Josh Burger, an Air Force contractor, and Capt. Stan Maczek, with the 1st Space Operations Squadron, demonstrate the use of an electro-magnetic field detector through the lens of a video camera equipped with an infrared attachment at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 18, 2012. Burger and Maczek use both instruments during their paranormal investigations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott Prater)
Josh Burger, an Air Force contractor, and Capt. Stan Maczek, with the 1st Space Operations Squadron, demonstrate the use of an electro-magnetic field detector through the lens of a video camera equipped with an infrared attachment at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 18, 2012. Burger and Maczek began investigating paranormal activity about six months ago. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott Prater)
1/24/2012 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- When Capt. Stan Maczek was a young child, he responded to frightening sights and sounds in the dark like most of us: He pulled the covers up over his head and hoped the event would pass quickly.
Nowadays, Maczek sprints enthusiastically toward those "events."
He's not sure what to call himself -- ghost hunter, spirit seeker, paranormal investigator -- but he's sure this is the most exciting hobby he's discovered yet. His fellow paranormal investigator, Josh Burger, thinks the same way. He also plays golf and the guitar, but paranormal investigating has pretty much captured his attention during the past six months.
It all started last year when Burger, a contractor here, mentioned his parents owned a haunted home nearby in Calhan, Colo.
"Our investigations began recently, but I've been fascinated by this phenomenon since I was a child," said Maczek, who works with the 1st Space Operations Squadron. "I grew up in a haunted house in Maryland. My parents used to hear voices in their bedroom. I figured if just one of them heard them we could explain that as some sort of schizophrenia, but not both of them. My father was a U.S. Army research lab scientist and very skeptical. He didn't believe in paranormal stuff until this happened."
Another part of the hobby Maczek enjoys is performing research. Prompted by the strange events that occurred at his house in Maryland, he managed to find some history on the property.
"The house was relatively new, built by an original owner who employed subcontractors," Maczek said. "As it turns out, he had some financial trouble and didn't pay the subcontractors. Eventually the house fell into financial disrepair and my parents bought it at auction."
Maczek relayed his story to Burger, who responded by relaying his own story of his parents' home in Calhan and of the strange events that were happening at his current home. The investigators researched both homes and found nothing eventful, but the process spiked their curiosity.
That's when Burger purchased some equipment, including an infrared motion-sensor camera.
"I kept noticing this shadow in my basement, so I turned the camera on that spot and left it on overnight," he said. "The next day I found the camera had captured the strange shadowy mass and it's something I can't really explain. Since then we started making plans to investigate other places."
The tools of the craft are a gadget enthusiast's dream.
The investigators carry an electro-magnetic field detector, what some folks call a ghost detector, but Maczek said it just reveals whether an electro-magnetic field is present or not. They also use Burger's infrared camera, which presents a green-tinted image and allows the investigators to shoot in dark rooms.
"People may be familiar with the (infrared) image because that's what they use on those television ghost (hunting) shows," Maczek said.
While Burger's motivation for investigating is to debunk those types of TV shows, Maczek's motivations stem from his curiosity, his psychology education and his religious leanings.
"I'm attempting to answer life's big questions, but with my psychology background I don't just believe something at face value; I've got to have evidence," Maczek said. "I've got to see it and record it and I've got to be able to show it to somebody and say there is a face or a body or something there. That's kind of the challenge. Nobody has really found that yet."
Both admit reaction to their endeavors run the gamut.
"We get mixed reactions in most cases," Maczek said. "First, I explain I'm not crazy and that I'm as sane as the next person, but that I'm just trying to investigate and see what I can find out. Even though I'm in the Air Force, I'm in no way associated with the Air Force or (Department of Defense) as far as this investigating goes. It's just my own fascination."
Sometimes they are warmly received and other times they are not. Many people remain skeptical but agree to let the paranormal investigators go ahead with their research.
"We've had only a few investigations so far that haven't revealed much, but we're planning to visit locations on Fort Carson and the Pioneer's Museum downtown," Maczek said. "Word-of-mouth has spun around my neighborhood, too, so I've done some investigations there."
Burger finds the proposition of investigating buildings where people have reported activity extremely exciting and even plans to bring his teenage son along for near future investigations.
In the meantime, Maczek's squadron commander has thrown well wishes to the pair.
"I encourage our entire 1st SOPS team to find ways to get involved with our local community to make a positive impact," said. Lt. Col. Mike Manor, the 1st SOPS commander. "Although some people may be skeptical about this type of research, I'm sure there are many within our community who are equally interested in Maczek's work."
Comments
2/13/2012 3:48:41 PM ET Thanks Stay Puft...now if I could only spell the word maybe....these guys could also be looking for the missing rudder on the AF ship.....
JW, DC
2/7/2012 12:41:24 PM ET Dave I invite you to come back in from left field re-read my post and explain how you derived all of that from my words. You don't know if I worship God Buddha or a pile of rocks arranged in a circle in my back yard. If you're gonna pull the trigger make sure you know who you're shooting at and why you're shooting them. And JW wins best comment so far
Stay Puft, Confused
2/7/2012 7:19:08 AM ET So Stay Puft, you're okay with folks believing they're drinking the blood of the son of God and eating his flesh but a couple of guys go looking for ghosts and that is a bad representation of the Air Force? Got it. A bush catches on fire 2,000 years ago and that's the gospel? Got it.
Dave, Washington DC
2/6/2012 2:08:36 PM ET Mabye he'll run into the ghost of our former Air Force somewhere
JW, DC
2/3/2012 9:54:16 AM ET How much time do you invest in the living coz it sounds like a waste of time investing your time in the dead. Just saying.
ddub, TX
2/2/2012 11:24:59 PM ET Don't cross the streams.
Dr. Egon Spengler, NYC
2/1/2012 11:32:54 AM ET Chuckled at the commander's comments at the end... supportive, yet clearly dismissive. Probably stratified the Capt as his 1 of 1 ghostbuster.
Barney, Box Elder SD
1/31/2012 7:11:13 PM ET They should check out the KC-135 Spook 50 at Fairchild.
Jake, US
1/31/2012 6:08:40 PM ET Agree completely with Casper. There are plenty of articles on af.mil about different ways of exercising spiritual health. These guys just happen to actually be looking for a spirit. Billions world-wide believe in mythical locations for deceased souls to rest for all of eternity. If you're good you get to go somewhere nice if not well we all know the folklore...is there any evidence to support these theories Just because something isn't exactly mainstream doesnt automatically mean it should be taken as ridiculous.
Double, Standard
1/30/2012 4:57:25 PM ET I wonder how many of you haters believe in a invisible man in the sky. This isn't any more stupid than following organized religion. It's just a hobby, folks. Get a life.
Casper, under your bed
1/30/2012 4:15:38 PM ET If this guy is on PRP pull his access NOW
Jerry, USA
1/29/2012 7:26:59 AM ET Please don't start looking for Santa Claus. He belongs in everyone's imagination, just like ghosts.
Astonished Elf, North Pole
1/27/2012 6:22:03 PM ET I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft.
Ray Stantz, NYC
1/26/2012 1:27:22 PM ET I always find it convenient how these paranormal researchers can only research these things at night. Do ghosts not come out during the day time I too feel an AF Officer should not be publically affiliated with this. He claims he is not associated with the Air Force during his research yet he appears on this site. He should have politely declined PA's request.
JT, Scott IL
1/25/2012 6:07:34 PM ET Very very very poor decision in using photos while he's in uniform ABU top or not and then trying to disassociate his interests and Air Force affiliation. It's not a bad feature, though I'm not convinced the closing quote pulls it together. What positive impact do these 'investigations' have in the local community? Next up, Find Airmen who geocache. A much more enjoyable hobby in my opinion.
Josh, Mississippi
1/25/2012 4:00:49 PM ET Next up...finding Sasquatch.
Caveman, Bedrock
1/25/2012 2:38:10 PM ET I would question the judgement of an officer who is this far removed from reality. I would seriously have a hard time taking him seriously as a leader. Depsite his assurance otherwise, he is on duty 24/7 and does represent the Air Force while conducting his investigations.
Stay Puft, NYC
1/25/2012 11:44:32 AM ET Who you gonna callI guess it keeps these two guys off the street.
Jerry, Oklahoma
1/25/2012 9:16:05 AM ET Shouldn't this be listed under high risk activity? We've all seen Ghostbusters and accepted the reality that ghosts and spirits can invade and overtake the human soul. How can the Capt and the contractor be taken seriously to carry out their duties if there is the slightest risk that their psyche has been compromised?
