The Roswell Report: Fact vs. Fiction in the New Mexico Desert

Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.

183-5

ACT/m

WLEAT

SUBJECT: Research Operations in Alaska

TO: Commanding General Air Material Command Wright Field Dayton 2, Ohio ATTN: TSELT

1. Plans for research on Project "Sogul," Z. C. 185-11, priority 1A, include determination of compressional wave velocity in the upper atmosphere in regions of high latitude. This information is vital to the completion of the project and as far as is known, no previous work has been done in this field. These Laboratories are now planning to begin the first phase of this research in Alaska between 15 October and 15 December 1947. Completion of this first phase will require about six weeks at the test site.

2. The method of determining acoustic velocity fields in the upper atmosphere will be similar to that which has been done off the New Jersey coast and in New Mexico throughout this year. Explosives are set off at or near the earth's surface and the resulting compressional waves refracted through the upper atmosphere are recorded at sites up to 300 miles distant. One method consists of cropping airburst bombs from airplanes flying a course in various directions from the recording sites, 50 to 300 miles away. Another method involves firing charges of explosives on the ground at fixed distances from the recording sites. Whichever method is used will depend upon available conditions and the granting of clearances to do the work. Both methods have been successfully used for over a year. Techniques are well established and the engineering personnel are well experienced on all phases of the operations.

3. A previous survey of facilities in Alaska by personnel of these Laboratories indicates that all requirements may be fulfilled at Ladd Field, Fairbanks. The following requirements are necessary to conduct either or both types of tests:

a. Facilities for landing and servicing a C-54 airplane and either a B-17 or a B-29 airplane.

b. Housing and messing facilities for three civilian technicians from the Watson Laboratories and the military aircraft crews for a period of six weeks.