Australian UFO Bulletin - 1979 12 - December

Magazine Overview

This issue of the AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN, dated December 1979, is published by THE VICTORIAN U.F.O. RESEARCH SOCIETY. The cover prominently features the title and a logo for the society, along with contact information. The price is listed as £5.00 within Australia and $7.00 (U.S.) outside Australia. The bulletin's primary focus appears to be on the implications of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit and UFO investigations.

Editorial: A Milestone in the Fight for Acceptance

The editorial, written by Doug McCann, highlights a significant development in the ongoing effort by UFO investigators for official acceptance of the phenomenon: a recent Freedom of Information (FOIA) suit in the United States brought against the CIA and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS). The editorial notes that this suit has already led to startling revelations, indicating that despite official denials, the CIA has been closely investigating and collating UFO reports. The fact that the CIA has confirmed many of these reports, even if unofficially, strengthens the case for UFO acceptance. The released CIA files reportedly contain hundreds of well-documented, officially investigated sightings. The editorial suggests that while many scientists, politicians, and bureaucrats may dismiss unexplained sightings as statistical errors, intelligence agencies are compelled to explain away credible cases. The editorial lists several interesting cases that have emerged, including a 1965 sighting in Czechoslovakia by hundreds of witnesses, reports from a 1952 flap in North Africa, intercepted reports of UFOs within Russia and surrounding countries, sightings by a weather team in the Antarctic in 1965, and sightings by a U.S. Army Geographical team in Northern Iran.

The editorial further discusses evidence suggesting the CIA has been monitoring UFO groups globally. It references an article by Art Gatti in 'Omni' magazine (June 1979) which reveals that the 1952 Scientific Advisory Committee on Unidentified Flying Objects (the 'Robertson Panel') was actually set up by the CIA, not the Air Force, and that its final report was a deception. Gatti noted that J. Allen Hynek was an advisor to this panel, and Brad Ayers, an investigator for Hynek, was a known CIA identity. Released 1976 documents suggest information may have been fed directly to the CIA from the Centre for UFO Studies, causing concern among research societies that share information in good faith. The editorial concludes by emphasizing the imperative need for an effective Freedom of Information Act in Australia and a resolute pressure group, similar to CAUS, to uncover further revelations.

The New Zealand UFO Film: Flight South

This section details an investigation into a UFO sighting that occurred on December 30, 1978, involving an Argosy freighter aircraft flying from Wellington to Christchurch, New Zealand. Dr. Bruce Maccabee, a photographic physicist, has provided a report on the analysis of the film footage obtained during this event. The flight crew, including pilot Captain Bill Startup and co-pilot Robert Guard, along with Australian news reporter Quentin Fogarty and a film crew, were aboard. During the flight south, the pilot and co-pilot observed lights near Kaikoura, which were also detected as anomalous radar targets by Wellington Air Traffic Control (ATC). The cameraman, David Crockett, captured 16 mm footage of the interior of the plane, the lights of Kaikoura, and anomalous bright objects. The reporter recorded on-the-spot commentary.

An interesting sequence of events occurred after the plane turned towards Christchurch. Wellington ATC reported a target appearing behind the plane, which then appeared to be about four miles to the right, and later something was seen flying in formation. The unidentified target then reduced to the size of the plane alone. Later, a flashing light was reported to the right and falling behind the airplane. Wellington confirmed the presence of a target. The plane landed at Christchurch at 1:01 am on December 31.

Flight North: The return flight from Christchurch to Blenheim also involved sightings. The pilot, co-pilot, and cameraman observed a bright yellow/white/orange light appearing and disappearing through clouds, located between 10 and 30 degrees to the right of the aircraft. This light was also detected by the plane's radar as a large 'blip'. The radar target and the bright light were consistently in the same direction. The object appeared to be at a lower altitude than the aircraft, with depression angles estimated between 5 and 30 degrees. The radar could only pick up targets with depression angles between 3 and 15 degrees. The cameraman filmed the object, showing various shapes from elliptical with reddish fringes to nearly triangular and circular.

Later, as the plane approached Cape Campbell, Wellington control alerted the flight crew to anomalous radar targets. Unusual bright lights were also visible, and in one instance, the plane's radar picked up a target matching the ATC's indication. A particularly bright object, seen as the plane approached Cape Campbell, was photographed. The film shows a light that alternates in a cyclic manner from bright white to dim red and orange, and it appeared to travel in a series of loops, described as 'rolling and tumbling'. The report notes that these objects were not consistently picked up by ground radar, possibly due to being too low or a weak target for the radar.

Directly Speaking: GSW's Victory and Future

This section, by William H. Spaulding, Director GSW/WD, discusses the impact of GSW's seventh annual public lecture in Phoenix on January 12, 1979. The lecture highlighted the December 15, 1978 release of UFO materials resulting from a lawsuit against the CIA. The event garnered significant media attention, including from the New York Times, leading to an overwhelming response and numerous inquiries. Spaulding notes the high interest in the NORAD 1975 overflight sightings and the IRAN 1976 jet/UFO sighting. He believes the lawsuit has added credibility to the UFO subject and benefited ufology by showing that not all ufologists are seeking 'little green men'.

Spaulding discusses the future, emphasizing the need for continued sacrifice to achieve the goal of releasing all pertinent UFO materials held by the government. Funding is currently derived from the sale of released government documents, contributions, and lecture tours, but it is insufficient. GSW has formed a coalition with Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) to improve UFO document retrieval and interpretation, leveraging CAUS's expertise. This coalition is expected to allow GSW to focus more on technical research, photographic analysis, and field investigations. Todd Zechel, Director of CAUS and GSW's Director of Research, is committed to these objectives.

GSW strongly recommends members subscribe to the CAUS newsletter to support their joint efforts.

CIA Releases Documents: GSV Prevails in FOIA Lawsuit

This article, by T. Zechel, Director of CAUS, Inc., details the outcome of a FOIA lawsuit originally filed by Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) in September 1977. The CIA was ordered by a U.S. District Court judge to release approximately 900 pages of its UFO-related files and forward nearly 200 additional documents to originating agencies. The material from the CIA's files was released on December 15, 1978. The CIA's alleged search covered 41 of its components specified by GSW. The release included documents from the Air Force (76), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) (19), Army (30), Navy (11), State Department (40), and National Security Agency (NSA) (18).

The release is considered a total victory for GSW, as the suit initially sought five documents related to the CIA's contact with former Marine Ralph Mayher. Although the CIA initially claimed only two could be released with significant deletions, all five were eventually released with minor deletions. The article argues that the CIA's original exemptions were arbitrary and capricious. The release of nearly 900 pages of material contradicts the CIA's claims of non-involvement with UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena, the effectiveness of legal action (specifically FOIA lawsuits) in obtaining information, and the detailed reporting of specific UFO sightings with witness and radar evidence. The editorial stance is strongly in favor of transparency and the official acknowledgment of UFOs, advocating for public awareness and pressure on governmental bodies. The bulletin champions the efforts of organizations like GSW and CAUS in pursuing these goals and highlights the importance of investigative journalism and witness testimony in the field of ufology.

This issue of 'The Andreasson Affair' (Vol. 10, Issue 9.01, April 1979, published by The Star) focuses on the extraordinary claims of Betty Andreasson, a seemingly ordinary American mother of seven, who alleges she was abducted by UFOs and taken to an alien planet. The magazine details the extensive scrutiny her story underwent, including psychological and lie-detector tests, and presents the findings of UFO investigator Raymond Fowler, who authored the book "The Andreasson Affair" which is being serialized.

Betty Andreasson's Abduction Claims

Betty Andreasson's story, recounted under hypnosis, describes an encounter with alien beings. The incident began with a sudden power outage and a pulsating pink light through her kitchen window. Four small humanoid creatures, about 3 feet tall with large, pear-shaped heads and cat-like eyes, entered her home. The leader, identifying himself as 'Quazgaa,' addressed her by name. Despite initial fear, Andreasson felt an aura of friendliness. She was taken aboard an alien craft, described as a silvery-gold oval object.

Inside the craft, Andreasson underwent several procedures. She was placed in a cubicle and changed into a white robe. She was then laid on an operating table where an alien inserted a probe into her left nostril, causing pain and a sensation of something breaking through her head. Later, another probe was inserted into her navel, with the aliens discussing 'missing parts.' Andreasson experienced intense emotional distress during these tests. She also described being placed in a cylindrical room within a transparent enclosure that made her feel cold and as if moisture was being drawn from her.

Further experiences included being placed in a chamber where she felt weightless and was given a liquid through tubes inserted into her mouth and nostrils, which she believed was to protect her from the effects of space travel. She was then taken through a tunnel to a strange, alien land.

Psychological and Scientific Scrutiny

Betty Andreasson's claims were subjected to rigorous examination by leading psychologists and psychiatrists. She underwent months of tests, including hypnosis and lie-detector examinations. The conclusion of these examiners was that Betty Andreasson was telling the truth and was not mentally unstable. Raymond Fowler, the author of "The Andreasson Affair," stated that Andreasson felt like a 'loaded bomb' and that her experience might be part of a larger, impending event for humanity.

Quentin Fogarty, in a letter to the editor, addresses inaccuracies in a newsletter by Frank Gillespie, defending the work of Dr. Bruce Maccabee in correlating commentary, radio messages, and film sequences related to UFO events. Fogarty emphasizes the importance of having all the information before making definitive statements and highlights the remarkable results achieved through computer enhancement of photographic evidence.

Spanish Sighting: Night Sighting in Guipuzcoa

This section details a sighting by Mr. E.G., a 35-year-old administrator and athletics trainer in San Sebastian, Spain. On the night of September 11-12, 1977, after a sporting event and banquet, Mr. E.G. was driving home when he observed a 'tremendous, frightful light' descending from the sky. He described it as a potent, totally white, round light, similar to the moon but much stronger, almost like the sun, and nearly impossible to look at directly. The object followed his car at a low altitude.

Mr. E.G. stopped his car to see if anyone else was around, but found no one. The object continued to follow him. He called his wife to witness the phenomenon, but she refused to come out. The light, initially a single bright light, transformed into two lights, red and green, on its left side. Mr. E.G. attempted to take a photograph but found his camera had no film. He later tried to use binoculars but could not see the object, which then disappeared. He was certain he had not been drinking.

Further Revelations and Concerns

During a subsequent hypnosis session, Betty Andreasson revealed that aliens had caused the 1977 New York blackout to 'reveal to man his true nature,' which she described as self-destructive and driven by greed. She also spoke of how man overlooks simple things like air, water, and fire.

An alien identified as Andantio claimed to be from 70 planets and stated that they periodically visited Earth to help humanity. Andreasson also recounted a frightening experience where she heard an alien voice on the phone hinting at the deaths of her two sons, James and Todd, who were killed in a car accident shortly after. She felt this was connected to a galactic battle between good and evil, possibly influenced by her decision to cooperate with the aliens.

General Meeting and Bulletin Information

The issue includes announcements for a General Meeting of the Society on December 12th, featuring NASA films and discussions on space utilization. It also mentions membership donations and awards. Information regarding annual elections and a note about the bulletin being sent without envelopes to cut costs is also included. The committee wishes members a happy festive season and looks forward to greeting them in 1980.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO abductions, alien contact, the rigorous testing of witness testimony, and the challenges of verifying such extraordinary claims. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and a belief in the importance of gathering evidence, even if it is difficult to prove. The magazine highlights the need for more data and careful analysis, as evidenced by the letter to the editor and the detailed account of Betty Andreasson's case and its scientific evaluation.