FLYING SAUCERS PAGE 8
sidered reliable: (b) possible mirage effect, and (c) possibly migratory birds in flight. However, Major Donald E. Keyhoe U.S.M.C. retired who has written two books on the phenomenon, claims that the Utah film actually proves the saucers are of interplanetary origin. Meanwhile the Air Force is taking definite steps to obtain a definite pattern in the saucer sightings. It hopes that a mechanical computer survey it is having made — and which is due to be completed later this month, will show whether the sightings have any consistency in regard to time and place. All this can be taken as evidence that the Air Force is still quite interested in the flying saucer problem — and will continue to be until it is solved.
SAUCERS HELD SPACE SHIPS BY EX-MARINE
Are the flying saucers real — and if they are, what are they? That in essence, is the question that faces the Air Force and the American public as well. Although it remains unanswered, it has stirred no end of opinions and theories. One theory advanced from time to time is that the saucers are some revolutionary type of weapon perfected either by this country or some other nation. The Air Force, however, depreciates this possibility: In a recent statement it said: "The Air Force has stated in the past and reaffirms at the present time, that unexplained aerial phenomena are not a secret weapon, missile or aircraft developed by the United States. None of the three military departments nor any other agency in the government is conducting experiments, classified or otherwise, with flying objects which could be a basis for the reported phenomena."
Weapon Theory Discounted
In addition, a high-ranking Air Force officer indicated to the Times-Herald that it is believed impossible the saucers could be a foreign weapon. Regarding the question as to whether flying saucers exist, Lt Robert White public information officer, said the Air Force believes that reliable observers such as reliable airline pilots are sincere when they report sighting unidentified objects. The Air Force was tossed a hot potato recently by Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe, U.S.M.C. (ret), who claimed in his recent book "FLYING SAUCERS FROM OUTER SPACE", that the saucers are not only real but that they are of interplanetary origin. Furthermore, Keyhoe contends that the so-called "Utah film" possessed by the Air Force proves this thesis. THEORY BOLSTERED. Keyhoe's interplanetary theory was bolstered by a letter published on the jacket of his book from Albert M. Chop, former Air Force civilian expert on the saucer project, who now is with the Douglas Aircraft company in California. In the letter Chop stated, "The Air Force, and its investigative agency 'Project Bluebook', are aware of Maj. Keyhoe's conclusion that the flying saucers are from another planet. The Air Force has never denied that such a possibility exists. Some of the personnel believe that there may be some strange natural phenomena completely unknown to us, but that if the apparently controlled manoeuvres reported by many competent observers are correct, then the only remaining explanation is the interplanetary answer." Upon publication of the letter printed on Defense Dept stationary — the Air Force challenged Chop's claim and said he was merely expressing his personal opinion. Chop subsequently admitted that he was not speaking for the Air Force, but maintained that some of the investigative personnel had subscribed to the interplanetary theory. He said this was based on "personal contacts with these various individuals," and insisted that it was "a true statement". Amplifying his theory that the saucers come from another planet, Keyhoe claims they could originate from some other body in the earth's solar system — such as Mars or Venus or from some other —