APRO Bulletin - 1969 09 00 - September-October

Magazine Overview

Title: The A.P.R.O. Bulletin
Issue: September-October, 1969
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Organization Inc. (A.P.R.O.)
Country: USA
Language: English

Key Articles and Reports

RADAR-VISUAL SIGHTING IN N. Z. This report details a sighting on September 4, 1969, in New Zealand. Captain R. Cullum and First Officer N. Faircloth observed a UFO tracked by Wellington radar. The object, moving slowly, was described as having a blue light and was tracked for about 100 miles, with a computed speed of 50-60 knots. The New Zealand Air Force investigated and ruled out common explanations, noting that helicopters typically have red-flashing lights, unlike the observed blue light. Further tracking indicated the object moved towards Cape Campbell beacon, where it was observed as a cluster of lights over the sea.

Landing Claimed at Mobile Two students in Mobile, Alabama, reported a landed UFO on the night of October 28th. They described the object as circular, between 35 and 50 feet in diameter and about 15 feet high, with a single white pulsating light and two rings of red lights. After the object landed in a field, police were called, but the object was gone upon arrival. Local Coast Guard Aviation Center confirmed no planes were in the air at that time.

APRO Acquires Tax-Exempt Status APRO announced it has been awarded tax-exempt status by the U.S. Bureau of Internal Revenue. This status means the organization is not required to pay income taxes and can accept tax-deductible donations from members and others. Mr. Lorenzen was responsible for drafting the application and handling the subsequent dialogue. This status is expected to alleviate financial pressures and allow for greater research contributions.

Visitors to APRO Recent visitors to APRO Headquarters included Dr. J. Allen Hynek (Chairman of Astronomy at Northwestern University), Dr. Robert S. Ellwood (Assistant Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California), Rayford R. Sanders (Senior Stress Analyst at Bertea Corp.), and Juan Carlos, a UPI reporter from Argentina.

Follow-Ups: Philippine Sightings Colonel Aderito de Leon, APRO Representative in the Philippines, investigated sightings near a satellite station on November 1, 1968. Multiple farmers reported seeing a white, vehicle-like object with two occupants. The object, described as 'milky white' and 'as big as a Volkswagen beetle,' landed, made a hissing sound, and then took off vertically. The occupants wore white overalls with earphones. The investigation noted similarities to the Lonnie Zamora case in New Mexico, but also key differences, such as the object's movement on wheels and the absence of a downward blast during vertical ascent.

Follow-Ups: UFO Returns to Colombian Farmhouse John Simhon, APRO Representative in Colombia, investigated sightings near Anolaima. On August 15, 1969, a 'red ball' was seen twice at an estimated altitude of 3,000 feet. On August 16, a UFO, believed to be the same one, was observed by numerous members of the Bermudez family. The object had a yellow brightness and came towards the farmhouse at low altitude before approaching the ground in a nearby wood.

Follow-Ups: Ground Marks in New Zealand A series of strange circular marks were found in manuka stands near Ngatea, New Zealand, in September and October. The first circle measured 60 feet in diameter, with three triangular gouges. The manuka within the circles appeared dehydrated and bleached. Horticulturist J. Stewart-Menzies suggested evidence of a radiation increase. While the Minister of Science attributed the damage to a fungus, the presence of unexplained marks within the circles led to speculation of an extraterrestrial origin. Reports of UFO sightings in the same area bolstered this theory.

Outstanding 1967 Report This section details a highly unusual UFO incident from February 14, 1967, in Miller County, Missouri. The witness described a gray-green, disc-shaped object, approximately 12-15 feet in diameter, with oblong holes emitting bright lights. Small 'objects' or 'humanoids' moved around the main object. The witness attempted to throw rocks at the object, which then rocked slightly before taking off silently. The object rested on a shaft and had no visible seams or rivets.

Object Photographed in Arkansas A photograph taken on July 16, 1969, at Flippin Airport, Arkansas, shows an unidentified object. The original color negative is being analyzed. Persons present during the photographing did not observe the object, and the marking on the film was unique.

Buzzing Objects in Australia Preliminary information indicates a multiple-witness sighting of three objects on October 11th near Baralba, Queensland, Australia. Two objects hovered low to the ground before joining a larger object at an estimated 20,000 feet. The larger object was described as turtle-shaped with craters, while the smaller objects flashed red and yellow lights and made a buzzing sound. Police are investigating.

Possible E-M Effects in Vermont Sighting On July 17, 1969, in an eastern Vermont town, Mr. X and Miss Y observed a bright, triangular-shaped light. Mr. X experienced a sensation of being drawn out of the car and momentarily lost consciousness. Miss Y did not feel any unusual sensations. The investigation was handled by APRO's Field Investigator in New Hampshire.

UFO Photos Can Be Enhanced This section discusses new techniques involving electronic computers for restoring and enhancing blurred or out-of-focus UFO photographs. APRO is seeking such photographs from reliable witnesses for potential analysis by Dr. Roy Frieden.

Crashed UFO Investigation Closed APRO's investigation into an object that crashed in Colombia in March 1968 has been closed. Material recovered was analyzed and indicated it was 84% titanium, 13.4% aluminum, and 2.6% vandium. While aerospace industry experts suggested it was from an Apollo mission, official verification from NASA and the Air Force was inconclusive. APRO received a reply from Lt. Colonel Aikman stating the material was part of the Apollo Mission and returned to NASA.

Air Force Studies Condon Report APRO inquired about the U.S. Air Force's endorsement of Dr. Condon's recommendations to cease UFO research. The Air Force's reply was inconclusive, stating they were reviewing the report and comments from the National Academy of Sciences. APRO awaits a public statement on the matter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed investigative reports of UFO sightings, landings, and associated phenomena from around the world. There is a strong emphasis on gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and conducting scientific analysis. The organization expresses concern about public apathy towards UFO research and urges members to renew their subscriptions and solicit new members. APRO positions itself as a reliable source for UFO information, covering a wide range of cases and maintaining a dedicated research network.