AIR Report 1 and a half - The Naked Truth by W Todd Zechel - 1994

Magazine Overview

This document is an "ASSOCIATED INVESTIGATORS REPORT" (AIR), issue number AIR-1 1/2, dated April 1994. The report is copyrighted 1994 by W. Todd Zechel, Director of Operations for the Associated Investigators Group (AIG), with a P.O. Box in Madison, WI. The cover headline is "THE NAKED TRUTH" and lists topics such as "Crashed Saucers," "Covert CIA Cover-ups," and "UFO Cover-ups."

A disclaimer states that the information and views are the responsibility of W. Todd Zechel and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other AIG members or consultants, with any errors or omissions being accidental.

Cast of Characters

The report details the backgrounds of several individuals involved in UFO research and related fields:

• W. Todd Zechel: Former TOP SECRET/Crypto & Special compartmentalized Intelligence clearance holder with the Army Security Agency (ASA)/NSA. He was a cryptographer, communications specialist, and comcenter crew chief. He also served as Director of Research for GSW, a civilian UFO group specializing in computer enhancement of UFO photos and films, and founded Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS). He has worked in publishing and communications.
• Karl Pflock: Described as a former CIA agent and Pentagon official, now a freelance writer and advocate for the Roswell incident. The report later casts significant suspicion on him.
• Richard "Dick" Hall: A semi-retired researcher and writer, former administrator of NICAP, and current chairman of the Fund For UFO Research. He is noted as a major player in the Roswell case.
• Kevin Randle: Former officer with Air Force Intelligence, now writes books about the Roswell case and consults for TV and movies.
• Stanton Friedman: Formerly a nuclear physicist, now lectures on UFOs and runs a UFO-info 900-line. He co-wrote a book on Roswell.
• William "Bill" Moore: A UFO writer, now largely discredited, who co-wrote a book on Roswell with Charles Berlitz and "The Philadelphia Experiment." He was also editor of Larry Flynt's "FAR OUT" magazine.
• Philip J. Klass: Former avionics editor for "Aviation Week," known for disclosing Soviet technological developments. He is a friend of USAF Col. Doug Kennett and publishes "Skeptics UFO Newsletter," heading the UFO debunking arm of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of the Claims of the Paranormal.
• Pandolfi & Green (Roland "Ron" Pandolfi and Christopher "Kit" Green): CIA officials in charge of departments sponsoring paranormal and UFO research. Suspected of providing "covert funding" from CIA/DIA slush funds to UFO researchers and proponents. Green allegedly issued an order in 1979 to take UFOs "off the record" within the CIA.
• Robert "Bob" Todd: A UFO researcher and writer, known for penetrating FOIA requests. He is described as skeptically inclined.

Glossary of Terms

• AIG: An association of professional investigators, mostly former U.S. government intelligence or security agents, formed in 1993 to investigate government misconduct and cover-ups. Members operate anonymously due to mission sensitivity. W. Todd Zechel is the only authorized representative.
• Roswell: A city in southeastern New Mexico where in July 1947, unidentified debris was recovered from a ranch. Initial reports of a crashed flying saucer were later retracted by the U.S. Army Air Force, who claimed it was a weather balloon, a claim the report disputes.
• CUFOS: The Center For UFO Studies, founded by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. It gained prominence under Al Hendry, known for objective investigation.
• NICAP: National Investigating Committee on Aerial Phenomena, a civilian UFO group formerly headed by Maj. Donald Keyhoe. It was allegedly dismantled after being ousted in 1969 by covert CIA operative Joe Bryan.

Introduction

The report begins by referencing a previous publication, AIR-1, "The Fund For CIA Research?," which revealed that Dr. Bruce Maccabee, a founder of the Fund For UFO Research, had been holding secret meetings with CIA officials since 1979. This was considered a conflict of interest, especially as the Fund was also soliciting information about government UFO cover-ups.

The author, W. Todd Zechel, states that the report was not motivated by personal grudges. He notes that damaging information about Maccabee was withheld to give the Fund an opportunity to rectify the situation, especially after Richard "Dick" Hall expressed displeasure with Maccabee's conduct. However, the Fund allegedly responded with "vicious personal smear attacks" and "under siege" mentality, suggesting that facts were not on their side. Maccabee's representations about his CIA relationship, including "lunchtime entertainment" lectures and preparing a briefing paper for the White House, are questioned, especially in light of his alleged need for TOP SECRET security clearance and frequent consultations with CIA officials.

The report claims Maccabee is a paid consultant for the CIA and considered their resident UFO expert. It also details the author's investigation into the CIA's penetration and destruction of NICAP in 1979, an event that allegedly occurred because NICAP was getting too close to investigating the government's handling of UFOs.

Many of the founders of the Fund For UFO Research, including Dick Hall, Larry Bryant, and Bruce Maccabee, were key figures in NICAP. The report suggests that the UFO field became riddled with hoaxes and disinformation from the mid-1980s, much of it allegedly blessed or supported by Maccabee and the Fund. Maccabee, once a respected UFOlogist, is described as having been drawn into the intrigues of Bill Moore and the CIA after 1979.

Who is Karl Pflock?

This section delves into the background and alleged activities of Karl Pflock. The author initially considered Pflock a friend and generally trusted him, despite occasional doubts. However, recent actions by Pflock are described as weaving a "web of lies" that makes him more suspect. Pflock had claimed to be writing a book about "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and solicited cases, admitting he had worked for the CIA from 1966 to 1972. The author, interested in intelligence community involvement with UFOs, developed friendships with former CIA officials like Art Lundahl and Dr. Pete Scoville.

Pflock's move to Colorado Springs, home of NORAD, is noted as unexplained. His wife's responses when asked about his whereabouts suggest a possible connection to "DCS agents" (Domestic Contact Service), which was involved in collecting UFO data. The author declined an offer to be put in touch with these agents due to his ongoing litigation against the CIA.

Pflock was kept informed about the author's CIA lawsuit. While the author enjoyed Pflock's feedback, he never fully trusted him or shared sensitive research. The author made efforts to protect the identities of his sources.

In June 1979, the author moved to Los Angeles and later became tired of the "petty personal jealousies, ego trips, back-biting, and smear attacks from CIA assets" within the UFO field. He contributed financially to CAUS and refocused on the crashed saucer investigation.

"Kurt Peters" and Disinformation

The author lost track of Pflock until after the 1983 publication of "MUTE EVIDENCE," a book about cattle mutilations. Pflock, using the name "Kurt Peters," allegedly tried to feed deceptive information about "rogue germ warfare researchers" to the book's authors. Pflock claimed his motives were greed, stating he could have avoided embarrassment if he hadn't let "visions of fame and fortune" override his judgment.

Pflock's misadventure as "Kurt Peters" is presented as evidence of his manipulative and deceitful nature. In 1986, while the author was publishing "FOR YOUR EYES ONLY" and updating his CIA-NICAP expose, he acquired information on Joe Bryan, the CIA operative responsible for Keyhoe's ouster. A conversation with Larry Bryant revealed Pflock's peculiar introduction at the Pentagon as a "UFO buff" by a Deputy Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. This raised the author's suspicion about Pflock's true role.

In late 1988, the author investigated the MJ-12/Briefing Paper hoax. During this investigation, he spoke with Jerry Miller, who mentioned his connection to Operational Test and Evaluation and knew Karl Pflock. Miller's remark that he "didn't know he was interested in UFOs" was curious, as the author had not disclosed his purpose. The author suspected Miller and possibly Pflock were involved in spreading disinformation about UFOs, potentially as a cover for a secret UFO collection program run from Pflock's office.

In mid-1993, the author learned Pflock was promoting the Roswell case and had visited Roswell. Pflock revealed that the Fund For UFO Research was underwriting his research. The author was investigating the ties between the CIA, Bruce Maccabee, and the Fund For UFO Research. Pflock then warned Bruce Maccabee about the author's report.

After the report "AIR-1" was published, Pflock accused the author of "leaps of logic" and "sweeping conclusions." When contacted, Pflock allegedly "raked" the author over the coals, charging unfairness to Maccabee and Jerome Clark. The author countered that most of what was said about Maccabee had been verified by Pflock himself and CIA sources.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this report are government secrecy, particularly concerning UFOs, the alleged involvement of intelligence agencies like the CIA in cover-ups and disinformation campaigns, and the manipulation of the UFO research community. The editorial stance is highly critical of individuals and organizations perceived as being compromised by or complicit with intelligence agencies, with a strong emphasis on exposing alleged deception and misconduct within the UFO field. The report champions investigative journalism and the pursuit of truth, even when it involves challenging established figures and organizations within the UFOlogy community.

This document, titled 'PFLOCK......', appears to be a critical analysis or exposé focusing on the activities and alleged affiliations of an individual named Karl Pflock within the UFO community. The author scrutinizes Pflock's claims regarding his past employment with the CIA, his involvement in UFO research, and his public statements, particularly concerning the Roswell incident. The tone is accusatory and investigative, aiming to debunk what the author perceives as disinformation and misrepresentation.

Analysis of Karl Pflock's CIA Affiliation and Activities

The author meticulously dissects Pflock's accounts of his CIA career, highlighting inconsistencies and contradictions. According to Pflock's article in 'UFO magazine,' titled 'I Was A UFOlogist For The CIA,' he claimed to have joined the CIA in 1966 and resigned in March 1972. He stated he began as a covert operative under a Department of Army cover and later transferred to the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC). However, the author points out that in a 1979 letter, Pflock claimed he told no one in NICAP about his CIA affiliation until after he left the Agency, contradicting his 1993 claim of revealing it in 1968. The author suggests Pflock's confessions of CIA affiliation began around 1977-78, possibly due to fears of suspicions from figures like Dick Hall and Ted Bloecher.

The author further questions Pflock's post-CIA career, noting discrepancies between his UFO magazine account and resumes filed with Congress and the Pentagon. While Pflock claimed to have worked for the American Enterprise Institute, his resumes list Arlington House Publishers. The author suggests Arlington House might have been a CIA proprietary, given its publication of works by known CIA operatives like E. Howard Hunt. Pflock's assignments within the CIA are described as falling under the overt intelligence directorate (DDI), not the covert operations branch (DDP), challenging his self-portrayal as a 'covert operative.' The author posits that Pflock might have remained with the CIA after 1972, especially after the Domestic Contact Service (DCS) became covert in 1973, and that his subsequent moves, including to Colorado Springs, might have been CIA reassignments.

The Roswell Incident and Disinformation

A significant portion of the document is dedicated to debunking the Roswell UFO incident and criticizing those who promote the extraterrestrial craft theory, particularly Karl Pflock, Bill Moore, Stan Friedman, and Kevin Randle.

The author presents a counter-narrative to the Roswell story, suggesting it was likely a cluster of balloons launched by the Central Intelligence Group (CIG) in late June 1947 for reconnaissance over the Soviet Union. The debris found by rancher Mac Brazel is identified as a radar-reflecting disc attached to these balloons, intended for tracking and recovery. The author dismisses the idea that the debris was from a crashed flying saucer, citing Jesse Marcel's own later uncertainty and the lack of corroborating evidence.

The author accuses Bill Moore of reviving the Roswell myth in 1980 and collaborating with Richard Doty on the MJ-12 hoax and the 'Presidential Briefing Paper,' all aimed at making Roswell more 'marketable.' Stan Friedman is criticized for claiming credit for the Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) v. CIA lawsuit, which the author states Friedman had no part in and was filed in 1977, not 1979, and not by CAUS as Friedman claimed. The author suggests that Friedman, like others, suffers from delusions about his involvement and the government's actions.

Criticism of UFOlogy and its Researchers

The document expresses a strong skepticism towards the field of UFOlogy, characterizing it as prone to disinformation and lacking credible evidence. The author suggests that many UFO researchers, including Pflock, Maccabee, Moore, and Friedman, are either misled or actively involved in perpetuating hoaxes and cover-up narratives. The author implies that these researchers are driven by financial considerations or a desire for attention, rather than a pursuit of truth.

Bruce Maccabee is mentioned as someone who strongly contends his views are not influenced by his CIA associates, though he admits to informing the CIA about UFO research. The author questions whether Maccabee would be better perceived as a CIA operative than as someone unable to distinguish hoaxes from anomalies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are CIA involvement in UFO research, the deliberate spread of disinformation, and the unreliability of prominent UFO researchers. The author's stance is one of deep skepticism and a desire to expose what is perceived as a manufactured narrative surrounding UFO phenomena, particularly the Roswell incident. The author positions himself as an investigator seeking to uncover the truth, contrasting his approach with what he describes as the fabrications and self-serving claims of others in the field. The document concludes with a dire warning about the potential long-term harm to the credibility of UFOlogy and any future congressional engagement with the subject due to the persistent promotion of unsubstantiated claims.

This document, identified as issue '-16-' of 'PFLOCK', presents a critical perspective on the UFOlogy field, particularly concerning the Roswell incident and alleged government involvement. The content is primarily an opinion piece or analysis rather than a news report, with a strong skeptical undertone towards certain prominent UFOlogists and their methods.

Analysis of UFOlogy and the Roswell Incident

The article begins by referencing Friedman, who was called the "flying saucer super salesman" by arch-skeptic Phillip J. Klass. It posits that the promotion of the Roswell incident has been a massive effort by top UFOlogical leaders, akin to a CIA covert psychological warfare campaign. This campaign allegedly involves barrages of TV and radio accounts, books, articles, and a dedicated program to make Roswell seem "real" by inducing belief. The tactics described include obfuscation of facts, slanting evidence, and taking statements out of context to mislead the public.

The author clarifies that this is not to infer the CIA is solely responsible for creating the Roswell diversion, despite the roles of individuals like Maccabee and Pflock, who are described as UFOlogists with ties to the CIA. Instead, the point is to demonstrate that irresponsible behavior within UFOlogy itself is as damaging as government disinformation and CIA covert operations.

Historical Context and Responsible UFOlogy

The article contrasts past practices with current trends. It notes that in the past, NICAP, under Keyhoe and Hall, attempted to keep bogus UFO cases out of the mainstream. In the 1970s, CUFOS, led by Hynek and Hendry, introduced scientific methodology and responsible behavior. CAUS, since its 1978 inception, has also acted responsibly in making statements about government involvement with UFOs.

However, the author contends that in recent times, a "sense of propriety has been abandoned by many UFOlogical leaders." This has created "lucrative opportunities for hoaxers" like Ed Walters (Gulf Breeze) to gain fame and wealth, and for the "lunatic fringe" to promote their views. More significantly, it is revealed that "at least one leading UFO group received 'several hundred thousand dollars in covert funding,'" ostensibly from a foreign source. This funding is suspected to have come from a CIA/DIA 'black' slush fund, estimated at $50,000,000, used to finance paranormal and UFO research. The article details how this funding trail exhibits "classic earmarks of intelligence community 'black funds'," including cut-outs, money laundering, and quid pro quo arrangements with the CIA and DIA for information and favors.

Reports of other "covert" money offers to UFOlogists with high visibility and credulity are also mentioned. A specific instance cited is an invitees-only gathering in September at Laurence Rockefeller's Wyoming ranch, hosted by alleged "cut-out" C.B. "Scott" Jones, with "special guests" including Bruce Maccabee, Linda Howe, and Stephen Greer.

CIA's Role and UFOlogy's Self-Inflicted Wounds

The article further argues that covert activities have deflected blame for UFO cover-ups away from the CIA. For the past decade, attention has been focused on a low-level military bureau (AFOSI) or the mythical "MJ-12" group. However, the author asserts there is "irrefutable evidence that the CIA took control of UFO research in late 1957," after the Air Force failed to handle the Leveiland, Texas, ME cases, prompting Senator Lyndon Johnson to request a CIA investigation.

The CIA is identified as the only government agency with a current requirement for UFO data. The author suggests the government doesn't need to create disinformation because UFOlogy is already doing a good job of creating its own. Recent UFOlogy is characterized as having "very little to do with science, and even less to do with investigative journalism," but rather as a "low form of tabloidism" where cases are pushed for sensationalistic value, disregarding rules of evidence and proof. This is exemplified by Maccabee's flippant "MJ-12 by any other name" remark and Friedman's rhetoric about blacked-out FOIA releases.

The author anticipates that once the Roswell incident is discredited, Maccabee might shift focus to the "Del Rio case" or "El Indio-Guerrero case." The article questions who would protect witnesses and investigators if a government had indeed recovered a crashed saucer and alien body, and whether Congress would protect them after dismissing the UFO field when Roswell is discredited.

It is suggested that the government could simply release blacked-out FOIA pages, as "Cosmic Watergatergaters" would fill in the blanks with "arrant nonsense." The author implies that if such individuals can turn balloons into flying saucers and con men into heroes, they can fabricate any truth if they agree on it, citing Randle and Schmitt as examples of those who have become famous.

Editorial Stance

The author concludes with a personal reflection: "Anyway, I always figured that if I was hated by both the compulsive skeptics and the obsessive believers, well, then I must be doing something right." This statement underscores the author's position as an independent critic, seemingly at odds with both extreme skepticism and uncritical belief within the UFO community.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary themes are government disinformation, the alleged manipulation of UFOlogy by intelligence agencies like the CIA, and a critique of the sensationalistic and unscientific practices within parts of the UFO community. The editorial stance is highly critical of prominent UFOlogists who are seen as promoting unsubstantiated claims and potentially collaborating with intelligence agencies, while simultaneously advocating for a more rigorous, scientific, and evidence-based approach to the study of UFO phenomena. The author positions themselves as an objective observer who is critical of both extreme skepticism and uncritical belief.