Ground Saucer Watch Bulletin - 1979 08 - August

Magazine Overview

This issue of the GSW News Bulletin, dated August 1979, features several articles focusing on UFO sightings, media criticism, and legal actions related to UFO data retrieval. The publication is determined by its Editor and staff, with contributor opinions being their own, and requires written permission for quotes exceeding 300 words.

Directly Speaking

William H. Spaulding, Director of GSW/WD, expresses concern that media coverage can harm the UFO movement. He criticizes Omni magazine for publishing a collage of what he deems fraudulent UFO photographs, arguing that such presentations lead to the conclusion that all UFO photos are hoaxes. Spaulding also critiques Omni's article on the GSW/CIA lawsuit, noting that it confused information and failed to mention GSW as the organization behind the lawsuit, instead attributing it to CAUS headed by Todd Zechel. Spaulding refused to provide information for a potential Omni article due to a perceived bias in their journalism.

Todd Zechel's letter to Omni expresses initial optimism about the magazine's potential for serious UFO coverage but criticizes the choice of James Oberg as a UFO columnist, viewing him as a skeptic promoting his mentor, Philip Klass. Zechel also critiques Art Gatti's article, which he claims misrepresented his work and the FOIA lawsuit against the CIA. Gatti allegedly invented an FOIA lawsuit against the Air Force and misattributed the CIA lawsuit to CAUS, ignoring GSW's role and funding. Zechel emphasizes that GSW initiated the CIA lawsuit, with Bill Spaulding providing funding, and that CAUS was not involved as a litigant.

The New Zealand and Australia Sightings

By Bill Baum, this section reports on UFO sightings and the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich. Paul Norman, Vice President of the Victoria UFO Research Society, provided newspaper articles and interviews concerning these events. Numerous sightings were reported around Melbourne on October 21, 1978, the day Valentich disappeared. Norman believes these sightings create an aura of truth around the disappearance, suggesting Valentich encountered an unknown aircraft. The report notes that New Zealand sightings were more detailed than those reported in the US, with longer video footage available.

What Really Happened in New Zealand?

Dr. Bruce Maccabee, GSW Consultant, provides a detailed report on radar-visual-photographic UFO sightings off the coast of New Zealand's South Island on December 31, 1978. The events began with a news reporter and film crew aboard a freighter aircraft. The sightings involved objects confirmed by Wellington Airport radar and the aircraft's own radar. One incident on December 22 involved an Argosy freighter plane reporting five UFOs confirmed by ground radar. On December 30-31, the TV crew's flight encountered objects that interacted with the plane and were tracked by radar. Technical details of the aircraft, cameras, and radar equipment used are provided, along with weather conditions. The report analyzes radar targets, noting anomalous behavior and speeds that suggest non-conventional craft. It also discusses potential natural and artificial light sources to rule them out as explanations.

UFO Lawsuit Documents: Data Retrievals From the Government - Part II

This section, by James A. Spaulding, GSW/ED, likely continues a discussion on government documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). While the specific content of Part II is not fully detailed in the provided pages, it is presented in the context of the GSW/CIA lawsuit mentioned earlier.

Suggested Reading

This section lists references, including the MUFON Journal (May/June 1979) and Dr. Bruce Maccabee's photo analysis, for further details on the investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of media reporting on UFO phenomena, the importance of accurate documentation and investigation, and the pursuit of government information through legal means. The editorial stance, as expressed by William H. Spaulding, is one of concern for the integrity of UFO research and a desire for objective reporting, while also highlighting the organization's active role in pursuing legal avenues for information retrieval.

This issue of "UFO Lawsuit Documents - Part II" from GSW, dated October 19, 1979, delves into various aspects of UFOlogy, including upcoming lectures, technical analyses of radar phenomena, and historical government documents.

GSW Sponsors Dr. Hynek This Fall

GSW, through James Spaulding, has announced a new lecture series in the Phoenix area featuring prominent figures in UFOlogy. The inaugural lecture on October 19, 1979, at the Del Webb Townhouse in Phoenix will be presented by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Director of The Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). Dr. Hynek, a renowned astro-physicist and former civilian scientific consultant to the USAF's Project Blue Book, brings over 25 years of experience in the UFO field. The lecture is expected to attract over 800 attendees and will include a visual presentation. Prior to Dr. Hynek's speech, William Spaulding, Director of GSW, will provide an update on the CIA lawsuit. Tickets are priced at $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students, with checks payable to GSW, Inc. The program begins promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Analysis of Radar Sightings and Atmospheric Phenomena

The magazine presents a detailed technical analysis of radar phenomena, particularly focusing on observations made in New Zealand. The core of the discussion revolves around explaining anomalous radar targets that do not conform to expected behavior.

Radar Cross-Section and Target Identification

An object's radar cross-section, which determines its visibility on radar, is influenced by its orientation relative to the radar antenna. A plane flying broadside to the antenna presents a larger cross-section than one flying directly toward or away from it. If the cross-section becomes too small, the target can disappear from the radar scope. Radar blips are generated when the antenna picks up sufficient power reflected from a target within the transmitter's irradiating field. These reflections can come from metallic objects, conducting media like ionized air, or variations in the dielectric constants of the atmosphere.

Anomalous Propagation and Clear Air Turbulence

One proposed explanation for anomalous targets is reflections from "dielectric discontinuities or variations" caused by clear air turbulence. However, this explanation is challenged when flight crews report calm air. The article discusses how atmospheric conditions, specifically temperature, pressure, and humidity variations with altitude, can cause refractive bending of the radar beam. This bending can cause the beam to reflect off objects on the surface, such as boats or waves, which can then be misinterpreted as aerial targets. The Wellington radar's inability to determine target height exacerbates this issue. Regions of clear air turbulence are noted to have very small radar cross-sections, especially at longer wavelengths like 50 cm.

Explaining Specific Incidents

The article examines a particular incident where a Wellington radar picked up a target that appeared stationary behind a plane for over a minute, followed by another target and the plane's return "doubling in size." Several hypotheses are explored:

• Real Reflective Object: A second aircraft moving at the same speed and azimuth as the observed plane. This is deemed unlikely due to the lack of other aircraft.
• Anomalous Propagation: Radar rays being bent downward to pick up a boat or wave on the surface. However, the movement of such a target would not match the aircraft's speed.
• Atmospheric Mirror Effect: Radar rays travelling upward and then reflecting downward, with the reflector moving upward. This scenario requires a bending layer to move upward at a speed significantly faster than the plane, which is considered improbable and would likely cause turbulence.
• Bouncing Radar Beam: The radar beam bouncing off the airplane and then hitting a stationary target before returning to the antenna. This would require the stationary target to be very close to the plane to avoid detection as an extra path length.
• Bending Layer Development: A bending layer developing at the right time and place to cause rays to hit the surface at a specific distance, with a subsequent decrease in bending to account for the observed path length increase. This requires precise atmospheric conditions.

The article concludes that anomalous propagation is difficult to ascribe to this particular incident, especially since no evidence of it was observed on the non-MTI display. Stationary targets produced by constant ray bending are also problematic as they should not defeat MTI processing.

Radar-Visual Sightings

The issue categorizes radar-visual sightings into three classes: apparent (ARV), maybe (MRV), and not (NRV) radar-visual. Out of 28 separable incidents involving the Wellington radar, 16 were NRV, 8 were MRV, and 4 were ARV. Several ARV incidents are detailed, including one where lights were seen in the same direction as radar targets and their "dynamic" characteristics matched, and another where a radar target and a light appeared simultaneously ahead of the plane. Another incident involved a radar target at the plane's location doubling in size, with observers seeing a flashing light and a stationary target.

UFO Lawsuit Documents - Part II

This section presents documents released by the CIA as part of the GSW lawsuit. A 1952 memorandum from the Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence to the Deputy Director/Intelligence highlights early concerns about radar and visual sightings of unidentified aerial objects. The memorandum notes that a special study group was being formed to review the subject, with participation from O/CI and O/SI, and a report was expected by August 15th.

A subsequent memorandum from October 2, 1952, from H. Marshall Chadwell, recommends that the Director of Central Intelligence advise the National Security Council of the implications of the "flying saucer" problem and request research initiation. It also suggests discussing the subject with the Psychological Strategy Board and developing a public information policy to minimize concern and panic from sightings.

A memorandum dated September 24, 1952, indicates that the only government unit then studying the problem was the Directorate of Intelligence, USAF, which had tasked the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) with investigating reports. ATIC had a small group responsible for this task.

Map of Sightings

A map of the United States displays the number of UFO sightings logged by GSW-East & West. It clarifies that not all sightings constitute "real" UFOs. Statistics are provided: 190 called-in reports, 45 hard copy reports received, and an unknown rate of 9.52 percent (47 sightings) from January to July 1979. The Arizona numbers exclude Phoenix-based advertisement airplanes. The sightings cover April to July 1979. It is noted that 28 sightings were attributed to bright stars, the planet Venus, and other celestial or conventional misinterpretations. A special report on a daylight disc photographed over Phoenix, Arizona, is mentioned as forthcoming.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the technical analysis of UFO phenomena, particularly radar anomalies and atmospheric effects, the role of government agencies in investigating UFOs, and the ongoing efforts by organizations like GSW to gather information and raise public awareness. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous investigation, seeking scientific explanations for reported phenomena while acknowledging the persistent mystery of unidentified aerial objects and the importance of government transparency through FOIA requests.

This issue of Ground Saucer Watch delves into declassified documents from the 1950s concerning the US government's investigation into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The content primarily consists of internal memoranda and reports from agencies like the CIA, Air Force, and ATIC, highlighting the evolving understanding and concerns surrounding these phenomena.

Government Investigations and Concerns

The documents reveal a significant level of government engagement with UFO sightings, driven by national security implications. Early on, the Air Force, through ATIC, was tasked with investigating reports, aiming to provide explanations for individual sightings. A world-wide reporting system was instituted, and major Air Force bases were ordered to make interceptions of UFOs. The research was conducted on a case basis, with an arrangement made with Battelle Memorial Institute to establish a machine indexing system for official reports.

A team from the CIA's Office of Scientific Intelligence consulted with Air Force personnel and CIA consultants, finding that while the ATIC study was valid for case-by-case explanations, it did not address the more fundamental aspects of determining the nature of the phenomena and identifying their causes and effects immediately. The CIA consultants suggested that solutions might lie in the frontiers of atmospheric, ionospheric, and extraterrestrial phenomena, with a possibility that nuclear waste dispersal could also be a factor. They recommended forming a study group to analyze the problem, identify relevant scientific fields, and propose research.

National Security Implications

The vulnerability of the U.S. to air attack was a recurring theme. The U.S. Air Warning System relied on radar and visual observation, but the presence of numerous unidentified sightings, even during peacetime, posed a risk. In the event of an attack, the inability to instantly distinguish hardware from phantom objects could lead to false alerts and misidentification of real threats. This operational challenge was recognized as having readily apparent intelligence factors.

Recommendations and Actions

Several key actions were recommended from an operational viewpoint: immediate steps to improve the identification of visual and electronic phantoms, a study to determine potential utilization of these phenomena by psychological warfare planners, and the establishment of a national policy regarding public information to minimize panic. A draft letter to the Secretary of Defense emphasized the need for scientific research to determine if UFO phenomena could be generated and controlled by humans, recommending an expanded scientific research program with close cooperation between research and intelligence.

Project Blue Book and Intelligence Assessments

Project Blue Book, managed by ATIC, was a central part of the Air Force's efforts. By October 1952, explanations had been provided for all but 20% of approximately 1500 reported sightings. The CIA/OSI was concerned with determining the USSR's capabilities to create and control UFOs as a weapon, but existing information did not support the conclusion that saucers were USSR-created. The view was that intelligence collection on USSR capabilities would be ineffective without adequate fundamental scientific research into the nature and causes of UFOs.

By December 1952, reports indicated that something was happening that required immediate attention, with sightings of unexplained objects at great altitudes near major U.S. defense installations being of a nature not attributable to natural phenomena or known aerial vehicles. A draft directive was proposed to the National Security Council to make this a priority project throughout the intelligence and defense research communities.

Evolving Responsibilities and Status

By May 1953, responsibility for maintaining current knowledge of UFO sightings was assigned to the Physics and Electronics Division/OSI. The Air Force's interest in UFOBs was noted as decreasing in emphasis, with the ATIC project (Bluebook No. 10073) being handled by a limited staff. ATIC personnel no longer conducted field investigations, relying on USAF intelligence officers. Approximately ten percent of reported sightings had been tagged as unsolved.

By August 1955, the project was considered inactive, with incoming material to be reviewed periodically to segregate recognizable phenomena. Material raising immediate national security concerns would be flagged, otherwise, it would be filed for future reference. It was recommended that the project be terminated and files placed in dead storage due to a lack of significant intelligence produced.

Scientific Advisory Panel and Public Release

A meeting in May 1958 discussed steps concerning a Scientific Advisory Panel report on UFOs. The full report was classified 'Secret,' but a declassified version was available. The principal reason the entire report could not be declassified was that it cited examples of actions an enemy could take with dangerous consequences to national security. Panel members had also requested that their names not be connected to the CIA. Efforts were considered to forestall future inquiries, possibly through a press release utilizing the panel report.

Suggested Reading and GSW Bulletin

The issue concludes with a "Suggested Reading" section, recommending publications like MUFON's UFO JOURNAL, INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER, and JUST CAUSE. It also promotes the GSW news Bulletin, published three times annually, featuring editorials, news, and articles on UFOlogy. Subscription information for the GSW Bulletin is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent government investigation into UFOs, the evolving understanding of the phenomena, and the significant national security concerns associated with them. The documents highlight the tension between the need for scientific understanding and the classification of information due to potential threats. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publication of these documents and the promotion of UFO research resources, is one of continued interest and advocacy for the exploration of UFO phenomena and related government activities.