APRO Bulletin - 1978 02 00 - Vol 26 No 8

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: VOL. 26, NO. 8
Date: February, 1978
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.
Country: USA

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin features several significant articles and reports related to UFO phenomena, including detailed accounts of sightings in Tucson, Arizona, and Charlotte, North Carolina. It also delves into the historical context of UFO investigations by government agencies and introduces a new scientific consultant.

Indexed Archives of Science: Wanted: Another Crackpot Like Einstein

The editorial section, under the banner of "Indexed Archives of Science," calls for a new era in scientific inquiry, where phenomena currently considered fringe or 'crackpot' might become mainstream. The author argues that parapsychology is on the verge of gaining scientific respectability and that a new generation of mathematical formulas could revolutionize 'arcane sciences.' The piece highlights the need for a centralized publishing effort to consolidate research on unexplained phenomena, suggesting that "Indexed Archives of Science" (IAS) is poised to provide this service by indexing, microfilming, and distributing papers to academic institutions and funding sources. IAS is even offering a $10,000 grant for qualifying groups and individuals to submit their work, encouraging authors to submit their papers.

Extended UFO Flap Over Tucson

This section details a series of UFO sightings reported in Tucson, Arizona, over three consecutive nights starting February 19, 1978. The reports were investigated by Wendelle Stevens.

February 19, 1978: Sharon Moon Sighting

Mrs. Sharon Moon reported seeing a bright light shining through her drapes. Upon investigation, she observed two bright, circular objects with a flat, aluminum-like finish and a soft, fluorescent luminosity flying in perfect side-by-side formation. The objects were silent and moved with precision.

February 20, 1978: Harold and Mrs. Stevens Sighting

Harold and Mrs. Stevens observed a brilliant light green object with a surrounding glow, described as being like a silver parachute, moving rapidly. The object appeared to be large and emitted a spark that dissipated.

February 20, 1978: Karen Kwasney Sighting

Karen Kwasney, living nearby, also saw a huge, bright green object moving very fast, leaving a short trail, and appearing larger than most meteors. She initially thought it was a rare meteor.

February 21, 1978: Reita Lipsitz Sighting

Mrs. Reita Lipsitz reported seeing a brilliant flame yellow ball with a long yellow tail hanging down at a steep angle. The object remained stationary for a few seconds before disappearing. She ruled out a shooting star or meteor due to its stillness and the unusual tail.

February 26, 1978: Dale Mazur Sighting

Young Dale Mazur observed a strange dark yellowish-orange object descending. It was described as round with a flattened upper left side and a darker square section. The object hovered with a side-to-side pitching motion before rising rapidly and disappearing into the clouds. Its size was estimated between 11 and 16 feet wide.

Object Over N.C. On Dec. 27, 1977

This article details a UFO incident involving two police officers, Ron Arey and Howard Dellinger, in a Bell Model 206B Jetranger helicopter designated "Snoopy II," and FAA radar observers over Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Sighting

At approximately 10:45 p.m., "Snoopy II" was traveling northwest when the officers spotted two lights resembling landing lights approaching from the northwest. The objects passed over the helicopter at an estimated 200 ft. FAA radar confirmed three unknowns, one identified as a Cessna 172 and two others matching the visual observation. The objects displayed remarkable speed and maneuverability, out-turning the helicopter multiple times.

Object Description

The object was described as a globular white light with a surrounding glow, appearing to be a silver parachute-like object with ribs. A spark dropped from the object, and it then moved east.

Hoax Theory Investigation

Following a radio appeal, a person came forward claiming the balloons were launched as a hoax, with the "Snoopy II" incident being staged. However, investigators P. Wayne Laporte, H. Norton, and George Fawcett, along with a group of experts, investigated this claim and found it contradicted by several points, including balloon trajectory, identification of helicopter lighting, balloon appearance, and radar detection capabilities. They concluded the hoax theory was not supported.

Reader Comments and New Mail Policy

This section announces that APRO's policy is to acknowledge only reports received, and that acknowledgments will be sent by post card only, due to increased postage costs. They welcome further comments but ask readers to be brief and concise.

New Consultant: Dr. Ronald M. Westrum

The APRO proudly announces the addition of Dr. Ronald M. Westrum as a scientific consultant. Dr. Westrum holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Chicago and has extensive experience in sociology of science, technology, and social change. His previous publications include a paper on eyewitness testimony in UFO investigations.

Transcript of Interview: Ed Salisbury (RE: 6-21-65 Radar-Visual Sighting from U.S.C.G. Cutter Eagle)

This interview with Ed Salisbury, conducted by Ray Stanford, recounts a UFO sighting that occurred in June 1965 while Salisbury was a midshipman aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle.

The Sighting Aboard the Eagle

During the midwatch, Salisbury and other crew members observed a bright light, initially mistaken for a star, rise rapidly from the horizon. The object exhibited a constant bright white light and unusual speed, moving from the starboard to the port side of the ship in a matter of seconds. Radar confirmed the object's presence, estimating it to be between 20 to 30 miles away at its furthest point. The object then merged with the sky and disappeared.

Military Reaction and Cover-up Allegations

Following the sighting, military intelligence officers boarded the ship, and the crew was warned under threat of court-martial not to discuss the event. Salisbury also noted that pages describing the sighting appeared to have been removed from the ship's log, which he considered highly unusual and indicative of a cover-up.

UFO Related Information From The FBI File (Part III)

This installment continues the analysis of FBI documents concerning UFO investigations, focusing on the U.S. Air Force's evolving stance.

Early AF Attitudes and Explanations

The article details how the Air Force initially considered UFOs to be Russian missiles or natural phenomena. However, the failure to find evidence of subversion led to a shift in perspective. By 1949-1950, the AF began attributing sightings to mass hysteria and suggestibility, though the possibility of interplanetary ships was also considered.

Green Fireballs and Project Grudge

The appearance of "green fireballs" in late 1948 and early 1949 provided the AF with a more tangible phenomenon to investigate, which they linked to potential Russian military developments. Reports of "disklike variations" were also noted.

Shifting Stance and Lack of Conclusion

By 1952, the Air Force admitted to being unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion regarding numerous flying saucer and flying disc reports, acknowledging the possibility of ships from other planets. However, following the Robertson Panel recommendations in 1953, the official AF attitude became one of dismissing reports as lacking sufficient information.

FBI's Position

The FBI's involvement appears to have waned as the AF's stance solidified. While the FBI received information from the AF, no documents within the examined portion of the file expressed a definitive opinion on the reality or nature of "flying discs" beyond an early conclusion that they were not related to subversion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO sightings with witness testimonies and investigative efforts, alongside a critical examination of official government stances and the potential for scientific breakthroughs in unconventional fields. The editorial stance, particularly from "Indexed Archives of Science," advocates for open inquiry and the validation of phenomena currently outside the mainstream scientific consensus. The magazine champions the idea that what is considered 'crackpot' today may be accepted science tomorrow, urging for a more receptive approach to unexplained phenomena.