GICOFF-Information - 1972 No 6 Bilaga

Magazine Overview

This special supplement, 'BILAGA till GICOFF Information,' published in July 1972, focuses on a sensational alleged UFO incident that occurred on January 12, 1972. The cover headline proclaims 'THE UFO SENSATION OF THE YEAR!' and details a 'White House Alert' involving fighter jets in combat with UFOs, with President Nixon reportedly being informed. The issue presents this event as a significant encounter that may have been subject to a government cover-up.

UFO 'RAID' That Sparked a White House House Alert

The main article, titled 'Larm i Vita Huset - Jaktplan i luftstrid med UFOs - President Nixon underrättad' (Alert in the White House - Fighter Jets in Air Combat with UFOs - President Nixon Briefed), details the events of January 12, 1972. It poses several questions: Were multiple flying saucers detected by military radar off the California coast? Did NORAD (North American Air Defense Command) scramble US Air Force jets to shoot them down? Was a family in Oklahoma City able to intercept a top-secret phone call between the President and military command due to a phone line malfunction? And were two F-104 jets and two UFOs shot down in a skirmish in US airspace?

The article presents the testimony of Bill Eckhardt and Mrs. Parker from Oklahoma City, who claim to have overheard a conversation on a crossed phone line. This conversation allegedly involved high-level military communications between NORAD and various military bases, discussing UFOs and a potential combat situation. Eckhardt reported hearing phrases like 'ROTT ALARM' (Red Alert) and mentions of F-104 jets being scrambled and two unknown objects being shot down near Alamogordo, New Mexico. He also claimed to have heard a voice resembling President Nixon's during the intercepted call.

NORAD officials, including Commander Colonel Dooher, denied any knowledge of a highest alert status or power outages on the night in question, dismissing the claims as a 'ridiculous bluff.' A Pentagon spokesperson was reportedly speechless when questioned about the incident.

The UFO "RAID" That "Woke" The White House

A bulletin from the Department of Defense, issued on the morning of the incident's reporting, denied any high-level military communication about a red alert. NORAD's underground command center near Colorado Springs stated they were unaware of any power outages or highest alert status. Military spokesmen were reluctant to discuss the event and dismissed the alleged calls as a bluff.

Were Several Flying Saucers Sighted?

This section, attributed to The Daily Oklahoman on January 13, 1972, provides further details from the perspective of the witnesses. It describes the intercepted call, mentioning radar contacts over the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The conversation reportedly included mentions of NORAD, Houston, Alamogordo, Dayton, and jet scrambles. The witnesses claimed to hear that a UFO had crashed in the Pacific and that jet planes had been shot down. They also mentioned that wreckage had been found and that expert teams were sent to Alamogordo.

Bill Eckhardt's account details the intercepted conversation, including mentions of NORAD central, a problem, and communication with Tinker Air Force Base. He noted that some phone lines were down in Kansas due to bad weather, and that the power was expected to return in about five minutes. He also reported hearing that two F-104 jets were shot down and two unknown objects were also shot down.

Mrs. Parker added that wreckage had been found and that two expert teams were sent to Alamogordo to investigate. She stated that NORAD was apparently in contact with several bases, including Sheppard Air Force Base, a base near Alamogordo, Honolulu, Houston, and Tinker Air Force Base.

Nixon Briefed

Eckhardt recounted that towards the end of the call, around 9:40 PM, a voice said, 'WE HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE FIGHTER PLANES AND IT LOOKS LIKE FLYING SAUCERS... I THINK EVERYONE HAS GONE CRAZY... WE ARE SAVING THE OBJECTS. THEY ARE OVER LOS ANGELES NOW.' He also reported hearing a voice that sounded like President Nixon's, stating, 'This may be one of the most historic, unique phone calls I have ever had to make.'

Investigation and Official Denials

The article details the official denials from the Department of Defense and NORAD. Colonel Dooher reiterated that there was no red alert and that the claims were a bluff. A NORAD spokesman, Del Kindschi, stated that such a call could not have originated from NORAD headquarters and that the highest alert level was 'Defense Condition Five' (DEFCON 5), the same level as during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. Kindschi also mentioned that NORAD regions confirmed no such calls were made.

NORAD officers clarified that the term 'red alert' is not used; the correct term is 'Defense Condition One' (DEFCON 1), with subsequent levels indicating stages of an attack. They also noted that F-104s are no longer in service. Air Force Major George Jones confirmed that no such calls were received by any branch of the military and that F-104s are not in use, suggesting that if jets were scrambled, they would have been F-106s or other models.

Weather Conditions

The article discusses severe weather conditions, including high winds and a falling barometer, in Colorado and Washington on January 11-12, 1972. These conditions are suggested as a possible cause for phone line malfunctions and potential interference with radio communications, which could have led to the alleged interception.

The Tape - Fake?

Despite official denials, Roy Parker, a civil engineer, believed the intercepted call was authentic, citing the faint sound and characteristics of a short circuit or power outage. The UFO Bureau investigated a tape recording of the alleged conversation. It was later determined to be a recording of a NASA call with Apollo 16 astronauts, available for purchase, and not the NORAD conversation. The investigation concluded the tape was a fabrication, possibly intended to discredit the witnesses.

How Many?

The number of unknown objects involved is unclear, with mentions of two craft being shot down. One object approached Houston from the Gulf of Mexico, and another was reportedly shot down near Alamogordo. A craft approaching Los Angeles from the Pacific was also mentioned.

Aerial Reconnaissance

Night flights with tracer lights suggest that investigations were ongoing. The article questions whether the pilots of the downed planes were found alive and if their reports confirmed being shot by the unidentified craft.

Two Dead Pilots

On January 21, news reports mentioned the deaths of two NASA pilots, Stuart M. Present and Mark C. Heath, in a T-38 crash on Matagorda Island in the Gulf of Mexico. The article speculates whether this incident was related to the NORAD alarm and if its reporting was delayed as part of a cover-up. It also notes the phonetic similarity between Alamogordo and Matagorda.

UFOs Reported

Reports of UFO activity in the New Mexico area around January 12, 1972, are mentioned, including sightings near Carrizozo and Albuquerque. A pilot reported seeing a flashing light near Farmington.

Witness Filmed

A correspondent from San Diego, Paul Whalley, received a film from an anonymous witness that allegedly captured a UFO. The film, shot with a Bell & Howell super-8 camera, showed debris and an object that appeared to be burning as it hit the water. Photo analyst John Gumm concluded that the object was not a plane part, rocket stage, or ball lightning, suggesting it was an 'unidentified object.' Dale Johnson, head of the Midwest UFO Network, stated that while it could be a meteor, its brightness suggested otherwise, concluding, 'IF IT IS NOT ROCKET STAGE OR METEORITES, I MUST SAY IT IS A UFO.'

Later Observation

On January 30, a large red ball with a long fiery tail was reportedly seen in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa, accompanied by a loud explosion, suggesting a plane crash or explosion.

Investigation of the Eckhardt-NORAD Case

The investigation into the Eckhardt-NORAD case yielded a significant amount of information despite attempts at a cover-up and discrediting the witnesses. The article implies that if other witnesses came forward, the mystery might be solved.

Who Can Tell the Truth?

The International UFO Bureau is interested in all UFO observations from the evening of January 12, 1972. The article concludes with a quote from General Douglas MacArthur from 1955, predicting an 'interplanetary war' and questioning if this incident was the beginning of such a conflict.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, potential military engagement with unknown craft, government secrecy, and the possibility of a cover-up. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official denials and a strong belief that a significant UFO event occurred on January 12, 1972, which was deliberately downplayed or hidden from the public. The magazine actively encourages further investigation and witness testimony, framing the event within the context of a potential 'interplanetary war.'