Bottom Line
The declassified Spanish military file confirms that while the initial observation was presented as a radar-assisted event, the formal administrative record contradicts this by stating neither the El Prat airport control tower nor the air sector detected unidentified objects on July 4, 1978.
Article Summary
A newly reviewed declassified military file examines an alleged aerial phenomenon reported over Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Sabadell on July 4, 1978. The document, identified as Document 780704, details the initial observation but includes a subsequent official response from the air sector of Catalonia that contradicts the claim of radar detection.
The formal military correspondence stated that the El Prat airport control tower had not registered any unidentified objects on that date. Furthermore, the file suggested that observations during that month were likely due to US balloons launched from Sicily; however, these balloons were noted as being too low to be detected by standard radar screens.
Spain began declassifying documentation related to strange aerial phenomena starting in 1991, making records available through the Virtual Library of Defense. This archive contains a substantial collection of 80 files and 1,900 pages covering Spanish airspace between 1962 and 1995.
The specific file reviewed is limited to the administrative processing of the military response following a request from the Agrupació de Parapsicologia i Ufologia de Barcelona (APU). The document itself contains no photographs or direct testimonies, focusing solely on the official communication between the APU and various defense agencies.
Key Points
- The 1978 file concerns an observation in Barcelona initially presented as a radar-assisted sighting.
- The air sector of Catalonia officially stated that El Prat airport's control tower detected no unidentified objects on July 4, 1978.
- The military response attributed any observed aerial phenomena to US balloons from Sicily, noting their low altitude made them undetectable by radar.
- Spain’s declassification effort provides a large archive of strange aerial phenomenon records covering Spanish airspace between 1962 and 1995.
Why It Matters
This review demonstrates how official military documentation can provide crucial context for historical UAP claims. By detailing the specific administrative process—including the initial request from the APU, the involvement of the Ministry of Defense, and the final response—the file highlights the difference between an early public report and the formal record maintained by defense agencies.
Related Topics
Reader Note
The original source provides access to the full declassified military document for readers interested in reviewing the official correspondence.