A Navy Documentary on Operation High Jump

My journey into this subject began with an examination of UFO (or UAP) narratives, particularly tracing the origin of the phrase "we are not alone." This phrase can actually be traced back to a book published in 1964, authored by Walter Sullivan, a prominent science journalist and the science editor for The New York Times. I touched upon Sullivan's work in my previous article, where I highlighted his extensive writings on Antarctica and his involvement as a reporter during Operation High Jump. Through my research, it became clear that his writings likely served as the foundational source for many of the intriguing tales surrounding Antarctica and UFOs. The more I delved into Sullivan's work, the more I understood the significant role Antarctica played in the establishment of NASA and the broader space race.

Delving into Historical Context

In my quest, I discovered an old Navy documentary titled "The Secret Land," which details Operation High Jump and features an introduction by James Forrestal, along with an interview of Admiral Byrd discussing Antarctica. The assertions made in this documentary are captivating, especially given the context. With the documentary produced entirely by the Navy, it showcases endorsements from Forrestal, who was the Secretary of Defense at the time, and Admiral Byrd, a legendary Antarctic explorer. They claimed that there was enough coal in Antarctica to meet global demands for over a century, among other extraordinary statements.

This award-winning documentary from 1948 does little to clarify the surrounding mysteries. It begins with James Forrestal, a former Wall Street financier who transitioned from Secretary of the Navy to the first Secretary of Defense following the National Security Act of 1947, shortly after the Roswell incident. Notably, Forrestal died under suspicious circumstances in 1949, adding layers of intrigue to this historical narrative.

At around 7:20 in the documentary, there's a humorous exchange reminiscent of something from a South Park episode. For those with a sense of humor, it's worth a watch. By 43:06, a claim is made that food remains unspoiled in Antarctica—a testament to the potential for undiscovered artifacts buried beneath the ice, as well as the prospect of storing reserves on the continent for global emergencies. The fossil record hidden under the ice could provide groundbreaking insights into Earth's history and the evolution of life.

At 50:15, viewers are shown snow-free land, compared to Arizona, referred to as Bunger's Oasis. The documentary notes a series of 'warm' water lakes with ice-free shores, one of which reaches a temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. This area contains vast coal and mineral deposits. Byrd emphasizes that there is enough coal within 180 miles of the South Pole to satisfy global needs for generations. This assertion hints at the potential for discovering preserved DNA and fossil records of life predating the ice age.

In a television appearance on December 8, 1954, Byrd spoke about Operation Deep Freeze, stating that the government’s interest in Antarctica was largely due to its unparalleled scientific value. He added, “...this untouched reservoir of natural resources will be vital not just for us but for our allies... I foresee a time when it will be strategically significant.” Byrd also mentioned frozen bread that remained edible after several years, suggesting it could be a valuable resource for food logistics.

When pressed about the resources available in Antarctica, Byrd responded that they had discovered sufficient coal within a mountain ridge near the South Pole, along with indications of other minerals. He mentioned the possibility of oil and uranium, though he later expressed caution about the implications of discussing uranium and its potential for conflict.

When asked about competition among nations for Antarctic resources, Byrd confirmed, "Yes," visibly uncomfortable. He acknowledged interest from various nations, including Russia and Australia, indicating that while Antarctica is peaceful, that may not last.

Admiral Byrd, a preeminent authority on Antarctic exploration, led three expeditions there starting in 1928 and served as a confidential advisor during World War II. Following the war, he was appointed to oversee the Antarctic Developments Project, making his insights invaluable regarding the continent's dynamics. His statements came prior to the International Geophysical Year (IGY), which subsequently resulted in the Antarctic Treaty prohibiting commercial mining.

My research into the UAP connections with Antarctica led me to the IGY of 1958, which facilitated the Soviets' first satellite launch ahead of the U.S. and contributed to the formation of NASA. This correlation traces back to the International Polar Year of 1882 and involves notable figures such as Byrd, Nimitz, and Forrestal. The name Nimitz is particularly significant, as recent UAP discussions stem from events involving the nuclear supercarrier named after him in 2004.

For journalists interested in this topic, I encourage you to explore my research; there are likely numerous paper trails leading to new insights.

Operation High Jump was classified as confidential, although some sources claim it had top-secret elements. I’ve encountered assertions that personnel from the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests were involved in the Western Group and distributed leaflets during High Jump claiming the land as U.S. territory—an assertion that contradicts official U.S. policy. While this may seem peculiar, it could reflect unconventional military strategies.

Further Research Linking UFOs

In Alaska, 13 cubic feet of documents belonging to Franklin Roach—who studied airglow in Antarctica and consulted for NASA—are archived. Roach was part of the Project Blue Book panel that opposed Condon's conclusions. Researchers interested in uncovering these materials are encouraged to visit the archives.

I came across a link during my investigation into Admiral Thornton Page, another fascinating figure who allegedly conceived the idea for the IGY. Page was also part of the Robertson Panel and contributed to NASA. He edited a book co-written by Roach and Carl Sagan titled "UFOs: A Scientific Debate," which is preserved in the archives.

My search into Thornton Page's work was sparked by a collaboration between Curt Jaimungal and John Greenwald's The Black Vault, resulting in an AI tool designed to explore Greenwald’s FOIA documents known as The Black TOE Vault. In my quest for UFO links to Antarctica, I stumbled upon Page’s name and references to an All-Sky Camera used during the IGY, which appears to have been designed for observing airglow. Unfortunately, due to the AI's new and somewhat inconsistent nature, I haven't yet managed to locate and analyze the specific source related to this topic.

If you appreciate my work, consider following me on Medium. While a membership isn't necessary to read my articles, it is an option.