1967 Airman Reprint - Combined UFO articles

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE AIRMAN, the official magazine of the U.S. Air Force, dated July 1967, features a cover story titled "WHAT DOES THE AIR FORCE REALLY KNOW ABOUT FLYING SAUCERS?". The article, written by Maj. George W. Ogles of Hq. USAF, aims to present the truth about unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and what the U.S. Air Force knows about them. The magazine acknowledges the possibility of life on other planets and interplanetary travel but states that after extensive investigation, no single photograph, film, graph, or sample of a vehicle of unknown origin has ever been obtained.

The Air Force's Stance on UFOs

The article begins by noting the increasing number of UFO sightings reported to the Air Force, with 1,060 reported in 1966, an increase from previous years. It highlights the public's fascination with flying saucers, fueled by media portrayals, and the Air Force's consistent stance of relying only on factual evidence. The magazine presents several anecdotal accounts of sightings, including one from Mr. B. F. Wood in Amarillo, Texas, who initially mistook a jeep towing a hay rake for a spaceship in the fog, and Mr. Stewart McManaway, who later realized his sighting of a 'flying saucer' was likely a cluster of thistle petals caught in the wind.

The terms "UFO" and "flying saucer" are discussed, with "UFO" being the official term for any aerial phenomenon an observer cannot identify. The article acknowledges that while most reported UFOs are natural phenomena observed under unusual circumstances, the possibility of intelligent beings visiting Earth is not dismissed. However, based on research of over 11,000 reported sightings, the Air Force has found no evidence proving the existence or intraspace mobility of extraterrestrial life. Of these, only a small percentage remain officially "Unidentified," meaning their description cannot be correlated with any known object or phenomenon, even though a valid hypothesis might exist.

Common explanations for sightings include astronomical phenomena, satellites, mirages, airplanes, and radar blips. The Hon. Harold Brown, Secretary of the Air Force, stated in 1966 that there was no known intelligently guided phenomenon or vehicle originating from extraterrestrial sources, excluding meteors. Despite this, many observers, including educated individuals, find it difficult to accept scientific explanations.

Historical Investigations and Projects

The article traces the history of Air Force UFO investigations, starting with "Project Sign" in February 1948, which aimed to collect and distribute information on UFO sightings. Analysis of documented reports led to the conclusion that no definite evidence confirmed the existence of unknown types of aircraft. The project was renamed "Grudge" in late 1948, with a similar conclusion that the phenomena posed no threat and were mostly misrepresentations of conventional objects.

In March 1952, the project became "Project Blue Book," which continues to be the official title. Its objectives are to determine if UFOs pose a threat to national security and if they offer unique scientific information. The program is conducted by the Aerial Phenomena Branch at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Information is provided by the Office of Information, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. The article addresses claims by private organizations that the Air Force is misleading the public, asserting that all findings are unclassified unless they reveal sensitive defense information.

Explaining Common Sightings

The article details various phenomena that are often mistaken for UFOs. These include:

• Unconventional Aircraft: Aircraft operating under unusual conditions or with unique lighting.
• Weather Conditions: Mirages, atmospheric phenomena, and unusual light patterns.
• Balloons: Weather balloons, rawinsondes, radiosondes, and large research balloons, which can appear strange at night due to running lights or sun reflections.
• Satellites: Increasing numbers of satellites are in orbit, and some are visible to the naked eye, sometimes appearing to move in zig-zags.
• Artificial Earth Satellites: Astronauts have reported sightings, but these have been identified as satellites or parts of satellites.
• Flocks of Birds and Luminescent Organisms: Including fireflies.
• Optical Illusions: Such as sundogs and looming effects.
• Meteors: Especially rare green fireballs, which can be very bright and light up large areas.
• Planets: Venus is frequently reported as a UFO when low on the horizon, appearing to perform erratic maneuvers due to atmospheric conditions.
• Aircraft: Including vapor or condensation trails that glow, and afterburners from jet aircraft.
• Ball Lightning: Globs of ionized air that flutter and whirl erratically.

Unanswered Questions and Skepticism

Despite numerous explanations, "saucer believers" often question why UFOs do not produce sonic booms when moving at supersonic speeds, why no "extraterrestrial hardware" has been found, and how these craft defy gravity. "Saucer doubters" point to the lack of detection by astronomical observatories and radar networks, noting that radar "unknown targets" are often explained by precipitation echoes or temperature inversions. A Project Blue Book member stated that only about 1.5 percent of reported UFOs were detected by radar, and none of the unexplained cases were radar-sighted.

Specific Case Analyses

The article examines several specific cases:

• Captain Mantell's Flight (1948): His aircraft crashed after pursuing an unidentified object. Venus and a Navy "sky hook" balloon were suggested as explanations.
• Lake Michigan Crash (1953): An Air Force F-89 crashed after an interception. The cause was attributed to pilot vertigo, with a phantom blip explained as a secondary reflection.
• B-29 Observation (1952): A crew observed strange objects with no aerodynamic features moving at high speeds; the case remains in the "Unidentified" category with a possible explanation.
• F-84 and T-33 Sighting (1952): Aircrews chased an object near Goose AB, Labrador, which faded and was placed in the "Unidentified" category.
• Commercial Airliner Sighting (1957): A "brilliant greenish object" was identified as a bolide (fireball).
• New York Farmer's Sighting (1965): A hovering object with pulsating lights was deemed "unidentified" due to lack of a definite explanation.
• Presque Isle State Park Incident (1966): Reports of a hexagonal object, a "black creature," and lights were investigated. The Air Force concluded that evidence did not support a landing or the presence of a "black monster," suggesting animal activity for some aspects, but the lights remained unexplained.

Conclusion

The article concludes by reiterating that the Air Force has investigated thousands of sightings, with most being explainable. It emphasizes that while the possibility of extraterrestrial life is not denied, no concrete evidence has been found to prove its existence or mobility. The reader is left to form their own judgment based on the presented facts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the article is the U.S. Air Force's commitment to investigating UFO reports based on factual evidence and scientific analysis. The magazine adopts a skeptical but open-minded stance, presenting both anecdotal accounts and the Air Force's explanations for these phenomena. The editorial stance is one of rational inquiry, aiming to debunk sensationalism while acknowledging that some sightings remain unexplained. The article consistently promotes the idea that most UFO reports can be attributed to misidentification of known objects or natural phenomena, but it does not entirely dismiss the possibility of unknown aerial events. The emphasis is on rigorous investigation and the importance of distinguishing between speculation and verifiable fact.

This issue of "The Airman" from August 1967 focuses on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), exploring various sightings, investigations, and the distinction between genuine phenomena and hoaxes. The magazine presents a skeptical yet open-minded approach, emphasizing the need for scientific evidence and rational explanations.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The issue details several reported UFO incidents. One report describes a forest ranger in Wisconsin discovering a spherical metal object in October 1966, which was later identified as space debris. Another case from California in 1956 involved a teen-age girl submitting a photograph of a "flying saucer" taken during a time exposure of the moon; Air Force analysis revealed the photo was a hoax due to a superimposed light fixture and camera movement.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force denied reports of a flying saucer wreckage in Spitzbergen, Norway, stating it was a newspaper hoax. An individual in May 1957 submitted motion pictures of bright spots, which the Air Force identified as fighter aircraft with jet afterburners, labeling the incident an "attempted hoax" due to discrepancies in the provided dates and the photographer's intent to exploit the film.

Dexter and Hillsdale Sightings

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the UFO sightings in Dexter and Hillsdale, Michigan, on March 20-21, 1966. Numerous observers, including police officers and college students, reported witnessing strange, glowing objects dancing and whirling. The Air Force's on-the-scene investigators suggested "marsh gas" as a possible cause. The report describes the lights as silent, glowing, and appearing in swampy areas, sometimes disappearing and reappearing elsewhere. The explanation provided suggests that trapped gases like CH4, H2S, and PH3, resulting from the decomposition of organic material in swamps, could be ignited by spontaneous oxidation, creating a chemical luminescence.

Scientific Analysis and Project Blue Book

Project Blue Book officials state that after 19 years of investigation and over 11,000 reported sightings, the Air Force has not collected a single photograph, film, or graph of a UFO that could be definitively identified as such. They explain that most analyzed photographs have turned out to be astronomical bodies, balloons, lens flares, emulsion flaws, or other photographic defects, with only a small percentage being hoaxes. A key challenge in analysis is the frequent failure of individuals to submit the original negative, which is crucial for scientific examination.

University of Colorado UFO Study

Following a recommendation from the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, the Air Force announced in October 1966 that the University of Colorado would conduct independent investigations into unidentified flying object reports. This research agreement, valued at approximately $300,000, covers a 15-month period. Air Force UFO files will be made available to the university, and its investigators will have the freedom to pursue their lines of study and publish their findings. Dr. Edward Condon, professor of physics, is the scientific director of this study. He encourages the public to continue reporting sightings to the nearest Air Force base or Project Blue Book.

The Need for Proof

Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of the Marshall Space Flight Center, expresses skepticism towards UFO reports, emphasizing the need for "positive, credible proof." He notes that while 98 percent of sightings can be explained by conventional means (balloons, aircraft, reflections, etc.), the remaining two percent, though unexplained, do not convince him of extraterrestrial origins without further evidence. He likens the situation to not calling upon supernatural explanations for phenomena that science has yet to fully understand.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of hoaxes in UFO reports, the scientific methods employed by the Air Force to investigate sightings, and the ongoing search for definitive evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging unexplained phenomena while prioritizing rational explanations and demanding rigorous proof before accepting extraordinary claims. The magazine highlights the Air Force's commitment to investigating UFOs but also underscores the limitations of current evidence and the importance of scientific methodology.