(PCM) History Channel’s upcoming drama series Project Blue Book is based on the true, top-secret investigations into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related phenomena conducted by the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1969. Taking advantage of a private invitation, three members of the PCM crew entered the immersive Project Blue Book Headquarters. This my version of the story.
Background:
Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) studies were initially founded by The U.S. Air Force in 1947. Project Blue Book was started in 1952 and had two goals:
- To determine if UFOs were a threat to national security, and
- To scientifically analyze UFO-related data.
In December, 1968 The United States Air Force Gave A Final Report about Project Blue Book:
- No UFO reported, investigated and evaluated by the Air Force was ever an indication of threat to our national security;
- There was no evidence submitted to or discovered by the Air Force that sightings categorized as “unidentified” represented technological developments or principles beyond the range of modern scientific knowledge; and
- There was no evidence indicating that sightings categorized as “unidentified” were extraterrestrial vehicles.
While preparing for San Diego Comic-Con 2018, we received an intriguing letter from HISTORY, which read in part:
History will grant Comic-Con attendees all-access clearance to the previously classified Project Blue Book Case Files, the top secret investigation into UFOs and related phenomena by the United States Air Force from 1952-1969. In anticipation of HISTORY’s eagerly awaited new UFO drama series PROJECT BLUE BOOK, “Project Blue Book Headquarters” will bring one of the most mysterious eras of US history to life on San Diego grounds with modern technology and immersive experiences, including a chance for visitors to send a message billions of miles into space in an attempt to answer the timeless question: is there life beyond earth?
“Project Blue Book Headquarters” is a fully immersive exploration of true Project Blue Book cases, where government officials invite skeptics and believers to examine UFO-related phenomena from the era. Guests are also encouraged to share their own encounters where a professional sketch artist will help bring their personal stories of the unknown to life… Are we alone in the universe?
Of course, with such an invitation, we couldn’t say no. Upon entering I (and my compatriots) were struck by two things… 1. The military professionalism of the staff and 2. The fresh air conditioning on that hot day. (Thank You, History!)
Initially, I was interviewed by a young lady who asked me to calmly explain where I was when I had my encounter at age 15 in 1975. I told her it was in suburban Philadelphia, and she said she was already familiar with the area, having lived there herself. I described what I saw, a streak across the sky that suddenly turned at a 90 degree angle that faded to a seemingly higher distance.
My fellow writers, K.C. and S.N. also had experiences and reported what they had seen- I included their pictures below. Two official waiting rooms later, which included a few stories about alien encounters, we were each lead into another radio-room which allowed us to privately send a message into space. They didn’t give us any other details except the ‘sent’ acknowledgment from the machine. My message?
“What took you so long?”
After exiting we were all given oversized plain brown envelopes with an artist’s sketch of our alien encounter. It was eerily familiar, and is now a handy reminder of the night I saw I UFO in 1975. If you ever visit my home, you’ll see it on the wall in my living room. *edit: no you won’t, my wife prefers a large picture of our dogs on the wall.
Although over 12,000 UFO reports were collected, filed and analyzed, 1968’s Condon Report concluded there was nothing to be concerned with about UFOs, and Project Blue Book was ordered shut down in December 1969.
Project Blue Book on the History Channel
Dr. J. Allen Hynek (Aidan Gillen), a brilliant yet underappreciated college professor, is recruited by the U.S. Air Force to spearhead a clandestine operation called Project Blue Book. Along with his partner, the debonair Air Force Captain Michael Quinn (Michael Malarkey), he is summoned to investigate UFO sightings around the country and use science to discover what really happened.
However, when some encounters cannot be explained away and cases remain open, Hynek begins to suspect that he has been duped by the government into a larger conspiracy to cover up the truth. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War and rising Atomic Era, each episode will draw from the actual Project Blue Book case files, blending UFO theories with authentic historical events from one of the most mysterious eras in United States history.
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