The Roswell Report: Case Closed

Many of the procedures used to position Air Force balloons
are described in General Philosophy and Techniques of Balloon Control,
and Meteorological Aspects of Constant-Level Balloon Operations in the
Southwestern United States, both by Bernard D. Gildenberg (see statement
in Appendix B). 100 Gildenberg served as the Holloman Balloon Branch
Meteorologist, Engineer, and Physical Science Administrator from 1951 until
1981. During this period, Gildenberg, a recognized world expert in upper
atmospheric wind patterns, pioneered methods to launch, control, track, and
recover high altitude balloons. Many of these methods are still used today
by the U.S. Air Force and by research organizations throughout the world.
Interaction with Civilians
In several accounts, unsubstantiated allegations have been made
that military personnel who retrieved equipment from rural areas of New
Mexico intimidated and threatened civilians. Contrary to these charges,
Balloon Branch personnel enjoyed good relations with the local community
and often solicited their assistance in the area of a balloon or payload
48
Fig. 59. Bernard D. "Duke"
Gilden berg (center) Balloon
Branch Meteorologist, is
shown here in May 1957
in front of the MAN HIGH I
gondola. With Gildenberg
are MAN HIGH I pilot Capt.
Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr.
(left), and MAN HIGH project
scientist/pilot, Lt. Col. David
G. Simons (MC). When
Gildenberg attempted to
inform UFO theorists that
high altitude balloon projects
were likely responsible for
some of the UFO claims, his
explanations were rejected,
see also pages 8 & 9.
(U.S. Air Force photo)