Fig. 44. Inflation of a U.S.
Air Force 626 ft. long, 34.6
million cu. ft. research balloon
on August 13, 1972. This
balloon was launched from
Roswell Industrial Air Center
(formerly Roswell AAF),
Roswell, N.M., to test
components of the NASA
VIKING space probe.
(photo by Ole Jorgeson)
1.3
High Altitude Balloon Operations
Research has shown that many high altitude balloons launched
from Holloman AFB, N.M., were recovered in locations, and under
circumstances, that strongly resemble those described by UFO proponents
as the recovery of a "flying saucer" and "alien" crew. When these
descriptions were carefully examined, it was clear that they bore more
than just a resemblance to Air Force activities. It appears that some
were actually distorted references to Air Force personnel and equipment
engaged in scientific study through the use of high altitude balloons.
Since 1947, U.S. Air Force research organizations at Holloman
AFB, N.M., have launched and recovered approximately 2,500 high
altitude balloons. The Air Force organization that conducted most of
these activities, the Holloman Balloon Branch, launched a wide range of
sophisticated, and from most perspectives, odd looking equipment into
the stratosphere above New Mexico. In fact, the very first high altitude
data gathering balloon flight launched from Alamogordo Army Airfield
(now Holloman AFB), N.M., on June 4, 1947, was found by the rancher
and was the first of many unrelated events now collectively known as the
"Roswell Incident."
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