NEW DETAILS: 1967 Malmstrom Air Force Base UFO Incident feat. Robert Salas
Robert Salas, a retired U.S. Air Force captain and 1964 graduate of the Air Force Academy, has dedicated his life to military service, engineering, and education. His diverse career spans from commanding nuclear missiles to teaching mathematics, with a pivotal moment occurring during his station at Malmstrom Air Force Base in 1967.
Born in Chandler, Arizona to Mexican parents, Salas grew up in Los Angeles before embarking on his military career. After serving in various roles including weapons controller and missile launch officer, he transitioned to civilian life in 1971. His professional journey led him through positions at Martin Marietta, Rockwell International, and a 22-year tenure with the Federal Aviation Administration, culminating in a 17-year career as a mathematics teacher until his retirement in 2016.
Key Takeaways
Robert Salas served as a U.S. Air Force captain with expertise in nuclear missile operations
His career path evolved from military service to aerospace engineering and federal aviation
Post-retirement, he dedicated nearly two decades to teaching mathematics in California schools
Robert Salas' Military Service and Professional Life
Robert Salas graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1964, embarking on a diverse military career. As an Air Force officer, he served in multiple roles including weapons controller and Target drone pilot at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida.
In 1966, Salas received an assignment to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana as a missile launch officer. He commanded Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and worked as a missile propulsion engineer on the Titan 3 program.
His educational pursuits continued during his service, completing his master's degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There, he met his wife - a marriage that has lasted over 55 years.
After leaving the Air Force in 1971, Salas worked as an engineer for Martin Marietta in Denver. He later joined Rockwell International as a reliability engineer, working on Space Shuttle proposals.
His professional path led him to the Federal Aviation Administration in 1974. For 22 years, he specialized in aircraft structural certification before transitioning to education.
From 1999 to 2016, Salas taught mathematics at public and private schools in California. Born to Mexican parents in Chandler, Arizona, he spent most of his childhood in Los Angeles before pursuing his military career.
During his time at Malmstrom Air Force Base in 1967, Salas reported an incident where UFOs allegedly disabled ten nuclear missiles. This experience inspired his later advocacy for UFO disclosure and led to his book "Fated Giant." He has spoken at various venues about these events, including a 2010 National Press Club conference.
The 1967 Nuclear Weapons Systems Disruption at Malmstrom AFB
UFO Sighting Report at Military Base
On March 16, 1967, security personnel at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana reported strange lights in the sky during early morning hours. The guards immediately contacted Captain Robert Salas, who was stationed 60 feet underground in the launch control facility. Salas served as the on-duty missile launch officer responsible for monitoring and controlling ten nuclear-armed Minuteman missiles.
Nuclear Missiles Disabled During Event
The facility experienced a systematic shutdown of multiple nuclear missiles shortly after the UFO sighting. Each missile entered a "no-go" condition, rendering them completely inoperable for launch. Within minutes of receiving reports about an unidentified craft hovering near the front gate, 6-8 nuclear weapons became non-functional.
Military Career and Public Disclosure
Captain Robert Salas graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1964. He served as a weapons controller, target drone operator, and missile launch officer during his military career. After leaving the Air Force in 1971, he worked at:
Martin Marietta
Rockwell International
Federal Aviation Administration (21 years)
Salas authored Fated Giant and participated in the 2010 National Press Club conference to discuss military UFO encounters. His testimony highlighted the connection between UFO activity and nuclear weapons facilities.
Post-Military Career
Robert Solace transitioned to the private sector after leaving the Air Force in 1971, starting his civilian career at Martin Marietta in Denver, Colorado. His initial post-military move was driven by a passion for skiing in Colorado.
He later joined Rockwell International as a reliability engineer, working on space shuttle contract proposals. His engineering expertise proved valuable in the aerospace industry.
The Federal Aviation Administration became his professional home for 21 years, where he specialized in aircraft structural certification. His government service continued to build on his military and aerospace experience.
After retiring from the FAA, Solace embarked on a new career path as a mathematics teacher. He taught at both public and private schools in California for 17 years.
His teaching career concluded in 2016 when he retired from education. During his retirement, he has spoken at various venues, including near Mexico City and Puebla in Mexico.
Throughout his post-military life, Solace maintained ties to his Mexican heritage. Both his parents were born in Mexico, and he has occasionally returned to give talks in the country.
He lives with his wife, whom he met at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Their marriage has spanned more than 55 years, demonstrating remarkable longevity.
Family Origins and Cultural Identity
Growing Up in the Southwest
Born in Chandler, Arizona to Mexican-born parents, Robert Salazar spent his formative years in Los Angeles, California. His family relocated to the Commerce area when he was just one year old. After completing high school in the LA suburbs, he earned acceptance to the prestigious U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, graduating in 1964.
Latin American Heritage and Bilingual Skills
Robert maintains strong connections to his Mexican roots through his parents' birthplace and his fluent Spanish language abilities. His bilingual skills stem from speaking Spanish regularly in the home environment. The Hispanic cultural influence has remained an important part of his identity throughout his military service and subsequent careers.
Moving to Spain and Cultural Engagement
Robert's connection to Spanish culture runs deep through his Mexican heritage. Both his parents were born in Mexico, though he was born in Chandler, Arizona. His fluency in Spanish extends beyond basic communication - he speaks it regularly at home with family members.
His next chapter involves relocating to Caseres in the Extremadura region of Spain, situated near the Portuguese border approximately 2-3 hours north of Madrid. Extremadura stands as Spain's largest region and is renowned for producing jamón ibérico, widely considered among the finest cured hams globally.
The move represents a return to Spain for Robert, who previously lived there for several years. His Spanish language abilities and cultural background will likely ease this transition back to Spanish life.
Notable regional highlights of Caseres:
Located in Extremadura region
Close proximity to Portuguese border
Famous for premium jamón ibérico production
Accessible distance from Madrid
Robert maintains active use of Spanish in his daily life, speaking it consistently with family except during professional engagements like his Vetted appearances.
Military Service and Academy Years
Academy Training and Service Duties
Robert Salas graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1964. His initial assignment took him to Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. At Tyndall, he operated target drones and trained pilots in intercept procedures.
Missile Operations Role
In 1966, Salas transitioned to missile launch officer duties after volunteering for the position. He completed approximately one year of specialized training before receiving his assignment to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. He served at Malmstrom from 1966 to 1969, where he commanded intercontinental ballistic missiles. After his time at Malmstrom, he pursued graduate studies at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where he met his wife of over 55 years. His final Air Force assignment placed him at Los Angeles Air Force Station before his resignation in 1971.
Professional Career Path
Aerospace Industry Experience
After departing the Air Force in 1971, Robert Salas relocated to Denver, Colorado. His passion for skiing initially drew him there, but he soon secured an engineering position at Martin Marietta. He later moved back to Los Angeles to work as a reliability engineer at Rockwell International, where he contributed to space shuttle contract proposals.
Federal Aviation Administration Service
In 1974, Salas began a 22-year tenure at the Federal Aviation Administration. His primary role focused on aircraft structural certification, where he applied his engineering expertise to ensure aviation safety standards were met.
Teaching Mathematics
Upon retiring from government service at the FAA, Salas embarked on a new career path as a mathematics instructor. From 1999 to 2016, he taught at various public and private schools throughout California. For 17 years, he dedicated himself to educating students in mathematics before retiring from teaching.
Retirement and Teaching Memories
Robert Solace retired from his mathematics teaching career in 2016 after spending 17 years educating students in both public and private schools across California.
The transition from teaching to retirement brought familiar moments that many educators experience. He would occasionally wake up thinking about ungraded assignments or wondering where he needed to be, before remembering his retired status.
Before entering education, Solace served in the U.S. Air Force, following the footsteps of his two uncles who fought in World War II - one in the Pacific theater and another in Europe. Their service inspired his own military career choice.
His departure from the Air Force in 1971 led him first to Martin Marietta in Denver, driven initially by a desire to pursue skiing in Colorado. He later worked at Rockwell International as a reliability engineer on space shuttle proposals.
In 1974, Solace began a 22-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration, focusing on aircraft structural certification. After retiring from government service, he made the transition to teaching mathematics.
Though born in Chandler, Arizona, to Mexican-born parents, Solace spent most of his early years in Los Angeles. His Spanish heritage remains an important part of his identity, though his visits to Mexico have been limited to occasional speaking engagements near Mexico City and Puebla.
Perspectives on Military Service
Military service often stems from deep family connections and a desire to serve one's country. Many service members draw inspiration from relatives who served in previous conflicts, particularly World War II veterans who shaped their perspectives on duty and patriotism.
The U.S. Air Force offered diverse career paths in the 1960s, from missile operations to engineering roles. Service members could work with advanced technologies like intercontinental ballistic missiles, target drones, and propulsion systems.
Career options after military service:
Defense contractors (Martin Marietta, Rockwell International)
Federal agencies (FAA, aircraft certification)
Education sector (mathematics teaching)
Personal beliefs and moral convictions can influence military career decisions. Some service members faced internal conflicts during the Vietnam War era, leading them to transition to civilian roles while maintaining respect for military service.
Geographic assignments played a significant role in service experiences. Base locations ranged from Montana to Florida, impacting quality of life and family considerations.
Key military roles in the 1960s Air Force:
Weapons controller
Target drone pilot
Missile launch officer
Propulsion engineer
Military service created pathways for advanced education and professional development. Many veterans pursued graduate degrees and technical certifications during their service years.
Connections to Mexico
Robert Salas maintains strong Mexican heritage through both parents, who were born in Mexico before his birth in Chandler, Arizona. The family relocated to Los Angeles when he was one year old, settling in what is now known as Commerce.
His Spanish language skills remain active, speaking it regularly at home. This bilingual ability has proven valuable during his visits to Mexico, including speaking engagements near Mexico City and in Puebla.
Though his career and life have centered primarily in the United States, Salas has made occasional trips to Mexico in recent years. His professional appearances there have included speaking at Mexico's House of Representatives and participating in events in the Mexico City area.
Note: Mexican locations mentioned:
Chandler, Arizona (birthplace)
Mexico City
Puebla
His Mexican roots represent an important part of his identity, even as his career path led him through military service, aerospace engineering, and education within the United States.
