PROJECT BLUE BOOK

7
1. DAFE 2 LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
Was Balloon
ol Fab 59 Pennsvlvania & Onio 000 Probably Balloon
TYPE OF OBSERYATION Possioly Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4
Local :Ground-Visual Ground-Radar DX Was Aireroft Refueling
00 Probably Aircraft
GMT. 25/0045z AirVisual Air-Intercept Radar Possibly Aireraft
5. PHOTCS 6. SOURCE Was Astronamical
Yes Probably Astronomical
..No Civil Airlines Possibiy Astronomical
000 000
7. L FION 3. NUMBER OBJECTS 9. COURSE Other...
Insufficient Data for Evaluation
Unknown
1sin 3
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
Capt Verified as refueling operation.
Two United Airlines Pilots, Control tower 3 B-47's being refueled by Kc-97.
operators at Pittsburg airport, and
ground observers near Akron, Ohio. Capt '
on UAL flight near Youngstown, Chio
1so witness the refueling.
ATic Ford EV 26 3ZP 32)
esIm

pastfo
enfinver -
wean
loae
T

anell 7lt321. anell 7lt321.
Mpartel an 8
cnx t.3 ofe oiet adio

an
0o3 the rest o intorna is just
credible. tmix good to ask hin to
furmish nanes the quizzing.
FROM OR TITLE DATE
11 March 59
ATION TELEPHONE
55266
Replaess DA AGO Ferm S93, 1 Apr 48, and AFHQ c43--16-71067-1 GPO
Form 12. 10 Nov 47, which may be used.

e United Statee-
Cenada international bcundary oundary at
44 degrees 56 minutes north. west;
thence alone the
to 44 degrees 30 minutas north. .
thence east t minutes north, 66 degrees 45
minutes west; thence southeast degrees 30 minutes north,
utes north, 63 degrees O0 minutes west and including that area
eastward to the limit of radar surveillance and control of
adjacen seabcard.
# * . *
Headquarters JARRED V CRABB
OPPICIAL Major General, USAF
Air Defense imand Chief of Staff
EDMUND B COLIMBA
Oaptain, U3A7
Assistant Directer ef
Alninistrative vices
DESPRIBUTION:
"S"
beceefener
This is a certified true copy.
USAF FDIREOTCR OF IMELL
Hq R6th Air Divisioh (SAGE) Sir AFS M.Y.

sightin.
to this headquarters, if the report does not show this headquarters
as an adiressee as req by paragraph 14a(2) AR 200-2.
3. This headquarters requests a copy or a cony or ATIC prelininary and
final evaluations of each UFCB final evaluations of each UTCE related to the (eographical eographical erea
mentioned above.
26th Air Division ars'enclosed for
FOR ME CCIDLANDER:
Eveil bo Hoe
1 Incl:
1. Ertract of Sec II, Ha ADO, Lt.Col., USAF
Goneral Cdr As datad 2 Feb 59 Diractor of Adninietrative Services

CABLES
200 FILE
DISPATCH
TO: DATE
SAFIS-3, ATTN; Maj. Tacker 13 March 1959
FROM: NO.
AFCIN-4E 1
COMMENT cessary) dg 828
.
1. This is the same sighting reported by Capt - of American Airlines.
over Akron, Ohio at approximately 2115 hours. The tankers had a ground speed or
approximately 200-210 knots and sighting
to Akron is approxims accour the lights being
over Akron at
3. Unrortunately a who is a member of the Unidentified Flying
Objects Research Committee, interviewed Capt United Airlines and has
probably distorted some of the facts of this sishting. You probably remember the
with the Lake case.
HKMillat
1 Inel: H. K. GILBERT
Ltr dtd Colonel, USAF
AFCIN-HE
AFHO FORM 0-86 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THIS FORM MAY BE USED. GPO 908344
MAY 56

O
19 March 1959
Dear
This is to acknowledge your letter of 6 March 1959 concern-
ing the American Airlines pilot's sighting of 24 February near
Bradford, Pennsylvanis. In additicn, two United Airlines pilots
saw unidentified flying objects in the same gere phical
area.
The geographical Swes concerned is bordered on the north
along the New York-Pennsylvania border (near Bradford, Pennsylvania
and Olean, New York)on the route of American Airlines Flight No..
139 departing Newark, New Jersey, at 7:10 and arriving Detroit,
Michigan, at l0:52 p.m. hia hical rea is
bordered by the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania-Akron-Youngstow hio,
locale over-flowm by the United over-flown by the United Airlines flights flights reporting this
sighting.
The American Airlines pilet said "scmetimes the interval of American Airlines pilet said "scmetimes the interval of
the three the three elights were lights were identical to the Belt in the constellation identical to the Belt in the constellation
Orion." Orion." This was initially This was initially menticned as a possible solution by menticned as a possible solution by
the Air Force with the the Air Force with the qualifying qualifying statement that the statement that the report as report as
submitted had not yet been analyzed and that the findings of ATIC ATTC
would be based upon a complete analysis and evaluation of the
written report submitted. The pilot's eport also suggested
the possibility that he had witnessed a night aerial Ling
operation. N might
Upon ahalysis and evaluation, this sighting turned out to be
B-47 type aircraft acccuplishing night refueling from KC-97 tankers.
The American Airlines pilot's report of the sighting confired
this and Air Force records show that three B-47 type aircraft were
in the geographical erea mentioned above on a night refueling opera-
ticn. /The tanker has several groups which at a distance
would appear to be ore lights. The time duration of a
refueling operation aries, can last well over an hour, depending
on the type of operation. The KC-97 refueling a B-h7 will fly at
en altitude of approximately 17,000 feet at around 230 knots true
air speed (ground speed 210 knots). This would account the

Your letter also supports this conclusion. The tankers had a
ground speed of approximately 2lo knots and the United Airlines
pilots' reported sighting it at 8:45 p.m., 50 miles east of
Youngstown, Ohio, approximately l20 miles frcm Akron, Ohio. This
would account for the tanker aircrafts : lights being sighted over
Akron at 9:15 p.m. by Bervers,
These findings were made available to all media representatives
through the Department of Defense press desk in Washington, D. C.,
on 16 6 March 1959. The Air Force ia well awere of its cbligation to
keep the public adequately informed on this subject and press
releases are made pericdically through the Department of Defense.
For your information, I am inclosing the latest Department of
Defense press releese on unidentified flying objects.
Sincerely, Sincerely,
Inel LAWRENCE J. LAWRENCE J. TACKER
Major, USAF
Executive Officer Officer
Public Information Division Public Information Division
Office of Information Services
Mr
Akron 13, Ohio
21

in the Akron area also saw the three lights. These were both United Air-
lines flights, and both aircraft were in radio communication with each other
concerning the sighting. We also have on file e a number of crediaable ob-
servers on the ground in n the Akron area that saw the three lights pass
ble. Eecause of the facts mentioned above, which have been verified, the
three I lights could not have been stars. If the Air Force insists that the
objects were stars and will r not release there reasons for these conclusions,
we will be forced to contact the proper to see that the Air Force
exolanation is investirated.
Sincers
:
UFO Research Committee

were obsem
closed there were closed there were three B-l7s in the area at the time on a nignt refueling three B-h7s in the area at the time on a nignt refueling
mission. tower no report due to the fact due to the fact there there was
nothing unusual nothing unusual statements were vere made to the made
newspapers.
3. The names of the tower 3. The names of the tower operators would not be given by the control given by the control
tower supervisor tower supervisc or because he did because he did not want the personnel the personnel concerned involved concerned involved
in an investigation.
FOR THE COMMANDER: TOD
m I Sutatle
WILLIAM D. HOSTUTLE
Captain, USAF
Administrative officer
12

to
Cleveland, the lights diage
They ne olsined for

dim to a bright brilliant. Sometimes the interval of the three lights were identical
to the Belt in the constellation Orion. Occasionally the rear lights lagged somewhat
behind. Also changed altitudes. During the 40 minutes of observation, the.three
and then fell back to the original 9 o'clock position. Also occasionally the '
the lights changed intensity. - but four
The only possible explanation other than flying
refueling operation. N Never having witnessed ref
aware of the lighting of the jet tanker.
My air speed during this complete flight was 250 knots indicated. I also do
this could
ATO to find out Chey had eny three anes were
given.
difficult for me to believe they were jets because of low
If they weren't jets I still don't know any more than I did

. 0
before, even though I watched then for 40 minutes before. D Due to the dark and
The altitude of
the objects was 30 above my horizon.
. ,

.7 . O 0
AKA
AMERICAN AIRLINES
CABLE ADDRESS AMAIR
DETAOIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT  INKSTER MICHIGAN
March 4, 1959
Commander Air Technical Intelligence Center
Wright Patterson Air rce Base
Ohio
Att: ADCIN 4E 4
Gentlemen:
As requested by telephone on
statement from our Capta statement from our Capta
Very truly yours, .
AMERIC. ES, INC.
T
ahager of Operations
7

Captain mind, rather
new statement at this time.
b. The following additional information was received by telephone
interview with Captai. The flight had departed Newark and was
on a VFR-direct course to Detroit. At approximately 2045 hours, at
a location approximately one-half Williamsport OMNI
and the Bradford OMNI 1 (Chart 18 USAF/USN Flight Information
Publication Enroute-Low Altitude) Captain sighted three (3)
toward the South and disappeared. At approximately this same time
Captain started his let down for an approach to Detroit. During
the period that the lights were visible Captain aircraft was
on an approximate heading of 290 degrees. Immediately preceding
the sighting Captair was in the left seat and was having dinner.

back, gain altitude and then pull back into position. This occurred
approximately ten times during the period of the sighting. Captain
indicated at times the numbe three light appeared to be
dancing.
c. c. Captain Captain has been flying since approximately 1940. has been flying since appro imately 1940.
During the war he was a civilian flight instructor for approximately
two and one-half years with the Navy. For the past fifteen and one- two and one-half years with the Navy. For the past fifteen and one-
half years he has been flying for American Airlines. He has
approximately 20, 000 hours of flying time.
FOR THE NDER:
eess sh :
R. F. WERKMEISTER 1 Atch
Major, USAF Statement of
Administrative Officer
2

SECURIT CLASBIFI
JOINT MESSAGEFORM UNCLASSIFIED
SPACB BELOW RESERVED FOR COMMUNICATION CENTIR
4E19 05/2-019
910162 aY
SE
PRECEDENCE TYPE MSG (Cbecà) ACCOUNTING ORIG, OR REFERS TO CLASSIFICATION
SYMBOL OF REFERENCE
ACTION ROUTINE BOOK MULTI SINGLK
INFO X AF ORIG
FROM: SPECIAL IN RUCTIONS
ATIC W-P AFB
MFTCHEL AFB, N. Y. 1399
g-cy-Ny
8-1592-E
/UNCLAS/FROM:AFCIN-4El8
ATTN INTEELIGENCE OFFICER, REQUEST YOUR CRGANIZATION CONTACT
CAPT AID ANUD CO-PILO CO-PIL OF AMERICAN AIRLINES, REGARDING OF AMERICAN AIRLINES, REGARDING
AN UFO SICETING MADE BY THEM ON 24 FEB 59. REQUEST AS MUCH AN UFO SICHTING MADE BY THEM ON 24 FEB 59. REQUEST AS MUCH
DETAILED INFO AS POSSIBLE BE FORWARDED TO THIS OFFICE.
COORDINATT ON:
RRshorp RRshorp
AFCIN-4EA AFCIN-LEA DATE4C-y59 DATE 4a59
AFCIN-LE DATE 874/17
F1
DATE TIME
302 1525
MONTH YEAR
JULY 1959
BOL SIGNATURE
AFCIN-4Ehg
TYPED NAME AND TITLE (SignatuSe. if requirta) TYPED (or siamped NAME AND TITLE
30-1-bn Major Robert J. Friend CW. JuAC
PHONE 69216 NR. PAGE NR. OF 1 LOUIS J. HARRELL
PACES
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION CAPTAIN. USAF
ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
UNCLASSIFIED
DD. FCARM .173 FEPLACES DD FORM 17S. 1OCT 48, WHICH WILL BE USED UNTIL EXHAUSTED

I +
* N
5 + :
AFCIN-MAl, ATTN: Capt. 11 March 1959
ACIN-4E RUL 1
AFCIN-4Eh/Maj Friend/ac/69216/Bldg 828
1. Refarence telepbone conversation betveen Gart
written report and upon request of this Center. the Detroit offiee agreed to have
Capt submit one.
3. In the meantime. sother report of two United Airlines pilots sighting of
the same lights came in ittsburch Airport tover operators also wore reported
to have made an observation lgats. 53d AT Base Croup at Creaber
ittsburgh Airport requestsd to iavestigate tover Operators said there was
lothing unuaual 30 they didn't report i .Hwvever. check M23 rade with the 772nd
GWRON at Claysburz. Pa and it was deternined thr ea on a
night ling operation.
4. Capt. deseripiion and that of the two United Airlines pilots
caineide. All thres observers were heading in a westerly direetio lights
iare to their lert.
5. a check was made with the airoraft surport systeay project office. brigat-
Patterson Air Force Base, to deterndns the characteristics of a night refueling

more
operation va last well 0.or on the type of
operation. C-97 rerueling lfly at an altitude of approxi-
nately 17.000 feet at around 230 knots true This would account for the
lights being approximately 30 degrees abot Capt izon and
his sighting them tor 40 minutes..
6. All evidence indicates Capt probably cew a refueling
operation.
N.K klbert
B H. X. GILBEFT
1 Inel:
Cy Rpt by Colonel. USAF
Capi APCIN-4E
g. maly
34
31
1E1S .29
2

6
SAr7S-3. ArTm: Maj. Tacker 11 1creh 1959
AFCIE-4E 2
4E4/Mnj Friend/ac/6-92l6/B2dg 823
1.
Americnn Airlines pilot, and other individuels on the evehing of
C-7's wire in the aree cn e night refueling operatio: Al choer riytion
sbstantieted the aichting of one Bane shts.
Sunport Systeme Frojeet cffice. Krigkt-
-terson Air Force Base, to deternine the characteristies of a uight rerueling
orcration. The tenker tas saveral eroups of lights which at a distance would appear
be one og lights. The tiue duration operation veries. ean last
11 over sn hour , depending on the type or operation. The iC-97 refueling a B-k7
ll fly st er altitude OR aprroxinately l7.ccc fest ab round 290 knots true. This
roukd seccunt fon the licats being aprroximately 30 degree
worizon and his seeing them for he minutes.

:
4. All evidence indicates the observers probably
operation.
5.
be addressed to the Anerican Airlines New York Orfics.
should also eontain a sumnary of the above evidence.
6. A copy or Capt. sport is inclosed for your infcrnation.
0:0
1
H.K.Hllet
1 Inel: H. K. GILBERT
Cy Rpt Colonel, USA
by Ga AFCIN4E
Coc
ARCIN 4E4
2

27
liceived
Captain
Mater in his upon
a night ufueling of erationye

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
JOINT MESSAGEFORM - CONTINUATION SHEET
UNCLASSIFIED
FROM:
ATIC
WERE BY A/C DURING REFUELING OPERAPIONS.
COORDINATION:
DATE 10MAR59
Col Glaser
AFCIN-4E
Col Gilbert
SYMBOL PAGE NR OF SECURITY CLASSIFICATICN INITIALS
NR PAGES
AFCIN-4E4 2 UNCLASSIFIED
U. S. GOVERN MENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1995- 8229
DDI MAY s 173-1.-

SECURIT
JOINT MESSAGEFORM UNCLASSIFIED 2E
SPACE BELOW RESERVED FOR COMMUNICATION CENTER
MaR 18·22 20'59
PRIORITY,
PRECEDENCE TYPE MSG (Check) SYMBOL ACCOUNTING ORIG. OR REFERS TO CLASSIFICATION OF REFERENCE
ACTION KAMUNK PRIORITY BOOK MULTI SINGLE
INFO X AF ORIG
FROM: SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
ATIC
TO: HQ., USAF, WASHINGTON, D. C., ATIN: A
ARCIN-13 Z2H
/UNCLASSIFIED/FROM: AFCIN-4E4 3-444-E
COPAS, AFCIN-1A1 AND SGT BOLIEU, AFCIN-4E4,
10 MAR 59, CONCERNING AN UFO SIGHTING BY LINE PILOT CAPT INE PILOT CAPT
THE FOLLOWING INFO WAS REQUESTED,
_
REPORT OF HIS SIGHTING TO THIS ONTER. CY OF THIS REPORT IS BEING
FORWARDED TO YOUR OFFICE. UPON INVESTIGATION BY THE 2253D AB GP
AT GREATER PITTSEURGH AIRPORT, IT WAS DISCLOSED THAT THREE B-47'S PDAPM wDTTAM THREE Bo47IS
1
WERE IN THE AREA ON A NIGHT REFUELING OPERATION. DURING REFUELING
OPERATTON, THE B-47 AND KC-97 ARE FLYING AT APFROX 17,000 FT AT A
. THIS
ORSERVED BY CAR
OATE TIME
10 1220
MONTH YEAR
MAR 1959
SYMBOL SIGNATURE
AFCIN-4E4
AND TYPED (or starmCec NAME AND TTTLE
30S-wo MAJOR ROBERT J. FRIEND
PAGE NR. OF MWWNW
PHONE 6-9216 NR. 1 PAGES 2
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
UNCLASSIFIED
DDFORM.173 REPLACES D0 FORM 173. 1 OCT 49. WHICH WILL BE USED UNTIL EXHAUSTED

.. O
TAB
A TWX's and Letters pertaining to evaluation of Sighting
. C
A
-7 T paeu htings)
F Refueling Area Boundaries
G Investigative Data
H C Report :
UFORC Report UFORC
H News Articles and Extracts from UFO Publications
7

on board and airplanes in the area.
The only than flying
refueling operation. Never having witnessed at night, I
.
My air speed during flight was 250 kmots indicated. I also do
not kaoy the d speed of tenkers during operation coulabe so. T
a night refueling operation.
The tanker has several groups of lights which at a distance would appear to be
one or more lights. The time duration operation varies, can last
well over a ur, depending upon eration. Rerueling would take
place at 17,000 ely 230 knots true.
During the investigation the Air Force determined that there were three B-47's
in the area or Capt flight path during the hour of
These B-47's were on refueling mission.
All evidence saw a 3-47 refueling operation.

UFO ANALYSIS SHEET
Location Fennsylvania
Date _24 Feb 1959 _Hour (Z)_ 2045
changing in intensity from dim to brilliant. Lights apparently moving
east to west
Direction of Motion E to W
Satellite: Phone 69219 Checked - objects much too slow and
uniform.
Astronomical Phenomena (Meteor, Comet, Planet, ete) Objects too slow for
meteors - deseription doesn't fit - motion rules out planet
Radar Analysis N/A
Natural Phemomena (Ball etc) Size of object rules out ball
lightning".
remef+ Balleong. Possibly aircraft
Evaluation of Source Rel iability. Probably very good.
Analysis and Conclusions: Information from Pittsburgh is that a B-47
refueling operation was in progress at the time of the sighting. This
operation took place the area of the sighting. Air Force bomber
and tanker aircrart flying from east tness indicates in
his statement is not familiar with the light pattern used during
refueling e objects o this sighting were probably due to
misinterpreta lights on aireraft during a refuel ling oceration.
Jrind

Ferce isousd
officisl explarations sighting succsesive dates, all three
(rafarring to the ation). con. But I know what a B7
Looks Like, and I gnow vhst a KC-97 tecgrr looko liketfu , I iow what they l.ock
liks ia operation at nijut. And thut'a not ihev I sow."

Aoariean d ailense hja ao hs cotld ailense hja ao hs,cotld not not answer beok. Aneriean Airlinss hid
deliberately err deliberately errenged ds sarly puitlieity heflor ro be was eixldonly tolt to be was etxkdonly tolt to
step the ontr cry stytements hove hen sent to maverel ry stytements hove hen sent to maverel
merberse

lndicated
thia. Al: Furce recorde shoved thxt three B-t? type aicorer: were in
Cho gnogaubieal aree veiticrad above ro the night rerueling operetiol.
The Yeand Aireraft Control and waruing Bquadron ct The Yeand Aireraft Control and "aning, Bquadron ct Claysburs, Fennsylvania Ciaysburs, Fannsylvaaia
confirred thi ract. confirred this ract.

WHEN A HIREI R OBJECTS "ABOUT THE SIZE
OF DINNER PLATES SO SAW TH EM AND THE OBJECTS APPEARED
LIGHT RED TER THAN
A JET."
LAST NIGHT THREE STRANGE FLYING OBJECTS WERE SPOTTED OVER
PENNSYLVANIA CAPT. OF SYOSSEY F AN
AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE ENROUTE TO DETROIT FROM NEW YORK.
CHECKED WITH HIS CO-PILOT OF NYACK. N.Y.. AND
HIS ENGINEER, WHO ALSO SAW THEM, 1 T: NOTIFIED HE 35
PASSENGERS ABOARD THE PLANE.
S. 41
UTICA, SAID HÉ AND THE OTHER PASSENGERS SPOTTED THE STRANGE BLUISH-
WHITE LIGHT: NOTIELED TUTM

Detroit (AP) -The pilot of Airlines DC-6
passenger plane said yesterday an American
three mysterious objects that g saucers ap-
looked like shining accompany the plane
peared to minutes Tuesday night
for 45 nonstop flight from
on its Newark, N.J., to Detroit.
Capt. Peter of Syos-
set, N.Y., who has flown pas- years,
senger planes for 15 said, "I have never seen any-
thing like it before."
jects in the haze when they
started their descent for land-
ing at Detroit's Metropolitan
Airport while the plane was
over Cleveland, O. N. D. Puscas, Garden City,
Mich., a passenger, said the to
strange objects appeared dance in the sky. Puscas is
general manufacturing man-
ager of Curtis Wright Division
at Utica.

.
front of sc.t sight
2 Row of light 3600 13 .8>- 500KN
one fo 17000 97@ 20cKM. 1Nd.
do2,g 23016T
BACKqrOuHd lighTs
ianged vight bifind nore wheel to
D. D. U
-A
F A
F--1- 1-- 1--1-=A
Th edge OF WING Is sibhouTediN
lighT3

Plane Pilot Sights
'Flying
N-
DETROIT. Feb. 25 (AP). -The pilot of an American
lines DC-6 passenger plane said today three mys-
lous objects that looked like shining saucers ap-
red to accompany the plane for 45 minutes last red to accompany the plane for 45 minutes last
tht on its non-stop flight from Newark, N. J., to tht on its non-stop flight from Newark, N. J., to
troit. troit.
pt. Peter Killian of Syos- feet between Philipsburg and
L. I. who has flown pas- Bradford. Pa.. at 3:45 p.m.
yor planes for 15 years, said "The objects were by no
have never seen anything means
it before." close to the plane,"
(illian said other members Killian said, "but one would
e crew and the 35 passen- move in at intervals, fall back
iso saw the flving objects. again and change its place
vane left Newark at T:1o in the formation while keeping
abreast of the ship. which was
dlan and co-pilot John traveling at 350 mph."
Nyack. N. Y.. said they Killian said he radioed two
the three strange objects other American airlines planes
a haze when they started flying in the vicinity of his ship
descent for landing at to make sure I waan't seeing
t's Metropolitan Airport. lizhtning bugs in the cockpit."
three bright whitish He said both other captains
first were sighted while radioed back they saw the fly-
The was flying at 8,500 ing objects too.

PHILALELPHIA ING.
21 March 1959
Air Force Explains
Lights in Sky
Real MeCoy
ASHINGTON, March 20 (AP).
THE Air Force said today that
mysterious lighted objects
cently reported by a com-
orcial airliner were lights of
ree jet boinbers refueling in
eair..
The lights were reported on the
ght of Feb. 24 over Pennsyl-
nia, Ohio and Michigan. Thel
of an' American Airlines
ne and a number of the 35l
assengers on a flight from New- sengers on a flight from New-l
.N. J. to Detroit told abouti
flying objects.
our days later the Air Force
hnical Intelligence Agency
Wright-Patterson Air Forcei
said the lights might have
en stars glimpsed through
eaks in heavy cloud forma-
ns.
The Air Force said today,
wever, that it now has beenj
rmined that the lizhts were
B 47 bombers that were be-
refueled by a KC-s7 tankeri
an operation that lasted for
than one hour. The Air
report said that-use of
ral lights during the refuel-
xolnined "some of the com-
cisl airlines reports of be-
followed by lights."

BALTDIORE SUI
al Kareb 1959
HELP SOUGHT
BY RICKOVER
Admiral Wants Protection
From Pentagon Panels
Washington, March 20 (P-Vi
Adm. Hyman G. Rickover tni Adm. Hyman G. Rickover In
Congress today that he cay for Congress today that he cay fon
see a future in which "we wind
with all committees and no ww
done."
Rickover was talking about f
Defense Department and its rels
tions with his own unconventioa.
group of atomic planners. Ti
group was larpely responsible fo
the first atomie submarine and
civilian power plant.
He told a House Operations su
committee that his group is one
where military men and civilian
do not ait at adioining desks dupl
cating each others' work.
Ability Only Basis
We have civilians working fo
offieers, we have officers working
for civilians. We have lieutennn
commanders working for ensigns
Whoever does the job best get
the job."
Rickover fertifled without hesltn.
tlon, that "the greatest interfe.
ence with our work comes from
panels and commitees.
"As long as there is money
around, there will be lois of enm around, there will be lots of ena
mittees," Rickover said. He mittees," Rickover said. He
X-

Compiledby
UNIDENTTEIED ELYING OBJECTS RESEARCH
COMMRETEE-AKRON,OHIO
-

gerald Repo n this, the Committee's seco report.
prevailed.
Many books have ve been written on the subject of Unidentified Flying Objects. Scores of
periodicals onthly. T ye found their way into libraries, Universities, hosp
itals, churches, offices and other business, cultural and social centers, as well as into
private homes everywhere. It is the sincere hope of the UFORC that this second factual
document will not only further the understanding in Flying Saucers but will, perhaps, im-
part a sense of urgency to the reader and in that way advance the case for UFOs.
It is the aim of the Committee to place a copy of this document in the hands of the
Drocidont of the Initod Stot hia enhinot.
Palmer. Flying Saucers magazine, Amherst, Wiscon-
sin; Curtis Fuller, Fate Magazine, , rdte Midgazine, Evanston, liinois, C Evanston, Ulinois enzen, APRo Bunletin, Bulletin,
Alamogordo, New Mexico; Hugh Mo Alamogordo, Mexico; Hugh McPherson, Radio Station WCHs, Charleston, West Virgin :Pherson.
ia; Bob Barr ia; Bob Barry rk; Radio Stati : Radio St: R, Akron, Ohio; American Air- o; American Air-
lines, Incorporated, lo0 Park Avenue, New York, lines, Incorporated, 100 New York N.Y.; Joseph M. Moran, Editor, Flag- Y.: Joseph M. , Editor, Flag-
ship News for American Airlines, ship News for American Airlines, Inc. ; Strategic Air Command, Offut Air Inc. ; Strategic Air Command, Offut A Ir Force Base. orce Base.
Omaha, Nebraska; U.S. Department of Commerce, National Weather Records Center,
Asheville, North Carolina. Long Island Daily Press. Asheville, North Carolina. Long Island Daily Press.
COPYRIGHTED BY UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS RESEARCH COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY 24. ID6O COPYRIGHTED BY UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS RESEARCH COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY 24. TD6O
1

high speed, and S Troopers at Bay ty, Michigan described it as a bluish-green flame
traveling parallel to the earth.
Between 8:00 an nd 8:30 P.M. on this same evening, an Akron, Ohio couple sighted a
1 strange bright reddish-orange object with flickering yellowli on the top. It hovered
momentarily and then moved away toward the north. Its outline was sharp, except for the
minutes.
In northern Ohio the evening of February 24 was crisp and cold, the sky clear and the
visibility perfect.
starlike objects moving across the sky was made by several persons. This was a prelude
to the eventual unfolding of a related series of events.
The three objects were spotted at 9:20 P. M. moving from east to west. One of the ob-
servers phoned Mrs. Roy Renner, a member of the UFORC, who, in turn, phoned Mr.
George Popowitch, Director of the Committee. Before the Director could d get outside,
three objects appea ove closer to They were seen to fade, re-
original brilliance. but ne Inison Warren, Ohio, the
lights "went off " completely and ppeared. I as being bluisn-
white and definitely larger than any white and definitely larger than al y star. The objects then passed ti The objects then passed tl aircraft, veered to
the right, crossing in front of the plane and finally disappeared to th the right, crossing in front of the plane and finally disappeared to the northwest. e northwest.
Meanwhile, over Meanwhile, over Per nsylvania, shortly before the above described aerial phenomena nsylvania, shortiy before the above described aerial phenomena
had been spotted by United Air Lines Flight 937, these objects had also been seen by the
captain of United Air Lines Flight 32l enroute to Cleveland, Ohio. (This captain, too, pre-
fers to remain anonymous.) Aiter observing the objects for seven minutes, Flight 32i con- fers to remain anonymous.) Aiter observing the objects for seven minutes, Flight 32i con-
tacted Flight 937. The captain of Flight 32i also called Air Traffie Control in Cleveland anc
2

was informed that no aireraft was in his vicinity at that time.
The foregoing incidents related by the two United Air Lines pilots substantiated the mo
detailed account reported by Captain Peter Killian, a pilot for American Airlines. Captain
Killian is a native of Pottstown, Pennsyivania. He is married, has three children and is
active in youth groups in Syossett, Long Island, New York. He serves as a Scoutmaster, a
explorer adviser, and as an instructor for rifle and archery clubs.
CAPTAIN KILLIAN'S REPORT
"I was on a flight from Newark, New Jersey to Detroit, Michigan, non-stop, and the
g, Bradford, and Erie, Pennsylvania and directl
across Lake Erie on to Detroit y flight wa t 85o0 feet, and I was flying by visual flight
rules above an overcast. yercast was roughly 5, oo0 feet and above the clouds,ceiling
and visibility were both unlimited. Though there were broken clouds below us at 5, Oo0 feet
all the sky above that layer was absolutely clear. We had a visibility of about l00 miles.
(Editor's note: U.S. Department of Commerce Weather Bureau reading at Phillipsburg
stated that three-tenths of the sky was covered with scatterd clouds 5, O00 feet above the
ground at 8:30 P.M., February 24, 195 Roughly about 8:45, while I was having my din-
er, like all pilots do once in awhile, I noticed out of my left window to the south, three
yellowish lights in a single horizontal line at 9: 0 o'clock position. I almost choked on my
steak when I saw them, but I just watched awhile without saying anything. These three
lights maintained this relative position for 35 to 40 minutes. Their color was from a yellov
to a light orange and these three lights were in a horizontal position.
"At first I thought it was the Belt of Orion but then I took a second look and saw both the
belt and the foreign objects. I dismissed the theory of their being the belt of the Constella-
back to dim again. During this period, occasionally, the light would be extinguished com-
pletely, and I woul ee only two of them and maybe it would me back again and there
would be three; then two lights would go out, and there w e only one. Occasionally
all three would go out.
altitude, although the 3LATTPOS r their
altitude, although e like the apparent size of the moon. They were defin- like the apparent size of the moon. They were defin-
itely higher than I At first, I estimated that the objects were not over a mile from us t first, I estimated that the objects were not over a mile from us
This was just an im This was just an ression; I believe now that they were not that close. It would be the
same thing if a person would have a light in the middle of a dark field at night. It would be same thing if a person would have a light in the middle of a dark field at night. It would be
impossible for you to know, just looking at the light, if this light were lo0 feet or l, ooo feet impossible for you to know, just looking at the light, if this light were lo0 feet or L, ooo feet
away from you, for if you don't know the size, you don't get the idea of distance. rou don't know the size, you don't get the idea of distance.
"In all my period of flying, I have never in my life seen anything even remotely resem "In all my period of flying, I have never in my life seen anything even remotely resem
bling this in fifteen years with the airlines and also about thirteen years other than that.
3

There was only e passenger who was slightly apprehensive I tol
somethinglong ago. Several passengers wanted me
to go over clos o consider their safety, even if regulations had permitted this
I obviously did no gh speed to catch up with the objects, and I thought discretion
was the better part of val r and remained on course. To enable the passengers to have a
better view, the stewardesses, Edna LeGate and Beverly Pingree, turned out the cabin
lights and everyone watched the spectacle for the next 35 minutes.
"I suppose I'm no different than all the rest of average American individuals regarding
Unidentified Flying Objects. We read about it and we wonder if the person who has sighted
such objects has been sober or sane or telling the truth. Generally, though, you have
another feeling like you can't discount them entirely, and that was generally my feeling.
and these movements were easily observed. Occasionally,however, the rear fellow would
possibility that the iscern any pattern in the
light changes.
"I had considered the possibility that the lights came from jet refueling operations and
suggested as much upon landing when I was interviewed by the e Detroit Times. I had dis-
carded the idea, however, for several reasons. At my then cruising speed of 280 to 300 uising speed of 280 to 300
miles per hour, I was going too slow for jets to stay off ny left wing for a long time. The left wing for a long time. The
other factors were the changing position of the lights and other factors the changing position of the lights ar d their varyingintensity. In addi- air varying intensity. In addi-
tion, First Officer John Dee, after landing, had also considered the tion, First Offic icer John Dee, after landing. had also co possibility of a jet possibility of a jet
refueling operation but had made a check and there had been no such flights refueling operat on but had made a check and there had bee I also notified I also notified
other planes in th other planes in the e vicinity. When I was over Erie, Pennsylvania I called on e vicinity. When I was as over Erie, Pennsylvania I c my company company
frequency and asked if there were any other planes in the vicinity, and there frequency and aske d if there were any other planes in the vicinity, and the ewere two. were two.
4 4

of any kind, we make a company, which, in turn, reports this to the Govern-
ment for immediate dissemination. immediately Iled my company in Detroit, and
Detroit itself gave it to the Government." (Editor's n note: The procedure Captain Killian
is referring to is known as CIRVIS - Communication Instruction for Reporting Vital Intelli-
gence Sighting from Aircraft.)
PASSENGER AND HOSTESSES VERIEY SIGHTING
One of Captain Killian's passengers, Puscas, 41, of Barton, Garden
City, Long Island, New York General Manufacturing Manager
Company's New York Division his to say to the press:
"The way he broke the
signs of worry. Everyone immediately began to show a keen interest in what was going on.
He did a fine job. There wasn't a cloud in the sky when I looked out and saw the objects in He did a fine job. There was I in the sky when I looked out and saw the objects in
precision formation. They were round-like, and every now and then one would glow bright
er than the other as if it had moved nearer to the plane. I have been making that same trip
a number of times because the home office is in New York, but I have never experienced an
thing like that before. It might have been imagination, but when the objert rose I thought I
could see a little tail like an exhaust."
The plane's hostesses, Mrs. LeGate, 22, of Welton, Arizona, and Miss Beverly Pin-
gree, 25, Oakland, California, said respectively, "I don't knc what they were. I'm a
terrific science-fiction fan but and "I'm not a science- iction fan, but I know what I
saw."
=
5 5

AFTERMATH
The day following the sighting the Detroit Times reported in banner headlines:
Detroin imes
59TH YEAR, No. 148 4 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1959 WOodward 3-800 7 CENTS
-
MYSTERY DISCS
TRAIL PLANE HERE
HOSTESS EDNA L>GATE (LEFT), 22: CAPT. KILLIAN AND HOSTESS BEVERLY PINGREE, 25, AFTER LAST NIGHT'S LANDING HOSTESS EDNA LOGATE (LEFT). 22: CAPT. KILLIAN AND HOSTESS BEVERLY PINGREE, 25, AFTER LAST NIGHT'S LANDING nysierious abjects accompanied them on a flight from Nowark to Detreit
These three and a plane-loed of pesoenger These three and a plane-lond of p thren mysterious abjects accompanied them on a fight from Newark to Detreit Deit Tra Phe v E Kora Dhr Tr Ph T E4 Eran
6

tal
talke with
Centon CentonI Redar t
muns
(Fa 2ithing 2ithng aal val
. .
-

*
/1
E
CI25E
A20 M
1i
UFORC DIRECTOR GEORGE POPOWITCH INTERVIEWING MR. AND MRS CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO
PHOTOGRAPH BY OUSTY RICHARDS. NCPA

American Airlines arranged for the press to interview Captain Killian in New York.
FLAGSHP NEWS
401 Published by American Airlines March 9, 1959
Vol. 14, No. 4
Escort Escort Greets Greets Flagship Flagship
Mystery
It was no mirage. F/O Dee saw the same things. It was no mirage. F/O Dee saw the same things. end light maneuvered
Philipshurg As they watched, As they watched, the
over sharply, closing the gap between it and the other sharply, closing the gap between it and the other
objects, then falling back. All the time, the mys- objects, then falling back. All the time, the mys-
Flagship droned through the clear Flagship droned through n the clear terious objects remained abreast of the airplane
The DC-6 Detroit. American Airlines Flight 139, which was flying at 350 miles an hour.
had left Newark at 7 p.m. and was scheduled to night toward at 7 p.m. and was scheduled to In the cabin, the passengers were enjoying the
had left I Newark Metropolitan at 9:35. Metropolitan at 9:35. show.
land at Detroit land at Inside the cheerfully-lighted cabin, 35 passengers Detroit cheerfully-lizhted cabin, 35 passengers Capt. Killian radioed two other AA planes in
Inside the the vicinity to make sure "I wasn't seeing lightning
were enjoying a filet mignon dinner. Killian cams over the bugs in the cockpit." They reported back that they
The voice of Capt. Peter gentlemen," he said, had sighted the objects, too.
loudspeaker. "Ladies "American Airlines has a special treat for you to- For 45 minutes, the lights stayed with the Flag-
night; if you'll look out the windows on the left ship. Then they were lost as the airplane dropped
side, you'll get a look at little surprise." through a haze to make its landing, at Detroit
Clearly visible off the left wing were what ap- Metro.
peared to be three saucer-shaped orange-yellow Once on the ground, the story spread quickly.
lights moving along with the plane. Newspapermen hounded Capt. Killian in his hotel
"They aren't stars," continued the captain, "and room, keeping him up until 2 a.m., and resuming
no airplanes have colors like that." He told his their seige before dawn. "I was amazed at tha interest the story gener-
passengers to "make up your own minds what they ated," said Capt. Killian. He said he had been
are." Capt. Killian first spotted the lights as the Flag- queried by planetarium officials and representa-
ship flew at 8.500 feet over the central Pennsyl- tives of astronomical groups. Radio, press and
vania town of Philipsburg. a well-known airline television people called him from points as dis-
check point. He had just started to eat his own tant as South Carolina and Kentucky.
dinner after turning the controls over to F/O Back in his home in Syosset, L. I., his phone jan-
John Dee. gled constantly. Eut no one could decide, author-
"I almost choked on my steak when I saw them." itatively, what the strange objects were.
sald Capt. Killian, "but I just watched awhile A native of Pottstown, Pa., Capt. Killian is on
without saying anything." It was a brand-new reserve status with American. He is active in youto
sight to the 15-year flying veteran. groups in Syosset, serving as a scoutmaster, an
He turned to copilot Dee. "What do you see out explorer adviser, a club leader, and as an instruc-
here on my left. John?" here on my left, John?" tor for rifle and arehery clubs.
Captain Killian also appeared on radio and television in New York City. He accepted
This committee
has in its possession a ten minute taped telephone conversation between Captain Killian and vividly re-
Hugh Mc Pherson of Radio Station WCHS, Charleston, West Virginia in which he
lates his experience of that eventful night.
7

be circular, and were of yellow-red coloring.
After observing the objects for about thre minutes, Mrs. Renner made a telephone call to
the Director of the UFORC. He in turn reported the sighting to Akron Radio Station WAKR,
and requested that anyone having seen the lights should contact the Committee. Several
persons called in with verifying reports. I Their signed statements are in UFORC files.
Mr. C. was one such observer. Mr. C. 's home is ten miles from the home of the
Renners, and is located in the southern section of Akron. He noted that the objects were
red and somewhat on the dim side. He stated that the sighting could not have been the
constellation Orion because the stars of Orion could be seen simultaneously in another part
of the sky.
Some persons phoning in had seen a prop-driven plane moving in the opposite direction
from the sighting, in another part of Akron. However, this plane was not observed in other
parts of the city, the explanation being that the airplanes coming from Cleveland-Hopkins
Airport to the Akron Canton Airport travel from Northwest to Southeast and cross only
certain sections of the city.
None of the ground observers reported hearing any sound. Neither did they see the air-
objects in a r reports.
The Air F
Dayton, Ohi Dayton, the opinich that the opinic Force transport, flying between ce transport, flying between
Washington, D. C., and Dayton filed Washington, D.C., and Dayton filed a report similar to the reports given by the crews of report similar to the reports given by the crews of
two commercial airliners. The Air Force transport was flying under a broken cloud over- two commercial airliners. The e transport was flying under a broken cloud over-
cast at about 85oo feet altitude. Experts of th cast at about 8500 feet altitude. ne Technical Intelligence Agency said that they e Technical Intelligence
believed the pilots may have sighted stars, especially the formation Orion."
It should be noted that the Air Force statement says the Ai force transport crew also
made a report "similar" to those made by the crews of two commercial airliners. The Air
Force, then, in essence, admits that their own men reported seeing three lighted objects. Force, then, in essence, admits that their own men reported seeing three lighted objects.
∞

testify to that. So could ight; the cabin lights were switched off and they
were all looking out."
Deliberately the Air Force spokesmen had cast shadows upon the ability and integrity L
of these veteran airline pilots. That Orion was clearly visible is a coincidence providing
ATIC with a convenient, though unsound, "out". But, applying such an explanation to the
airlines sighting is ridiculously far-fetched and completely contrary to fact.
versity of Michigan adds his opinion to a host of others: "There is no astronomical expla-
nation of the reported sightings. I know of nothing that occurred in the skies that night
(February 24) that could account for the objects described."
It would be interesting to learn the feelings of the crew who manned the Air Force
transport after being informed that they too had seen stars among broken clouds. Although
privately they may possibly protest the opinion of the "experts". publicly they are in no
"The American Airlines sightin f February 24 near Bradford, Pennsylvania turned
out to be a B-47 type aircraft accomplishing night refueling from KC-97 tankers. The
American Airlines pilot's report of the sighting confirmed this and Air e records shov
that three B-47 type aircraft were in the vicinity of Bradford, Pennsyiva that three B-4 type aircraft were in the vicinity of Bradford, Pennsyive ania on a night re- on a night re-
fueling operation fueling operation. The tanker has several groups of lights which, at a distance. would The tanker has several groups of lights which, at a dista ance, would
appear to be appear to be or more lights. The time duration of a refueling operation varies and car more lights. The time duration of a refueling operation varies and car
last well over last well over a hour, depending upon the type of operation. The KC-97 refueling a B-47
will fly at approximately an altitude of 17, oo0 feet at around 230 knots. This would account will fly at approximately an altitude of 17, o00 feet at around 230 knots. This would accoun
for the lights being approximately 3 pproximately 30 degrees above the American Airlines pilot's horizon 0 degrees above the American Airlines pilot's horizon
and his seeing them for 40 and his seeing them fo minutes." ninutes."
9

feasible then that while jets are refueling so me of these other lights would also be seen?
, both required
colors of lights on planes.
In a statement to the Long Island Daily Press on March 24 Captain lian said, "I don
care what the Air Force says, the objects I saw coule avel at 2, 000 m an hour and
were definitely not conventional aircraft.
"If the Air Force wants to believe that, " he added, "it can. But I know what a B-47
looks like and I know what a KC-97 Tanker looks like; Further, I know what they look like 2
in operation at night. And that's not what I saw. " Killian claimed this was the Air Force's
the incident.
ATC functions under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Agency, ATC functions under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Agency, their responsibil- their responsibil-
ity being to regulate and police air traffic. ity being to regulate and police air traffic. . There may exist a There may exist a ference of opinion as to rence of opinion as to
wh-ther ATC knows, or is required to know, Strategic Air Command's flight plans. A whether ATC knows, or is required to know, Strategic Air Co d's flight plans. A
lelter was sent by UFORC to Strategic Air Command, Offut A letter was sent bv UFORC to Strategic Air Command, Offut orce Base Omaha, Neb- e Base Omaha, Neb-
raska. The inquiry was, "Were there any SAC planes in the designated area? raska. The inquiry was. "Were there any SAC planes in the designated area Were any Were any
SAC flight plans filed that night with ATC?" sAC tlight plans filed that night with ATC?" The purpose of this inquiry was to ascertain
10 10

landing in Detroit, and he, too, received a negative reply. Their inquiries m nly were for
the purpose of establishing identity of the foreign objects. It is significant, we believe, tha
the U.S. Air Force's Air Technical Intelligence Center, nich is responsible fo investiga-
ting UFOs, apparently did not even bother to check with ATC, and that prior to releasing
their numerous explanations they did not interview Captain Killian in order to receive the
details first hand. Nor did they question the
or the ground observers.
Assuming there were night refueling operations being performed secretly, what damage .
could result from legitimate inquiries such as thos could result from legitimate inquiries such a se voiced by the pilots? oiced by th s? ATC could easily ATC could easily
have replied that a secret mission was being conducted by the Air Force. ed by the Air Fo Such an explana-
tion would have dispelled all doubt in the pilots' minds regarding the tion would have dispelled all doubt in the pilots' minds regarding th peculiar objects they
had observed. By ignoring the fact that ATC is the police force of the air lanes, Air Intel-
ligence has openly placed Air Traffic Control in a compromising position.
,
11 11

'Flying Saucer Still Get Air Foree Study
can't remember ia thing wh? aightings is complete. know that the can sell books
By Ralph Chapman they sober up the next day." Military authorities were and magazine ajticles based on
When an American Airlines commented one bmcor drily. themselves jittery, it is now ad- that line. They are making a
pllot. flying a DC-5 non-stop -Hs admitted. however." tnat mitted, in the years imme- very good thing of it."
from Newark to Detroit. re- mest people who report actual- diately after World War II. The From an oblecige source out-
ported Tuesday night the sight- ly have seen solnething. The whole business began on June AQ thre 1959 States, Dr.
ing of three mysterious objects trouble is that trey don't have 24. 1947, when a man named ESA Gustav Jung. world-
in the sky. the Air Force didn't the knowledge th understand Kenneth Arnold. of Boise. famous psychologist, comes the
exactiy yawn but there was what they see. Idaho, reported that. while fly- opinion that people see riying
none of the excitement in the Not too long ago there was ing his own plane, he had seen saucers just because they want
Pentagon that such a report the case of the soldiers at a nine disk-shaped objects speed- to see them. "Magy people to-
might have engehdered ten Nike base in Maryland who ing at an estimated l.7o0 miles day are in need of fantasy." he
years ago. "saw"' a flying saycer land with an hour between Mt. Rainter sald in Zurich, Switzerland, re-
The Air Defens Command. lights full on. A UrO investiga- and Mt. Adams. Wash. He de- cently.
charged with the desponsibility tion team hurried to the base scribed tb objects as "like a Capt Petep Killiar the pliot
for investizating all UFO's and found a quic explanation. saucer kipping across water." who reported tme appearance of
(Unidentifed Flyihg Objects) A near-by dairy farmer had A rash of new sightings fol- the strange lights during his
or "flying saucers. has devel- turned on fiood hights at his lowed Within days. "saucers" flight to Detroit, thinks other-
oped tecnniques to the point barn during the darly hours of were Seen over England, South wise. A veteran of nfteen years
where evaluation d such sight- a winter morning. During sum- Africs. Australia and China. of commercial flying, he ought
ings has become aimost routine. mer months, the lights were un- Ony they weren't always sau- to know. He was careful to
During the last sae months of necesary. cers. Some were cizar-shaped.
last year. according to an Air The Air Force has learned others were "blobs." still others draw the attention of his crew.
Force spokesman in Washing- also that there are cycles in looked ke a conventional air- thirty-five passengers aboard
ton, 296 cases of "mysterlous" sightings craft." the latter category. the plane, and the pilots of two
of flying saucers. other aircraft to the phenome-
things seen in the sky were inf- These correspond aimost ex- at least, the Air Force now in-
vestizated. Only two were class- sists that tis is exactly what non.
Ifted as "unknown." TV shows, mov es. boo's or they were. A. F. Investjgation
This is what people on the plays dealing with visitors irom Outside the rilitary. how- In. his Syosset. . I. home he
ground or in planes actually outer space. ever, there are many who insist told the Herald Tribyne that all
saw: 23 weather balloons, 60 Look More, See More that interplanetary travel is a of these witnessesjconfirmed his
alrcraft, 96 astronomical ob- A factor governing-the num- fact except for earthlings. There own observationsThen he said:
jects (meteors, etc.). 4 man- ber of reports is what has be- are some who go so far as to "I am sure thire are people
made sateilites, and 50 miscel- come known as 'sky aware- say that the Air Force is well on other planetsfand that they
laneous (birds. etc.). In the ness." In other wors, mbre and aware of this but is keepinz it have solved the probiem of
A space travel... I sincerely be-
heaveniy phenomerd than ever latest slghting of flying saucers
"There are always a certain before. Add coid wa jitters and man. "There i not a word of or whatever they may be.
number of cases where the recipe for flying saucer truth in what they say but they
In the above newspaper article the Air Force attempts to confirm their explanations by
discrediting reliable witnesses through the implication they are either incompetent or drun.
Captain Killian took particular exception to this statement, pointing out that the Air Force
is well acquainted with rules forbidding airline pilots fre n drinking before flights. 'It's
one of our strictest rules. "
HOW ROUTINE IS ROUTINE?
In this article the Air Force spokesman states also that the evaluation of UFO sighting
has become almost routine. possible tha the investigation of such sightings
investigators don't even bother to investigate?
he airline sighting? They did not interview
Captain Killian, n y questi Pilot Dee, the stewardesses, the passengers or ilot Dee, the stewardesses, the passengers or
the ground observers. wn. non were contacted
by ATIC.
Does the allegation made by the Air Does the allegation made by the Air Force spokesman Force spokesman about the untruthful non-military
I who insist that interplanetary travel who insist that interplanetary travel
12

Or William Lear, winner of
craft and electronics equipment) who has said; "I believe the flying saucers cor rom out-
er space, piloted by beings of superior intelligence. "
Also note how carefully the writer of the Herald Tribune article avoided expressing the
opinions of anyone within the military. There are scores of form military men
since 1947 issued public statements that UFOs are real:
VOICE OF THE MILITARY
Rear Admiral D. S. Fahrney, Ret., former Navy missile chief, "Reliable reports
indicate there are objects coming into our atmosphere at ver high speeds. The way they
change positions would indicate that their motion is directed."
Senator Barry Goldwater, a jet flying g Air Force Reserve Colonel,
LE "eal"
advanced planets."
Carl Jung, and has used it to a convincing Cart Jung, and nas used it to a convincing advantage. advantage. er,u compie n complete fairness to the
UFOs, it should also be stated that from this same man came the words, "I do not possess UFOs, it should also be stated that from this same man came the words, "I do possess
sufficient evidence (ref. UFOs) which would enable me to draw definite conclusions."
The Herald Tribune article shouid have also printed Dr. Jungs' other statements, such The Herald Tribune article shouid have also printed Dr. Jungs' other statements, such
as "I do not possess sufficient evidence which would enable me to draw definite conclusions.
The evidence available, however, is convincing enough to arouse a continuous and fervent
interest. If it is true the Air Force witholds facts, then one can only say this is the most
stupid policy one could invent. .. The public ought to be told the truth. " stupid policy one could invent. . . The public ought to be told the truth. "
13 73

3. To reduce the growing support hearings.
fifty commercial airline pilots blasted Air Force procedures and conclusions concerning
UFOs. Here in full is the article:
Pilots ridicule AF secrecy
on saucers iers
By JOHN LESTER Another said he was certain! In referring to the UFO sorreey afterwards is subject Another said he was certain! In referring to the
Staif Writer UFO scrrecy afterwards is suhject
A group of more than 5oturO sightings rather, than un- Autl Imany pilots "forget" to reportitracking hy Civil Aeronauties to a maximurm of i years in Imany pilots "forget" to reportitracking by Civil Aeronauties to a meximumn of in years in
top commercial airline pilots, lergo Air Force quizzing and atound top commercial airline pilots,lergo Air Force quizzing and atound y radar men stationed prisom and a fine of Sto,ooo.
all veterans of more than 15iridicule. He said he is sure ported in this newspaper last is to he taken so lightly. as the couatry. as re- country. as re- "II the whole UFO business
yesterday blasted as "border-lost as a result. years with major companies. much valuable information is Friday. one of the pilots ex- the efficial Air Force poliey years with major companies. much valuable information is Friday. one of the pilots ex- the efficial Air Force policy
ing on the absolute ridiculous" ing on the absolute ridiculous Although the pilots plrined "the Air Force can'l suggests. then why are the
the Air Force policy of tight ex- afiond to admit radar is cor folnt Chiefs so scrious and ex- afiond to admit radar is cor folnt Chirfs so serious and
censorship. brush-off and de. censorship. brush-off and de- pressed themselves freely, they red witaout also admitting its ahvjously so conowrned about pressed themselves freely, they red witaout also admitting its shyjously so ronoerned about asked that their
nial in regard to unidentified withheld because in most in rert froin the beginning." asked that their names be eyn aititude has been incor d. vund why are they going to names be eyn aititude has heen incor . vud why are they going to
flying objects-flying saucers. flying objects--flying saucers. srances empioyers had directed srances empiovers had directed Iall that touble?" Iail that trouble?"
One termed the Air Force them. at Air Force iasistance. Joins Chiefs of Stat! order giv. This pilot also pointed to a In  rospect to, the Joint
policy "a lesson in lying. in- to say nothing for publica- Thifs onder. none of the
trigue and the 'Big Brother' tion. ing top radio prlority to U'VO were asked to reveal
attitude carried to the ulti- The Star-Lelger has their reports anywhere in the worbd. leiails of any of their sight.
mate extreme." names. however, and it was and sporitying that any pilot ngs er questioged about them
Each of the pilots has agreed that they could be ro- who falis to maintain absolute n ny way
sighted at least one UFO, the leased if and vhen the "strict
majority several. silence" 'ban is lifted.
All have been interrogated One of the pilots was re.
by the Air Force and most fused permission by his com-
rxprcated di-gust and frustra pany to appe:r on a reoent
tiom at Air Force methods and natjonwide telenst.
conclusions. Arrother
"We are ordered to report wis ordered to
all UFO sightings." one said. "cease and derist" after he'd
but when we do we are us. appeared on two recent net-
ualiy treated like incompeten's work telecasts with his con:
and told to keep quiet. pany's expressed approval.
This is no fun, especially
after many hours of ques-
tioning - sometimes all night
long. You're thred. You've
just come in from a grueling
flight, anxious to get home
to the wife and kids. Eut
you make your report any. you make your report any.
how and the Air Force telis how and the Air Foree telis
you that the thing that paced you that the thng that paeed
your piane for 15 minutes wes your piane for I5 minutes wes
a miace or a bolt of lighting a mliace or a bolt of lighring
"Nuts to that. Who needs "Nuts to that. Who needs
it?' It?'
Since the appearance of the above article Since the appearance of the above article Mr Lester has informed this Committee Mr Lester has informed this Committee
that 400 more pilots have joined the list that 400 more pilots have joined the list of the t of the original 50. original 50.
14

officialdom must be maintained at all costs. Consequently, he was requested not to publi-
cize "so controversial a subject". (It would certainly seem that the Air Force Public Infor-
mation subordinates at the Pentagon in Washington, D. C. , have contributed their share to
the "controversy" by persistently manipulating UFO facts in a manner that could breed
nothing else but confusion.)
When Killian, in a private telephone conversation, was asked to comment on this, he
said, "Let's put y; my company doesn't want me to talk about it any more. " And
later he added, " ry deeply concerned w nis loss of my own personal al freedom."
To illustrate how
presented:
July 5, 1947
Air Corps Spokesman at the Pentagon: "No investigation is needed. The saucers are
only hallucinations. "
July 7, 1947
reliable pilots are telling the same story - flat, round objects, able to out-maneuver
September 23, 1947
Official analysis report fro General,
Army Air Co
July 24. 1948
General George C. Kenney, then chief of the Strategic Air Command, after the so-
called "space ship" 'sighting by the pilots and a passenger of an Eastern Air Line plane:
"We're completely "We're completely mystified. mystified. We have nothing remotely like the machine described. We have nothir emotely like the chine described.
I wish we did."
August (date withheld)
Top secret estimate of the situation by ATIC later declassified but never released,
stating that the flying saucer
January 8, 1949
Air Corps statement to press after death of Captain Air Corps statement to press after death of Captain Thomas Mantell, Jr., World War
II ace, "Captain Mantell was killed while in pursuit II ace, "Captain Mantell was killed flying lying saucer." saucer."
15

..
Eps
tyt arln 2 3
Nulan
2
35
malee

Air Force Press Release: "The Air Force has discontinued its special project of in-
vestigating and valuating reported flying saucers. The reports are the result of mis-
interpretation of various conventional objects, a mild form hysteria, and
hoaxes, and continua e project is warranted."
December 29, 1949
Declassified Air Force secret summaries of Intelligence investigations of UFOs:
"It will never be possible to say with certainty that any individual did not see a space
ship, an enemy missile, or some other object. " Discussing the mot tives of possible
visitors from space, the Intelligence report also stated: "Such a civilization might
observe that on earth we now have atomic bombs and are fast developing rockets. In
view of the past history of mankind, they should be alarmed. We should therefore ex-
pect at this time above all to behold such visitations. "
February 22, 1950
Air Force Headquarters statement after a Navy visual and radar tracking report of two
UFOs at Key West Naval ab that flying
saucers exist."
March 22, 1950
Air Force statement after the published flying saucer report by Commander (now Cap-
tainR. B. McLaughlin, U.S.N., then officer in charge of Navy guided missile tests
at White Sands Proving Grounds. This report, cleared by Security and Review at the
Pentagon, described several UFO sightings at White Sands, including the report of an
elliptical object over l00 feet long tracked at 18, o00 miles per hour at an altitude of
have to find out what. "
From this date on the Air Force has consistently clouded pertinent UFO information
to such an extent that legislative bodies as well as the public in general are still confused.
It is easily seen how the Air Force has obscured the real UFO issue by throwing first
hot and then cold water on the subject. Is it ar ny wonder th e public is now faced with a
"controversial subject"?
It is either a case of deliberately confusing the public or that the left hand does not knov
what the right hand is doing It tne T ignt iand is dons The Air Force found itself struggling with the nd itseir Strugsing witn d. problem of wha
to tell the public after the tremendous surge in sightings by highly trained observers. It coul to tell the public after the tremendous surge in sightings by highly trained observers. It coul
either reveal its evidence that the UfO's were real, and probably interplanetary, or it coul either reveal its evidence that the UFO's were real, and probably interplanetary, or it coul
brush off the reports as being worthless. The latter policy was chosen and it remains in The latter policy was chosen and it remains in
force to this day. Why?
In twelve vears the Air Force has been attacked and charged many times with
"misleading statements", "censorship", and "er minal negligence' in dealing wit
Isn't it time this situation came to a focus?
16

UFO organizations in country, willingto co-operate with the pilots. It is strongly
urged that the nembers give th eir unequivical consideration.
Doesn't it seem logical, that after 12
Without a
shadow of a doubt, every Congressman sent to Washington has received some type of in -
quiry about UFO's. They have been petitioned again and again by sincere citizens to
have UFO data held by the Air Force, released.
Some Congressman have tried to get the Air Force to yield all data. These men,
to Mrs. Killian. She remarked, n talk." Mrs.
Killian was asked if American Airlines had been approached by the orce and she re-
plied, "The company was approached, plied, "The company was approacned, re requesting the silence, and of course they had to uesting the silence. and Oi 'se they had to
comply. The company at no time before this requested the Captain not to talk about this comply. The company at no time before this requested the Captain not to talk about this
sighting. And in fact the company had newsmen and photographers at LaGuardia Airport Guardia Airport
to meet the Captain when he landed back in New York from his trip after the to meet the Captain when he landed back in w York from his trip after the sighting."
Mrs Killian was then asked if Captain Killian would be willing to go before the Space Mrs Killian was then asked if Captain Kil llian would be willing to go before the Space
Committee hearings in Washington to relate his story. Mrs. Killian replied, "Definitely.
In fact, a senator asked the Captain if he could come to Washington and tell his story. The
Captain said 'Yes, I would go, but you would have to subpoena me. ? Captain said 'Yes, I would go, but you would have to subpoena me. I Then I could talk.' Then I could talk.'"
17 17

The following letter with its enclosure was received from Major Lawrence J. Tacker,
U.S.A. F. Executive Officer, Public Information Division, Office of Information Services
of Washington, D. C. :
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
24 June 1959
Dear Mis
This is to acknowledge your letter of 19 June 1959 concerning
the American Airlines sighting of 24 February 1959 and various
newspaper articles concerning this sighting.
The New York Herald Tribune article of 1 March l959 concerning
this sighting was factual and this office considered it accurate this sighting was factual and this office considered it accurate
and objective. Your interpretation of this article involving ad- and objective. Your interpretation of this article involving ad-
verse insinuations verse insinuationslavele leveled against anyone sighting an unidentified
flying object seem unfounded as statistics and basic observations
made in the article came from official Department of Defense re-
leases on this subject. Copies of the last three releases are
enclosed for your background. Information concerning specualtion
on the part of the eporter and personal opinions of other indi-
viduals wi obtaired from the . Xork
Answering er questions the following
given:
The Air Force received Capt. statement from the
Detriot ofrice of American Air Lines on 26 February 1959. Requests
are made by telephone as in this case or persomal interviews are
obtained. Cap flew back on the roturn trip to Newark
almost immediately and was unavailable for interview. He submitted
his statement through Company to the Air Force.
The statement received was 1959.
The evaluation is The evaluation is based u based upon all the faets gathered for the faets gathered for
the specifie times and geographical the specific ; times and geographieal aree concerned with the sight- L aree concerned with the sight-
ing and included Capt. ing and inelude s statement.
This office has no knowleige of subsequent statements This office has no knowleige of subsequent statements
by Cap ncerning this case zor has Capt tcerning this case sor has Capt con- con-
tacted the OSAF tacted the OSAF to qualify or revise his original statement in to qualify or revise his original statement in
any way.
18

TACKER LETTER (CON'T.)
24 June 1959
There is only one official explanation or evaluation
for this sighting. It is the fact that Capt. actually
viewed a Strategic Air Force aerial refueling operation.
I trust this is the information you desire.
Sincerely,
LAVRENCEJ.
Major, USAF
Executive Officer
Public Information Division
Office of Information Services
Akron 7, Ohio
COPY OF ENCLOSURE -
y seen by myself bu nembers and
"The only possible explanation ot er airplanes in the area.
ing operation. Never having witness er than flying saucers could be a jet tanker refuel-
lighting of the jet tanker. fueling operatic vare of the
lighting of the jet tanker.
"My air speed d this complete flight was 250 knots indicated. I also do not know
the air speed of tankers during operation i the air speed of tankers during operation if is could be so. I contacted AT s could be so. I contacted ATC to find out if to find out if
they had any airplanes on a clearance and no they had any airplanes on a clearance and m three airplanes wer three airplanes were given. given.
"In summary, it was difficult for me to believe they were jets because of low speed
and configuration. If they weren't jets I still don't know anymore than I did before even
though I watched them for 40 minutes before. Due to the dark and strong lights I was not though I watched them for 40 minutes before. Due to the dark and strong lights I was not
19

This letter purports to contain a - complete and exact statement from Captain Killian.
Unfortunately, therei o indication of when or where these alleged statements were made.
There are no quotati narks: nor is the statement signed.
Paragraphs thre nd four would definitely lead one to believe that Captain Killian was
not familiar with a jet refueling operation. Compare this with Captain Killian's statements
made to the Long Island Daily Press on March 24, 1959. (See Page 10 iously, the two
are in direct contradiction.
Paragraph five of the above report states t hat Killian, while viewing the objects was
not able to discern any positive size or shape. However, Civilian Saucer Intelligence of
New York City, in an interview with Captain Killian, quotes him as saying, " They appeared
to be like the apparent size of the moon. "
in the area of the Killian flight. Again, refer (Page 5) of this report whe e it will be note
that ATC (the supreme regulatory body for ai traffic, both civil
knowledge of any flight of thre e planes in th illian's airplane.
distortion. Note that the Air Force office issuing th report (presumably Washington, D. C.
made a "check" with Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton before issuing their state-
ment. Was the check made to determine the true characteristics of a jet refueling opera-
tion, or was it simply made to add authoritative embellishments to an otherwise unstable
explanation?
=
20 20

Technical Intelligence Center approved by all members of ATiC, and submitted via Direct-
or of Air Force Intelligence to t ommanding General, Army Air Force.
WHY has the Air Force kept from the press the official ATIC "estimate of the situation'"
drawn up in the summer of l948, which stated that flying saucers were interplanetary space
ships?
WHY, in the face of the above two documents, did the Air Force, in December I949,
tell the press that flying saucers
pilots?
WHY did the Air Force deliberately reject the serious reports and opinions of hundreds
of veteran Service and airline pilots, airport tower controllers, radar experts and other
trained observers who insisted the saucers were unknown machines under intelligent con-
trol?
saucers'"controlled moti specific conclusi yere interplanetary
space ships?
WHY has the Air Force kept secret the recommendations of a panel of top scientists
and aviation leaders, arrived at in January, l953, that the UFO investigation be greatly
enlarged and that the American people be given all information on saucers in Air Force
possession, including the official conclusions?
WHY has the Air Force hidden UFO reports from the public since 1953 -- even those
it had previously released?
Air Force contract?
WHY did past Secretary Quarles and certain Air Force
officers state in the Project Blue Book is the Air
Force investigating body for cquisition and analyses at no pattern to
UFOs had been found, that th had been no indication of intelliger vers, and that
there was not enough data to bui a working model of a UFO when. in D ber 1949. ATIC
Project Grudge (the USAC center er for UFO research which preceded Pr t Blue Book and
succeeded Project Sign) stated that the majority of reports had described UFOs as being succeeded Project Sign) stated tha the majority of reports had described UFOs as being
disc-shaped objects about one-tenth as thick as its diameter? disc-shaped objects about one-tenth as thick as ts diameter? Why did this Special Report hy did this Special Report
14, dated October 25, l955, list several of its weakest sighting reports as being the cream 14, dated October 25, 1955, list several of its veakest sighting reports as being the cream
of the crop when actually the Intelligence files contained hundreds of reliably witnessed re- of the crop whe n actually the Intelligence ntained hundreds of reliably witnessed re-
ports by experienced pilots, guided missiles trackers, and other trained observers? ports by experi pilots. guided missile 'ackers, and other trained observers?
WHY has no official appraisal ever been made of General Douglas MacArthur's state- WHY has no official appraisal ever een made of General Douglas MacArthur's state-
ment, published in the New York Times, October 8, 1955, that the world nations will have
21 21

may be much simpler. It is a fact the Air Force is sitting on classified UFO records.
All UFO organizations should unite. This nationwide UFO unit would then urge a Congress
ional Investigation of the UFO situation . Only through open hearings in Congress can
the public be fully apprised of developments in ontrovers eatest enigma
of modern times.
In summing up the airline case we must conclude that this particular witnessing of
strange objects woulo nder most circumstances be substantial evidence in a court of law.
Normally, if it were an occurrence in everyday life, no one would question such evidence.
court of law. Rather, this has to do with a subject shaped by the "authorities" into some-
thing controversial, a subject which they, themselves, have labored to stifle. ridicule, an
preempt.. thev. in their weighted official
y of human evi-
dence in all phases o man experience. If we do this then we might as well abolish
witnesses, judges and juri All scientific endeavor, research and progress, in the ulti-
mate analysis. depend upon human faculties. Should we therefore abolish human evidence
in these fields? If the answer is no, then there is no reason to disregard human evidence
in the field of Unidentified F Flying objects and the double standard now being utilized should
be quickly destroyed.
The people of this, and every country, deserve to know all the facts. If an adjustment
has to be made, it will be done, as it has been so many times in the past. Had this not
been so, our existence on earth would have been brief, indeed.
The struggle for truth must continue everywhere - and in all things.
22 22

e rar. about 1, 000 yards away and approximately 500 feet high. It had a red light on the
rs. and he said that he had never seen anything like it before. e shape. He des-
rdd it as coming apart in the middle and opening in what described as a bellows effect.
As se may remember, this corresponds to the thermostate shaped sightings in New-
daad). Upon reaching Brecksville, Ohio he boarded a bus with another man and they
ed the object together. It was by this time quite some distance away. When they
i  move behind a distant hill and was lost from sight.
stayed in one position for
a twenty minutes, then climbed away re again same
teseription of the variations in intensity of the light as stated by Captain Killian.)
P. Air Traffic Controllers, and others apparenti the light did not appear on their
sh glasses. Radar operators, however, reported While the light was hovering, it was
Trns. The Air Ministry issued two explanations When it climbed away, the light was the nose cone
tedly the planet Venus, they said.
st that the light was neither of the two things the Ministry said it was. Just what
w.s remains a mystery. ".s remains a mystery.

us
MAJOR GENERAL W. P. FISHER MAJOR GENERAL W. P. FISHER
DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE LIAISON
MAJOR LAWRENCE J. TACKER
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
PUBLIC INFORMATION DIVISION,
OFFICE OF ERVICES

AUGi
trail
AIRLINER
By Curtis Fullor
This amazing perior rmance was witnessed by
0 miles.
A 7:10 Wednesday, "At first I thought it was the Belt
February 25, an American Air- of Orion (a group of stars in a
lines DC-6 airliner took off from constellation but then I took a
Newark, N.J., nonstop for Detroit, second lock and saw both the Belt
Mich. Aboard were 35 passengers. and the foreign objects," Killian
At the controls were Capt. Peter later reported.
Killian of Syosset, N.Y., an airline "When Dee caught the expres-
veteran of 15 years, and co-pilot sion on my face he asked me if my
John Dee of Nyack, N.Y. Steward- eyes were tired. I then pointed in

talfway bet riapea
Uniteddilines pilte sa sein spprot 2O minuts in all it
2 apparently
Capt

were some 'flying saucers' trailing very
the plane. Puscas said. "No one panicked or
The stewardesses turned out the showed any signs of worry. Every-
cabin lights so the passengers could one immediately began to show a
get a better view and every one of keen interest in what was going
the persons in the passenger com- on. He did a fine job.
partment saw the objects. Specula- "There wasn't a cloud in the sky
tion in the cabin was rife. One man when I looked out and saw the ob-
became alarmed but Killian told jects in precision formation. They
him that UFO's had not been were round-like and every now and
known to harm anyone and that then one would glow brighter than
if there was danger it would have the others as if it had moved near-
become evident long before. Never- er to the plane.
theless, although some passengers "I have been making that same
wanted him closer to the trip a number of times because the
objects he did not change his course. home office is in New York but I
The objects were visible for 45 have never experienced anything
minutes, during which time the air- like that before."
liner covered about 260 miles. Then,
as they were crossing Lake Erie, the HEN Killian first sighted the
airliner began its gradual descent objects the sky was absolutely
and the three objects were lost in clear. Visibility was about 100
the haze. miles. There were broken clouds
One man aboard the plane was below his airliner at about 5,000

asked if any other airline crews Captain Killian they found a ma-
in the area could see the object. ture man, greying at the temples.
Two other American Airlines cap- Killian is 47 years old and has been
tains answered. One, a little north flying for 28 years of which 15 have
of Killian's plane, said he had been been on the airlines. He has some
watching the objects for 10 to 15 20.000 hours to his credit. He was
minutes. The other was near To- able to give them some additional
ledo and said that he had looked out information.
aiter Killian's call and seen the He told one reporter that he
UFO's. and one other plane took a bearing
Meanwhile, although Killian did on the lights and figured roughly
not know it at the time, three Unit- that they were 20 to 25 miles dis-
ed Airlines crews along a similar tant.
route had also seen n the lights. Capt. "Occasionally, however, the rear
A.D. Yates and his Flight Engineer fellow would lag behind," Killian
L.E. Baney observed them for 30 said. "He would be almost t double
99
UFO Research Group also reported to us. At times these objects emit-
receiving reports. ted a whitish light of blinding bril-
There was general agreement that liance. Then it was like trying to
the lights were on separate "vehi- see a dime behind a powerful elec-
cles" holding to a i formation. tric light bulb."
After he had begun his descent The color of the lights changed

fuled by a KC-97 tanker. The Air flights.
Force report said that the use of But there is still a further rea-
several lights during the refueling son for discarding the Air Force
operation expiained some of the explanation. The alleged jets did
irline reports of being followed by not show up on Captain Killian's
lights. radar screen although he tried re-
COMMENT. No one who has peatedly to get such a showing.
followed this story, along with the At this point it is definitely anti-
Air Force's twisting and turnings climactic (which is the reason we
in seeking to explain the s sighting, are reporting this at all) to add
can help but have some doubts that Dr. William Liller, assistant
about this imple explana- professor of astronomy at the Uni-
tion. versity of Michigan offered his ex- S
Why did the Air Force wait planation of the sighting. He said
it was "temperature inversion."

parently
came from the r northeast, moving clared, "I am sure there are people
west, and disappeared in the north- on other planets who have solved
west. It was visible in Ohio, Indi- the problem of space travel. I
ana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois sincerely believe their vehicles are
and Minnesota. Except for the corring close to the earth."
fairly was in sight-- merican Airlines itself, in com-
some observers believed they watch- menting on sighting locations, de-
ed it for 15 to 30 seconds and had clared that its pilots had had a
time to stop their cars and get out considerable number of sightings in
before the object disappeared- the Midwest, where this encounter
there seems no reason to doubt that occurred.
this was a meteor. Lieut. Col. Lee B. James, an
It was not, obviously, a tempera- . Army missile expert from the
ture inversion. Huntsviile, Ala., group directed by
Wernher von Braun, , spoke e before
T HE HUMAN MIND is a the Michigan Society of Profession-
strange instrument. It seeks al Engineers s the day after the Kil-
constantly to explain the inexplica- lian sighting and declared it was
ble in terms of the familiar. It re- quite possible that the UFO's sight-
never attached any importance e to in outer space far more advanced
the fact that they may have been than ours, declared Colonel James.
fying saucers-but I'm surprised The fact that the objects did not

course movements were
easily observed." ceived like that. We all see stars
Killian called his encounter "awe- through cloud breaks thousands of
inspiring" and said he had never times. In addition, the only clouds
seen anything I like that in the air we had that night were 3,500 feet
before. below us."
An Air Force spokesman public-
A T FIRS there was no comment ly ridiculed all "flying saucer" wit-
from the Air Force on Captain nesses and sarcastically labeled
Killian's report. Then three days some of them as persons who "can't
Jater, on February 28, the Air Force remember anything when they sober
released statement through the up next day." This statement was
Air Technical Intelligence Center. quoted in the New York Herald
The report stated that the air- Tribune.
line crews had all been misled by COMMENT. Captain Killian
ha Ralt took particular exception to this

boped that 'od m woukt be atle to changed cot yellow to Dudnh
no outaia in to gbe tise un- white and ti rtenedty varted
Renifled coyelts calbor in- from extreme temmpor-
ary fhdeoota. Th 6ld not
In the trea and aln di'n eall he had change fornation, however, Woy did
reeetved Moen the dalted Fight vary in position rehatire to each
Cyeratiosa Coat at Akron-Cuzton
Aurgorh. a Vafted Slght Md jcst teing"T and everv noo' and
by Cayt. Potr Elunh Ead wttdoased other tro?" At one tinm Capt. Kttan
threb Uro Yow cver ts matantas whille cetinaled that the hiehts were o to
Hytng trom Mwerk to Detrolt. In 25 raiien dlctant. The Wiree Hehts
sddUon to Cayt. KiWau's-Tght, were finaily Yost in thn Jower-Ki-
iwe other Amerfean Alrllnea' fllghts tude hase as the plarve bogan to des-
ann thrve Cnlted Aettoer Mghts, eend for Nts landing.
inchuslns the one that laoded at Commenting hs to what the ob-
17

Bradiord. Pennsyl-
on the UFO bandwagon. which is vania. In addition, two United Air- *
only natural, claiming that this is Mnes pilots saw unidentified flying
another good UFO case. The only objects in the me general geogra-
other expianations suggested were phical area.
the stars in the beit of Orion and The geographical area concerned
the aerial refueling eperation. The is bordered on the north along the
belt of Orion explanation is ob- New York-Pennsyivania border
viously wrong so iet us look at the (near Bradford, Pennsyivania and
aerial refueling operation expiana- Olean, New York) on route of
tion in more detail. American Airlines Flight No. 139 de-
4 To my knowledge the following parting Newark, New Jersey, at T:1o
are all the reasons that have been p. m. and arriving Detroit, Michigan.

3n Lour,
cepending on peration. syivania.
The XC-97 retuating ty The Alr Foree did not release 35
at an altitude of approrimately 17, incorreet explanation for this sighte
0c0 feet at arpond 2se knots trve air Ing. However, since the Ameriekaf-
speed (ground apeed 210 knota). This Air Lines pllot stated that the ina.
would accounk for the lights being tervals of the three Hstts were ien-.
approximately 20 degrees above the tical to the beit in the conctellntiors
Ameriesn Atatines pilot's horison Orion, this wna merely inithally men-
and his seelng, theun for 4o minutea. tioned aa a posalbluity with thee
This ecineideawith a report statement that the final eonelnatony
of low apeed-and of would be baed apon a complete
objecta. evahuation by the Air
Your letter aleo supports this con- telligence Center.
cluxion. The tankers had a ground It did not take months for the Air
speed of xximately 210 knots Foree to identify its own planes. The
woired RACCI
the public adequstehy tniormed on afgreralt are Keated in tho 1000
this subjeet and press releares are cny sean dirsetly io frent

Sincerely,
LAWRENCE A. TACKER Direetor, Eguipment Researeh
As suggested in thia last letter I American Airlines, Inc.
wrote to Ameriean Airlihes inquiring I won't mske a long anaiysts of
sbout the mdar equipment aboard these letters but will let them sland
Capt Kulan's alrcraft. I received by themseives. In view of this in-
the fodlowing letter: formation it is my opinion that this
sighting was actually caused by an
Nevember 9, 1959 aeria! refneting operation, that the
Dear Mr. Kirach: Air Force exptanation for this caas
The radar that we carry on our is correct, and that civilan U7O re-
DO-8's as well as the DC-7's, 707's seareh is guilty of failing to look far
and the Rlectre's is a C-Band wei- enough to find the truth.
ther radar with Iso-eche circuitry The first letter from the Air Foree
and is ased entirely for the avoid- proves that Capt. Killian was wrong
ance of torhulence anwd hall. It is about the three objects being too
able. under certain conditions, to de- slow to be jets.
toct the preeence of other aireraft The letter from American Alrlines
but its value in this regard is negli- explains why the objects did not
cible. I have used it myself to de- show up on Capt. KnMan's radarset.
could aes the other aircraft and John Dee checked with sinaply ald
lave found that in most colllsion not know of the refueling operation.
tuations it was difficul: to estab- As for the varying intensity y and
lsh the presence of the 'blip' even position of the lights, 871 aerial re-
when the poeition of the traffie was fueling operation can also account
nown. I do not believe, from prae- for this. The Mights would change re-
ial onservation. that this equip- lative position as the jet aireraft in-
ment has any real collision volved would move cioser or further
arning even if it were to be man- away from each other. Thetr inten-
ed continuously by a special radar sity could vary because of hase or
Derator due to its limita on ranze the angle of observation.

wowld not adcwr on elze in the mivery as intaligent
James said. mdar, Calered as we are," Andniral Dndek declar-
A few days later, on March 11, ed.
Navy Rear Admiral George Duiek, The dilemma of conficting re-
who headed the U.S. Antarctic re- ports and counter-reports which has
search and exploration continued in recent months was
did his bit to keep the program, dramatized by a statement made
wide open. coniroversy before a Couzrersional coamittes
He advised the American public by Maj. Gen. WiDiam Dick, Jr.
not to discount the possibility of General Dick was asked if be bad
UFO's. It is not beyond possibility UFO's. It is not t beyond possibility any information to substantiste fly- any information to substantiste fly-
that some of the supposed ing ing saucer reports. reports.
erploding in the earth's atmomhere erpioding in the meteors "No, I do not." he declared. "But "No, I do not." he declared. "But
earth's atmosphere 7 gnd answer that
driven from and quention with fear
Vesus or other planetsin our trepidation because my wife
believes Bying S2OCEC3 2)

at ithis time m
xlated he pitule ablan
and xs werd it to
thi offi

reported the incident to
ATC at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
In New York the day after the sighting Captain Killian gave a
telephone interview to Radio Station WCHC, Charleston, West
Virginia, describing his experience. Following the customary pro-
cedure, intelligence officer from Mitchell Air Force Base questioned
him and filled out the usual report form [2]. In the radio interview
and in the talk with intelligence officers Captain Killian made the
same statements he had made to American Airlines officials: he
didn't know what the lights were, and he couldn't tell how far
away they were because he didn't know their size or their alti-
tude [10].
Not for months had such a good flying-saucer story appeared,
and the newsp:
addiets and newsmen besieged Air Force representatives, demand-
ing an immediate explanation of the sighting. Finally, on February
28, only two days after receiving the report from American Airlines,
ATIC yielded to public pressure and produced a tentative theory:
it was possible that the pilots might have sighted the stars of Orion.
as Captain Killian had first suggested. However, the release added
no definite conclusion could be reached until all the facts had been
studied.
Promptly rejecting the possliblity that he might have been look-
ing at Orien, Captain Killian stated in an interview with the New
York Herald Tribune, "I am sure thure are people on other planets
and that they have solved the problem of space travel. . . . I sin-
cerely believe that their vehicles are coming close to earth."

jets because of low speed.)
In rejecting t the Air Force explanation of this incident, flying-
saucer addicts ignored several embarrassing questions: If Captain
Killian actually saw interplanetary craft, how did he fail to see
the earthly aircraft operating at the same time and place? If the
unknowns moved at a speed of zooo miles an hour, how did Captain
Killian and the crews of several other planes. fying at less than
3oo miles an hour, keep the unknowns in sight for forty minutes?

his first theory. He considered the possibility of a jet tanker re-
fueling operation, but decided the lights were moving too slowly.
He couldn't think of any ordinary explanation-but he had long
wondered what truth there was in the idea of flying saucers and
had thought "there must be something to it."
Over the loud speaker he remarked to the passengers that Ameri-
can Airlines had a special treat for them which they could see by
looking out of the left windows. He continued to watch the lights
as he flew west toward Detroit, and radioed two other American
,

they released a summary to the press. The mysterious lights be-
longed to normal terrestrial aricraft. Although ATC at Detroit had
apparently not had the information when first asked, three B-47
bombers of the Strategic Air Command had been carrying out a
night refueling operation from KC-97 tankers at the time and place
reported. The tanker has several groups of lights which, from a
distance, can seem to be one or more I lights, and would have
the lights.
Everything checked. Every detail of the incident was accounted
for [n]. Nevertheless the s solution caused an explosion in the
camps of the saucer enthusiasts, who called it, among other things,
"imaginative." Forgetting that the "Orion" theory suggested im-
mediately after the sighting had been only tentative, UFO addicts
ridiculed it and asked why the experts had been "forced to come
up with this second explanation"-which they greeted with equal
ridicule [12].
Captain Killian, too, had apparently forgotten his first report. On
March a4. a month after the sighting, in an interview by the Long

UFO INVESTIGATOR JUL-AUG 1960
T
Che U-The Killsan Caoe.
The fully detailed e
the AF sileneing or Capt. Poter
Killian. Ammriean Airlinee, in Mareh
19. This followed the Feb. 24
signting of threeuFo forsetien by
Killian.hio co-pilet. and crewe of co-pilet, and er .
five other airlinere, five other airliners, wnile Killian wilo Killian
was piioting a was piloting a OC-6 from Newark to DC-6 fro Newarks to
Catreit. After Datreit. Afte Capt. Kiilian geve
the story foricen ricen
A rlinme or A clinm pied to pted to
erends rendes
lian,
Killian wee
muzzled. muzzled.
: .
-

mrich.