Ground Saucer Watch Bulletin - 1978 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: GSW NEWS BULLETIN
Issue Date: December, 1978
Publisher: GSW, INC.
Country of Publication: USA
Original Language: English

This issue of the GSW News Bulletin, dated December 1978, is primarily focused on UFO investigations, government transparency, and the organization's efforts to uncover information. The cover features a table of contents listing several key articles, including "Directly Speaking" by William H. Spaulding, "UFO Update" by W. Todd Zechel, "Contradictions of the First, Second and Third Kinds" by Alfred S. Pirozzoli, and "UFO Related Information From The FBI File" by Dr. Bruce S. Maccabee.

Directly Speaking

William H. Spaulding, Director GSW/WD, reflects on the achievements of 1978, highlighting the GSW lawsuit against the CIA as the outstanding accomplishment. He commends the persistence and legal expertise of their lawyers, Mr. Rothblatt and Mr. Gersten. Todd Zechel's research work is also noted for procuring additional data and leading to further FOIA requests. Spaulding expresses anticipation of receiving close to a thousand documents from the CIA, which he believes will prove the UFO phenomenon is a highly classified subject and demonstrate an ongoing UFO conspiracy by intelligence agencies. A significant challenge for GSW has been a continuing cash flow problem, but they are optimistic about recovering legal expenses through the lawsuit. Spaulding also mentions an upcoming annual lecture on "UFO Cover-Up, Proof of the First, Second and Third Kinds" to be held on January 12, 1979, in Phoenix, featuring himself as the speaker.

Organizational News

GSW's annual lecture for the public is scheduled for January 12, 1979, at 7:30 p.m. at the Adams Hotel in downtown Phoenix. The subject is "UFO Cover-Up, Proof of the First, Second and Third Kinds," with William H. Spaulding as the featured speaker. The lecture will cover information obtained from GSW's legal action against the CIA, presenting data that is described as startling and qualifiable with government documents. A second part of the lecture will include a slide show of UFO photographs. Tickets are priced at $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students, available at the door. Proceeds from the lecture will support GSW's legal action against governmental organizations suppressing UFO information. Parking information near the hotel is also provided.

UFO Update

By Todd Zechel, Director of Research, this section details the CIA's disclosure of approximately 1,000 pages of UFO documents on August 10, 1978. This disclosure was prompted by an amended complaint in the Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) suit, authorized by a federal judge on July 7, 1978. The CIA's disclosure came in response to a FOIA request by CAUS Director Todd Zechel, which included requests for documents related to the recovery of an extraterrestrial spacecraft. CIA Information & Privacy Coordinator Gene F. Wilson asked Zechel to suspend his request pending review of the 1,000 pages. GSW believes this is a stall tactic. The article explains that GSW's initial complaint related to the Ralph Mayher incident and the Durant Report, but was amended to include requests for virtually all CIA UFO-related records. Assistant U.S. Attorney William H. Briggs requested a stipulation from GSW to identify all categories of UFO documents for CIA's search. The CIA has agreed to this stipulation, and U.S. District Court Judge John Pratt made it an official order, giving the CIA 90 days to complete the search. Discussions indicate the 1,000 pages are mostly from the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) from the 1950s, likely containing Air Force and Navy reports and records of unauthorized CIA domestic UFO investigations in 1951-1952. CAUS requests researchers refrain from submitting FOIA requests until these documents are analyzed.

Map of Sightings

This section presents a map of the United States with numbers indicating the quantity of UFO sightings logged by GSW-East & West. Arizona leads with 62 sightings, followed by California with 15 and Ohio with 14. The map notes that not all sightings constitute real UFOs. It provides statistics: 160 called-in reports of UFOs, 29 hard copy reports received, and an unknown rate of 10.6 percent for August-November 1978. It also clarifies that AZ numbers exclude Phoenix-based advertisement airplanes and that 52 sightings were attributed to celestial bodies or misinterpretations.

Contradictions of the First, Second and Third Kinds

By Alfred S. Pirozzoli, this article critiques the official Air Force position that UFOs are not serious business. Pirozzoli argues that the Air Force's inability to explain the phenomenon does not prove its non-existence. He recounts his fifteen-year search for a rumored Air Force Academy textbook chapter exclusively on UFOs, which he eventually found. Pirozzoli states that the chapter contradicts the Air Force's public stance, presenting UFOs as potentially extraterrestrial craft. He criticizes government agencies for maintaining outdated policies and for fostering mistrust. The article includes excerpts from the textbook, such as "We should not deny the possibility of alien control of UFOs..." and "The most stimulating theory for us is that UFOs are material objects which are either 'Manned' or remote-controlled by beings who are alien to this planet." Pirozzoli urges UFO researchers to share data and for the public to become involved.

Excerpts from the Textbook

The textbook excerpt defines a UFO according to Air Force Regulation 80-17 as "Any aerial Phenomenon or object which is unknown or appears to be out of the ordinary to the observer." It notes that while the definition is broad, most people associate UFOs with strange or erratic behavior. The literature on UFOs is vast, and the chapter provides a sketchy outline including description classifications, operational domains, theories on UFO nature, human reactions, and scientific attempts to address the problem. It lists descriptors for cataloging UFO sightings, such as size, shape, color, luminosity, behavior (location, path, flight characteristics), and associated effects (electromagnetic, radiation, sound, smell, flame, smoke, debris, inhibition of motion, sightings of creatures). It also lists "After Effects" like burned areas, depressed areas, and disturbed people. Five theories on the nature of UFOs are presented: Mysticism, Hoaxes/Unstable Personalities, Secret Weapons, Natural Phenomena, and Alien Visitors.

The Socorro Sighting

The article details the Lonnie Zamora sighting in Socorro, New Mexico, on April 24, 1964. Sergeant Zamora reported seeing a shiny, eggshaped object with metal legs land in a gully. He observed two humanoids near the object. A blue flame shot from the object, which then departed rapidly. Charred bushes and four deep, circular marks were found where the legs had been. An official investigation supported Zamora's account, making it difficult to dismiss as a hoax or hallucination.

Other Theories

The "Secret Weapons" theory suggests UFOs are advanced weapon systems, but is not considered credible by most. The "Natural Phenomena" theory posits that UFOs are misinterpretations of balloons, Venus, satellites, aircraft, cloud formations, swamp gas, or ball lightning. However, the article notes the difficulty in convincing witnesses that these explanations apply to their observations.

UFO Related Information From The FBI File

This article by Dr. Bruce S. Maccabee is mentioned in the table of contents but its content is not provided in the scanned pages.

PSE Validity: Fact or Fiction?

This article by William Baum is mentioned in the table of contents but its content is not provided in the scanned pages.

Suggested Reading

This section is mentioned in the table of contents but its content is not provided in the scanned pages.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the pursuit of information regarding UFOs, particularly concerning government secrecy and potential cover-ups. GSW actively engages in legal action (FOIA requests and lawsuits) to obtain classified documents. The editorial stance, as indicated by the content and the disclaimer, supports the idea that UFOs are a serious subject worthy of investigation, and that the public has a right to know. There is a clear critique of official government positions that dismiss or downplay the UFO phenomenon. The publication encourages open dissemination of data and cooperation among researchers.

This document, titled "UFO RELATED INFORMATION FROM THE FBI FILE," is a compilation from 1978, presented by GSW as a consultant's work. It delves into historical UFO investigations, primarily focusing on the FBI's involvement and witness accounts from the mid-20th century.

Recapitulation of Early UFO Investigations

The issue begins by recounting the aftermath of Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting. General G.F. Schulgen of the Army Air Force Intelligence contacted the FBI, requesting interviews with witnesses of flying discs to rule out subversion. The FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, conducted an investigation from August 1 to October 1, 1947. During this period, the Air Force concluded UFOs were real objects, and the FBI determined reports were not connected to subversion, though some were hoaxes. The FBI's formal investigation ended in October 1947, with subsequent information to be passed to the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI).

Alien Visitors Theory

A section titled "Alien Visitors" explores the theory that UFOs are material objects, either manned or remote-controlled by extraterrestrial beings. It references the case of Sergeant Lonnie Zamora and the experiences of Barney and Betty Hill. Descriptions of aliens are provided, including a common type that is about three and a half feet tall with a round head and wearing a silvery suit, and another group described as about four feet tall, weighing 35 pounds, and covered in thick hair or fur. Two key questions are posed: why haven't accidents revealed their presence, and why no official contact? Possible answers include sociological study, viewing humans as less significant beings, secret contact, or contact on a different plane of awareness.

The Tunguska Meteor Connection

The issue suggests that Lonnie Zamora's experience and the Tunguska meteor incident might be related. The Tunguska meteor is hypothesized to have been a comet that exploded, or alternatively, an alien spacecraft that suffered mechanical failure and a nuclear explosion. The rise in global radioactivity following the Tunguska event is cited as evidence that is difficult to explain naturally.

FBI UFO Connection in 1950: The Kodiak Sightings

1950 is described as a year of "renaissance" for FBI involvement with UFOs. The document details a significant report received on April 24, 1950, from the Office of Naval Investigation (ONI) concerning three sightings of unidentified airborne objects near Kodiak, Alaska, on January 22 and 23, 1950. These sightings involved Navy personnel and included radar contacts and visual observations of fast-moving objects, some described as orange lights rotating or a reddish-orange ball of fire. Despite attempts to explain them as conventional aircraft or balloons, the official analysis noted the possibility of external interference and insufficient intelligence to definitively identify the objects as aircraft.

Unexplained Phenomena in New Mexico

Later in 1950, the OSI expressed concern over the continued appearance of unexplained phenomena in New Mexico, near sensitive installations. These phenomena were classified as "green fireballs," "discs," and "meteors." Dr. Lincoln La Paz, an expert from the University of New Mexico, concluded that about half the phenomena were meteoric, while the others might be U.S. guided missiles being tested. However, he also suggested that if they were not U.S. missiles, they could be guided missiles launched from the USSR. The Air Force, in conjunction with Land-Air Inc., initiated "Project Twinkle" to study these phenomena.

Air Force's Stance and "Self-Brainwashing"

The document critiques the Air Force's technique of reducing the importance of UFO reports by emphasizing explainable cases and downplaying their interest in research. It suggests a process of "self-brainwashing" within the Air Force, leading to a persistent denial of the possibility that UFOs represent new phenomena, despite evidence within their own files.

Conclusion

The conclusion states that the UFO phenomenon has been global for nearly 50,000 years. While many witnesses are reliable, natural phenomena and psychological factors likely contribute to the data as "noise." The possibility of alien visitors or alien-controlled UFOs is considered, though the data is poorly correlated. The author suggests that a solution would require a large, well-financed scientific effort, but acknowledges that there is no guarantee of success and that the best approach is to maintain an open and skeptical mind.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes include the historical investigation of UFOs by government agencies (FBI, Air Force, Navy), the analysis of witness testimonies, the exploration of various hypotheses (natural phenomena, misidentification, alien visitation), and the perceived lack of transparency or genuine scientific inquiry from official bodies. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination of official narratives, advocating for open-mindedness while maintaining skepticism towards definitive conclusions without sufficient evidence. The document highlights the challenges in definitively explaining UFO sightings and the potential for phenomena beyond current understanding.

This issue of MUFON UFO JOURNAL, dated Spring 1976, Volume 10, Number 3, published by MUFON, Inc., focuses on two primary areas: the validity of Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE) technology and historical investigations into 'green fireball' sightings.

PSE Validity: Fact or Fiction?

Authored by William Baum, this section critically examines the use of PSE technology, particularly in attempts to substantiate the purported Travis Walton abduction of November 1975. The article highlights that proponents of the Walton incident are using PSE to evaluate voice recordings as 'proof' of its factual nature. Baum stresses the importance for serious UFO researchers to avoid being misled by the perceived credibility of PSE testing. He presents findings from GSW's research staff, which compiled results from the American Polygraph Association and other professional/governmental organizations. A 1974 submission to the U.S. House of Representatives revealed that the Department of Defense had procured five PSE units, with the Department of the Army contracting Fordham University for testing. These Fordham tests found PSE produced valid results in less than one-third of administered tests, with reliability less than chance. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations also found a procured PSE unit not useful. The National Security Agency found both a PSE and a voice analyzer insufficiently reliable. Additional studies from 1968 and 1972 were also noted. The article references a 1978 T.V. Guide column by Keven Phillips, which suggested PSE is accepted in legal proceedings in many states. However, Ed Carnes, Assistant Attorney General of Alabama, disputed Phillips' article, citing factual errors. The article also quotes Frederick C. Link, who notes that voice analysis has been glamorized by popular media, leading to unrealistic public opinion, and that no military law enforcement agency currently uses voice analysis for lie detection, though they use polygraphs. James A. Redden, Attorney General of Oregon, issued an opinion stating PSE may not be used in Oregon due to legal requirements for instruments to record cardiovascular, respiratory, and galvanic skin responses. A New York Times report from March 1978 indicated a bill banning PSE use by employers was signed into law. The GSW summary concludes that PSE testing on 'abduction' witnesses cannot be considered strong, substantiating evidence.

Green Fireballs and Military Investigations

The issue details historical investigations into 'green fireball' phenomena, primarily occurring in New Mexico. It references conferences held at Los Alamos in February and October 1949, involving representatives from the Fourth Army, Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, University of New Mexico, FBI, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, University of California, U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, Geophysical Research Division Air Materiel Command USAF, and the Office of Special Investigations (IG) USAF. No definitive explanation was offered, but it was concluded that the phenomena should be studied scientifically and that their occurrence near sensitive installations was a cause for concern.

The Geophysical Research Division of the Air Materiel Command contracted Land-Air, Inc. for a limited scientific study of green fireballs. A summary by Lt. Col. Doyle Rees, USAF, reiterates that these phenomena had continuously occurred in the New Mexico skies for 18 months and were happening near sensitive military and government installations.

The article lists 209 observations, including case number 24 (February 17, 1949, near Albuquerque), where an object described as brilliant white shifting to peach color, round and elliptical, was observed for six minutes with no sound, travelling west to east. It was classified as an 'aircraft' in Blue Book files, though the author expresses skepticism about the classification.

Case number 175 (February 24-25, 1950) involved a photograph taken by a reliable observer near Datil, New Mexico. The object was described as white, changing to red and green, travelling northwest, leaving a train, and observed for about two hours. Dr. Lincoln La Paz analyzed the photograph, concluding the object's angular diameter was approximately 1/4 of a degree and its angular velocity was greater than half a degree per minute. La Paz concluded it was not the moon, Venus, or a bright fixed star.

Dr. La Paz reiterated arguments from December 1948 suggesting green fireballs were not natural meteors. His points included: horizontal paths, low altitudes, lower velocities than normal, lack of violent noises (unlike normal meteorites), constant brilliance, tendency to come from the north, and an anomalous green color resembling flame-excited copper salts. He also noted longer duration than ordinary meteors and the absence of a train of sparks or dust cloud. He later modified his reasoning to include strictly vertical infall as rare in meteor falls.

An additional point concerned the time distribution of green fireballs, with a maximum frequency around 20:30, which did not coincide with the maximum frequency for ordinary meteors (approx. 03:00) or meteorite falls (approx. 16:00). The time distribution for 'disk or variation' objects showed a maximum frequency around 16:00.

Dr. La Paz also discussed his Russian missile theory, suggesting green fireballs might result from guided missiles launched from the Urals, capable of reaching New Mexico in under 15 minutes. He noted that most sightings occurred on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, with Saturdays and Sundays being peak days. He also observed a decline in green fireball sightings coinciding with an all-time high in 'flying saucer' incidents.

The Air Force contracted with Land-Air, Inc. to supplement Project Twinkle. In September 1950, the Air Force issued a request for information on 'Unconventional Aircraft,' defining them as any aircraft or airborne object not conforming to known types.

A memorandum from Mr. Ladd to the FBI in October 1950 updated the green fireball situation. It noted that the Air Force had not provided new developments on Project Twinkle. The FBI received an average of three to four 'complaints' (UFO reports) per month from June to September. The FBI's jurisdiction was in espionage, sabotage, and internal security, and they requested OSI to advise them of developments of interest. OSI investigations indicated sightings did not involve spaceships or missiles from other planets, and no definite pattern of activity was found.

Another memorandum from October 1950 discussed 'flying saucers' with Special Agent Major General Joseph F. Carroll of OSI. Carroll stated the Air Force was not working on 'flying saucers' or 'flying disks' but on high-altitude rockets and jet aircraft, which might account for some reports. The Air Force program for investigating flying saucer reports had been reinstituted at Wright Field.

Bibliography and Suggested Reading

The issue includes a bibliography of relevant documents, such as Navy Intelligence documents, FBI Memoranda, and Air Force OSI documents. It also provides a 'Suggested Reading' section recommending publications like MUFON's UFO JOURNAL, INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER, and JUST CAUSE. It also mentions "Retrievals of the Third Kind" by Len Stringfield.

GSW News Bulletin

A section promotes the GSW News Bulletin, published three times annually (April, August, December), featuring editorials, news, and articles on UFOlogy. Subscription information is provided.

Reader Response Needed for Research Study Project

Mr. George D. Fawcett of the Maiden Times Weekly Newspaper is conducting a research study on "Human Reactions to UFO's" and requests readers to send pertinent information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical evaluation of pseudoscientific methods (PSE) used to validate UFO claims and a historical review of early government and scientific investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena ('green fireballs'). The editorial stance is skeptical of PSE technology, deeming it unreliable for substantiating abduction claims, and emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific study of UFO phenomena, as exemplified by the early efforts to understand the green fireballs. The publication appears to be a platform for serious researchers to critically analyze evidence and historical data within the UFO field.