Colorado Springs: Ruppelt meets Chidlaw on UFO radar films
Edward Ruppelt and ATIC representatives met with Air Defense Command leaders in Colorado Springs to discuss obtaining radar films of tracked UFOs. Generals agreed in principle, assigned liaison, and promised directives for UFO procedures including interceptor scrambles.
Background
Meetings and Agreements
On March 19, 1952, Edward J. Ruppelt and other representatives of the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) met the commander of Air Defense Command (ADC), Lieutenant General Benjamin W. Chidlaw, together with Major General Grandison Gardner and his staff in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The aim was to obtain radar photographs while UFOs were being tracked on radar screens.
Decisions and Measures
The generals supported the proposal in principle and instructed Ruppelt to settle the details with the ADC director of intelligence, Brigadier General Woodbury M. Burgess. Chidlaw promised to issue a directive to all units governing procedures for UFO sightings, including the use of interceptors. This instruction was apparently sent out in April. Burgess appointed Major Vernon L. Sadowski of his staff as liaison to Project Grudge. The Ground Observer Corps was also integrated into the UFO reporting network.
Significance
This meeting strengthened institutional cooperation in UFO investigation and paved the way for improved data collection and response protocols during the early phase of Project Grudge, shortly before its renaming to Project Blue Book.