APRO Bulletin - 1985 05 00 - Vol 32 No 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of "the apro bulletin" (Vol. 32, No. 12), published in May 1985 by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc., features a prominent "CALIFORNIA 'RESPONSE' REPORT" and a "FOLLOW-UP SOVIET SIGHTING." The bulletin covers a range of UFO-related incidents, investigations, and commentary, reflecting APRO's ongoing efforts to document and analyze anomalous aerial phenomena.

UFOHIO SYMPOSIUM PAPERS

The issue begins with a notice regarding renewal for the bulletin and lists eight papers available from the APRO UFOhio Symposium held in June 1981. These papers, priced individually, cover topics such as "Old Magic and New," "The Roswell Investigation, Update and Conclusions," "UFO Activity and Human Consciousness," and "Sociological Aspects of UFO Research." The prices range from $2.00 to $3.50 per paper.

CALIFORNIA "RESPONSE" REPORT

This section, presented as a report from a trusted investigator who characterizes himself as an "informed skeptic," details several personal experiences with UFOs over recent weeks. The investigator notes that UFOs sometimes appear to react to the thoughts and words of witnesses, a phenomenon he finds difficult to disbelieve after his experiences. He recounts a sighting on January 26, 1985, of a bright orange object moving slowly toward him, initially mistaken for airplane landing lights. Upon closer inspection, the object was identified as round and moving at a slow speed. The investigator also describes a second sighting on February 9th, similar to the first, and a third on February 22nd where the craft "brought friends along for the ride."

FOLLOW-UP SOVIET SIGHTING

By Jerrald Blankenship, this article details a report received via Radio Moscow about a UFO sighted by the crew and passengers of a Soviet airliner over the Russian state of Georgia on January 29, 1985. The object was initially described as an unblinking star, then took on the appearance of a green cloud about the size of a copper coin. As the airliner approached, the object emitted a brilliant yellow column of light, followed by two more columns, illuminating the ground. The object then gained altitude and flew parallel to the airliner, emitting sparks and changing its shape to resemble another airliner. The crew contacted Air Traffic Control, which reported three objects on radar: the airliner and two following it. Another Soviet airliner reportedly saw the same object. The report notes that the Soviet Academy of Science investigated the sighting.

"Response" (Continued)

This continuation of the "Response" report describes an incident on January 26, 1985, where a bright orange object was observed. The object was later seen to eject a smaller, torpedo-shaped object that trailed a bead-like exhaust. The investigator then asked the craft to "show me something spectacular," and another torpedo-like object shot from the larger UFO. The larger object then blinked on and off and disappeared. The investigator concludes that while he has trouble believing in psychical connections, the incident occurred as described.

OBJECT OCCULTED BY AIRCRAFT

This section details a sighting where a jet airliner flew directly under a stationary orange object, making it impossible to determine the object's actual size or altitude. The object was estimated to be large and flying at between 30,000 and 40,000 feet. It moved east, stopped motionless, then moved northeast, gained altitude, and faded away. The entire sighting lasted ten minutes.

BOOK REVIEW: "The UFO Connection"

This section reviews "The UFO Connection" by Lawrence Fawcett and Barry Greenwood, focusing on themes of UFOs, national security, and government secrecy. The review highlights key conclusions from the book: UFOs are real, physical phenomena displaying high intelligence; they have overflown military facilities since WWII; and despite secrecy, government officials often lack definitive answers. Examples cited include an incident at Loring AFB in 1975 where a dark aerial object hovered over a nuclear storage area.

Soviet (Continued)

This continuation of the Soviet sighting report describes the object emitting yellow light beams that illuminated the ground. The object then gained altitude and flew parallel to the airliner. The object emitted sparks and changed shape to resemble another airliner. Air Traffic Control confirmed three objects on radar. The report notes that the Soviet Academy of Science investigated the sighting.

AUSTRALIAN CASES

This section discusses UFO sightings in Australia, including the experience of two U.S. Navy personnel on October 25, 1973, who observed a large black object hovering over an NSA station. The object departed at high speed without noise. Another incident involved witnesses reporting a silent, glowing, metallic aerial object hovering above the Maralinga airfield during nuclear weapons tests. The conclusion drawn is that UFO sightings in Australia warrant serious public study and scientific investigation due to national security implications.

THE MUSHROOM CLOUD THAT WASN'T

On April 9, 1984, pilots of four airliners flying northwest of Japan witnessed a huge cloud billow up from the ocean, growing to 200 miles in diameter and rising to five miles in height, before disappearing. No governmental agency showed significant interest. Theories explored include an underwater volcano eruption, a small nuclear device, or a particle beam disturbance. The article suggests that U.S. scientists may know more than they reveal.

ABOUT DR. CREEGAN

This section provides an update on Dr. Robert Creegan, a frequent contributor to the APRO Bulletin. It details his academic background in liberal arts, philosophy, and psychology, and his teaching career, including a course on "BORDERS OF SCIENCE" with an emphasis on UFO problems. Dr. Creegan is scheduled to retire in the summer of 1985 but hopes to continue teaching and interviewing.

REPORT FROM KOREA

This report details claims by residents of Seoul, Korea, of an unidentified flying object hovering over the city on December 2. The object was described as dish-shaped and was sighted multiple times. While some suggested it might be artificial satellites or planets, a photograph accompanying the article showed an illuminated object unlike a satellite.

BLINDING LIGHT OVER ALASKA

A brilliant white light, described as a "blinding" light, was reported over the Cantwell area on January 8. John Wallace described it as not an aircraft, illuminating the mountain range for miles. He noted that Clear Air Force Base would not provide information. Other witnesses, including Jack and Shirley Lawson, also reported seeing the light.

AIR FORCE MUM

This brief section notes that an object passed overhead at high speed, and Clear Air Force Base would not provide information, suggesting they might have tracked it.

COMMENT FROM MICHEL

This section includes a letter from Aime Michel, commenting on a previous APRO Bulletin issue. Michel discusses the challenges of reporting "impossible" information about UFOs and the tendency for witnesses to absorb details from popular literature. He notes that in 1954, he encountered many stories that were later omitted from his book because they seemed too incredible, but laments that fresh, unspoiled witnesses are no longer available.

FURTHER COMMENT

This comment, likely from Coral Lorenzen, expresses suspicion that many factual UFO cases, particularly those involving "contact" and "abductions," may have been influenced by early UFO literature. The author notes that percipients often absorb details from popular literature, citing an incident where a woman's description matched prior cases. APRO's hesitation to participate in public UFOlogist gatherings is attributed to the wide dissemination of information about ongoing investigations.

PRESS REPORTS

This section, by Doris and Joe Graziano, details several UFO sightings:

• January 1 and July 4, 1978, Oxnard, California: Floyd Hallstrom reported seeing aircraft-like objects without wings, described as "full shape of a saucer," traveling at high speeds.
• February 1984, Tingsryd, Sweden: Ante Jonsson reported seeing a large object and alleged encounters with "ETs" who pulled him from his car.
• July 24, 1984, Nyack, New York: Security officers at the Indian Point 3 nuclear plant watched an object hover for 15 minutes, described as helicopters in a V-formation.
• November 26, 1984, Gloucester, Massachusetts: Ana and Per Hoel observed a stationary, hovering object with a spotlight and blinking red lights, described as triangular.
• March 16, 1985, Dotsero, Colorado: Lloyd Rauchfuss and his family observed a saucer-shaped object hovering with intense white and colored lights, exhibiting rapid movements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the detailed reporting of UFO sightings from various locations (California, Soviet Union, Australia, Sweden, Korea, Alaska), the investigation of these phenomena, and the challenges posed by government secrecy and the potential for witness contamination by popular UFO literature. The editorial stance, as suggested by Coral Lorenzen's comments, leans towards a cautious approach to reporting, emphasizing factual investigation while acknowledging the influence of media and prior accounts on witness testimony. There is a clear emphasis on the need for open public study and substantial scientific investigation, contrasting with what is perceived as government apathy or secrecy.