The Halt Memorandum

January 13, 1981 — US Air Force / RAF Woodbridge

Overview

On January 13, 1981, Lieutenant Colonel Charles I. Halt, Deputy Base Commander of RAF Woodbridge, sent an official memorandum to the UK Ministry of Defence documenting a series of unusual events that occurred in Rendlesham Forest between December 26 and December 28, 1980.

Content

The memorandum, sometimes referred to as the "Halt Memo," describes in official military language the observation of "unusual lights" in the forest, the discovery of physical ground traces (three depressions forming a triangular pattern, broken branches, and elevated radiation readings), and subsequent observations of a "red sun-like light" that moved through the trees and pulsated.

Significance

The Halt Memorandum is considered one of the most important documents in UFO history because it represents an official military report from a senior officer describing anomalous events in formal, measured language. Unlike many UFO reports, this document carries the weight of official military documentation and the credibility of a career military officer.