[Illustration: Fig. 23. Project HIGH DIVE anthropomorphic dummy launch, White Sands Proving Ground, N.M., June 11, 1957. (_U.S. Air Force photo_)] Anthropomorphic dummies were transported to altitudes up to 98,000 feet by high altitude balloons. The dummies were then released for a period of free-fall while body movements and escape equipment performance were recorded by a variety of instruments. Forty-three high altitude balloon flights carrying 67 anthropomorphic dummies were launched and recovered throughout New Mexico between June 1954 and February 1959.[44] Due to prevailing wind conditions, operational factors and ruggedness of the terrain, the majority of dummies impacted outside the confines of military reservations in eastern New Mexico, near Roswell, and in areas surrounding the Tularosa Valley in south central New Mexico.[45] Additionally, 30 dummies were dropped by aircraft over White Sands Proving Ground, N.M. in 1953. In 1959, 150 dummies were dropped by aircraft over Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (possibly accounting for alleged alien “sightings” at that location).[46] [Illustration: Anthropomorphic Dummy Launch and Landing Locations] A number of these launch and recovery locations were in the areas where the “crashed saucer” and “space aliens” were allegedly observed. Following the series of dummy tests, a human subject, test pilot Capt. Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr., now a retired Colonel, made three parachute jumps from high altitude balloons. Since free-fall tests from these unprecedented altitudes were extremely hazardous, they could not be accomplished by a human until a rigorous testing program using anthropomorphic dummies was completed. [Illustration: Fig. 25. “Lord, take care of me now,” were Capt. Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr.’s words as he exited the EXCELSIOR III balloon gondola at 102,800 feet on August 16, 1960, over White Sands Proving Ground, N.M. Kittinger’s courageous scientific achievement remains, to this day, the highest parachute jump ever accomplished. (_U.S. Air Force photo_)] A Cover-Up? Countering claims of a cover-up, Air Force projects that used anthropomorphic dummies and human subjects were unclassified and widely publicized in numerous newspaper and magazine stories, books, and television reports. These included a book written by test pilot Kittinger, _The Long, Lonely Leap_, another book, _Man High_, by MAN HIGH Project Scientist, Lt. Col. David G. Simons (MC), a feature article in _National Geographic_, and cover stories in _Life_, _Collier’s_, _Popular Mechanics_, and _Time_.[47] A characterization of Kittinger’s record parachute jump even appeared in the adolescent magazine, _MAD_.[48] The intense public interest in HIGH DIVE, EXCELSIOR and other aero medical projects conducted at Holloman AFB also resulted in a 1956 Twentieth Century Fox full-length motion picture, _On the Threshold of Space_ (see page 38).