PROJECT 10073 RECORD

NUMBER OF OBJECTS: One

LENGTH OF OBSERVATION: Several minutes

TYPE OF OBSERVATION: Ground Visual

COURSE: On Ground

PHOTOS: No

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: No

Observer was driving along a highway when he noticed a dome shaped object, emitting an intense bright light, land in a ravine. The observer claimed he stopped the truck and got out to approach the object. As he approached, two objects lifted off the ground only to settle back in a ravine hidden from the highway.

Attempts to locate said landing site were inconclusive. Ground and air search were completed with negative results. No evidence was discovered that would indicate any kind of craft landed.

UNCLAS ZIPPO 2414 MAR 67/SUBJ: PRELIMINARY UFO REPORT.

FTD FOR TDETR, CSAF FOR AFRDC, OS X FOR SAF-01.

BETWEEN THE HOURS 2100 AND 0400 MST NUMEROUS REPORTS

WERE RECEIVED BY MAELSTROM AFB AGENCIES OF UFO SIGHTINGS

IN THE GREAT FALLS, MONTANA AREA,

REPORTS OVER UFO LANDING NEAR BELT, MONTANA WERE RECEIVED

FROM SEVERAL SOURCES INCLUDING DEPUTIES OF CASCADE COUNTY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE. INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY

UNCLASSIFIED

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH

INCOMING MESSAGE

AFIN: 25062

LT COL LEWIS CHASE PHONE: DUTY EXT 2215, HOME 452-1135

BASE OPERATIONS OFFICER. THE ALLEGED LANDING SITE IS

UNDER SURVEILLANCE, HOWEVER DAYLIGHT IS REQUIRED FOR

FURTHER SEARCH

PAGE 2 RUCSBB 165 UNCLAS

SHERIFF’S OFFICE WILL CONDUCT A LAND SEARCH AND A HELICOPTER

FROM MALMSTROM AFB WILL CONDUCT THE AIR SEARCH. FOLLOW-UP

REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED AS DETAILS BECOME AVAILABLE.

BT

NNDN

TTUY JAW RUWTFHA 6264 0841625-UUUU— RUEDFIF.

ZMR UUUUU ZFH-1 RUWTFHA

CE RUCS88 178 084-1305

ZNR UUUUU

P 251539Z MAR 67

FM 341SMW MAELSTROM

TO RUWTEMP/28AIR DIV MAELSTROM

RUEDFIF/FTD WRIGHT PATTERSON

RUEDHQAS/CSAF

RUEDHQA/OSAF

T

UNC

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Investigation of UFO reported landing on 24 MARCH 1967

DR.Condon
University of Colorado
Boulder, Colorado 80302

1.  At approximately 2100 hrs. on the night of 24 March 1967, a truck driver by the name of XXXX Laurel, Montana was proceeding North West on US highways 87-89 to Great Falls.  When approximately 2 miles southeast of the turn-off to belt, Montana, he claimed he saw a huge dome shaped object, emitting and intense bright light land in a ravine approximately 1 ½ miles south of the highway.

Mr. XXXX parked truck and approach the object.  As he approached, the object lifted off the ground only to settle back in a ravine hidden from the highway by a Ridge.  Mr. XXXX flagged down a passing motorists (Great Falls) and requested that the Sheriff’s office be notified.  This was done by Mr. XXXX and a Highway patrolman was dispatched to the scene (Mr. Bud Nader).

Mr. Nader reported that upon researching the scene he observed an unusual light emanating from the area that the truck driver, Mr. XXX actually claimed the object had landed the second time.  The ravine where the object was claimed to be located was extremely steep and rocky and not accessible to the Highway Patrol.  Further numbers of officers were dispatch from the Sheriff’s office of Cascade County.

2.  Numerous reports were being received by the dispatcher at base operations, plus questions from the public.  At 2205, Lt. Col. Lewis D.  Chase, base UFO investigating officer was notified by the command post of the report reported landing.  Sequence of events following the notification were as follows:

2215 - Check was made with base operations as to aircraft movement in the area.  An outbound transient aircraft departed Great Falls en route to Glasgow, Montana.  Departure time was 2109.  All other aircraft were accounted for.

2230 - discussion with the Sheriff of Cascade County revealed that he had dispatch additional deputies to the area.  Requested that he notified me of any significant findings.  While talking to the Sheriff, he contacted one of his mobile units.  The man reporting said that they were at the scene and that there was no activity at the time.  Requested the Sheriff to forward any subsequent developments.

2330 - I called the Sheriff of Cascade County for a status report.  He put one of his deputies on the line (Ziener?)  Who had been at the scene and had interviewed the truck driver and Highway patrolman.  While on the phone, Sheriff Martin from Belt, Montana, called in from the scene.  He discussed the possibility of manpower assistance from Malmstrom and/or helicopter support.  Informed him that daylight would be the first possible helicopter support and that I would discuss the other manpower requests with Colonel Klibbe.

2345 - Discussion with Colonel Klibbe.  He suggested that I go out and evaluate the situation and make my recommendations from there.

0030 - Departed the base in a radio equipped station wagon accompanied by Major John Grasser of the Helicopter Section, for evaluation of the terrain for any possible helicopter survey at daylight, a driver, and the alert photographer.

0100 - Arrived at the scene.  Was met by Sheriff Martin, who repeated the previous reports.  He had been on the scene continuously.  Study of the terrain revealed the hopelessness of any ground survey at night.  A tentative plan was agreed upon - the Sheriff’s office to conduct the ground search of the reported landing area on the morning of 25 March 1967, while concurrently a helicopter survey of the area would be performed by Malmstrom.  (It had been reported by Major Grasser that a helicopter training flight was scheduled for 0730 Saturday morning.  This procedure was later approved by 15th AF, provided no landing was made). Sheriff Martin intended to continue watch of the area.  Sightseers xxx the area due to radio publicity and Martin reported that some had gone on the ridge before he could stop them.

0215 - Reported to Colonel Klibbe the tentative plan agreed upon with Sheriff Martin.  He approved.

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS 341ST COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP (SAC)
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT 590402

REPLY TO
ATTN OF:    BO                             3 July 1967


SUBJECT:  UFO Observations, Malmstrom AFB Area   


to:   Colonel James C. Manatt (lettered TDET/UFO)
      HQ Foreign Technology Division (AFSC)
      Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433

1. Reference TDET/UFO letter dated 30 June 1967 on above subject.

2. This office has no knowledge of equipment malfunctions and abnormalities in equipment during the period of reported UFO sightings. No validity can be established to the statement that a classified government experiment was in progress or that military and civilian personnel were requested not to discuss what they had seen.

3. A written report on the events that transpired during the alleged UFO reported landing on 24 March 1967, fully documents all findings by the investigating officer.  A copy of this report was forwarded to your office on 3 April 1967.

4. If we can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to write.

FOR THE COMMANDER

LEWIS D. CHASE, Lt Colonel, USAF
Chief, Operations Division