APRO Bulletin - 1986 01 00 - Vol 33 No 3

Magazine Overview

This issue of "the apro bulletin" (Vol. 33, No. 3), published in January 1986 by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO), focuses heavily on a significant UFO sighting that occurred over Tucson, Arizona, on October 7, 1985. The cover headline, "UFO SHOW OVER TUCSON," and the accompanying map and diagram immediately highlight this event. The magazine also includes a variety of other UFO-related reports and discussions.

UFO Show Over Tucson

The lead article, "UFO SHOW OVER TUCSON" by Coral E. Lorenzen, details the events of October 7, 1985, starting just after midnight. A group of objects was picked up on radar at Tucson International Airport (TIA), moving at approximately 300 miles per hour southwest of Tucson, near Kitt Peak Observatory. The objects then headed towards the Robles radio beacon and subsequently changed course northeast, passing directly over the city before going out of radar range near Redington Pass.

During the following hour and a half, the TIA traffic controller observed fourteen additional formations. These objects lacked transponders, making identification difficult. The controller attempted to alert authorities but could not keep precise track of the passage times or the number of objects in each group. The radar used was a monitor of the FAA radar at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Attempts to contact the FAA in Albuquerque were unsuccessful due to radar limitations caused by Tucson's mountainous terrain and ground clutter.

The Tucson Police Department's helicopter, "Air One," was contacted. The pilot observed lighted objects between cloud layers at 3,000-3500 feet and 7,000 feet but could not close in due to their speed. The pilot reported brilliant flashes of light in the west, coinciding with the objects "forming up" and ceasing movement. The controller estimated that between 60 and 105 objects were involved, with groups of 4 to 7 objects each. The radar contacts occurred at approximately 6-minute intervals, ending just before 1:30 a.m. Rain may have obscured later sightings.

Corroboration and Further Witness Accounts

A technician working on an aircraft near the runway also detected a group of objects on weather radar, which normally does not pick up aircraft. These objects, located about 28 miles west of TIA, surrounded a central, larger object and changed position. They disappeared from the radar scope within about 10 minutes, possibly due to range limitations or landing. This technician also observed brilliant flashes of light beyond the Tucson mountains.

APRO began an immediate investigation, with Deputy Director Robert Marsland and Field Representative Jim Wonders conducting interviews. Appeals were made via the media for corroborative witnesses, but the investigation occurred on a Sunday night during inclement weather, limiting the number of witnesses. Many people were home, and those outdoors were less likely to look up due to the weather and lack of usual air traffic.

Another witness, Ms. G., from Avra Valley, reported being awakened by a continuous droning sound. She observed over 36 aircraft of unknown types moving from various directions and disappearing into the southwest. As an experienced aircraft controller, she found the number of vehicles operating simultaneously without apparent collision highly unusual. She described one object as C-47-sized with white lights on its sides and fuselage, lacking visible wings, and appearing at about 1,000 feet altitude.

Conclusions and Questions

APRO's initial conclusions from the Tucson incident were: (1) Between 60 and 105 lighted objects overflew Tucson between midnight and 1:30 a.m. on October 7. (2) The evidence suggests they were not mundane aircraft. (3) No sound was associated with the objects. (4) At least 36 objects were seen entering the Tucson basin before midnight. The bulletin raises questions about the possibility of military aircraft, noting the lack of transponders and questioning the logic of conducting a classified mission over a populated area during heavy weather.

Other UFO Reports

UFO Aid in Ethiopia?

A brief mention is made of an article in the Christian Science Monitor about a Japanese group called "Cherry Blossom After" investigating UFO sightings worldwide. This group reportedly claimed refugees along the Ethiopian border were being fed by "antigravitational containers" from outer space. APRO expresses interest in verifying the existence of this group and the report.

Christ in the Clouds?

This section discusses a photograph published in the Arizona Daily Star featuring what appears to be a headless figure in a robe, melting into clouds. The photo was reportedly taken by Wanda Stewart in the summer of 1984 during a thunderstorm near Tucson. The editor, Mrs. Lorenzen, recalled similar stories and photos, initiating a search for related phenomena.

Real or a Hoax?

This segment delves into the "Christ in the Clouds" photograph, noting that while similar photos exist, the explanations for their origin are often lacking. The article suggests that these images might be a source of amusement at the expense of religious beliefs.

Indian Mounds Studied

While not directly related to aerial phenomena, this section notes the frequent mention of Indian mounds in UFO literature. Gary Meier, chief psychiatrist at Mendota, theorizes that effigy-type mounds may be ancient astrological indicators, similar to Stonehenge. Professor James P. Scherz of UW-Madison plans to conduct aerial photography and overlay it with star charts to test this theory.

Press Reports

This section compiles several brief UFO sighting reports:

• Spring Lake, Minnesota (January 1985): Earl Buchholz reported a loud noise, his shed leaning, and strange indentations and pad marks in the snow on the roof of his shed.
• Vasa, Minnesota (February 1985): Lori Treptow witnessed two clusters of red, blue, and white lights hovering and changing color, which then disappeared.
• Atchison, Kansas (March 1985): Frank Derr saw three circular objects in a line, casting off balls of fire that turned white and disappeared. He discovered an oblong spot of dry grass the next morning. Dan Tate, manager of Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport, also reported seeing bright lights in the same area.
• Covington, Kentucky (March 1985): Police Sgt. William Dorsey and others observed a strange oval-shaped object moving slowly, changing color, and confirmed by airport radar.
• Burkesville, Kentucky (April 1985): Over a dozen persons reported seeing a silent, diamond-shaped object with 10 to 12 lights on it flying over the area for several consecutive nights.
• Fort Worth, Texas (May 1985): Louis Castoreno reported approximately 34 small fish dropping from the sky after a dark cloud passed over.
• Fayette County, West Virginia (May 1985): Robert Neal spotted a long, white, thin stream of light moving southwesterly at high speed.
• A hitchhiker in the Oak Hill area reported flashing lights in the sky.

EM UFO Incident Off Chile in 1969

Bill Chalker reports on an incident involving a Chilean Naval destroyer in 1969. The ship encountered up to 6 UFOs, including one large object, which were verified by radar and visual observation. When the main object passed over the ship, the vessel's power went out. The witness interviewed by Chalker claims an alarming cover-up occurred, involving confinement of witnesses and psychological campaigning. The incident took place about 350 miles off Valparaiso. The large object was described as "bigger than the destroyer," possibly metallic, and box-like with semi-circles. Five smaller objects, bluish in color and egg-shaped, were also observed. The encounter lasted about 8 minutes.

Another UFO Rescue?

This section recounts the story of fisherman Randy Morrison, who was lost at sea and freezing cold. He reported being saved by a mysterious "ghost light" that cut through the darkness, guiding him to survival. The coast guard stated that such a light could not have been from any known vessel or aircraft due to the storm's intensity, leaving its source unknown. This event occurred on April 25, 1985, off Milbanke Sound, Vancouver.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the detailed investigation of a major UFO event (Tucson 1985), the corroboration of witness accounts through radar and multiple observers, and the persistent questions surrounding the nature and origin of these phenomena. The bulletin also highlights the challenges in verifying sightings and the potential for misidentification or hoaxes (e.g., the "Jesus" photos). The editorial stance, as expressed by Coral E. Lorenzen, appears to be one of open-minded skepticism, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation and fair consideration of all claims, even those involving alleged cover-ups.

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as potentially significant events that warrant serious study, while also acknowledging the difficulties in obtaining definitive proof and the possibility of misinterpretation or deliberate deception. The inclusion of diverse reports from different locations and time periods underscores APRO's commitment to documenting and analyzing UFO phenomena on a global scale.