the apro bulletin

Magazine Overview

This issue of The APRO Bulletin, Volume 32, Number 2, published in May 1984, is a 9-page magazine from the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO). It covers a range of topics related to UFO research, including a significant sighting in Alabama, discussions on government secrecy, historical cases, and international reports.

Renewal Notice and Symposium Papers

The issue begins with a renewal notice for the bulletin, outlining subscription fees for different regions and methods of payment. It also lists papers available from the APRO UFOhio Symposium held in June 1981, including titles, authors, and prices, such as 'Old Magic and New' by Robert F. Creegan, Ph.D., and 'The Roswell Investigation, Update and Conclusions' by William L. Moore.

A progress report announces APRO's transition to a new in-house computer system for label printing, aiming for more efficient planning and future production of the bulletin.

Encounter in Alabama

The main feature, 'ENCOUNTER IN ALABAMA,' details a case reported by Pat Norris of Mobile, Alabama, on February 3, 1983. Norris described a large, illuminated object descending, which she estimated to be 7 to 8 stories high and 210 feet wide. The object emitted sounds described as a 'chopping wind' and a 'roaring sound' before stopping and becoming silent. Norris observed a top deck with a long window through which she saw pale-skinned beings in white suits. She also noted details of the craft's construction, suggesting it might have been Earth-made. The case was investigated by Field Investigator Ed O. Brown.

'Swamp Gasser' Dead

This section notes the death of Frank Mannor of Michigan on February 14, 1983. Mannor was a key witness in the 1966 flap case near Dexter Township, Michigan, which was controversially attributed to 'swamp gas' by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a claim rejected by Mannor and Sheriff Douglas Harvey.

The Water Element and Mutilations

Coral E. Lorenzen's article, 'MUTILATIONS CONTINUE,' explores the connection between UFOs and water, citing numerous cases of objects interacting with lakes and reservoirs, such as the Wanaque, New Jersey sightings in 1966. The article then transitions to the topic of cattle mutilations, questioning whether Peter Jordan's analysis fully explains all cases and expressing skepticism towards government findings.

The Arizona Connection

This section recounts an incident in October 1980 where APRO investigator Jim McCoy interviewed witnesses to a boomerang-shaped object hovering over the Phelps-Dodge smelter at Morenci, Arizona. The object shone a light into two smokestacks before zipping away.

The article further speculates on the interest UFOs might have in copper smelters, linking it to the emission of sulfur dioxide and acid rain, and questions whether UFOs could influence human thoughts, potentially affecting labor-management relations in the copper industry.

Letters

A letter from Robert F. Creegan addresses questions raised by Major Colman S. VonKeviczky regarding Creegan's article on Dr. E. U. Condon. Creegan expresses sympathy for VonKeviczky's alleged loss of a UN position due to UFO-related issues and confirms VonKeviczky's involvement in UFO research proposals.

IT WORKS!

This section highlights a successful APRO membership recruitment experiment conducted by Indiana member Donald Stratton, who placed an advertisement in local newspapers, resulting in a substantial number of inquiries.

Recent Visitors to APRO

This brief note mentions a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Kellander, long-time APRO members.

1863 SIGHTING UNEARTHED

APRO member Paul J. Smith shares information from a letter dated June 1, 1952, detailing a sighting from October 1, 1863, in Greenbrier County, Virginia. The phenomenon involved 'rolls' resembling cotton or smoke passing overhead, followed by thousands of men marching in military order. The event was suggested to be an optical illusion.

The Ins and Outs of UFOs and Secrecy Since 1940

Authored by James A. Harder, Ph.D., this article delves into government secrecy surrounding UFOs, referencing a censored affidavit from the National Security Agency (NSA). It discusses the NSA's efforts to withhold information related to UFO phenomena and the historical context of government investigations, including Project SIGN, GRUDGE, and the role of the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). The article also touches upon the CIA's interest in UFO research and the formation of the Robertson Panel, which focused on the dangers of UFO sightings being mistaken for enemy aircraft and the potential for public mass hysteria.

The article mentions the recovery of a crashed UFO from the Sonoran desert in Mexico in late 1941, with Navy Intelligence involvement and the existence of photographic evidence of the craft and bodies. It also references the Kenneth Arnold sighting in 1947 and the subsequent government response, including the fear of Russian technological advancement.

The Robertson Panel's recommendations included a 'double barrel program' of training and debunking to reduce public interest in UFOs, utilizing mass media. The panel also warned about civilian UFO study groups like APRO, suggesting they be watched for potentially subversive purposes.

Press Reports

This section compiles recent UFO sighting reports from various locations:

• Australia (June 1983): RAAF investigating mysterious high-speed radar signals detected near Sydney Airport, with speeds estimated at 2400 km/h.
• Texas (June 5, 1983): A star-shaped floating object observed for two hours in Vidor, emitting red and blue vapor.
• Kentucky (July 11, 1983): A silent object observed during a baseball game in Pikeville.
• Italy (June 5-6, 1983): Sightings over Pavia, including a close encounter with an egg-shaped object hovering near the ground.
• New Zealand (July 19, 1983): Two photographs taken of unexplained lights moving across the sky near Matapouri, and sightings of green and orange lights near Takahue.
• Australia (July 22, 1983): Three policemen observed a gray object, about 30 feet long and 20 feet wide, flying over Melton.
• England (March 16, 1983): A photograph taken near Grassington is hailed as the most conclusive UFO evidence in Britain, showing three balls of bright light hovering near a cliff face.
• England (July 16, 1983): A huge, glowing object seen over Bridgwater.
• Canada (October 11, 1983): At least 11 men reported seeing a large, egg-shaped object with two spotlights hovering over a roadway near Cochrane, Ontario.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persistent nature of UFO sightings globally, the ongoing efforts by government agencies to control information and potentially debunk sightings, and the detailed investigation of specific cases by organizations like APRO. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, critical of government secrecy, and supportive of UFO research groups, while also acknowledging the need for careful investigation and reporting.