Unidentified Flying Objects Reports

At approximately 0033 hours, 24 August 1969, the pilot of a fixedwing, light observation aircraft (OV-10) observed an unidentified object on the ground approximately five miles north-northeast of Nakhon Phanom RTAFB. At the time, the pilot was searching for unidentified flying objects pursuant to an earlier Base Command Post request made while the OV-10 was on final approach for landing. The aircraft orbitted the sighting area, and the pilot observed that he thought to be a large, omni-directional light on a stretch of road. On his next pass, the pilot sighted 15-25 individuals gathered around a "lattice structure", which he said could have been a helicopter with its motor blades folded. He next observed the object being moved into trees adjacent to the road. The pilot vectored the area and pin-pointed the location as VE 652280. USAF Security Police representatives subsequently advised that a sweep of the sighting area, from Ban Na Mun Hin (VE 668235) to the vicinity of Ban Ram Rat (VE 641280), by Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel between 0100 and 0400 hours, 24 August 1969 produced no results, nor did a joint RTA-USAF Security Police search at 1100 hours the same day. (OSI Evaluation re helicopter sighting: F-5).

3. 5106-ASP-6J reported that on the night of 23-24 August 1969, some twenty Thai National residents of Ban Sang Hin (VE 682249) reportedly travelled to and from the Wat Si Sa-at, located in Ban Ram Rat (VE 641280), to make an offering. This religious procession followed the country road to Ban Ram Rat; passing through Ban Nong Bua (VE 668265) and Ban Khok Sawang (VE 557278). On their return trip, between Bun Nong Bua and Ban Sang Hin, members of the group noticed an aircraft circling overhead. One of the villagers, who was carrying a portable electric lantern to light their path, shined his light upward at the plane. Source (5106-ASP-6J) stated that this incident occurred sometime between 2400 hours 23 August and 0100 hours 24 August 1969. (F-3).

4. In an effort to obtain further details, 5106-ASP-6, supra, travelled to Ban Sang Hin, where he questioned a villager (NFI) who allegedly took part in the pilgrimage to Wat Si Sa-at. This villager confirmed the information received from 5106-ASP-6J, and provided the following additional details:

a. The religious procession left Ban Sang Hin at approximately 2000 hours 23 August 1969, arrived at the wat two hours later, and departed for home again at 2330 hours. Enroute, the villagers travelled along the country road more or less in a single file. Some carried flashlights to light the way, and at least one villager carried a powerful electric lantern. On the return trip, the pilgrims carried with them two large ceremonial drums. Due to the weight of the drums, they were suspended between two long poles, with several persons supporting each pole. (F-3).

b. When the procession was nearing home, between Ban Nong Bua and Ban Sang Hin, members of the group observed an aircraft circling overhead, and the villager with the electric lantern directed its beam at the plane. When the plane continued to circle, and began to come lower, some members of the group became frightened and ran into the woods along the road. After the aircraft left the area, the group continued on its way, arriving at Ban Sang Hin between 0100 and 0130 hours, 24 August 1969. (F-3). (See attached sketch).

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COMMENTS OF THE APPROVING OFFICER: The information in paragraphs 3 and 4 above, was furnished the Commander and Director of Intelligence, 56th Special Operations Wing and 56th Security Police Squadron, Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, upon receipt.

While the location of the pilot's sighting and the route ascribed to the religious procession do not coincide precisely, their proximity and the coincidence of timing makes it apparent that the "helicopter with folded

3D.1904.1396