The Gralien Report

An interesting photograph was sent along to us recently by an Iowa based listener and Gralien Report field correspondent. The image in question (enlarged above) was taken on October 11th in Des Moines, Iowa and appears to show two helicopters flying in formation, pursuing a smaller, dark-colored object (visible just to the left of the helicopters seen above) in addition to another smaller, dark-colored object flying near the treeline in the lower left hand corner.

She told us that the witness who took the photograph stated that the object had been moving quickly, and was described as being “disc-shaped,” with the two darker helicopters in pursuit. At one point, the observer also noted that the unidentified craft appeared to split into a separate, smaller object, which is the one that can be seen in the lower left hand corner of the photograph. The witness also stated that the photograph was taken while the witness was driving and that the witness eventually lost sight of the objects from traveling farther along the freeway.

I asked her if she felt the observer had been a credible source, and she replied that they were “a very credible witness,” and noted that the Iowa based MUFON investigators had contacted Camp Dodge, which is a nearby military installation that serves as base for the Iowa National Guard in the suburb of Johnston, to inquire about the presence of helicopters in the air around the time of the sighting.

“The base said that they indeed had helicopters up in the air that day, but they were not deployed to follow drones or escort any other aircraft.” Furthermore, “The witness clearly distinguished that the helicopters were chasing the object.”

Though the photo shows very little detail from a distance like this, based on accompanying witness testimony, the object does appear to be attempting to evade the helicopters seen in the image. Also, she noted that Camp Dodge had mentioned helicopters being deployed for some reason, which officially had not been for purposes of chaperoning or assisting other aircraft in the vicinity. Does the photo above reveal anything more about the purpose for this deployment, and if so, what is the object accompanying the helicopters in question?

She also noted that, “The witness had a previous sighting the day before, on October 10th, of a cigar shaped object, but was unable to get photos of it.”

ABOVE: The complete original, which features the smaller object in the lower left hand corner (click to enlarge)

If anyone in our readership has further information about recent UFO sightings near the vicinities of Johnston or Des Moines, Iowa, we’d like to hear about it: Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below, or contact us directly by emailing to info@gralienreport.com.

NOTE: A few readers have asked about the vertical line of distorted area midway through the larger photo might be; this, according to the Iowa MUFON investigator who shared the photos, is dirt and debris on the windshield of the vehicle from which the photo was taken, as the witness was sitting within a vehicle at the time.

Photos used with permission.