APRO Bulletin - 1978 07 00 - Vol 27 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: VOL. 27, NO. 1
Date: July, 1978

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc., covers a range of UFO-related topics, including an FBI interrogation of a UFO researcher, multiple sighting reports from different locations, and an in-depth investigation into unusual phenomena on a Colorado ranch.

FBI Interrogates UFO Researcher: Government May Confiscate Documents

This article details an interrogation of UFO researcher Robert Todd by two FBI agents on July 28, 1978. Todd, who specializes in submitting freedom of information requests about UFOs, was questioned for over an hour at his parents' home in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The FBI agents reportedly read Todd his rights and warned him of espionage laws, with penalties including life imprisonment or death. Todd stated he was 'shook' by the experience. The interrogation focused on Todd's letters to the National Security Agency (NSA) and his requests concerning a Cuban Air Force jet allegedly destroyed while trying to shoot down a UFO in 1967. An Air Force major, Gordon B. Finley, Jr., had previously advised Todd to seal copies of a statement about this incident, suggesting that 'someone may be around' to retrieve it and noting that the information was 'Secret or above.'

Todd explained to the FBI that a researcher had obtained the statement, passed it to a reporter, who then passed it to him. He eventually revealed the reporter to be Robert V. Pratt of the National Enquirer. Todd refused to disclose the name of the 'West Coast researcher' to the FBI. FBI spokesmen in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia declined to confirm or deny the interview or interest in Todd. NSA headquarters also declined to comment on NSA's alleged role or the FBI investigation.

Todd had sent numerous information requests to the Air Force, CIA, NSA, and the Navy regarding the Cuban jet incident between February and July 1978, all without success. On March 10, the CIA suggested Todd check with the Cuban Government. Todd had notified NSA and the Air Force on July 14 that he would contact the Cuban Government, requesting advice on what information in the attached statement should not be transmitted, and gave them a 20-day deadline. Two FBI agents appeared shortly after this deadline.

Cuban Jets Incident

Details of the Cuban jets case were pieced together by CAUS. The incident involved a security specialist from the U.S. Air Force Security Service (AFSS), specifically the 6947th Security Squadron. In March 1967, intercept operators at Detachment A in Key West heard Cuban air defense radar controllers report an unidentified 'bogey' approaching Cuba from the northeast. Two MiG-21 jet fighters were scrambled to intercept it. The UFO entered Cuban airspace at approximately 10,000 meters (33,000 feet) and a speed of nearly Mach 1 (660 mph). The jets were guided to within 5 kilometers of the UFO by Cuban ground control. The article notes that MiG stands for Mikoyan and Gurevich, and the MiG-21UM E76 is a standard Soviet fighter capable of Mach 2.1.

UFO Over Navy Range: Object Photographed Over Charleston, S.C.

This section details multiple UFO sightings by William J. Herrmann of Charleston, South Carolina, who was initially a skeptic. Herrmann reported five sightings between November 12, 1977, and January 22, 1978, obtaining photographic evidence on two occasions.

On November 12, 1977, Herrmann saw a large silver disc move rapidly away from a Cessna. Through binoculars, the object appeared 'roundish and starlike, almost a shimmering effect,' and moved 'at an incredible rate of speed straight upward.' He contacted the FAA, the 792nd Radar Squadron, the Air Force Base, and the control tower, but received negative responses.

On November 27, 1977, during twilight, Herrmann saw a bright silvery disc stationary over a power tower. It moved away, above power lines, toward a subdivision. He attempted to follow it and observed the object at treetop level, moving in an erratic triangular pattern. He took seven exposures with a 126 instamatic camera. The object was described as a disc with silver light radiating from it, and it then lifted into the clouds.

On December 2, 1977, Herrmann sighted the UFO again.

On December 24, 1977, Herrmann observed the same silvery disc-shaped object making triangular patterned movements over a power tower. His wife, initially skeptical, took it more seriously after seeing it.

On January 22, 1978, Herrmann sighted the object again, described as bright silver and disc-shaped, moving rapidly. He observed it making a wide circle and triangular patterns before changing color to silver-orange, exhibiting surface features like a dome and three bell-like protrusions. The object then moved vertically, hovered, and backed down before accelerating upward and disappearing. During this sighting, a C-141 Starlifter was also in the vicinity, and the UFO positioned itself near the aircraft.

Herrmann was left speechless by the experience. The photos taken are described as reproducible.

Navy Range Sighting

On May 14, 1978, at 10:15 p.m., a call was received at the Pinecastle Electronic Warfare Range from a woman inquiring about flares. Ten minutes later, another call reported an object 50 to 60 feet in diameter with flashing lights sighted near Silver Glen Springs. Duty Officer Robert J. Clark and TD-AA Carol Snyder investigated. They located an object approximately 1500 ft. above trees. Radar Technician Timothy J. Collins locked onto the object, which then disappeared. Collins stated the object was traveling at 'much greater speed' than a typical aircraft, and the computer could not handle its speed. The object was initially hovering at 3 knots, then moved erratically. Carol Snyder described the object as three blurry lights—one red, one white, and one green—that appeared to be bouncing. Two other objects were spotted that evening.

Large Object Stalls Autos

This report, investigated by Dave Barstow and Don Todd, concerns an encounter on December 17, 1977, in Kenyon, Rhode Island, involving Mrs. Marguerite Camp, a 56-year-old farm woman with a background as a defense worker and Ground Observer Corps observer. Mrs. Camp, accompanied by her daughter Marlana, observed a single ovoid, plate-like object tilted slightly. The object was estimated to be 600-700 feet off the west side of the road and about 1000 feet in the air. It was described as being made of flaming blue-white metal, with a bright aura and glossy-black, onyx-like windows. The object emitted no noise, exhaust, or odor. While observing, both Mrs. Camp's truck and a second car behind her stalled. The object then moved vertically, hovered, and backed down before accelerating westward at high speed. Mrs. Camp experienced a burning sensation in her eyes and saw black, wavy lines afterward. Her pickup truck, which had a slight engine irregularity, began running smoothly after the encounter.

Mrs. Camp contacted Otis Air Force Base and the Rhode Island State Police. Trooper James P. Mullen contacted APRO investigator Dave Barstow, who then contacted Don Todd. Mrs. Camp is advertising locally in hopes of finding the driver of the second car.

Critters Examine Farmer Near Lublin, Poland?

This article, based on information from the newspaper Kurier Polski and a Polish UFO investigator, describes an encounter on May 17, 1978, about 60 kilometers from Lublin, Poland. A 71-year-old farmer driving a horse-drawn carriage encountered four strange entities, described as about 1.5 meters tall, wearing smooth black 'divers suits,' with green complexions, slanting eyes, and membranes between their fingers. They communicated inarticulately and invited him into a white, bus-shaped vehicle hovering nearby. The vehicle was described as 5 meters by 3 meters by 2.5 meters, with four 'barrels' and spinning tubes. Inside, the farmer saw benches in a black room and was examined by an apparatus resembling an X-ray machine. He declined a transparent substance offered by the entities. After the encounter, rectangular 'foot-prints' were found in a muddy section by the road bank. The article notes that later articles in Kurier Polski suggested the farmer probably saw a helicopter and crew.

Multiple Phenomena on Colorado Ranch

This is the first part of a serialized report on the investigation of UFO experiences on a Rocky Mountain ranch, conducted by Dr. John S. Derr and Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle. The report emphasizes the confidentiality requested by the witnesses to protect their identities and locations. The investigators met with individuals identified as 'The Business Partner' (Jim), 'The Family' (John and Barbara), 'The Neighbor' (Connie), and a 'Law Officer.' These individuals described a variety of unusual events and UFO sightings.

The Business Partner and his wife pooled resources to buy a ranch in the Rocky Mountain area. They experienced numerous unusual events, including:

1. Humming Sound: A loud, distinct humming sound, often associated with windstorms, which seemed to emanate from the house. It was described as similar to a turbine and was loud enough at times to make conversation difficult.
2. Noises: Sounds of someone walking outside, car doors being opened, and banging on the house walls.
3. Creature Sightings: Sightings of creatures resembling 'Big Foot' in the woods.
4. UFO Sightings: Nine glowing discs landed in a pasture, accompanied by a light flash that caused the wife to fall unconscious. The Photographer took pictures of a large circle (75 feet in diameter) in a clearing where grass was now growing.
5. Landed Disk and Humanoids: The Business Partner observed a landed disk in the woods with two nearby humanoids. He also saw a 'box' emitting strange hums and multi-colored lights.
6. Tall Creature: The Business Partner awoke to see a tall, skinny creature wearing a helmet standing by the glass door.
7. Electrical Power Outages: The ranch house and buildings experienced electrical blackouts, while neighboring ranches did not.
8. Voice Broadcast: During one blackout, a voice from the radio system stated, 'you have been allowed to remain. Do not cause us to take action which you will regret.'
9. Two Small Humanoids: The Business Partner described seeing two small 'humanoids' near a landed disk.
10. Cattle Mutilation: A cow belonging to the ranch was found mutilated around the time of increased UFO activities.
11. Bull Mutilation: The body of a young bull was found with various organs removed.
12. Humanoid Warning: A humanoid told the Business Partner not to go near the 'box,' warning that it could be lethal.
13. Apology from Humanoids: Humanoids told the Business Partner they were sorry for the inconveniences and disturbances, and that they expected changes to occur.

The witnesses expressed emotional distress and a belief that these events were part of a larger operation, leading them to abandon their ranch plans. The Law Officer, investigating cattle mutilations, noted a significant decrease in reported cases in 1977 and expressed fear when encountering strange lights, no longer dismissing the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation.

Appendix I: Chronology of Unusual Events

This appendix provides a condensed transcript of the initial interview with the Business Partner (Jim) and the Wife (Barbara), detailing the sequence of unusual events experienced on the ranch, including the humming sound, noises, creature sightings, UFO sightings, electrical disturbances, and alleged communications from humanoids.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the intersection of UFO phenomena with government activities (FBI investigation, military incidents), the persistence of UFO sightings over time and across different locations, and the detailed reporting of witness testimonies and investigative efforts. The APRO Bulletin maintains a stance of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting detailed accounts and investigations without overt skepticism, while also acknowledging the need for confidentiality and the emotional impact on witnesses. The publication appears dedicated to gathering and disseminating information on unexplained aerial phenomena and related events.