Many of the procedures used to position Air Force balloons are described in *General Philosophy and Techniques of Balloon Control*, and *Meteorological Aspects of Constant-Level Balloon Operations in the Southwestern United States*, both by Bernard D. Gildenberg (see statement in Appendix B).¹⁰⁰ Gildenberg served as the Holloman Balloon Branch Meteorologist, Engineer, and Physical Science Administrator from 1951 until 1981. During this period, Gildenberg, a recognized world expert in upper atmospheric wind patterns, pioneered methods to launch, control, track, and recover high altitude balloons. Many of these methods are still used today by the U.S. Air Force and by research organizations throughout the world.
Interaction with Civilians
In several accounts, unsubstantiated allegations have been made that military personnel who retrieved equipment from rural areas of New Mexico intimidated and threatened civilians. Contrary to these charges, Balloon Branch personnel enjoyed good relations with the local community and often solicited their assistance in the area of a balloon or payload
[figure]
Fig. 59. Bernard D. “Duke” Gildenberg (center) Balloon Branch Meteorologist, is shown here in May 1957 in front of the MAN HIGH I gondola. With Gildenberg are MAN HIGH I pilot Capt. Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr. (left), and MAN HIGH project scientist/pilot, Lt. Col. David G. Simons (MC). When Gildenberg attempted to inform UFO theorists that high altitude balloon projects were likely responsible for some of the UFO claims, his explanations were rejected, see also pages 8 & 9. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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