APRO Bulletin - 1966 03 00 - March-April

Magazine Overview

This issue of The A. P. R. O. Bulletin, dated March-April 1966, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (A.P.R.O.) and focuses on recent UFO sightings and related phenomena. The cover headline highlights "DISCS AT TRINIDAD, COLORADO," alongside an artist's conception of objects involved in the "Michigan Flap."

The Michigan Cases

The bulletin details two major sightings from Michigan. On Sunday night, March 20th, Frank Mannor and his son Ronald witnessed an object described as a "ball of fire" in a swamp near their home in Dexter. They described it as having a blue light in front and a changing red-to-white light in the back, resembling a police car light. The object was flat on the bottom and peaked on top, wrapped in a shimmering halo. It was observed at eye-level, about 500 yards away. Police were summoned, and deputies also reported seeing objects. Dexter Patrolman Robert Huniwell reported seeing a red and green flashing light that hovered near a police car. In total, 20 deputies were involved in the search. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the Air Force's consulting astrophysicist, tentatively identified the object as "swamp gas," but the Mannors and others found this explanation inadequate given the object's size, details, altitude, maneuvers, and speed.

Another incident occurred on the night of March 21st at Hillsdale College, where Civil Defense director William Van Horn and approximately 87 coeds observed strange lights hovering over the arboretum for three hours. The object was described as emitting "wavering orange, red and white lights" and was observed at a distance of 1000 to 1500 yards. Police were summoned but could not see the object from the road. Miss Barbara Kohn described the object as an intense silver light that flashed red and moved erratically.

Discs at Trinidad, Colorado

On March 23rd, Mrs. Eulah Mae Hoch, Assistant Editor of the Trinidad, Colorado Chronicle News, and her 10-year-old son Dean observed two silver objects, flat on the bottom and dome-shaped on top, moving between their home and a ridge. The objects were silhouetted against the ridge and appeared to be maneuvering easily and without sound. They were visible for approximately five minutes and were estimated to be about the size of a six-inch round object held at arm's length. This daylight incident had multiple observers and was considered superior to many other March sightings due to the clear details noted.

Fear, Then Anger

This editorial section discusses the psychological reactions of UFO witnesses. It notes that people who see unexplained phenomena often move from being startled to demanding "the truth." When mundane explanations are offered by authorities, fear can be replaced by anger. The author suggests that UFOlogists often seek external validation rather than facing the truth themselves. The article posits that a secret project may be underway to understand UAOs, and that any public announcement would need to be carefully managed to avoid mass hysteria. It also touches on the possibility of alien contact and the extensive reconnaissance of Earth's defenses by unknown entities over the past nineteen years.

Report From Brazil—The First UAO Sightings In 1966

Dr. Olavo T. Fontes reports on nine UAO incidents in Brazil during March 1966, concentrated around Rio de Janeiro.

1. March 6, 2:00 a.m.: Medical staff at Lourenco Jorge Hospital observed an ovoid object emitting a bright red-yellow light over the sea. It maneuvered and climbed slowly, disappearing after 4:00 a.m. The object was described as intelligently controlled, despite the chief psychiatrist's disbelief.
2. March 12, 10:40 a.m.: At the National Motors Plant, employees and later Army Police witnessed an ovoid object, 18 feet in diameter, hovering motionless and emitting white light. It moved at high speed, disappeared, and reappeared. The next night, the object returned, causing panic among soldiers, with one attempting to fire an anti-aircraft gun.
3. March 16, 5:45 p.m.: A white, ovoid object crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Cagarras Island after an explosion, dropping a smaller parachute-like object. SAR and Coast Guard units searched the area but found nothing.
4. March 16, 1:45 a.m.: Another medical team at Lourenco Jorge Hospital reported a second UAO, similar to the first, hovering over Marisco Rock. It moved like a satellite and was visible for four hours.
5. March 17, 7:45 p.m.: A formation of four UAOs was sighted in Vista Alegre, Cordovil. The objects moved in parallel lines, descended at high speed, separated, and then rejoined, emitting white light and maneuvering at high speed.
6. March 21, 8:35 p.m.: Industrialist Raul Feteira and his family observed a luminous object with white lights arranged in a circle over Boa Viagem Hill. The object changed color to red and moved at high speed before disappearing.
7. March 24, 2:00 a.m.: Businessman Jonas Franco reported a metallic, brilliant, soundless flying disc hovering about 15 feet above his house in Jacarepagua, causing him to suffer a nervous shock and lose his voice.
8. March 25, 7:55 p.m.: Six workers on the Santa Maria farm spotted a satellite-like object, the size of the full moon, moving with a jerking motion and making a right-angle turn.
9. March 29, 11:00 p.m.: Fisherman Geraldo Tavares de Almeida reported a bright, soundless, round object diving at high speed over the Jacarepagua Lagoon.

Northern States Have Small Flap

Several points in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming reported UFO activity in early April. A pilot saw moving lights near Palmer Lake, Colorado. At Fort Collins, a bright red object was recorded on radar and observed by students. In Golden, Colorado, hundreds sighted a red glowing object. In Wyoming, a strange object was seen near Bosler, appearing and disappearing.

Specific reports from Nebraska include:

• April 7th: Dr. Jack Lewis and others observed a red beacon followed by a large white light and then four or five bright red lights arranged in a non-helicopter/plane formation. The object beamed light toward the ground and then departed at high speed.
• April 9th: Ronnie Prater and his grandmother observed a huge light over the Missouri River, which settled into a grove of trees in a shower of sparks. Red, green, and blue lights were also seen.
• April 10th: Teenagers observed a train headlamp-like object darting among trees near Rulo, Nebraska.
• April 12th: Mrs. Harry Goolsby and Ronnie Prater observed a brilliant light moving erratically from the south over the Nebraska bank of the river.

Partial Blackout In Five-State Area

On April 26th, a spotty blackout of electrical power occurred in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, and Utah. Alternating current in transmission lines began showing violent fluctuations shortly before the outages.

More S.A. Sightings

• January 7, 1966: An aircraft from Aerolineas Argentinas was reportedly paced by a glowing disc for 30 minutes en route to Neuquen, Argentina.
• January 8, 1966: A disc-shaped luminous object cruised very low above the downtown buildings of Valencia, Venezuela. Later that evening, two similar objects were seen flying at high altitude.
• January 19, 1966: In Acarigua, Venezuela, the passage of two luminous objects coincided with a city-wide blackout.

Denver Teenagers Are Scared By Object

On April 7th, six teenagers in Denver, Colorado, reported seeing a huge figure pass by a shelter house. Later, they observed four objects described as "footballs with domes on them" maneuvering near their car. The objects were approximately 20 feet in diameter and emitted a strange, pulsating, buzzing noise. The car experienced stalling issues, and the radio produced only static.

Nests

Reports detail "saucer nests" found in Australia. On January 19, 1966, George Pedley observed a saucer-shaped object taking off from a swamp near Tully, Queensland, leaving a circular area of flattened reeds. A similar depression was found near Sydney. These nests are described as areas where reeds are flattened in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Mr. Pennisi described strange "footprints" found near the large nest, about 3 inches in diameter, resembling calf hoof marks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently highlights witness testimonies, often emphasizing the strangeness and inexplicable nature of the observed phenomena. There is a recurring theme of official skepticism or inadequate explanations (e.g., "swamp gas") contrasted with the detailed accounts of credible witnesses. The publication also touches upon the psychological impact of these sightings on individuals and the broader public. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for a serious investigation into UFOs, questioning official narratives, and suggesting that the public is not being fully informed about the reality of these phenomena. The "Fear, Then Anger" section explicitly addresses the emotional and psychological aspects of witness experiences and the potential for a hidden agenda or cover-up.