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ROPERS HEED SPACE SHIPS, BY EXMARINE Hits AF Stand On Flying Disks (This is the last of three arti- cles on the controversial subject of “flying saucers” and their investigation by the Air Force.) BY RICHARD REILLY © Ss) Are the“flying saucers real— and if they are, { are they? ‘That, in essence, is the ques- tion that faces the Air Force— and the American public as, well. Altho 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, dep- recates this possibility. In a re- cent statement, it said: “The Air Force has stated in the past, and reaffirms at the present time, that unexplained aerial phenomena are not a se ereb weapon, missile or aircraft developed by the United States, None of the three military de- partments nor any other agency | in the government is conducting} experiments, classified or other- wise, 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 @ foreign weapon. Regarding the question as to whether flying saucers exist, Lt Robert White, public informa- tion officer, said the Air Force believes reliable observers such as veteran airline pilots are sin- eete when they report sighting unidentified objects, ‘Phe Air Force was tossed a hot potato recently by Maj. Donald BR. Keyhoe, U.S.M.C. (ret.), who claimed in his recent book, “Fly- ing Saucers from Outer Space,” that the saucers not only are real but that they are of inter-plane- tary origin. Furthermore, Keyhoe contends that the so-called “Utah film” pomgecg ty the Air Force proves 4 we xneory Bolstereet——, Keyhoe’s inter-planetary theory was bolstered by a letter pub- lished 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 inves! gative agency, ‘Project Blueboo! are aware of Maj. Keyhoe’s con: clusion that the flying saucers are from another planet. The! Air Force has never denied that this possibility exists. Some of} the personnel believe that there may be some strange natural | phenomena completely unknown to us, but that if the apparently controled maneuvers reported by many competent observers are correct, then the only re- maining explanation is the inter- Planetary answer.” Upon publication of the letter Written on Defense department stationery—the Air Force chal-} lenged Chop’s claim and said he was merely expressing his per- sonal 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 con- tacts with these various indi- viduals” and insisted that it was| “a true’ statement.” Charges Cover-Up Amplifying his theory that the saucers come from another planet, Kehoe claims they could originate from some other body in the earth’s solar system— such as Mars or Venus—or from | some other system or universe. Kehoe charges that the Air} Force is convinced that the saucers are space ships from| another world, but that it is cov-| ering up because of a fear that such a disclosure would result in widespread panic. ‘The Air Force, however, in- sists that this is not so—that it is holding back no important facts from the public. i. White said the names of beresbetivolved in the e-htiass / A NOT RECORDED afe-witield, and reportsShish’ divulge the capabilities of our aircraft, radar and electronic equipment are classified, All other information with xespect to sightings is a matter of pub- lic record, he said. Keyhoe maintains, tho, that the Air Force has refused to 1e- lease many analyses of sighting reports. He points out that the {names and locations connected with the incidents cotild be de- leted, if necessary. ~ Wants Film Released Keyhoe also claims that the Air Force should release the final intelligence analysis on the Utah film. , In connection with this, Key- hoe recently sent a,telegram to high Air Force officials charging that since the Air Force had im- plied that he had misrepresented the analysis of the Utah film, either he or the Air Force was lying. The Times-Herald asked a top Air Force spokesman if Keyhoe had, in fact, misrepresentec the Utah film analysis. He declined to comment. In his telegram book—Keyhoe stated: “The final analysis proved that the saucer formation could not be explained as any known aircraft or other conventional objects.”” | Cites Conclusions The spokesman was asked if this statement were true or false, He said that, to date, the Air Force has neither affirmed nor denied it. ‘eyhoe also contends the an}l- ys concluded the objects were nqt birds and were nob caustd by weather conditions. specifically, Keyhoe claims the | as in his Times Herald Wash. Post Wash. News Wash. Star N. Y. Times AY. Y. Compass Date: Sg