Madrid: Journalist receives UFO files from Air Ministry
On October 30, 1976, Spanish journalist Juan J. Benítez obtained around 300 pages of UFO reports from Spain's Air Ministry in Madrid. The materials contained photographs and footage from air force pilots' gun cameras.
Background
Event
On October 30, 1976, the Spanish journalist Juan J. Benítez approached the Air Ministry in Madrid, Spain and received the first delivery of some 300 pages of documents on UFO sightings. These official files contained photographs and excerpts from gun camera footage taken by pilots of the Spanish air force.
Evidence and Content
The records offered detailed reports of unidentified flying objects, supported by visual evidence such as images and film from military sorties. Such material indicated systematic investigation by the ministry and underlined how seriously the phenomena were taken.
Significance
The episode marked an early step toward the disclosure of classified UFO data in Spain. Benítez later published the contents in his book and contributed to public debate, which influenced later declassifications. It demonstrated access to sensitive military records and encouraged transparency in UAP research.