inforespace880001

Magazine Overview

Title: inforespace
Issue: 88
Volume: 22nd year
Date: November 1993

This issue of *inforespace*, a bi-annual review of ufology and spatial phenomena published by SOBEPS, delves into the "Coronet Havoc" operation involving the deployment of F-117A stealth aircraft in Europe and critically examines the media's role in shaping public perception of UFOs. It also presents statistical analyses of UFO sightings and related media coverage during 1990.

Operation "Coronet Havoc": European Deployment, No UFOs

The lead article details the "Coronet Havoc" operation, which saw eight F-117A Nighthawk aircraft from the 415th Fighter Squadron "Nightstalkers" deployed to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, and subsequently to the Netherlands. The exercise, described by the U.S. Air Force as the first operational deployment of the F-117A in Europe, involved approximately one hundred night flights over four weeks. Despite the presence of these advanced stealth aircraft, the operation reportedly yielded no UFO observations, much to the disappointment of those who attribute UFO phenomena to secret American aircraft.

The F-117A aircraft were housed in protected hangars and maintained by over 200 technicians. The deployment involved extensive logistical support, including the arrival of a DC-8-62 and two C-141B Starlifters carrying spare parts, highlighting the sophistication and maintenance requirements of the F-117A.

Following a brief adaptation period, 111 operational night missions were conducted. The exercise's primary objective was to test the feasibility of operating such unconventional aircraft from NATO bases. The operation was deemed a success by its organizers, though the article questions the potential implications of such exercises in a prolonged period of global tension.

Pilots noted that European nights were not as dark as those over the American desert, where their training flights typically occur. The presence of numerous cities and well-lit communication routes, such as Belgian highways, contributed to this difference.

Deployment to the Gulf:

Six F-117As were scheduled to depart Gilze-Rijen for Saudi Arabia on July 7th to relieve the 416th FS "Knight Riders" at a Gulf base. Additionally, two F-117As were showcased in flight demonstrations in the Netherlands and Belgium in early July.

Media Analysis: "The UFO is Him!" and the F-117A Explanation

Jean Debal critiques articles published in *Science & Vie* magazine, specifically "L'OVNI c'est lui!" (June 1990) and "Ovnilogie c'est vrai je l'ai vu !" (October 1990), which he argues sensationalize and misrepresent UFO phenomena by linking them to the F-117A and later the TR-3A Black Manta. Debal contends that these explanations are inadequate and that the magazine uses the term UFO loosely for dramatic effect.

He criticizes the articles for their misleading headlines and captions, particularly a photo of a F-117A with landing lights and a red beacon, and another of the A-12 Avenger. Debal points out that the article, while mentioning "OVNI" once to link it to the TR-3A, primarily discusses experimental prototypes within "Blacks Programs." He refutes the claim that these aircraft are "super-slow" or capable of flying six times the speed of sound, labeling it as "Intox and disinformation."

Debal concludes that the hypothesis of UFOs being secret American aircraft is outdated and that the field should be left to scientific researchers.

Statistical Approach to UFO Phenomena and Media Influence

This section analyzes UFO reports and media coverage, particularly focusing on May 1990, a period that saw a surge in UFO sightings and calls in Belgium.

May 1990: The "Embellie" of UFOs

An examination of the data for May 1990 reveals a notable increase in UFO reports between May 1st and 5th, following a period of relative media silence. These reports often described events occurring in "real time."

While some newspapers discreetly reported these sightings from May 3rd onwards, the press generally showed limited activity concerning UFO phenomena. An article in *VSD* magazine, "Et si l'OVNI belge était le F-117 américain?", revived the spy plane hypothesis, which had previously been refuted. *Le Monde* published an article by Jean-François Augereau that was deemed poorly informed about the Belgian UFO wave.

The author criticizes the role of journalists in propagating rumors and highlights how certain media outlets, like *Science & Vie*, presented definitive explanations for UFOs that were not supported by evidence. The article also mentions Yves Rasir's critique of media reactions to UFO events in *Télé-Moustique*.

Over the weekend of May 19-20 and May 21, Belgian newspapers briefly mentioned radar echoes that the Air Force had kept secret, with headlines like "The 'strange phenomena' of the National Defense" and "Brussels: UFOs spotted by radars."

Despite the media's attention, the article notes that the UFO reports in May 1990 were largely independent of press coverage. A second wave of sightings and calls occurred between May 25th and 28th.

June 1990:

Early June saw French periodicals continue to focus on the spy plane hypothesis, particularly *Science & Vie*'s issue 873. The article criticizes this publication for its sensationalist title and lack of substantive content regarding actual UFOs, offering a vague question as its conclusion.

A report from the Belgian Air Force, dated May 31st, 1990, was received by SOBEPS and quickly disseminated to the Belgian press on June 8th.

July 1990:

The analysis of July 1990 data reveals a correlation between media publications and UFO observations. Three peaks in publications occurred: July 1st (*Science & Vie*), July 10th (SOBEPS press conference), and July 28th (*Paris-Match*). In July, there were two publication peaks: July 12th (Air Force press conference) and July 19th (*La Cité*'s extensive dossier on UFOs).

There was a single peak of observations on June 18th, with no associated calls. A solitary observation peak occurred on July 15th, with scattered sightings throughout the rest of the month. Two peaks in phone calls occurred on July 16th and 27th, attributed to astronomical confusions, notably Venus being particularly bright.

The article suggests that the link between media coverage and the volume of observations is not straightforward. It questions whether the increase in sightings from mid-July onwards was solely due to the radar images and the press conference, especially since some reports from the latter half of July mentioned interesting elements, with some witnesses being members of the gendarmerie.

August 1990:

The data for August 1990 contrasts with previous conclusions. Despite the Gulf crisis erupting on August 1st and continuing throughout the month, with no media dedicating significant coverage to UFOs, SOBEPS continued to receive UFO-related calls, and several cases remained unidentified.

The diagrams for July and August show different scales. While early August saw calls related to UFO-type events during the crisis, August 6th-8th calls were predominantly related to laser beam confusions. In the latter half of August, there was a delay between observations and their reporting to SOBEPS.

September 1990:

September's structure mirrored August's, with no notable publications and a few delayed sightings. A significant event on September 25th involved *La Meuse-La Lanterne* and *Le Soir* reporting on a decision by Minister Coëme to prohibit foreign combat aircraft from flying below 150 meters in Belgium. While officially to prevent German pilots from training, the article speculates on a connection to previous events. The military's statement about the impossibility of detecting infractions due to inadequate radar equipment is also noted.

On the same evening, five calls were received regarding past events and ongoing observations. The author concludes that any link between this press information and the surge in observations is unlikely, attributing it to coincidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions official explanations for UFO phenomena, particularly those involving military aircraft like the F-117A. It highlights perceived media sensationalism and disinformation, advocating for a more objective and scientific approach to ufology. The editorial stance appears to be critical of simplistic explanations and supportive of thorough investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena, while also analyzing the societal and media context surrounding these events. The statistical data presented serves to illustrate patterns and potential correlations between media attention, official statements, and public reports of UFOs.

This issue of Inforespace, dated September 1990, focuses on UFO (OVNI) sightings and their media coverage, particularly in Belgium. The main cover headline is 'L'automne 1990: OVNI sans médias' (Autumn 1990: UFOs without media).

UFO Sightings in Belgium (Autumn 1990)

The magazine details a period in October 1990 where, despite a notable increase in UFO sightings, particularly around Gembloux and Namur, there was a lack of media attention. This included events on October 16th and 18th, which led to a saturation of the SOBEPS answering machine. The article suggests that this lack of media involvement allowed for a more objective assessment of sightings on October 21st, as the risk of 'media contamination' was reduced.

Van Vlodorp's commentary highlights the SOBEPS's role as a central repository for UFO information in Belgium. Witnesses primarily contacted the organization directly or through the gendarmerie, leading to a situation where the SOBEPS held a near monopoly on new information, potentially leaving journalists in ignorance. While this approach was defended as a way to avoid sensationalism and confusion, critics noted it allowed for selective information release.

November 1990 saw a significant event on the 5th, where thousands of witnesses in Spain, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany observed what was identified as the atmospheric re-entry of debris from a Soviet rocket. Despite this large-scale event, the magazine notes that the media coverage was mixed, with various newspapers interpreting the event differently.

Despite exceptional media attention in mid-November, including appearances by SOBEPS on RTBF and TF1, the following week was unusually calm. The month concluded with a few interesting testimonies and numerous calls related to misidentifications, such as laser beams from the ground near Bernissart.

December 1990 data is presented, showing typical UFO event structures: observations occurring shortly after the event (December 5-7), isolated events reported hours later (December 13-16, particularly the 17th), and numerous calls corresponding to misidentifications (December 26-31).

The Moriches Bay Crash Retrieval Case (USA)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the 'Moriches Bay Crash Retrieval Case' in Long Island, USA, based on an article from UFO Magazine. The Long Island UFO Network (LIUFON) reported that the US government intercepted and recovered an extraterrestrial spacecraft in Moriches Bay on September 28, 1989. The object was described as triangular, approximately 172 meters wide, and the operation was part of a five-year state of hostility with extraterrestrials.

The article details numerous UFO sightings in the Long Island area since 1982, including reports of large boomerang-shaped objects and low-altitude sightings. It also discusses alleged cattle mutilations in the American Southwest and links them to similar incidents in Long Island, involving mutilated animals with surgically precise cuts.

• Specific incidents mentioned include:
• A cross-shaped UFO filmed on June 14, 1986.
• A large, circular object made of lights filmed on July 24, 1984.
• The discovery of mutilated deer remains in October 1987, matching descriptions of cattle mutilations.
• A woman's report of a large object with riveted metallic plates over her house on December 26, 1982.
• The observation of a large circular object, estimated at 600 meters in diameter, on August 13, 1985.
• A dark object immobilizing a pick-up truck in September 1986.
• A large oval object with six yellow headlights on December 27, 1987.
• An oval object landing near a farm on September 13, 1987, leaving circular traces and affecting soil nutrients.
• Reports of children seeing grey-skinned creatures with large black eyes in 1988.

The article notes an increase in military helicopter activity in the Long Island area, coinciding with a rise in abduction reports. A scientist from Brookhaven Laboratory suggested that the government was aware of and tracking these extraterrestrial objects, and that the Moriches Bay incident was part of a planned operation.

An event on September 28, 1989, involved a large, luminous, yellow, semi-circular object observed by a mechanic, and later by motorists as a large, dark mass with six to eight bright yellow headlights. Five extraterrestrial creatures reportedly descended from the object via a blue beam of light onto the runway of Harford Airport, with airport personnel allegedly instructed to remain silent.

Further incidents include military helicopters operating near Smiths Point Bay in August 1989 and reports of periodic power outages and TV cable disruptions in the Moriches Bay area, attributed by some to strange lights seen on the bay.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, media coverage, and official responses. It highlights the challenges in verifying UFO reports, particularly those from foreign sources, and emphasizes the importance of careful investigation. The editorial stance appears to favor a critical but open-minded approach, acknowledging the potential for misidentification while also presenting detailed accounts of alleged extraordinary events. The role of organizations like SOBEPS and LIUFON in collecting and disseminating information is central to the narrative, along with a critical examination of how these events are reported (or not reported) by the mainstream media.

This issue of OVNI magazine, published in French, focuses on several alleged UFO incidents and investigations, primarily centered around Long Island, USA, with a particular emphasis on events from 1989 and 1992. The magazine presents a collection of witness testimonies, investigative reports, and critical commentary, exploring themes of UFO sightings, military involvement, potential cover-ups, and advanced extraterrestrial technology.

Key Incidents and Testimonies

Calverton, Long Island, September 28, 1989

The issue begins with an account from Mme P.G. and her son, who observed two large, triangular objects hovering in the sky near Calverton. The objects were described as smooth, black, and approximately 2.5 km away. One object moved with extraordinary speed to join the other, covering the distance in what seemed like a second.

Moriches Bay, September 28, 1989 (and 1992)

Paul Peterson reported seeing six bright yellow lights, initially mistaken for aircraft lights, which later resolved into a large, triangular object. He also heard sounds resembling large military helicopters. Later, photographs of the object were shown to him, which he identified as the same one seen earlier that night. The magazine also references a similar incident on September 28, 1992, in Moriches Bay, where Paul Peterson again observed strange yellow lights and heard military helicopters. He described the object as twice the size of a football field and illuminated enough to see its contours.

Box Tree Road, Long Island, September 28, 1992, 9:30 PM

Kathy O'Donnelly, while driving, noticed six to eight bright yellow lights descending rapidly towards the trees. The lights followed her car, illuminating its interior. She later saw the large yellow lights hovering over fields. Her husband and a friend also witnessed the lights, which eventually ascended and moved away.

Drug Enforcement Administration, Nassau, Suffolk County Line, September 28, 1992, 9 PM

This section details information from confidential sources regarding an unidentified large aircraft detected by radar over Moriches Bay. A special task force was dispatched, but the airspace was closed due to a military operation, preventing their investigation.

Franck D., September 28, 1992, Midnight

Franck D., an officer with the New York State Court, reported seeing numerous parachute flares over the ocean, followed by military helicopters and C-130 aircraft. He observed a C-130 firing flares into the water, but noted that official documents did not mention this.

The Story of George Dickson, October 4, 1989

George Dickson, an amateur anthropologist and UFO investigator, reported hearing from a military source about a UFO incident on September 28, 1989, over Moriches Bay. The incident allegedly involved the interception and destruction of a UFO, described as a large boomerang shape, which crashed and was subsequently recovered. The report also mentioned casualties among military personnel due to an unknown weapon.

Copley News Service, San Diego, October 22, 1989

This section describes how LIUFON (Long Island UFO Network) shared information with Copley News Service, leading to a search operation in the dunes. The police and coast guard confirmed the presence of helicopters near Moriches Bay on the night of the incident.

John D., Quoque, September 29, 1989

John D., a Wall Street commodities broker, reported being awakened by the sound of helicopters. He observed two large military helicopters with lights on, flying low over trees. He saw large cables hanging from the helicopters, but could not identify what they were carrying. The operation lasted about 45 minutes.

The Encounters with the Scientist ('Dr. Nick')

This section details interviews with a scientist, referred to as 'Dr. Nick', who claims to have participated in the study of recovered UFOs since the 1970s. He stated that the US had intercepted and shot down a UFO over Moriches Bay on September 28, 1989, using a 'Star Wars' weapon. He described the UFO's technology as vastly superior, based on crystals. He also mentioned a test of the weapon five weeks prior to the Moriches Bay incident.

Dr. Nick described the weapon as a Doppler radar system capable of penetrating the UFO's plasma field. He also recounted an incident where a boomerang-shaped object was tested with the Doppler system at Fort Meade, Maryland, and that the government knew the weapon was functional. He further stated that the Moriches Bay incident was part of a five-year conflict with an extraterrestrial civilization.

He claimed that the UFO was tracked by satellite and that the military had plans to intercept it. He also mentioned that extraterrestrial bodies were recovered and sent to Brookhaven laboratories, identifying the beings as 'Greys'.

Was there a retrieval in 1984 on Long Island?

An anonymous caller, claiming to be a retired Air Force officer, reported that in late 1983 or early 1984, the Air Force recovered another object on Long Island. He described it as a 6m x 6m boomerang-shaped object, transported by helicopter to West Hampton and then by a C-147 to Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Critical Commentary

Analysis by Jean Lejeune and Jacques Antoine

The latter part of the magazine features a critical analysis of the presented accounts, particularly the Moriches Bay incident. The authors question the dating of events and the reliance on anonymous or second-hand sources. They point out the similarities between different UFO crash narratives and suggest that the military might be deliberately feeding information to ufologists to discredit them or to manipulate public opinion. The commentary highlights the common themes of military involvement, advanced technology, and extraterrestrial threats, suggesting that these narratives might be part of a larger psychological operation or disinformation campaign.

The authors express skepticism about the claims of UFOs being easily trackable and shootable, especially given the historical difficulty in obtaining credible evidence. They question the use of Doppler radar against UFOs and the narrative of a conflict with extraterrestrials. The commentary concludes by urging caution and a critical approach to UFO reports, especially those involving military secrecy and advanced technology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with military activities and alleged government secrecy. There is a recurring theme of advanced, possibly extraterrestrial, technology being involved in sightings and incidents. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these accounts, often with a degree of sensationalism, while also including critical perspectives that question the veracity and interpretation of the evidence. The authors of the critical commentary express a desire for more rigorous investigation and less reliance on speculation and unverified sources, particularly when dealing with military-related UFO incidents.

This issue of "NOS ENQUETES" details a significant wave of UFO sightings that occurred on the evening of November 8, 1990, across Belgium. The headline, "Les 'triangles' organisent un meeting aérien" (The 'triangles' organize an aerial meeting), sets the theme for the collection of witness testimonies and investigative reports.

Detailed Sightings and Investigations

The magazine presents numerous accounts from various regions of Belgium, including Hainaut, Brabant, and Luxembourg. The primary focus is on objects described as triangular, often accompanied by lights, but other shapes like cubes and spheres are also reported.

Braine-le-Comte and Surroundings

One of the earliest observations on November 8, 1990, occurred around 18:00-18:30 in Braine-le-Comte. A witness, Mme M.P., reported seeing a triangular object flying with a luminous red cube. The triangle was surrounded by blinking red and blue lights, and the two objects moved slowly together, with the cube appearing to guide the triangle. The witness observed them for 3-4 minutes before returning home.

Another report from Houdeng-Goegnies, also around 18:00, described a golden luminous ball with a lighter golden cone underneath. This phenomenon remained stationary for about 20 seconds before the cone ascended, the lights extinguished, and a dark, shapeless mass appeared and disappeared.

Around 18:05, an IT professional returning from Brussels reported seeing a large, star-like object resembling Mars, followed by two headlights. Upon stopping, he observed an object composed of white, yellow, and red points, with no discernible solid shape, estimated to be about 500m to 1km away and 50m altitude. Later, he saw a bright white-yellow light that approached and appeared as a flat, two-dimensional, triangular-like object moving silently. It made a turn, and he observed a dark mass in the center, with the rear appearing like a straight line segment.

Other Belgian Regions

At 18:06, a witness near Messancy (Luxembourg province) observed a white light, like a large car headlight, hovering over a field. It suddenly moved at high speed towards the southwest and disappeared.

From 18:10 to 20:09, several observations were reported in Tubize (Brabant).

Around 19:24, three white lights arranged in a triangle were seen moving in different directions, with a red light in the center of each triangle.

In Woluwé-St-Etienne (Brussels), around 18:25, a witness initially thought he saw an airplane landing but realized it was a formation of lights. He described it as an amorphous mass that moved overhead silently.

Detailed Descriptions and Characteristics

Several reports emphasize the triangular shape. A witness in Mainvault described a triangle delimited by three lights, with the triangle itself blending with the dark sky. The object was estimated to be the size of a football field if landed, or about 50 meters long, with a height of 300-400 meters. It emitted a slight noise, comparable to an electric razor, and moved silently.

Near St Géry, a family observed a luminous sphere that grew larger and stopped. Later, they saw an orange point that grew into a triangle composed of lights. The object passed overhead and moved towards Mellery. The witnesses described a central yellow, round light surrounded by a diffuse halo, a dark, curved structure with internal lights, and three lights at the angles (white-yellow at the front, blue-green at the rear). No sound was perceived.

Soignies Incident

The last observation of the evening occurred around 22:00 in Soignies. Witnesses observed a very luminous point that zigzagged and was followed for about 4 kilometers. The object then transformed into a diamond shape, hovered for 2-3 minutes, moved backward, became a white point, and then departed at high speed. The witnesses were certain they saw a diamond shape formed by three white points and one green point.

Analysis and Recurring Themes

The collection of testimonies highlights several recurring themes: the prevalence of triangular formations, the silent flight of these objects, and their luminous nature. The variety in reported shapes (triangle, cube, sphere, diamond, fireball) and behaviors (hovering, rapid acceleration, silent movement) suggests a complex phenomenon. The investigations, primarily conducted by SOBEPS, aim to verify these observations and provide credible accounts. The article notes that while triangles are common, cube-shaped objects are rarely reported, making the Braine-le-Comte sighting particularly unusual. The magazine also references previous reports of similar phenomena, including a cube-shaped object near Ittre and Clabecq in March 1991, and diamond or losange shapes reported in other Belgian incidents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of triangular UFOs, luminous aerial phenomena, and the detailed accounts of witnesses across Belgium. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of these unexplained aerial events, presenting witness testimonies and investigative findings without overt skepticism, but with a focus on factual reporting and analysis of the data collected by organizations like SOBEPS.