Do you believe in ghosts?

  • Published
  • By Linda Welz
  • 452 AMW public affairs
(This is the first in a four-part series on things that go bump in the night.)

Movies with a paranormal theme are popular in the entertainment industry. But, how much of it is really true, or is any of it? Do you believe in spirits among us? Do you believe some people are sensitive or have a sixth sense? Have you ever heard stories about Air Force planes or buildings being haunted? What have you heard about some of our historical buildings on March Field?

In this four-part series, we will explore the possibilities of what, if anything, lurks in the shadows here at March. The series will be to introduce you to Airmen who conduct paranormal investigations and provide you with an insight on how those investigations are done, hopefully sparking questions and conversations.

March Field has a long and rich history, from the aircraft that has flown in and out of the base, to its old infrastructure. There have been many historical figures that have served and visited our base over the years. Some would say that a history like that lays the foundation for an environment favorable to paranormal activity.

Stories have come to us of haunted C-141's and KC-135s that used to fly from March. Crew chiefs and maintenance workers tell of strange and unexplained occurrences happening on them, like power turning itself on or steps and straps moving by themselves. Some say they have heard footsteps walking up the floor of the cargo area, when they were alone on the aircraft. We've heard others talk about seeing "people" standing in or outside buildings, who were not seen nor heard by others present at the same time. There have even been stories of entities chasing someone out of a building or two.

Where the aircraft are concerned, there always seems to have been a death aboard the ones that are said to be haunted. The stories told of the buildings on base don't necessarily fall into that category.

Having followed investigators through some of the buildings at March for the last several months, there are no clear answers to indicate which scenario is better for ghost hunting. There have been unexplained noises, times when investigators got "feelings" or picked up words and phrases through their Electronic Voice Phenomenon, as well as catching orbs on digital film and one instance where two apparitions were captured on video, all unexplained.

I began this journey, as a skeptic, to publish some entertaining stories in the October issue of The Beacon. But like many other experiences in life, I have learned to not discount the beliefs of others just because they may not be mine. Through spending time with new friends conducting these investigations, I can say that, although I don't have any abilities to sense things that I cannot explain, I don't doubt that others do.

So take this journey with me through the month of October as we get to know our investigators and get an insight into their psyche.