From: Bob Shell <bob@bobshell.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 11:37:56 -0400 (EDT)
Fwd Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 12:29:14 -0400
Subject: Re: Black Helicopters?

>Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 19:58:44 +0100
>To: updates@globalserve. net
>From: Keith Stevens <k. stevens@virgin. net>
>Subject: Black Helicopters

>Hello List

>Would someone answer a few questions that I have regarding
>'Black Helicopters'?

>I live in an area frequented by Military Helicopters, the
>standard British Army/RAF 'Camo' patterned types.

>One thing I've noticed is that they all look Black at a
>distance, some, depending on the light available and the angle
>of the sun can look Black surprisingly close. As for markings,
>if you have not got a pair of 'Binos' to hand, forget it you
>will not see any.

>Question - Has anyone actually asked people who have seen Black
>Helicopters where the sun was at the time, how far away the
>Helicopter was, what where the weather conditions, how familiar
>with Helicopter I. D. is/was the observer?

>My next point is that one of the Golden Rules of
>Surveillance/Covert Operations is 'Do nothing to draw attention
>to yourself'! With this in mind, flying around in Black
>Helicopters during the daylight hours is hardly discreet.

>If these Black Helicopters are really engaged on some form of
>covert mission they are sure drawing a lot of attention to
>themselves. Surely, if Helicopters are required for daylight
>covert ops they would be better suited, i.e. Civilian Colored
>and Marked?
>
>Am I missing the obvious?
>
>Comments please.
>
>Regards Keith.


Keith,

I think I may have mentioned this on this list previously.

In "real life" I am a photographer and photo magazine editor. I
conduct photo workshops all around the country.

One of the places that I conduct an annual photo workshop is the
Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. This park is due east of
"Area 51" only about 20 miles from the boundary of the Nellis
Range.

Several years ago during my workshop we were photographing in a
fairly narrow little canyon. We heard a noise and looked just
in time to be buzzed by a black helicopter which was coming down
the canyon. I was part way up the canyon wall at the time and
was about on eye level with the chopper pilot. I could have
recognized him if he hadn't had a black face shield on his
helmet, as did the man beside him. The sun was high overhead
since this was just after our lunch break from noon to one.

The helicopter was painted a dull, flat black. There were NO
markings on it at all, period. I have good eyesight, and this
was no trick of the light.

I mentioned this to the head ranger at the park and he got
visibly angry. He said these choppers are buzzing tourists in
the park all the time, and are in violation of FAA regulations
and state law for flying too low and flying within the park
without permits. He said he had tried many times to find out who
to complain to, but since the helicopters are unmarked no one
knows who to complain to about them. He has called Nellis about
them, but they just deny that they are theirs.

So, black helicopters are real. Now this does not mean that
there are not mistaken reports based on seeing normal choppers
at a distance.

Bob