Investigation | The Minot AFB UFO case | 24 OCTOBER 1968

Sign Oral History Project
Historical Case Study

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Introduction

Background

Narrative

Investigation

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Radar Analyses

   Shough Report

   Poher Report

   Radarscope Photographs

Documentation

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Investigation

Abstract

1. Background

1.1 Air Force Regulation 200-2

2. Strategic Air Command Investigations

2.1 B-52 Pilot Debriefing
2.2 B-52 Radarscope Film Analysis
2.3 B-52 Crew Debriefing
2.4 Oscar-7 Launch Facility Break-in

3. Information Unavailable to Project Blue Book

4. Project Blue Book Investigation

4.1 Background
4.2 Air Force Regulation 80-17
4.3 Notifying Blue Book
4.4 SAC Headquarters Intervenes
4.5 Basic Reporting Data & Format

5. Reviewing Werlich’s Data & Conclusions

5.1 Initial Ground Observations
5.2 B-52 Air-radar Encounter
5.3 B-52 Loss of Radio Transmission
5.4 B-52 Air-visual Observation
5.5 Oscar-7 Break-in Investigation
5.6 Reports of Two UFOs

6. Project Blue Book Evaluation

6.1 “Plasma, Similar to Ball Lightning”
6.2 Project Blue Book Final Report

Endnotes

Investigation of UFO Events at Minot AFB
on 24 October 1968

 Thomas Tulien

 Sign Oral History Project

 February 2011

 Abstract

Following the UFO events, Strategic Air Command,
Offutt AFB, NE, initiated investigations. After the B-52 landed, the pilot Maj.
James Partin reported to Base Operations for a debriefing. Minot AFB
investigating officer, Lt. Col. Arthur Werlich, was awakened and informed of the
situation. Later, the 5th Bombardment Wing commander requested an
analysis of the B-52 radarscope film by targeting studies officer SSgt. Richard
Clark. The 810th Strategic Aerospace Division commander, Brig. Gen. Ralph
Holland, debriefed the B-52 crewmembers. The 91st Strategic Missile
Wing commander sent a team to investigate the break-in at Oscar-7. Werlich phoned SAC headquarters requesting technical assistance for his investigation. Denied assistance, he was instructed to comply with Air Force Regulation 80-17. 

Later in the day, Werlich phoned Project Blue Book at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, reporting the UFO events, and began the process of
collating the case data per AFR 80-17. Several days later, he submitted the
Basic Reporting Data, and following, Blue Book staff requested supplemental
information. Werlich also forwarded all information to Gen. Hollingsworth at
SAC headquarters for briefing Commanders and staff. 

In the week following, Air Force officers arrived from
off base to review the radarscope film and invited B-52 Navigator Capt. Patrick
McCaslin to join the meeting. Oscar-Flight Security Controller SSgt. William
Smith informed Werlich of numerous reports of unusual lights near the Canadian
border, and recalls an officer spent a few days around Oscar-2 camped in a
vehicle. Blue Book chief Lt. Col. Hector Quintanilla evaluated the case data
received from Minot AFB, and submitted a final case report on 13 November 1968.[1]

1. Background ›› 

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