenomena,
By BRUCE WINTERS
he did not completely rule out
[Moscow Bureau of The Sun]
the possibility that they repre-
Moscow, Nov. 13-The scien-
sented some form o'f extra-
tific respectability given re-
terrestial intelligence on mis-
cently by Soviet authorities to
sions of earth surveillance.
reports of unidentified flying
But he cautioned that to adopt
such an "extreme view" uncri-
objects stems from an incident
tically "is very convenient as it
earlier this year when a cres-
demands no intellectual effort
cent-shaped object was seen
and kills off the problem at
racing through the skies near
birth."
the Black Sea
An almost total news blackout
The incident, together with
discourages public discussion of
others. reported by reliable ob
unidentified flying objects and
servers including commercial
the possibility of life elsewhere
in the universe. Two years ago,
airline pilots, have led to the
however, official silence was
formation of a Government
broken, but quite embarrassing-
commission to study the reports
ly.
in detail
On Cosmonauts Day in 1965,
Consisting of eighteen scien-
the Soviet news agency, Tass,
tists of various disciplines, Air
reported that the Sternberg as-
Force officers, and 200 obser-
tronomical institute believed it
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
vers throughout the country, the
had "received perhaps the first
agency has established head-
evidence that we are not alone
in the universe."
quarters in Moscow's civil de-
The story quoted a mémber of
fense museum under the direc-
the institute's staff as saying
tion of Porfiry A. Stolyarov, a
that "a super-civilization has
retired Air Force major gener-
been discovered."
al.
The following day, the insti-
An unidentified member of
tute disavowed such an inter-
the commission was reported
pretation of the unidentified ra-
today to have said that "we feel
dio signals its observatory had
the UFO's should be studied
received from outer space, re-
carefully. We have no precon-
buking the Tass coverage of the
ceived ideas, but we believe the
affair.
best way to prevent wild ideas
But the nature of scientists
from spreading is to approach
and newspapermen being as it
the subject scientifically.
is, the inquiries and the stories
But even this cautious state-
persist, as does the phenome-
ment is a departure from the
non.
usual Soviet position that so-
called "flying saucer" sightings
are the invention of a sensation-
seeking Western press.
Russians Take an Interest in UFOs
Reuters
MOSCOW, Nov. 11-The
Russians seem to be taking
The Washington Post
GENERAL NEWS
flying saucers seriously.
Air Force Gen. Anatoly
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1967
R4
A25
Stolyerov has been named
to head a new commission
to study reports of flying
of cases in the future," he
central Asia and the Cauca-
rule out the possibility that
tually no discussion of the
saucers, it was learned
added.
sus.
they had come from other
problem.
today. The commission's
Saucers generally have
An essay on unidentified
planets.
Observers interpreted the
creation marks a radical
change in Russia's pre-
been regarded here as ei-
flying objects that appeared
He rejected the outright
appointment of an Air Force
viously skeptical policy to-
ther optical illusions or the
here in April discussed the
dismissal of UFO as fiction.
general to head the commit-
ward unidentified flying ob-
inventions of sensational
question seriously for the
mands no intellectual effort
tee as a sign that Russia is
jects.
newspapers in the West. No
first time.
"This view is very conven-
seriously interested in an ex-
The commission has only
Soviet sightings have. ever
Soviet researcher Dr. F.
ient," he said, "as it demands
a few cases under review at
planation of flying saucers
no intellectual effort and
the moment, Stolyerov told
been published. But a story
Y. Zigel said he liked to
kills off the problems at
- if only to dismiss them
reporters during a brief in-
current in Moscow last
think the objects were pre-
birth.'
once and for all as optical il-
terview today.
spring was that scores of
viously unknown natural
Since the essay appeared,
lusions or the result of mass
"But we expect thousands
sightings were reported in
phenomena, but he did not
however, there has been vir-
hysteria.
on "flying saucers" would be
added that a further program
observatories.
Centre.
11-12-67
televised soon.-AFP
such places as airfields and
be created, particularly in
of observation posts would
trained, he said, and ind hundreds
Aviation and
years.
Post
Bangkok
The institute's director
lised observers were to be
Several thousand specia-
Cosmonautic
jects to report to the Moscow
or photographed strange ob-
pealed to anyone who had seen
The Major-General ap-
the Arctic Circle.
have been taken at Tiskis, in.
The picture was said to
as large as the plane.
craft showed the saucer was
ture of a Tupolev-104 air-
turret. Comparison with
like a saucer, with a kind of
one of an object clearly shaped
The photographs included
vate citizens.
craft pilots and some by pri-
jects; some taken by air-
tographs of unidentified ob-
cast, showed a series of pho-
who took part in the broad-
The Institute's director,
in the Soviet sky over the past
the numerous phenomena seen
to lead to an explanation of
ing of all information likely
Its object was the gather-
however_was not given.
Major-General, whose name
the capital and headed by a
The institute is based in
gram on flying saucers.
revealed in a television pro-
Existence of the centre was
learned here last night.
dentified flying objects, it was
search institute to study uni-
thorities have set up a re-
MOSCOW, Sat-Soviet au-
'SAUCERS'
STUDY
RUSSIA TO
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
NY TIMES 11-13-67
Soviet Study of U.F.O.'s
Is Reported Under Way
MOSCOW, Nov. 11 (AP)
The Soviet Government has
set up a special commission
to investigate reports in this
country of unidentified flying
objects, informed sources re-
ported Saturday.
The commission was de-
scribed as under the direction
of Gen. Anatoli Stolyerov of
the Soviet Air Force, with an
office in Moscow.
Soviet authorities had dis-
missed reports of U.F.O.'s as
nonsense when they first
started getting attenion in the
1950's. The press here did
not mention rumors of sight-
ings in the Caucasus, Siberia
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
and elsewhere.
A new attitude was indi-
cated last April when a scien-
tist, F. Zigel, reported that
Soviet radar screens had been
detecting unidentified objects
for 20 years.
NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE
ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
MAJOR DONALD E. KEYHOE
WASHINGTON. D. C. 20036
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES:
USMC (RET.) DIRECTOR
1536 CONNECTICUT AVE., N.W.
GORDON I. R. LORE, JR.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
TELEPHONE: (202) 667-9434
For Immediate Release
Monday, Nov. 11, 1967
U.S. LAGS IN SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF UFOS
The United States is in serious danger of being left far behind in
the scientific investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects, according
to the National Investigations Committee in Aerial Phenomena (NICAP).
While the U.S. Air Force continues its official debunking policy,
the USSR, Canada and Great Britain are taking strides to learn the
nature of the strange craft which have been reported flying over all
parts of the world for at least a quarter century.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
The USSR has just announced a formal investigation of UFOs headed
by Air Force General Anatoly Stolyerov, the Royal Canadian Air Force
has admitted the existence of its previously secret UFO project in
Ottawa, and questions have been placed before the House of Commons in
London concerning UFO investigation practices of the Ministry of
Defence.
Meanwhile, the official USAF investigation -- Project Bluebook --
nears its 21st birthday without a single achievement to its credit.
The undermanned, unenthusiastic USAF project continues to make
inadequate investigations, while refusing to consider any possibility
that UFOs could be more than mistaken observations by unskilled
observers. When asked about the impact of the Soviet announcement,
an Air Force spokesman in the Pentagon had "no comment."
(more)
A privately=supported fact finding body serving the national public interest
(page 2 -- UFOs)
The Air Force consistently ignores the hundreds of detailed
descriptions of strange objects reported by its own pilots, as well
as by airline pilots, scientists, engineers, control tower operators,
weather observers and radar experts.
Among the well known scientists calling for a greatly expanded
investigation are Dr. James E. McDenald, senior physicist of the
University of Arizona's Institute of Atmospheric Physics, who says,
"An intensive analysis of hundreds of outstanding UFO reports... (has)
led me to the conslusion that the UFO problem is one of exceedingly
great scientific importance."
Even Project Bluebook's own chief civilian scientific consultant
- Dr. J. Allen Hynek, head of the Northwestern University astronomy
department -- thinks that "mankind may be in for the greatest
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
adventure since dawning human intelligence turned outward to contemplate
the universe."
For the past 11 years, NICAP has been the world's only full-time,
professional agency concentrating exclusively on the study of UFOs.
Through its 11,000 members, 35 field investigation units and numerous
special investigators, NICAP has gathered more than 10,000 reports of
UFO sightings - of which more than 2,000 are considered completely
unexplainable in conventional terms.
This material, and NICAP's facilities, are at the disposal of
qualified scientific researchers.
# # #
UFO Enclosures
Library of Congress book
(UFO material)
Blue Book
41
Air Force Statement about UFO
a
at Dexter, Michigan
March 25, 1966, News Release
(UFO statements)
March 28, 1966, News Release
=
April 3, 1966, News Release
11
April 21, 1966, News Release
=
April 16, 1967, Editorial from
(UFO information)
The New York Times
April 17, 1967, Editorial from
or
The Detroit Free Press
October 7, 1966, News Release
to
July 31, 1966, UFO Sighting
##
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I IBRARY
May 9, 1966, News Release
##
April 17, 1966, Ravenna, Ohio
=
September 3, 1965, Exeter, New Hampshire
=
March 2, 1965, Brooksville, Florida
#
April 24, 1964, Socorro, New Mexico
of
February 24, 1959, UFO over Pennsylvania
a
November 23, 1953, Kinross Incident
:
July 19/20 and 26/27, 1952, Washington, D. C.
the
January 7, 1948, The Mantell Case
=
June 24, 1957, Mt. Ranier, Washington
5%
Air Force Regulations 80-17 and 80-17A
18
(Only in special cases; see page 5 of blue book)
TIME ESSAY
A FRESH LOOK AT FLYING SAUCERS
IN an all-night restaurant in Corning, Calif., two police offi-
the possibility that saucers are extraterrestrial. "As long as
cers sat chatting over coffee near dawn on July 4.
there are 'unidentifieds,' he wrote, "the question must obvi-
Suddenly the proprietor noticed a strange glow over a near-
ously remain open."
by freeway. Rushing outside, the men saw a large, metallic,
Meanwhile, James E. McDonald, a University of Arizona
cigar-shaped object between 300 feet and 500 feet in the
atmospheric physicist, studied the records of Project Blue
air. "It had a huge, white light on the top," says Officer Jim
Book, interviewed witnesses around the U.S. and in Austra-
Overton. "Down at the bottom it had a smaller, not so
lia. His conclusion places him farther out on the saucer's
bright light. Around the center of this object was a band, ei-
edge than any other U.S. scientist. "I think that UFOs are
ther paint or a different kind of metal. It suddenly began to
the No. 1 problem of world science," he says. "I'm afraid
move with the most terrific burst of speed I've ever seen."
that the evidence points to no other acceptable hypothesis
When the mysterious object disappeared a few minutes
than the extraterrestrial. The amount of evidence is over-
later, the shaken men returned to the restaurant, where
whelmingly real." Both Hynek and McDonald cite the
they drew rough sketches of what they had seen. "I was
example of earlier scientists who for years had little pa-
kind of skeptical about these flying saucers being real, but
tience with recurring stories about stones that fell from the
you couldn't convince me otherwise now," says Overton. "I
sky. Yet, in 1802, when churchmen, politicians and peas->
know what I saw."
ants witnessed an unusually heavy shower of fragments ato<
Officer Overton is not alone in his conviction. More than
L'Aigle, France, the French Academy of Sciences finally
5,000,000 Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll, are
had to conclude that stones-actually meteorites-do
certain that they have seen flying saucers or other UFOs (un-
deed fall from the sky.
identified flying objects). Furthermore, Gallup reports, 46%
Other scientists who have reviewed UFO cases still agree
of American adults believe that UFOs are something real.
with Astronomer Gerard Kuiper, a colleague of McDon-
Scores of flying-saucer clubs are operating across the na-
ald's at the University of Arizona, who insists that until
tion. They include small groups of semireligious eccentrics
better evidence is presented, the entire subject is "fanciful.",
who worship saucermen and claim to have met them. They
Astronomer Carl Sagan of Harvard and the Smithsonian As-,
also include retired Marine Major Donald Keyhoe's serious
trophysical Observatory says that "at the present time, there
and influential National Investigations Committee on Aerial
is no evidence that unambiguously connects the various fly-i
Phenomena (NICAP), the source of some of the best-doc-
ing-saucer sightings with extraterrestrial activity."
umented UFO sightings.
In recent months, a significant change has occurred: the
Substitute for God
subject has moved out of the realm of science fiction and
Saucers are not a new phenomenon. French Astronomer
crackpot claims. Discussions of UFOs have begun to appear
Jacques Vallee has found evidence of hundreds of ancient
in the pages of such respected journals as Bulletin of the
sightings. Livy described the Roman equivalent of a UFO
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD IBRARY
Atomic Scientists and Science. A few responsible scientists
wave in 218 B.C. Several drawings show tubes and spheres
now put their reputations on the line by suggesting that sau-
seen over Nürnberg in 1561. Saucer advocates even read
cers may be vehicles from outer space. The vast majority
UFO sightings into Shakespeare's King Henry VI ("Dazzle
of their colleagues still scoff at this notion, but even some
mine eyes, or do I see three suns") and into the Bible,
of the skeptics concede that serious investigation is needed.
where Ezekiel describes a strange craft coming from the
sky and landing close to the Chebar River in Chaldea. Dur-
Beyond Buffoonery
ing World War II, Allied pilots had numerous encounters
During the U.S. saucer era, which began when Pilot Ken-
with "foo-fighters," mysterious luminous globs that flew
neth Arnold reported seeing nine disk-like objects erratical-
alongside their airplanes. In 1946, there were thousands of
ly moving through the air near Mount Rainier in 1947, an
sightings in Sweden of what were first thought to be secret
Air Force unit called Project Blue Book has logged and eval-
Russian missiles. In recent years, UFO waves have occurred
uated more than 11,000 sightings. In most cases, the investi-
in France, Britain, Brazil, Spain, Italy, North Africa and Aus-
gators eventually identified the UFOs as aircraft, balloons,
tralia, and occasional UFOs have been seen over most other
satellites, flocks of birds, light reflected off clouds or shiny
nations.
surfaces, atmospheric phenomena, meteors, stars, planets
One persuasive theory about saucers is that they are real
and the aurora borealis. Only 6% of saucer reports are list-
only in the mind and that they correspond to a deep
ed by Blue Book as "unidentified" or unexplained. But Blue
human need. Contemporary saucer sightings, wrote Carl Gus-
Book staffers have often announced arbitrary-and incor-
tav Jung in a book published before his death in 1961, are an
rect-solutions to saucer mysteries. Sightings have been
outgrowth of the troubled international situation and grad-
attributed to the Orion constellation when it was actually
ual erosion among Christians of belief in a God who can
below the horizon and invisible, to advertising blimps or re-
intervene to save man from his own folly. Hoping for some
fueling military aircraft when none were in the vicinity.
redeeming, supernatural event, said Jung, man may have
This reinforces the belief of saucer buffs that the Air Force
turned to a God image: the UFO. The substitution, Jung sug-
has been guilty of not only negligence but even deliberate
gested, is not difficult to understand. "God in his omni-
suppression of UFO information.
science, omnipotence, and omnipresence is a totality symbol
Physicist Edward Condon, a highly respected former direc-
par excellence, something round, complete and perfect."
tor of the National Bureau of Standards, agreed last Oc-
Similarly, Boston Psychiatrist Benjamin Simon believes
tober to head an Air Force-financed scientific team at the
that the UFOs have something for everybody. For the cos-
University of Colorado that will attempt to evaluate some
mic pessimists, saucers may represent some malignant force
of Project Blue Book's most intriguing unidentified cases.
about to take over the world. To the ill, UFOs can represent
At the same time, Astronomer J. Allen Hynek, director of
the miracles they have been waiting for. For many, belief
Northwestern University's Dearborn Observatory and the
in the saucers provides an "oceanic or cosmic feeling of im-
Air Force's longtime consultant on UFOs, wrote a sig-
mersion in the total universe, a sort of nirvana."
nificant letter to Science. (Had he spoken out earlier,
These conclusions are partly based on Simon's work
Hynek says, "I would have been regarded as a nut.") In the
with Barney and Betty Hill, a Portsmouth, N.H., couple
letter, he took his fellow scientists to task for dismissing
whose "abduction" by saucermen during an auto trip was de-
UFOs with "buffoonery and caustic banter" and rejecting
scribed in the fast-selling book, The Interrupted Journey by
32
TIME, AUGUST 4, 1967
John Fuller. On their trip, Simon says, the Hills became in-
many as a million planets inhabited by advanced civilizations.
creasingly concerned about the reception they might receive
Yet distances between stars are so vast-the Milky Way
at restaurants and gas stations along their route: Betty is
is 100,000 light-years in diameter-that these civilizations
white, Barney a Negro. Their tension and fear reached a
are probably separated from one another by anywhere
peak when they saw a glowing UFO from the highway. The
from 300 to 1,000 light-years, Sagan estimates (a light-year
sighting, Simon theorizes, served as a "day stimulus" for sub-
is the equivalent of 6 trillion miles). This deflates the argu-
sequent nightmares and wish-fulfillment fantasies. Betty,
ment of UFOlogists that saucers have begun observing the
who is childless, described an obviously Freudian encounter
earth because of man's recent technological strides. High-
with a humanoid who examined her and inserted a six-inch
powered, high-frequency radio-wave transmissions, presum-
needle into her navel, explaining that it was a pregnancy
ably the only clear evidence of terrestrial civilization that
test. Barney, who generally considers the Irish to be hostile to-
could penetrate the atmosphere and be detected at great dis-
ward Negroes, remembers being treated with respect by a
tances, began only two decades ago. Thus the first of these
humanoid who looked Irish.
signals, which move at the speed of light, has by now trav-
The desire to believe in the existence of UFOs has made
eled only 20 light-years away from the earth, passing only
millions of Americans susceptible to UFO hoaxes: photo-
the relatively few stars that are near neighbors of the sun.
graphs contrived by darkroom manipulation or by simply
tossing saucepans, phonograph records or hubcaps in front
Toward the 30th Century
of cameras. Many people accepted as evidence a photo-
In the event that a civilization exists on some planet orbit-
graph of a weird little creature that had supposedly emerged
ing a nearby star, and has been able to detect transmissions
from his saucer and died. A few recognized it for what it
from Earth, it is unlikely that any of its saucers have yet ar-
was: a shaved monkey.
rived to investigate. Even the nearest star, Proxima Cen-
In addition to the known natural phenomena mentioned
tauri, is 4.3 light-years away. And because presumably no
by the Air Force to explain sightings, scientists suggest that
spaceship-or any matter-can travel at or beyond the vo
there are probably still unknown or unverified atmospheric
locity of light, which is the universal speed limit according
effects that could account for most of the unidentified appari-
to the Einstein theory of relativity, it would take consider
tions. Astronomer Donald Menzel, former director of the
ably longer than 4.3 light-years to reach the earth from its
Harvard College Observatory, believes that atmospheric re-
nearest stellar neighbor. At the 17,500 m.p.h. that as-
fractions sometimes both magnify and bend the light from
tronauts travel, it would take nearly 170,000 years.
bright stars, causing them to resemble large and erratically
What of the possibility that an advanced culture may some-
moving disks. Electrical Engineer Philip Klass, an editor of
how have learned to circumvent the Einstein limit, and thus
Aviation Week & Space Technology, speculates that many
be able to send craft to distant stars at incredible speeds?
UFOs may be a form of ball lightning generated by an elec-
Says one physicist: "My God, could our whole science just
tric corona that sometimes occurs on high-tension power
be a fiction completely unrelated to what the UFOs might
lines, near which saucers are often sighted.
have? All this earthly science-F equals ma and all the rest
Yet even these theories do not wholly explain all UFO
that I so much believe in-could it really be something
sightings. At Colorado, Physicist Condon and his staff have
else?" Many laymen, baffled by the scientists anyway, might
investigated new reports, sifted through past Blue Book and
find the overthrow of all their lore quite entertaining. But
NICAP files, and begun a computer-aided analysis of 2,000
most scientists insist that their laws are universal; even the
sightings. For the moment, Condon has narrowed the study
motion of distant stars and the nuclear reactions within
down to three sightings supported by ample photographic
them appear to obey the laws of terrestrial science.
or eyewitness evidence. The first was made in daylight at Mc-
To saucer advocates who suggest that extraterrestrial be-
Minnville, Ore., on May 11, 1950 by Paul Trent, a farmer
ings accidentally discovered the earth's civilization during
who spotted and photographed a saucer 20 ft. to 30 ft. in di-
random exploration of the universe, Sagan has an answer
ameter hovering over his field. Trent's saucer, which resem-
"If each of a million advanced technical civilizations in our
bled a garbage-can cover, is similar to one photographed
galaxy launched at random an interstellar spacecraft each
over France in 1954. Negatives of his pictures, which are
year, our solar system would, on the average, be visited
among the clearest UFO shots ever obtained, will be an-
only once every 100,000 years."
alyzed electronically for authenticity. Condon's second case
For vehicles guided by supposedly intelligent beings, the
involves several sightings in the vicinity of Levelland, Tex-
UFOs have exhibited remarkably ineffective and capricious
as, on the night of Nov. 2, 1957, when glowing elliptical
behavior. Instead of concentrating around obvious examples
objects 200 ft. long hovered over highways, terrifying sev-
of intelligent life on earth, such as large cities, they have
eral motorists and causing their cars' ignition and lights to
been seen most often above deserts, farms and backwater
fail. A third apparently inexplicable case occurred off Trin-
towns. Their only reported communication has consisted of
dade Isle, Brazil, during daylight on Jan. 16, 1958, when
trite exchanges ("Don't be afraid") with relatively simple citi-
scientific personnel aboard a Brazilian navy ship spotted a
zens or outright fanatics. But saucer buffs point out that
Saturn-shaped UFO and photographed it four times.
man has studied the behavior of bees and learned their so-
cial order and "language" without even attempting to com-
In the Galactic Boondocks
municate directly with them.
If one accepts the reality of vehicles from outer space,
The most telling argument against the reality of UFOs is
one must assume the existence in the universe of a race
that no proven physical evidence or hardware has ever
more intelligent than man-certainly not difficult to believe.
been found to support the saucers' existence. And although
(In fact, it is much harder to think that in all the universe
astronomers photograph the sky incessantly, no UFO has
man is the only advanced being.) Next, one would have to as-
ever left an image on their photographic plates.
sume that these intelligent creatures are interested in Earth,
Despite the lack of such evidence, many scientists favor
and some scientists find this assumption particularly unlike-
the continuation of UFO investigations in the hope that
ly. "If saucers have been coming here regularly," reasons
they will lead to new discoveries about man's environment,
Astronomer Sagan, "this attaches some peculiar signif-
while clearing up the uncertainty about saucers. But even
icance to our planet. Let's remember that the earth is in the
after the most rigorous examination by contemporary sci-
galactic boondocks. I really doubt that the city slickers of
ence, it will be difficult to prove beyond doubt that there
the universe are all that interested in us." Earth is merely a
are no extraterrestrial saucers. Says Astronomer Hynek:
minor planet orbiting around one of the 100 billion stars in
"There is a tendency in the 20th century to forget that
the Milky Way galaxy, which in turn is only an average mem-
there will be a 21st century science, and indeed a 30th cen-
ber of a universe that may itself contain 100 billion gal-
tury science, from which vantage points our knowledge of
axies. In his book, Intelligent Life in the Universe, written
the universe may appear quite different. We suffer, perhaps,
with Russian Astrophysicist 1. S. Shklovsky, Sagan
from temporal provincialism, a form of arrogance that has al-
estimates that in the Milky Way alone there may be as
ways irritated posterity."
TIME, AUGUST 4, 1967
33