APCIC - Vol 10 No 03 - 1985

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 10, No. 3
Date: March 1985
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS focuses on the ongoing efforts to uncover information about UFOs, particularly through legal means, and reports on several recent sightings and incidents.

Attorney Brings UFOs Into Focus: The Work of Peter Gersten

The lead article, "Attorney brings UFOs into focus," by Rita Giordano, staff writer for the NY Middletown Times Herald-Record (dated Dec 31, 1984), profiles Peter Gersten, a criminal lawyer whose avocation is the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

Gersten, formerly with the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, has filed numerous lawsuits against the government to obtain information about UFOs, estimating that approximately 5,000 pages of documents have been released due to his and others' efforts. Operating a UFO hotline from his home in Peekskill, he receives between 10 to 20 calls daily, and sometimes up to 100 calls a night reporting sightings.

He is also the founder of CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy). Gersten gained notoriety by suggesting that pilots from Stormville Airport might be intentionally creating false UFO sightings by flying in formation with extra lights, possibly to discredit genuine sightings.

In an interview, Gersten explains his interest in UFOs began in childhood. He became involved in obtaining federal funds for organizations and later assisted Ground Saucer Watch in a lawsuit to obtain CIA documents related to UFOs, expanding it to include all CIA documents.

Regarding the government withholding UFO information, Gersten believes it's to avoid confirming the reality of UFOs, which would be embarrassing, and to protect their intelligence-gathering methods. He asserts that UFOs are real and can be proven in court, citing witness credibility, expert testimony, photographs, physical traces, multiple-witness sightings, and electromagnetic effects as evidence.

He notes that people's reluctance to believe in UFOs can stem from fear, religious or sociological reasons, or a resistance to change. Gersten describes UFOs with various shapes, including saucer-shaped and cigar-shaped objects, and emphasizes that when one sees a UFO, there is a distinct feeling of it having a life of its own.

Gersten offered a $1,000 reward for information identifying pilots allegedly flying out of Stormville Airport and creating false UFO reports, believing they interfere with genuine investigations and may have a military connection.

He also discusses the impact of UFO movies, suggesting they may be part of a government or societal effort to prepare the public for the possibility of other life forms. He finds it frustrating that UFO believers are often dismissed as crazy.

Gersten mentions interviewing six security guards at Indian Point who saw a large, triangular object, nearly the size of a football field. He also notes that the Air Force is withholding documents and charges exorbitant search fees. He is pursuing Freedom of Information requests for state police documents related to sightings.

He believes UFOs perform beyond present-day technology, making right-angle turns and hovering silently. He states that military and CIA documents express concern about these objects, but investigations have ruled out Soviet or Air Force testing, leaving their origin and identity unknown.

Mystery Wreckage in Puget Sound

An article from the Anchorage Daily Times (Jan. 20, 1985) titled "Dive sponsor of mystery disc doubts reports" and another from the STAR (Jan. 29, 1985) titled "DID U.S. NAVY SHIP SECRETLY PULL CRASHED UFO OUT OF PUGET SOUND?" by Richard Tinkler, detail an incident where divers reported finding a submerged UFO in Puget Sound, Washington State, which subsequently disappeared.

Dale Goudie, director of Puget Sound Phenomenon Research, initially promoted a diving expedition to locate an unidentified object that allegedly splashed down near Bellingham in July. However, he later expressed doubts about the divers' reports of seeing a gold, 35-foot-wide disc.

Two divers reported seeing an object shaped like an upside-down teacup or satellite dish. The object was located on the ocean floor, protruding from the mud. Sonar recorded a large metal object. The divers described it as a large, round object, about 10 feet high, partially immersed in mud, and emitting a low-pitched humming noise. They claimed it was extraterrestrial.

However, the object reportedly moved further out of the mud between dives and then vanished entirely. Goudie suspects military involvement, possibly by the Navy, given the proximity of Navy facilities. The Pentagon denies any knowledge of the incident.

Dr. Bruce Maccavee, a Defense Department physicist, believes the Navy may have recovered the UFO and that the Pentagon study would be classified. He stated that the incident is "very strange" and could be "high-significant UFO evidence."

Witnesses described a large, circular, glowing object plummeting from the sky at great speed on July 27, leveling off above the water, and then plunging in. Sam Sudore recalled it as a "large change ball in the sky that stopped dead and shot off sparks."

UFO Hunter Seeks Clue to New Film

A report from the LUTON HERALD (Feb. 1, 1985) titled "UFO hunter seeks clue to new film" discusses a top UFO hunter looking for the sender of a 15-second Super 8 film clip showing a bright object racing across the sky. The film, sent anonymously with a Luton postmark, has been analyzed and experts believe it is not faked.

Jenny Randles, director of investigations for the British UFO Research Association, stated that the clip, showing an orange egg-shaped object speeding horizontally and then streaking upwards, is the most significant movie film ever taken of unexplained objects. She is seeking the identity of the sender, who posted the film to her Warrington home.

Bill Dillon, a Luton UFO researcher, brought the case to the Herald's attention.

UFO Shock - Shaken Driver

A brief report from the CORNISH GUARDIAN (Feb. 14, 1985) titled "'My UFO shock' - shaken driver" recounts a 28-year-old woman's experience of seeing a bright yellow, oval-shaped light near Quintrell Downs. She described it as hovering, shrinking, changing color (green, purplish), and moving erratically. She was frightened and reported it to the police, who suggested it might have been a weather balloon, but she was certain it was not.

Nuke Plant Guards Report Hovering UFOs

An article from the NY-NYACK ROCKLAND JOURNAL NEWS (Jan. 12, 1985) titled "Nuke plant guards report hovering UFOs" by Jon Craig, details a sighting at the Indian Point 3 nuclear plant.

Philip Imbrogno, an astronomer with the Center for UFO Studies, reported that a dozen security officers saw a large UFO on July 24, 1984, hovering over the plant for 15 minutes. The object was described as 900 feet long. A similar incident occurred on June 14. Carl Patrick, a spokesperson for the New York Power Authority, confirmed the sightings but called it an "old story."

One anonymous security officer described the object as 100 feet long, looking like helicopters in V-formation, making noise, and hovering 300 yards above the plant, leading guards to draw shotguns. However, the commander denied this, and other officers suggested the sightings might have been Cessna 152s flown by pranksters or misinterpretations.

Jeffrey Baughman, who leases aircraft, stated his planes might have been involved in other sightings but not this one. He noted that pilots use the plant as a landmark. Imbrogno has filed a Freedom of Information request for documents related to the sighting.

Tricks of Light Created Rye UFOs

An article from the NY-NEW ROCHELLE STANDARD STAR (Jan. 12, 1985) by Paul Kirby, titled "Tricks of light created Rye UFOs," discusses sightings reported by a father and son in Rye.

Dr. William Gutsch, chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium, suggested that atmospheric prisms might have created multi-colored lights. However, he could not explain the "hot dog and dumbbell" shapes reported. The possibility of aircraft or genuine UFOs was not discounted.

Richard and Jonathan Koerner reported seeing about 25 multi-colored light formations in various shapes and colors flying in formations. A Rye police officer also noticed strange objects. The sightings were described as moving slowly, without sound, and not like typical airplanes or weather balloons.

Orange Object Seen in Sky; Poinsett County Authorities Baffled

A report from the LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS GAZETTE (Jan. 17, 1985) by Lamar James, titled "Orange Object Seen in Sky; Poinsett County Authorities Baffled," describes a sighting in Poinsett County.

Several law enforcement officers and residents saw a bright orange light in the sky around 8 p.m. Monday. Sheriff Jim Carter stated, "We still don't know what it was." Trumann Police Chief Jim Furnish speculated it might have been a weather balloon, but the National Weather Service had not released any balloons in the area. Deputy Sheriff Larry Mills followed the object, noting it moved too slowly for an airplane and was not making sound.

James Walker, chief of the Tyronza Police Department, observed the object through a telescope and described it as a bright ball of orange light that eventually went out. The object was seen moving southwest.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS revolve around the persistent mystery of unidentified flying objects, the challenges in obtaining official information, and the diverse nature of reported sightings. There is a clear emphasis on investigative journalism, with articles detailing legal efforts to access government documents and eyewitness accounts of unusual aerial phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting various reports and expert opinions without definitively concluding the nature of the objects, while also highlighting the skepticism and official denials often encountered.

This issue of the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, dated January 17, 1985, features a lead story titled "Springs man is UFO prober." The article introduces Dennis Myers, a newcomer to Colorado Springs and the local representative for the Mutual UFO Network Inc. (MUFON), an organization dedicated to investigating UFO sightings. Myers expresses his dislike for the trendy use of the term "close encounters" but is ready to investigate any reported phenomena.

UFO Sightings and Investigations in Colorado Springs

The article details several past UFO sightings in the Colorado Springs area. These include:

• A cold December morning in 1978, when a prominent businessman reported seeing a huge, glittering craft with banks of lights and a pulsating, whirring sound from his home on Cheyenne Mountain. He requested anonymity.
• A night in August 1979, when six Colorado Springs residents reported a large UFO near Pikes Peak that took a sudden 90-degree turn.
• An evening in May 1983, when two Denver salesmen saw a large, flying triangle that made no noise and shot across the sky at incredible speed.

Meyers explains that MUFON maintains a low profile and does not claim spacecraft from other planets definitely exist, but rather that there is "some pretty interesting information."

The Val Johnson Case

Meyers recounts a fascinating case from Minnesota involving Sheriff Val Johnson. While driving, Johnson saw a bright light in a field, which then approached his vehicle. His car, traveling at 60 mph, suddenly locked its brakes, skidded 370 feet, and went off the road. The vehicle had no power, and its chronometer and watch stopped at the same time. The antennas on his car were bent at a 90-degree angle and, when analyzed, were found to have been hit by an object traveling at an estimated 152,000 mph.

John Lutz's Annual Report on UFOs

Another article discusses John Lutz, described as Baltimore's UFO expert, and his 14th annual report on "Strange Phenomena." Lutz's Odyssey Research group has investigated 782 calls since 1971. In the past year, they examined 22 UFO sightings, one Bigfoot report (later identified as a bear), and 51 cougar sightings. A notable "unusual nature" incident involved Thomas Andrews on the Eastern Shore who saw a "big ball of bluish-greenish ice" crash to the ground. State Police Cpl. Thursby Cooper confirmed the material was melting rapidly and smelled bad. The substance was later identified by a professor at the University of Maryland as a combination of frozen urine and a sanitizing agent used in airplane toilets.

Soviet UFO Sightings

Several articles report on UFO sightings in the Soviet Union. One article from The Toronto Sun and The Toronto Star details a Soviet airliner flight where the crew and passengers spotted an unidentified flying object that shot beams of light to the ground, formed a green cloud, and then shadowed the plane. The object was also picked up on radar by ground controllers. Captain Igor Cherkashin, the pilot, described it as an "honor escort."

A similar report from the MD. Baltimore News American and the TX. Houston Chronicle reiterates the Soviet airliner sighting, noting that the object was described as a "large, unblinking star" that shed a ray of light and formed a green cloud. Nikolai N. Zheitukhin, a member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, deemed the event "undoubtedly abnormal." The article also mentions that the Soviet Union established a commission in 1967 to study UFO phenomena, but its findings are not publicly released. It also touches on the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, suggesting it might have been caused by an extraterrestrial space vehicle.

UFOs in England

An article from the Hunts Post, Huntingdon (England) reports on a sighting by 16-year-old Trevor Singleton, who photographed "strange flying objects" described as a mixture of creamy and very light green colors. He saw about ten objects moving from west to south, including a quick orange one.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reports on "mysterious lights" over Leeds and surrounding districts, with G. W. Birdsall of the Yorkshire UFO Society theorizing about "silent" helicopters with powerful lights. The article also mentions that the Ministry of Defence stated no military aircraft use the tarmac at Leeds and Bradford Airport.

The Stoke on Trent Evening Sentinel reports on a UFO alert sparked by teenager Nicholas Gregory, who saw a bright light traveling towards Keele. Similar sightings of a bright light were reported over Tean Road.

Ellen B. Crystall and the Crawford Sightings

A detailed article from the NY-Middletown Times Herald-Record focuses on Ellen B. Crystall, who claims to have seen spacecraft land in cornfields and on hills in Crawford, New York. She describes a short, yellow creature with big wraparound yellow eyes. Crystall, who is studying for a doctoral degree in music composition, has been monitoring Crawford skies since 1980. She recounts an incident where she and others were surrounded by 20 triangular ships. Local residents and authorities, including Town of Crawford Police Chief Dan McCann and farmer Carl H. Balbach, have not reported seeing anything unusual, though Balbach's son did spot Crystall in November. Philip Imbrogno, an investigator with the Center for UFO Studies, has received 12-14 reports from the Pine Bush area, describing large circular or elliptic objects making right-angle turns.

UFOs and the Betty and Barney Hill Case

The FL-Sun Sentinel reports on a "Weekend Exploration into the UFO Phenomenon" presented by the Florida Society for Psychical Research Inc., featuring speakers like Budd Hopkins, author of "Missing Time." The article references the 1962 case of Betty and Barney Hill, who reported a UFO encounter in New Hampshire where they lost two hours of time and were medically examined aboard a UFO.

Lack of Funds Stalls UFO Wreck Search

The Longview, WA. (Cowlitz Co.) News reports that members of an underwater expedition searching for an unidentified flying object that allegedly splashed down off Lummi Island are postponing activities due to lack of funds. Divers reported seeing a saucerlike object, described as upside-down tea cup shaped, but were unable to locate it definitively.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and witness accounts from various locations, including the USA, the Soviet Union, and England. The articles present a mix of detailed reports, personal testimonies, and expert opinions, often highlighting the unexplained nature of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events and theories without necessarily endorsing them as definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitation, though some articles lean towards the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena or even extraterrestrial involvement. The issue emphasizes the ongoing fascination with UFOs and the persistent search for answers.

This issue of East Anglia Monthly, dated February 1985, focuses on the topic of UFOs, presenting a collection of articles that explore sightings, alleged government cover-ups, and personal testimonies. The magazine aims to provide a 'Light Look At UFO's,' suggesting a less sensationalist, more investigative approach to the subject.

Article 1: A Light Look At UFO's by Christopher R. Elliott

Christopher R. Elliott shares his lifelong interest in flying matters and how he began collecting UFO press stories. He recounts finding a 1957 manual titled 'UFO Guide and Handbook' which detailed 14 different types of UFOs observed in the early post-war years into the mid-1950s. These included large cigar-shaped craft, flying saucers, annular craft, disc-shaped low-flying craft, and small spherical remote-controlled craft. One description notes a disc-shaped craft descending almost to the ground, thought to be a manned reconnaissance craft operating late at night.

Elliott also touches upon his brother's experiences during World War II at R.A.F. Halton, where experiments with 'coloured searchlights' were conducted near London, possibly to detect aircraft without revealing their position. He contrasts this with the ordinary searchlights he saw in Suffolk. He also mentions a relative who worked for an American company during the war that developed a form of 'invisible light' for landing planes at night.

The author reflects on the possibility that mysterious lights could be explained by the gyration of space vehicle debris catching sun or moon beams. He also suggests that extraterrestrial beings might be responding to Earth's radio and radar emissions by appearing in the form of UFOs, noting that they seem to be unwarlike.

Article 2: Bright Sky Light Mystery (Banstead Herald Surrey, Feb 8 1985)

This short piece reports on an Epsom couple, Mr. and Mrs. Molly and Bill Crafter, who claim to have seen an unidentified flying object on a Wednesday morning. Mrs. Crafter described a brilliant light in the distance, brighter than anything they had ever seen. The object remained stationary for about 30 seconds before moving to the left at a fast rate, dimming as it went. Mike Goldwater, secretary of the Ewell Astronomical Society, suggested it was likely an aeroplane coming in straight on.

Article 3: Still spellbound by boyhood UFO (Luton News, Feb 7 1985)

This article features Bill Dillon, a Luton resident who has been fascinated by UFOs for 27 years, ever since he saw a 'flying saucer' at the age of ten. He describes the event as astonishing, lasting about three minutes. After the sighting, Dillon dedicated himself to researching UFOs, reading specialist magazines and contacting experts. He categorizes people reporting sightings into three groups: the mentally deranged, those seeking attention, and the genuine. Dillon believes that the calibre of witnesses and their testimony can be so high that remarkable events cannot be ignored. He is a founder member of the Luton Astronomical Society and a member of the British Interplanetary Society. Dillon also creates art on space themes. He expresses hope that answers to UFO mysteries might be found in his lifetime, but emphasizes the need to apply human intellect as well as space exploration.

Article 4: The Cash-Landrum Incident (FL-Today Cocoa FL, Feb 3 1985)

This section details the controversial Cash-Landrum incident. Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Landrum's grandson Colby were driving on a highway in Dayton, Texas, when they encountered a beeping, glowing, diamond-shaped object with flames. They claim to have suffered symptoms of radiation sickness, including vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, headaches, blistering, and anorexia. Betty Cash was hospitalized, and the Landrums continue to experience skin sores and increased susceptibility to illness. Both Cash and Landrum have been unable to work since the incident.

The article highlights their legal battle, designated as Case No. H-84-348, filed in U.S. District Court in Houston. Their lawyer, Peter Gersten, accuses the government of a cover-up and is seeking $20 million in damages. The U.S. Army has not provided the requested information for the defense. The case gained national attention through a 'Good Morning America' appearance and a five-part series on KHOU-TV. John Schuessler, a McDonnell-Douglas aerospace engineer who assisted the victims, was reassigned shortly after the TV report, which he believes may be related to his outspokenness.

Article 5: Continued coverage of the Cash-Landrum Incident (TODAY Staff Writer, By BILLY COX)

This continuation of the Cash-Landrum incident report details the legal proceedings. Assistant District Attorney Frank Conforti, defending the U.S. government, has filed for dismissal or a six-month extension. He argues the complaint is vague and that the plaintiffs lack sufficient information to identify the aircraft. Conforti also suggests contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiffs. Peter Gersten, who is representing Cash and Landrum pro bono, is seeking information such as duty rosters and locations of CH-47 helicopters. Gersten is particularly interested in the fate of the helicopter pilots and their medical records.

Philip Klass, a technical writer and UFO skeptic, is mentioned as having dismissed the incident as a hoax in his book 'UFOs: The Public Deceived.' Klass offers three possible explanations: an extraterrestrial craft (a trillion-to-one odds), a Defense Department project (quadrillion-to-one odds), or a 'cock and bull story.' He questions the feasibility of such a mission with numerous helicopters and the lack of leaks about a secret radiation weapon.

Article 6: Warning from UFOs: Stop playing with nuclear weapons (EXAMINER, FEB 26 1985)

This article reports on a stunning UFO encounter experienced by two Air Force officers, Robert Jacobs and retired Major Florenz Mansmann, at Vandenberg Air Force Base on September 15, 1964. While testing a nuclear missile, they filmed a small spherical UFO circling the missile's warhead, which then fell off target. The officers interpreted this as a warning from another civilization to cease nuclear weapons testing. They were ordered to hand over the footage to CIA agents.

Dr. Keiji Nakamura, a top astronomer, supports the airmen's story, stating that other civilizations are determined to prevent nuclear holocausts and possess technology far superior to ours. The article also mentions the theory of underwater UFO bases, citing evidence of strange fireballs and flying objects plunging into water bodies since the 1860s. Dr. Franz Hubert, a psychophysicist, believes these phenomena are UFOs and points to a potential underwater base off Britain's Scilly Islands, which is of concern due to its proximity to strategic NATO bases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged government cover-ups, and the potential for extraterrestrial intelligence to influence human activities, particularly concerning nuclear weapons. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from personal accounts and investigative journalism to skeptical analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various incidents and theories while acknowledging the role of skepticism and the need for rational conclusions. The inclusion of both detailed incident reports and broader discussions on the implications of UFO phenomena suggests an effort to inform readers about the complexities and ongoing debates surrounding the subject.