CAUS Bulletin - No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: CAUS BULLETIN
Issue: #6
Date: December 1986
Publisher: CAUS
Editors: L. Fawcett & B. Greenwood

This issue of the CAUS Bulletin delves into the complexities of UFO cover-ups, particularly focusing on the role of the U.S. President and the secrecy surrounding government investigations.

Editorial: The President and the Cover-Up

The editorial tackles the common skeptical argument that if a UFO cover-up existed, every president since the late 1940s would have revealed it. The publication counters this by suggesting that a crashed UFO incident would be handled with the highest level of security. The technology involved might be so advanced that it would take a long time to understand, necessitating extreme secrecy, especially if there were potential military applications. The editorial posits that presidents, with their limited terms and public exposure, might not be trusted with such sensitive information by military intelligence, who serve for much longer careers. Citing President Reagan's admitted ignorance in the Iran-Nicaragua arms scandal as an example, the bulletin argues that presidents are often only told what they need to know to function, while others manage the complex details of government. The argument is made that those in control of UFO information would manage the situation with minimal leakage, making the presidential knowledge argument an oversimplification.

Attention Exchange Journals

A notice is included for exchange journals, providing the correct mailing address for CAUS (Box 176, Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180) and clarifying that this is separate from the subscription address.

NSA Court Documents Released

This section reports on a CAUS correspondent's research into court records from the National Security Agency (NSA) concerning a case between CAUS and the NSA from 1979-81. While the records did not contain the sought-after UFO files, they revealed the NSA's legal strategies in arguing their case. The bulletin expresses concern that NSA UFO files will remain secret due to a general climate of government secrecy. Despite UFOs having been previously declared non-threatening to national security in government projects, the NSA refused to release files, even when requested with restrictions to omit sensitive data like personnel, locations, and frequencies. CAUS concludes that the UFO sighting information itself is considered a matter of national security.

A Letter from the Past: 1944 Sighting

A letter dated July 6, 1947, from Casimir Lite, addressed to the War Department and Army Air Forces, recounts a personal experience. While serving as a gunner on a B24 in the Fifteenth Air Force in late 1944, Lite witnessed an object described as a disc, approximately 15 to 20 feet in diameter and of a silvery substance, during a mission over Europe. This sighting was reported to the 82nd during interrogation and noted in the report. Lite mentions that arguments arose among the crew about whether it was a wing tank jet or something else, but they concluded it was not of that nature. He suggests that records from the 55th wing, 465th Bomb Group, and 783rd Squadron, under Lt. Harold Thornersnew, might still be available to confirm this matter. Lite notes that he was on Lt. Thornersnew's crew until Thornersnew was killed in 1945 and is one of three original crew members left.

Memorandum for Record: Mexico Crash

A memorandum dated October 21, 1947, from AFBIR-CO/Maj Tolbert, discusses a request from AMC (Air Materiel Command) regarding a flaming aerial object that crashed in Mexico. The incident occurred on October 12th in the Samalayuca Mountains. A preliminary report from the 4th Army described it as a minor and unusual incident not of national interest. Further requests were made for follow-up information or approval for an immediate investigation. However, since the Fourth Army and the Mexican Garrison of Juarez were already investigating the suspected area, it was deemed inadvisable for the Air Corps to conduct its own investigation at that time. All relevant intelligence sources were contacted, and any information received would be furnished to the command.

A Message to Readers

The bulletin concludes with a message thanking readers and supporters for their help and looking forward to another productive year. It acknowledges that UFOs may not be frequently reported in the news media but assures readers that the phenomenon persists and requires continued attention.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government secrecy, particularly concerning UFO phenomena, and the perceived disconnect between presidential knowledge and the operational reality of intelligence gathering. The editorial stance is critical of simplistic arguments against UFO cover-ups and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of how sensitive information is managed within military and intelligence structures. The publication champions the pursuit of information, as evidenced by their legal action against the NSA, and highlights the importance of historical accounts and official documents in piecing together the UFO puzzle.