1980.08.08 – 09.03
[Bennewitz] began to take pictures of strange lights maneuvering in the vicinity of the Manzano nuclear weapons storage facility, which is located to the east of Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. Bennewitz had a perfect view of the weapons base from his home in the Four Hills section of the city.
(paranetinfo.com – now defunct)
Beyond Dreamland
The Dark Side of American Ufology
MULTIPURPOSE INTERNAL OSI FORM
(Complete only applicable items)
SUBJECT
KIRTLAND AFB, NM, 8 Aug – 3 Sep 80
Alleged Sightings of Unidentified Aerial Lights in Restricted Test Range
TRANSMITTAL DATE
28 Oct 80
REFERENCE
AFOSI Fm 1, 8 Sep 80, Same Title
REMARKS
On 24 Oct 80, Dr PAUL FREDERICK BENNEWITZ, Male Born 30 Sep 27, KS, Civ, SSAN: [Blanked out] Albuquerque, NM, contacted SA RICHARD C. DOTY through Major NEST E. EDWARDS, Commander, 1608 SPS, Kirtland AFB, NM and related he had knowledge and evidence of threats against Manzano Weapons Storage area. The threat was from Aerial Phenomena over Manzano.
On 26 Oct 80, Sgt Doty, with the assistance of [G?]erry Miller, GS-15, Chief, Scientific Advisor for Air Force Test and Evaluation Center, KAFB, interviewed Dr. BENNEWITZ at his home in the Four Hills Section of Albuquerque, which is adjacent to the northern boundary of Manzano Base. (Note: MILLER is a former Project Blue Book USAF investigator who was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB (W-PAFB), OH, with FTD. Mr. MILLER is one of the most knowledgeable and impartial investigators of Aerial Objects in the southwest). Dr. BENNEWITZ produced photographs and over 2600 feet of 8mm motion picture film depicting unidentified aerial objects flying over and around Manzano Weapons Storage Area and Coyote Canyon Test Area. Dr. BENNEWITZ has been conducting independent research into Aerial Phenomena for the last 15 months. Dr. BENNEWIZ also produced several electronic recording tapes allegedly showing high periods of electrical magnetism being emitted from Manzano/Coyote Canyon area. Dr. BENNEWITZ also produced several photographs of flying objects taken over the general Albuquerque area. He has several pieces of electronic surveillance equipment pointed at Manzano and is attempting to record high frequency electrical beam pulses. Dr. BENNEWITZ claims these Aerial Objects produce these pulses.
After analyzing the data collected by Dr. BENNEWITZ, Mr MILLER related the evidence clearly shows that some type of unidentified aerial objects were caught on film; however, no conclusions could be made whether these objects pose a threat to Manzano/Coyote Canyon areas. Mr MILLER felt the electronical recording tapes were inconclusive and could have been gathered from several conventional sources. No sightings, other than these, have been reported in the area.
Mr MILLER has contacted FTD personnel at W-P AFB, OH, who expressed an interest and are scheduled to inspect Dr. BENNEWITZ’ data.
5. Request a DCII check be made on Dr BENNEWITZ.
6. This is responsive to HQ CR 44.
7. Command was briefed but did not request an investigation at this time.
A minute by USAF Office of Special Investigations agent Richard C Doty of a meeting between the Air Force and Paul Bennewitz in 1980. It is intriguing that a former Blue Book investigator was still on call for UFO cases.
(UFO: The Government Files, Brookesmith)
MULTIPURPOSE INTERNAL OSI FORM
(Complete only applicable items)
SUBJECT
KIRTLAND AFB, NM, 8 Aug – 3 Sep 80,
Alleged Sightings of Unidentified Aerial Lights in Restricted Test Range
TRANSMITTAL DATE
26 Nov 80
REFERENCE
AFOSI Form 96, 28 Oct 80, Same Title
REMARKS
1. On 10 Nov 80, a meeting took place in 1606 ABW/CC Conference Room attended by the following individuals: BGen WILLIAM BROOKSHER, AFOSP/CC, COL JACK W. SHEPPARD, 1606 ABW/CC, COL THOMAS SIMMONS 1606 ABW/CV, COL CRES BACA, 1606 SPGp/CC, COL FRANK M. HEY, AFOSI Dist 17/CC, LTC JOE R. LAMPORT, 1606 ABW/SJ, MAJ THOMAS A. CSEH, AFOSI Det 1700/CC, Dr. LEHMAN, Director, AFWL, ED BREEN, AFWL.Instrumentations Specialist and Dr. PAUL F. BENNEWITZ, President Thunder Scientific Laboratory, Albuquerque. Dr. BENNEWITZ presented film and photographs of alleged unidentified Aerial Objects photographed over KAFB, NM during the last 15 months. Dr. BENNEWITZ also related he has documented proof that he was in contact with the aliens flying the objects. At the conclusion of the presentation, Dr. BENNEWITZ expressed an interest in obtaining financial assistance from the USAF in furthering his investigation regarding these objects. DR. LEHMAN advised DR. BENNEWITZ to request a USAF grant for research. DR. LEHMAN advised DR. BENNEWITZ he would assist him in filling out the proper documents.
2. On 17 Nov 80, SA RICHARD C. DOTY, advised DR. BENNEWITZ that AFOSI would not become involved in the investigation of these objects. DR. BENNEWITZ was advised
that AFOSI was not in a position to evaluate the information and photographs he has collected, to date or technically investigate such matters.
3. On 26 Nov 80, SA DOTY received a phone call from an individual who identified himself as U.S. Senator HARRISON SCHMIDT, of New Mexico. SEN SCHMIDT inquired about AFOSI’S role in investigating the aerial phenomena reported by Dr. BENNEWITZ. SA DOTY advised SEN SCHMIDT that AFOSI was not investigating the phenomena. SA DOTY then politely referred SEN SCHMIDT to AFOSI Dist 17/CC. SEN SCHMIDT declined to speak with 17/CC and informed SA DOTY he request that SAF look into the matter and determine what USAF agency should investigate the phenomena.
4. It should be noted that DR. BENNEWITZ has [already?] had a number of conversations with SEN SCHMIDT during the last few months regarding BENNEWITZ’S private research. SEN SCHMIDT has made telephone calls to BGEN BROOKSHER, AFOSP/CC regarding the matter since Security Police are responsible for the security of Manzano Storage Area.
Doty’s minute of Bennewitz’s second meeting with the USAF at Kirtland AFB, to which the Air Force sent some impressive brass. Their involvement and the interest of Senator Schmitt (misspelled by Doty) did not succeed in raising public interest in Bennewitz’s claims.