Bennewitz Presents UFO Evidence to Kirtland AFB Command
Paul Bennewitz, having recorded electronic signals and filmed UFO activity near Manzano Weapons Storage, presents his findings to Kirtland AFB brass on November 10. AFOSI decides on November 17 to monitor Bennewitz and begins systematic disinformation campaign to discredit him. Bennewitz had met Doty on Oct 26.
Background
1. Paul Bennewitz, a private scientist, presented his UFO findings to Kirtland AFB command on November 10, 1980. These findings included recorded electronic signals and filmed UFO activity near Manzano Weapons Storage. This presentation led to AFOSI monitoring Bennewitz and initiating a disinformation campaign.
The Incident On the evening of May 5, 1980, Myrna Hansen and her son experienced a UFO sighting in northeastern New Mexico. While driving, they observed two large, silent objects hovering over a mountain meadow. One object was comparable in size to two Goodyear blimps, while the other was slightly smaller and triangular.
Hansen and her son experienced a four-hour gap in their memory. The next day, Hansen contacted the New Mexico State Police, reporting bright lights, cattle, and strange people. She was referred to Gabriel Valdez, who then contacted Paul Bennewitz.
Bennewitz, a scientist with Thunder Scientific Corporation and a member of APRO, offered to connect Hansen with a qualified individual. On May 7, Hansen and her son met with Bennewitz in Albuquerque. Jim Lorenzen, head of APRO, recommended Dr. Leo Sprinkle to conduct regressive hypnosis.
Investigation Dr. Leo Sprinkle arrived on May 11 to conduct regressive hypnosis on Hansen. The session took place in Bennewitz's car, with the windows sealed with aluminum foil. Under hypnosis, Hansen recalled an intensely bright light and a second bright object.
She remembered an object landing and cattle bellowing. She also recalled an orange light. Gregory Bishop concluded that Bennewitz may have been planting ideas in Hansen's mind.
On November 10, 1980, Bennewitz presented his UFO evidence, which included electronic signals and filmed activity near Manzano Weapons Storage, to Kirtland AFB command. AFOSI decided on November 17 to monitor Bennewitz.