PROJECT 1947

1.    PURPOSE

Due to the large number of observations of unexplained aerial phenomena in the vicinity of Holloman Air Force Base by reliable individuals, the Commanding Officer, Holloman Air Force Base, deemed it advisable to establish a scientific system of observation.  The intent of such a program was to endeavor to gather sufficient factual data for presentation to Headquarters, United States Air Force, in order to obtain support in terms of funds, manpower and equipment for determination of the validity of this phenomena.  The following personnel were present at most all conferences held locally at Holloman Air Force Base on this project: Colonel Baynes, Colonel Collett, Colonel Norton, Major Haynor, Captain McGovern, Captain Feagin and Lieutenant Albert.

2.    FACTUAL DATA (Chronologically)

a. Initially. 21 February 1950, an observation outlook post was established in the Instrumentation Branch Tower at this base, manned by S/Sgt Grough, S/Sgt Chandler and S/Sgt May of the Provost Marshall's Office with theodolite, telescope and camera, during the hours between sunset and sunrise.  These observers also had telephone communication with M/Sgt Brooks and M/Sgt Holms of Base Photographic Branch in order to get maximum photo coverage if phenomena appeared and persisted.  The Photographic Branch also supplied Air Police personnel at Datil and Vaughn, New Mexico, with cameras.  One of the best pictures of phenomena (Incl "A”) was taken from Datil, New Mexico, at 1930 hours 24 February 1950.

b. By 27 February 1950, coordination had been effected with CWO Reinhart for weather theodolite triangulation from stations at this base and from Army-3 (White Sands Proving Ground, Las Cruces, New Mexico), also radar tracking at this base an a stand-by basis.  This plan worked in close liaison with the observation tower mentioned in Paragraph 2a.

c. Because of the abnormal number of reports from the vicinity of Vaughn, New Mexico, a trip to Vaughn was made on 2 March 1950, in order to verify reports and observe sites for possible instrumentation installations.  The following people went along: Colonel Baynes, Major Watras, Major Haynor, Lt. Albert, M/Sgt Holmes, Mr. Proctor, Mr. Knott and Mr. Cottler.  Approximately eight people from Vaughn were interviewed.

A correlation was determined between visual reports and radio disturbance.  The following day it was decided to concentrate all efforts at Vaughn and discontinue all activities at Holloman Air Force Base proper.

d.  It was believed that possibly a three-point program could be established at Vaughn on a continuous basis, as follows:

(1) Askania instrument triangulation by Land-Air, Inc.

(2) A spectrum grating on a Mitchell camera operated by
      Base Photo personnel.

(3) Frequency spectrum analysis equipment furnished by Signal
      Corps Engineering Laboratory (Field Station No. 1).

e.  It was learned through Major Maas, Holloman Air Force Base, that Cambridge Research Laboratories had been assigned a project of investigation of light phenomena by Headquarters, United States Air Force, and was negotiating with Dr. LaPaz, Department of Meteorics (sic)), University of New Mexico.  The Commanding Officer, Holloman Air Force Base, directed Lt. Albert to proceed to Headquarters, AMC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, and confer with Major Kodis of Electronics Sub-Division regarding the status of this project and what Holloman Air Force Base could do to assist.

f.  On 9 March 1950, a conference was held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with the following personnel: Major Oder, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Major Kodis, Electronics Sub-Division; Lt. Albert and Messrs, Gallagar and Coons.  It was learned at this conference that funds had been allocated for this project, and it was agreed that this base could furnish the most suitable plan.  Action was initiated to put the three point program, mentioned in paragraph 2d, into action at Vaughn, New Mexico.  Coordination was accomplished with Major Curtis of Research and Development at Headquarters, AMC.

g.  On 11 March 1950 at 0100 hours, Major Haynor observed and photographed phenomena (Incl "B" at Holloman Air Force Base.  On 24 March 1950, Headquarters, AMC, notified the Commanding Officer, Holloman Air Force Base, that the Land-Air. Inc., contract would be increased by $20,000.00 to maintain constant watch at two Askania stations in the vicinity of Vaughn for a six months period.  Technical Directive No. 55 was sent to Holloman Air Force Base for this project and points 1 and 2 of paragraph 4 were put into effect on 1 April 1950.

h.  Dr. A. O. Mirarchi of Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Project Scientist, arrived at Holloman Air Force Base on 29 March 1950, and with Lt. Albert conferred separately with Colonel Baynes, Commanding Officer, Holloman Air Force Base; Captain Gabel, Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories; Captain McGovern, Holloman Air Force Base; Messers. Kott and Proctor, Land-Air, Inc. The following day Dr. Mirarchi, Major Haynor and Lt. Albert went to Vaughn to inspect that installation and accurately check on the photo spectrum grating. On 29 April 1950, a conference was held at this base with Dr. O’Day, Major Oder, Major Kodis and Lt. Albert. It was learned that seven additional photo personnel were being sent to this station and that every effort was being made to procure frequency spectrum analysis equipment from the Signal Corps at Ft. Monmounth, New Jersey, as such equipment is not available locally.

i.  On 27 April 1950. Mr. Charles Riggs of Land-Air, Inc., took several frames with askania theodolite of a phenomena while preparing for a scheduled missile.  Data reduction Unit at Holloman Air Force Base made a report approximating results as closely as possible with pictures from one station.  However, without two askania stations, results were mostly estimation and of little actual value.

j.  On 24 May 1950, Land-Air, Inc., personnel, while engaged in regular duties on the range, sighted several objects (8-10) of aerial phenomena.  Two askanias took pictures endeavoring to effect a triangulation.  The film was rapidly processed and turned over to the Data Reduction Unit.  It was determined after reduction, however, that sightings were made on different objects; therefore, triangulation could not be effected and no information was gained.

k.  The film and reports of the sightings of 27 April and 24 May 1950, were sent to Dr. A. O. Mirarchi, Project Scientist, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory.

l.  During June of 1950, coordination was effected with Land-Air, Inc. personnel, and Operational Procedure No. 73, (Inclosure D), was set up by Land-Air for their instrumentation facilities.  By means of this plan, Land-Air personnel were constantly alerted for aerial phenomena during their regular duties on the range.

m.  Activity continued at Vaughn, New Mexico, as directed by Test Directive No. 55, including points 1 and 2 of paragraph d, until 14 July 1950.  When it became necessary to discontinue point 2, because of the excessive transferral of base photo personnel, point 1 was continued at Vaughn for the duration of Test Directive No. 55 and ceased upon completion date, 30 September 1950.

n.  Results of the six months period of survellience [sic] at Vaughn, New Mexico, were virtually negative.

o.  On 30 August 1950, during a Bell Aircraft Corporation missile launch, aerial phenomena were observed over the base by several individuals; however, neither Land-Air nor Project personnel were notified, therefore, no instrumentation was made.  On 31 August 1950, the phenomena were again observed between 1000 hours and 1300 hours, after a V-2 missile launch.  A great deal of askania film was expended on the phenomena.  The film was rapidly processed and data reduction analyzed the information.  In spite of the fact that a tape recording of the entire operation was made and time marks were on the film, it was impossible to effect any triangulation because the phenomena appeared sporadically for three hours.  Enlargements of 35mm askania film P-5 are enclosed (Incl. C ).  These pictures are in sequence, frame rate is one per second.

p. On 8 September 1950, Mr. Radcon of Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories visited Holloman Air Force Base and discussed recent activity, paragraph o, with Lt. Albert.  He was given a duplicate print of askania film from P-5 taken on 31 August 1951 for transmittal to Dr. A. O. Mirarchi, Project Scientist at Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories.

q.  On 11 September 1950, Lt. Colonel D. L. Boone and Lt J. G. Albert, both of Holloman Air Force Base, visited the 93rd Interceptor Fighter Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and had a conference with Major Gaver, Squadron Commanding Officer, Captain Porter, Squadron Adjutant; and Captain Wilson, Operations Officer.  The appearance of aerial phenomena simultaneously with high altitude missile missions at Holloman Air Force Base was discussed, together with the value of F-86 aircraft in the air at that time to visually observe phenomena and possibly take pictures.  It was agreed that F-86 aircraft would be made available when a call came from Holloman Air Force Base, either prior to a missile launch or whenever aerial phenomena appeared.  This service was used several times, but results were negative.  The 93rd Fighter Squadron continually asked if they were authorized to shoot at the phenomena if the opportunity arose, but a satisfactory answer was never forthcoming.

r.  On 6 October 1950 Mr. Elterman of Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (on TDY at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico visited Holloman Air Force Base.  He stated that he had replaced Dr. Mirarchi as Project Scientist.  A conference was held with Lt Colonel Boone, Holloman Air Force Base, Lt. Albert, Holloman Air Force Base, and Mr. Elterman in which the entire program was reviewed.  Later Lt. Albert and Mr. Elterman visited Mr. Proctor and Mr. Stege of Land-Air, Inc. for a discussion of contract extension.  Mr. Elterman agreed to gather answers from Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories to the following questions:

1. Will Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories approve an extension or existing contract to Land-Air and will this extension include spectrum grating equipment?


2. Inasmuch as the security classification of this project is different on different documents, will this be cleared up?  Is project Secret or Confidential?


3. Does Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories desire that a copy of Land-Air, Inc., reports be sent directly to them?


4. Will Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories initiate correspondence to see if it is feasible for F-86 aircraft, paragraph 2q, to shoot at phenomena with live ammunition?

s.  On 16 October 1950 a local conference was set up with Lt. Albert, Mr. Harley of Northrop Aircraft, Inc., and three of his contractor pilots.  Northrop pilots were flying B-45 and QF-80 aircraft a great deal in this area in conjunction with their own activities.  It was, therefore, agreed that their observations would be of great value.  The pilots were acquainted with this project and its classification and operating procedures were set up for use if and when they observed phenomena so that Land-Air OP No. 73, paragraph 1, could be rapidly put into action.  Results with this phase have been negative.

t.  On 8 November 1951, Mr. Elterman, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, telephoned Lt. Albert, Holloman Air Force Base, and reported that T.D. No. 55 was to be extended for the same price as the first phase until 31 March 1951, and vigilance could be transferred from Vaughn, New Mexico, to Holloman Air Force Base outlying askania stations, P-14 and P-15.  He further stated that the Signal Corps had again been contacted regarding frequency analysis equipment, paragraph 2b(3), and that there was no chance of procuring it.  Stations P-14 and P-15 were activated on 20 November 1950, based upon verbal instructions.

u.  On 23 January 1951, Mr. Elterman, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, telephoned Lt. Albert, Holloman Air Force Base, and reported the following:

1. Paper work regarding the contract extension which had been approved should reach Holloman Air Force Base any day.


2. Lt. Albert reported negative results at P-14 and P-15, which caused Mr, Elterman to state that the spectrum grating phase, paragraph 2d(2), should be shelved until there was further activity.

v.  On 31 March 1951, second phase of Technical Directive No. 55 extension expired and Land-Air, Inc., ceased constant vigilance at P-14 and P-15. Negative results were gathered during this period.

3. PRESENT STATUS:

a. Periodically, approximately once per month, there are reports of individuals seeing strange aerial phenomena.  However, most all of these observations are quite sketchy, not very conclusive and certainly of no scientific value to this project.

b. Land-Air, Inc., continues to keep OP No. 73, paragraph 2L, current and is prepared to get scientific data if the phenomena appear and persist long enough to be photographed.

4. RESULTS:

Although results have been negative, it is believed that the negative information is of value.  This year of constant surveillance has gone far to relieve excitement and certainly has tended to relieve the question of the security danger from this aerial phenomena.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is recommended that this project be continued on a stand-by basis with Land-Air, Inc., maintaining OP No. 73.  Although this activity would have no official Air Force status, an officer could be assigned to collect the incoming reports in the project files and make periodic review of the files, looking for patterns or persistent characteristics in the reports.  He would also maintain liaison with the Office of Special Investigation, the Provost Marshal's Office, Land-Air, Inc., Instrumentation Section of Operations and Projects, and the various project activities.

  1.  Inaccordance (sic) with telephone conversation request from Mrs. Barber on 18 July 1952, inclosed is a confidential negative of an unidentified flying object taken at 1930 hours 24 Feb 50 from Datil, New Mexico.  A print from this negative was used as inclosure "A" to Report No. EH0-41 dated 25 July 1951 from HAFB and as an inclosure to a letter "Summary of Observations of Aerial Phenomena in the New Mexico Area, December 1948 - May 1950" dated 25 May 1950 from office of the Inspector General USAF, 17th District Office of Special Investigations, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico to Brigadier General Joseph F. Carroll, Director of Special Investigations, Headquarters, USAF, Washington 25, D. C.

  2.  It is requested that this negative be returned after being used.

       FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER:

Photograph of Unknown Aerial Phenomena taken at Datil, New Mexico by Cpl Lertis E. Stanfield, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico on 24 and 25 Feb 1950.  An analysis of the above photograph was made by Dr. Lincoln LaPaz, Head of the Institute of Meteoritics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, who reached the following conclusions:

1. The angular diameter of the perfectly round luminous object Stanfield observed was approximately 1/4 of a degree.


2. The angular velocity of the object in the sky was greater than half a degree per minute.

Dr. LaPaz stated that on the basis of the results (a) and (b) above, the object seen by Stanfield was not the moon (for the angular diameter is too small), it was not Venus or any other planet (for the angular diameter was too large), and it was not a bright fixed star slightly out of focus (for the observed rate of motion is double that due to the diurnal rotation of the earth).