inforespacesp9020001

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Sobeps - Flash," a semiannual bulletin from the "SOCIETE BELGE D'ETUDE DES PHENOMENES SPATIAUX" (Belgian Society for the Study of Spatial Phenomena), dated September 1990, focuses on UFO observations and investigations. The publication is based in Brussels, Belgium.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Michel Bougard, addresses the perceived lack of information regarding a recent UFO wave in Belgium. Bougard explains that SOBEPS prioritizes collecting and investigating UFO reports, often placing the publication of its bulletin secondary to fieldwork and essential contacts, particularly with the military. He notes a paradox where the organization's own investigators must rely on foreign reviews to learn about their own findings. The editorial mentions that the upcoming December issue of "INFORESPACE" will feature detailed accounts of close and spectacular observations, with plans for a significant delivery of well-documented major cases the following year. It also announces the departure of the Chief Editor, Patrick Vidal, due to differing views, wishing him success with his new role at EURUFON. Bougard expresses hope for a better future for both organizations.

American Investigation Commission

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an article titled "Une nouvelle commission d'enquête américaine... une de plus !" (A new American investigation commission... one more!). This article, based on a letter from Robert V. Pratt, a collaborator with the MUFON UFO JOURNAL and co-author of "NIGHT SIEGE: THE HUDSON VALLEY UFO SIGHTINGS," discusses the formation and activities of a US government UFO investigation group. Pratt highlights the 1983-1984 UFO wave in the Hudson Valley, New York, involving an estimated 30,000 witnesses, and notes its similarities to events in Belgium since October 1989. The article introduces Howard Blum's book "OUT THERE: THE GOVERNMENT'S SPECIAL QUEST FOR EXTRATERRESTRIALS," which details the establishment of a "UFO Working Group" in February 1987. This group comprised seventeen individuals, including generals, colonels, DIA scientists, NSA officials, a CIA Domestic Collection Division director, and technical staff from the CIA's Science and Technology department. The group's objectives were to review previous official UFO investigations, examine scientific research into extraterrestrial life, study specific UFO observations, maintain secrecy, and determine if humanity is alone in the universe. The article notes that the group initially considered the Gulf Breeze case but dismissed it due to military aircraft involvement, then rejected the Hudson Valley sightings due to potential aircraft explanations. They ultimately focused on Elmwood, Wisconsin, a choice questioned by Pratt for its perceived lack of significant cases. The article also touches upon the MJ-12 documents and the FBI's conclusion that they were a fraud, potentially involving Soviet disinformation or the UFO Working Group itself. It mentions "Project Aquarius," a current research effort by the US Navy using psychics for reconnaissance. The article recounts the experience of Colonel Harold E. Phillips of the DIA, who had a UFO sighting in Iowa 40 years prior and later persuaded the Project Aquarius teams to investigate areas where US radar vigilance might have been circumvented. Phillips's own observation involved a dome-shaped craft landing in a cornfield. The article notes that the UFO Working Group continued to serve President George Bush, as it had President Reagan.

Puerto Rico UFO Encounter

Another major section details a UFO incident in Puerto Rico, investigated by Jorge Martin, a correspondent for MUFON. The case, which occurred on the night of December 28, 1988, involved multiple witnesses in the Cabo Rojo area who observed a large, triangular, silent UFO. The object was seen interacting with two USAF fighter jets. According to witness accounts, the jets approached the UFO, and one appeared to enter its rear section, after which both jets and their sounds vanished. The UFO then approached a nearby lake, emitted a bright light, and split into two distinct triangular sections, one yellow and one red, which departed rapidly in different directions. Witnesses described the object as enormous, with numerous colored lights. Jorge Martin's investigation involved interviews with various witnesses, including M. Wilson Sosa, M. Carlos Manuel Mercado, and others. The article includes a drawing by Mercado illustrating the sighting. Martin also contacted aviation authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Roosevelt Roads U.S. Naval Base, who initially denied knowledge of the event or any unusual military activity in the area. However, some officials hinted at unusual air traffic or investigations. The article mentions that the incident was reportedly captured on radar, with the data classified and sent to Washington D.C. for analysis. It also notes that other similar events have occurred but are not publicly discussed. Jorge Martin was also investigating a similar case from November 16, 1988, in the same region.

Mysterious Triangles: Here and Elsewhere

The final section, "Triangles mystérieux: ici et ailleurs..." (Mysterious Triangles: Here and Elsewhere...), draws parallels between the Belgian UFO wave and similar sightings worldwide. It highlights the Puerto Rico case as particularly spectacular and references the 18-month wave in the Hudson Valley, New York, as described in the book "NIGHT SIEGE." The article quotes the introduction to this book, describing the Hudson Valley phenomenon as extraordinary, involving hundreds or thousands of witnesses observing enormous V-shaped or boomerang-shaped objects that moved silently and were larger than any US-manufactured aircraft. Bob Pratt is mentioned as having compiled an impressive collection of such cases dating back to the 19th century, suggesting a continuity between these events and those observed in Belgium since November 1989.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and data collection in the field of ufology. The editorial stance, as articulated by Michel Bougard, prioritizes fieldwork, witness interviews, and establishing contacts with official sources (including military personnel) over the mere publication of findings. There is a clear focus on detailed case studies, such as the Puerto Rico incident, and a critical examination of government involvement and potential disinformation. The recurring theme of triangular UFOs is prominent, linking sightings across different continents and time periods. The publication appears to be a platform for sharing detailed investigative reports and analyses within the ufological community, with a particular interest in the scientific and governmental aspects of UFO phenomena.

Title: INFORESPACE
Issue: 11
Date: February 1986
Language: French
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of INFORESPACE is dedicated to recent UFO sightings, primarily from the 1980s, with a strong emphasis on triangular and diamond-shaped craft. The content is compiled from various sources, including other UFO publications and direct contributions from researchers and witnesses.

Reported UFO Incidents

Flushing, Michigan (February 22, 1984) Several residents of Flushing, Michigan, observed UFOs, including triangular structures with numerous lights. Gena Thompson reported seeing a triangular object with lights defining its contour. While stationary about fifty meters above the ground, a strong light illuminated the area, frightening local cats. A third object joined the first two.

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (February 29, 1984) A week later, near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, an object described as "diamond-shaped" was observed. It was more like a rhombus, dark in color, with peripheral lights: some white and others flashing red.

Magnolia Bay, Shore Road (November 26, 1984) Ana and Peter Hoel observed a yellow light on the ocean surface, which turned out to be two red lights blinking alternately. The object, triangular in shape, approached the shore. Upon reaching the coast, the red lights extinguished, and four white lights appeared at the rear of the triangle. The witnesses distinguished a "veranda" on the lower part, illuminated by a yellowish light, and the object emitted a humming sound. The UFO executed a 90° turn towards the town's highest point and disappeared. Upon arrival at the location, the witnesses saw a formation of four red lights surrounded by two white lights through the trees. The object then moved slowly towards Kettle Island and remained visible over the water for several minutes.

Madison, Wisconsin (November 19, 1985) A woman returning home near Madison, Wisconsin, saw three lights in the treetops. The formation turned 90° towards her parking spot. The object, a black triangular structure the size of a large car, with lights on its points and sides, moved silently northward and stopped above a house. It had two white lights and a small red light at the rear, with rapidly flashing white rectangular lights on top, suggesting rotation. The bottom of the object was convex.

DeForest, Wisconsin (November 22, 1985) An employee of the State of Wisconsin observed three white lights suspended about ten meters above a farm. Initially mistaking it for a helicopter, he realized it was something else. He described a triangular structure with a base that narrowed. The object moved silently towards him, crossed the road at about thirty meters altitude, and then glided westward.

Antioch, Illinois to Kenosha County (October 14, 1986) A couple driving on Highway 45 saw lights near the ground, which they initially thought were from a road accident. They soon realized they were lights from a large, metallic triangular object. The object had red and yellow lights on its sides and a large red light on the bottom. It hovered close to the ground and then moved slowly southeast.

Lima, Ohio (August 11-12, 1986) Mme L. was awakened by a noise and saw unusual lights above a neighboring house. She observed a "dark strange object" hovering silently above a garage. It was triangular, vertical, with a red light at the top and three blinding white lights at the base. The object disappeared rapidly.

Eastlake, Ohio (March 4, 1988) Mme S.B. and her children observed an object "as large as a football field" shaped like a dirigible with very bright white lights, hovering and rocking over Lake Erie. Later, the object turned towards them, descended, and displayed red and blue lights on its side. It then emitted five to six yellow triangular lights that zig-zagged around the main object at high speed for nearly an hour. The lights eventually returned to a "mother ship" that landed on the ice. The object had white lights on its underside and a blinking white light at the rear that alternated between red and white. The phenomenon ceased after five minutes.

Perry Nuclear Plant Area (March 4, 1988) On the same night, other triangular objects were seen near Perry Nuclear Plant.

Lorraine County, Ohio (September 25, 1988) Stanley R. Decker, a welder, experienced his car stalling. He noticed two other vehicles also stopped. They observed lights near the woods, carried by a metallic triangular object with red and yellow lights on the sides and a large red light on the bottom. The object was very close, and the witness noted that the treetops were moving despite the absence of wind. The object's underside was described as rounded.

Gulf Breeze (November 30, 1989) A woman driving towards Gulf Breeze saw a bright light from the northwest. She stopped and observed a dark, "arrowhead" shaped object descending rapidly and hovering near an electrical substation. The object had at least thirty white lights on its lower part. Three very bright lights then illuminated. The witness attempted to follow but failed. Later that evening, she saw an identical object approaching at tree-top level at a jogger's speed. It passed about 150 meters away. As she prepared to follow again, the triangular UFO accelerated rapidly, made a sharp turn, and disappeared.

Dixon, New Mexico (December 14, 1989) A woman, her daughter, and mother reported observing nine or ten triangular lights moving towards Penasco.

Colchester, England (January 11, 1990) A witness reported seeing a triangular object with three projectors in each of its angles, moving silently at an altitude of about 600 meters.

Plaistow, England (January 16, 1990) A couple observed three lights arranged in a triangle, followed by a second identical object.

Essex, England (February 8, 1990) Three lights arranged in a triangle were observed again.

New Albany, Indiana (March 4, 1990) Two former US military personnel driving in rural New Albany saw a strange orange light in the distance.

Floyd Knobs, Indiana (March 4, 1990) Two former US military personnel observed a triangular object, described as a "flying wing," between 300 and 450 meters altitude. It had colored lights: amber on the left, blue on the right, and orange-pinkish in front. The UFO moved at approximately 200 km/h from north to southwest and remained visible for about four minutes, emitting a curious "oscillating sound."

Other Mentions and Publications

The article notes that these cases are indicative of recent events and that similar structures have been observed elsewhere, particularly in England and the USA. It also mentions that several UFOlogist colleagues have published information on Belgian sightings, including articles in "Lumières Dans La Nuit" and "Flying Saucer Review," as well as coverage in "MUFON UFO Journal" and "International UFO Reporter."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the prevalence of triangular and other geometric UFO shapes, often accompanied by multiple lights of various colors and unusual flight characteristics. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting and reporting these phenomena, drawing from a wide range of sources and cross-referencing information between different publications. The magazine aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent UFO activity, highlighting similarities across different geographical locations and time periods.