COMPLAINT FORM ADMINISTRATIVE DATA
TITLE DATE TIME
KIRTLAND AFB, NM, 8 Aug – 3 Sep 2 – 9 Sept 80 1200 80 Alleged Sighting of
Unidentified Aerial Lights in Restricted Test Range. PLACE
AFOSI Det 1700, Kirtland AFB, NM NOW RECEIVED Yes in person SOURCE OF
EVALUATION Major Ernest E. Edwards RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS ADDRESS PHONE
Commander, 1608 SPS, Manzano 4-7516 Kirtland AFB, NM CR 44 APPLIES
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REMARKS SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
1. On 2 Sept 80, SOURCE related on 8 Aug 80, three Security Policemen
assigned to 1608 SPS, KAFB, NM, on duty inside the Manzano Weapons Storage Area
sighted an unidentified light in the air that traveled from North to South over
the Coyote Canyon area of the Department of Defense Restricted Test Range on
KAFB, NM. The Security Policemen identified as: SSGT STEPHEN FERENZ, Area
Supervisor, ATC MARTIN W. RIST and AMN ANTHONY D.
FRAZIER, were later interviewed separately by SOURCE and all three related
the same statement; at approximately 2350 hrs., while on duty in Charlie Sector,
East Side of Manzano, the three observed a very bright light in the sky
approximately 3 miles North-North East of their position.
The light traveled with great speed and stopped suddenly in the sky over
Coyote Canyon. The three first thought the object was a helicopter, however,
after observing the strange aerial maneuvers (stop and go), they felt a
helicopter couldn’t have performed such skills. The light landed in the Coyote
Canyon area. Sometime later, three witnessed the light take off and leave
proceeding straight up at a high speed and disappear.
2. Central Security Control (CSC) inside Manzano, contacted Sandia Security,
who conducts frequent building checks on two alarmed structures in area. They
advised that a patrol was already in the area and would investigate.
3. On 11 Aug 80, RUSS CURTIS, Sandia Security, advised that on 9 Aug 80, a
Sandia Security Guard, (who wishes his name not be divulged for fear of
harassment), related the following: At approximately 0020 hrs., he was driving
east on the Coyote Canyon access road on a routine building check of an alarmed
structure. As he approached the structure he observed a bright light near the
ground behind the structure. He also observed an object he first thought was a
helicopter. But after driving closer, he observed a round disk shaped object. He
attempted to radio for backup patrol but his radio would not work. As he
approached the object on foot armed with a shotgun, the object took off in a
vertical direction at a high rate of speed. The guard was a former helicopter
mechanic in the U.S. Army and stated the object he observed was not a
helicopter.
4. SOURCE advised on 22 Aug 80, three other security policemen observed the
same aerial phenomena described by the first three. Again the object landed in
Coyote Canyon. They did not see the object take off.
5. Coyote Canyon is part of a large restricted test range used by the Air
Force Weapons Laboratory, Sandia Laboratories, Defense Nuclear Agency and the
Department of Energy. The range was formerly patrolled by Sandia Security,
however, they only conduct building checks there now.
6. On 10 Aug 80, a New Mexico State Patrolman sighted an aerial object land
in the Manzano’s between Belen and Albuquerque, NM. The Patrolman reported the
sighting to the Kirtland AFB Command Post, who later referred the patrolman to
the AFOSI Dist 17. AFOSI Dist 17 advised the patrolman to make a report through
his own agency. On 11 Aug 80, the Kirtland Public Information office advised the
patrolman the USAF no longer investigates such sighting unless they occur on a
USAF base.
7. WRITER contacted all the agencies who utilized the test range and it was
learned no aerial tests are conducted in the Coyote Canyon area. Only ground
test are conducted.
8. On 8 Sept 80, WRITER learned from Sandia Security that another Security
guard observed an object land near an alarmed structure sometime during the
first week of August, but did not report it until just recently for fear of
harassment.
9. The two alarmed structures located within the area contain HQ CR 44
material.
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DATE FORWARDED HQ AFOSI 10 Aug 80 AFOSI FORMDATE TYPE OR PRINTED NAME OF
SPECIAL AGENT Sept 80 Richard C Doty, SA DISTRICT FILE NO 8017D93-0/29
COMPLAINT FORM ADMINISTRATIVE DATA
DATE TIME 14 Aug 80 0730 KIRTLAND AFB, NM 13 Aug 80, Possible Hostile
Intelligence Intercept Incident, PLACE Frequency Jamming. AFOSI District 17,
BID, KIRTLAND AFB, NM
SOURCE AND EVALUATION 1960th Communication Officer
RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS ADDRESS 1960 COMMSq KAFB, NM
PHONE 4-5098
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REMARKS SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
1. On 13 Aug 80, 1960 COMMSq Maintenance Officer reported Radar Approach
Control equipment and scanner radar inoperative due to high frequency jamming
from an unknown cause. Total blackout of entire radar approach system to include
Albuquerque Airport was in effect between 1630-2215 hrs.
Radar Approach Control back up system also were inoperative.
2. On 13 Aug 80, Defense Nuclear Agency Radio Frequency Monitors determined,
by vector analysis, the interference was being sent from an area (V-90 degrees
or due East). On DAF map coordinates E-28.6. The area was located NW of Coyote
Canyon Test area. It was first thought that Sandia Laboratory, which utilizes
the test range was responsible.
However, after a careful check, it was later determined that no tests were
being conducted in the canyon area. Department of Energy, Air Force Weapons
Laboratory and DNA were contacted but assured that their agencies were not
responsible.
3. On 13 Aug 80, Base Security Police conducted a physical check of the area
but because of the mountainous terrain, a thorough check could not be completed
at that time. A later foot search failed to disclose anything that could have
caused the interference.
4. On 13 Aug 80, at 2216 hrs., all radar equipment returned to normal
operation without further incident.
5. CONCLUSION: The presence of hostile intelligence jamming cannot be ruled
out. Although no evidence would suggest this, the method has been used in the
past. Communication maintenance specialists cannot explain how such interference
could cause the radar equipment to become totally inoperative. Neither could
they suggest the type or range of the interference signal. DNA frequency
monitors reporeted the interference beam was wide spread and a type unknown to
their electronical equipment.
Further checks of the area was being conducted by Technical Services, AFOSI.
6. High command interest item. Briefings requested IAW AFOSIR 124-4 be
completed at HQ AFOSI/IVOE. HQ CR 44 and 51 items