The Roswell Report: Case Closed

landing. In the flat, featureless desert areas of southeastern New Mexico
near Roswell, the parachutes, payloads, the balloons themselves, and
circling chase aircraft often drew crowds of curious onlookers from the
local community. In fact, so many civilians were often present at balloon
or payload landing sites, the scene was described by longtime civilian
Balloon Branch recovery supervisor, Robert Blankenship, as being like
the “circus coming to town.““”
Allegations that civilians were threatened or told to “forget what
they saw” are profoundly inaccurate. Threats, intimidation, or other types
of misconduct by Balloon Branch personnel would have served no
purpose since without the cooperation of local persons, many recoveries
would not have been possible.“‘*
Most balloon recoveries were coordinated in advance with local
law enforcement agencies. ‘“’ If a balloon or payload landed on private
property and the owner could not be located, Balloon Branch operating
instructions dictated that the local sheriff or police must be contacted.‘“4
In situations where local persons arrived at balloon landing sites before the
recovery crews, they were simply asked to “step back” to allow recovery
personnel to secure the balloon equipment, I”’ If these persons inquired as
to the purpose of a balloon flight, they were informed by technicians that it
was a U.S. Air Force scientific study and were given a telephone number at
Holloman AFB if they required additional information. At Holloman AFB,
individuals qualified to answer detailed questions responded to these
Fig. 60. (Ri,qhlj This ranch
family assisted in the recovery
of a Project S~ananr~~ high
altitude balloon payload and is
shown here with a panel from
the unmanned gondola.
(U.S. Air Force phor”,