We are not alone: UK's secret files disclose UFO sightings

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The archives are the first batch of a four-year release program of all the ministry's UFO files. The documents, which can be downloaded from the National Archives website (at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ufos), cover the period from 1978 to 1987. These are one of the most comprehensive Government files on UFO activity ever opened to the public and are contained in eight files released under the Freedom of Information Act. Over the next four years more than 150 files will be made available at the National Archive in Kew, south-west London, the ministry has stated.

According to the secret files collating reports by members of the public as well, the alien craft come in all shapes, sizes and colors but their occupants are uniformly green.

The files include accounts of strange lights in the sky and unexplained objects being spotted. They disclose that even air traffic controllers and police officers have seen mysterious craft in the skies over Britain. The sightings range from incredible tales of little green men visiting the Wirral to corroborated accounts from policemen and pilots of UFOs hovering above towns and cities.

All are recorded on official forms, held by air bases and police stations, and have been compiled by the Ministry of Defense spanning 1978 to 2002. The files affirm that "witnesses do not wish to be identified in case their professional integrity is questioned."

The reports are primarily corroborated by three experienced air traffic controllers who attempted to "talk in" a UFO which landed on the runway before them. The incident occurred on April 19, 1984, at an East Anglian airfield which was operating two runways called 22 and 27.

A senior air traffic controller (Satco) with his deputy and an assistant in the control tower was in contact with a light aircraft preparing to land on runway 22 when the Satco noticed lights approaching the other runway. The unidentified object came in at speed, made a touch and go on runway 27 then departed at terrific speed in a near vertical climb, the files mention.

It was described as a "brilliant solid ball of light, bright silvery in color."

The incident is one of the more credible in the newly public files because it was reported by air traffic controllers, said David Clarke, a UFO expert who has worked with the National Archives on the document release.

"They were absolutely astonished," he said. "It was a bright, circular object, flashing different colors, and after it touched down it disappeared at fantastic speed. The report comes from very qualified people, and it's one of the few that remained unexplained."

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