Ground Saucer Watch Bulletin - 1980 04 - April

Magazine Overview

This document is the GSW News Bulletin, issue APA '80, dated April 1980. It is published by GSW, Inc. (Ground Saucer Watch), also known as the Civilian Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The bulletin covers a range of topics related to ufology, including analysis of UFO photographs, government documents, upcoming events, and reported sightings.

Table of Contents

• The issue features several articles and sections:
• Directly Speaking by William H. Spaulding, Director, GSW/WD.
• UFO Update - Photo Analysis by Editorial Staff.
• Upcoming Events.
• Map of Sightings.
• UFO Lawsuit Documents - Data Retrievals from the Government - Part IV by J.A. Spaulding, GSW/ED.
• Brief History on U.S. Government and UFOs.
• Suggested Reading.

Directly Speaking

William H. Spaulding's column addresses two main points. Firstly, he clarifies the departure of Todd Zechel, GSW Director of Research, attributing it to funding issues rather than more sensational rumors. Spaulding praises Zechel's contributions to UFO research during his tenure with CAUS and GSW, particularly his work on the 1975 NORAD overflights. Secondly, Spaulding discusses a 'crashed saucer story' from 1950 in Mexico, which he has documented with evidence from Todd Zechel, including ex-military witness accounts. However, GSW cannot release this data until necessary peripheral documents are obtained to elevate it from a story to a factual case. Spaulding emphasizes the need for factual data to gain media affection and public support for ufology, and criticizes government 'redtape'. The column also touches upon the ongoing lawsuit, described as being in a 'wait-and-see' phase with legal stalling, and outlines GSW's action assignments: finalizing and categorizing lawsuit documents (with emphasis on foreign countries), contacting foreign countries with valid UFO encounters, pursuing old FOIA requests, and following up on new leads from lawsuit documents.

GSW Symposium - 1980

GSW is planning a day-long seminar in November 1980, modifying its usual format of a single speaker to offer a training theme with five major topics: photographic analysis of UFO pictorial data, hypnosis in UFO research, polygraphic techniques in UFO cases, field investigations, and an update on the CIA lawsuit documents. Directors William and James Spaulding will speak, along with Richard Gottlieb of GSW's Research Staff and John McCarthy, a renowned polygraph expert with experience in the Travis Walton abduction case. The tentative price is $8.00 for the entire day, or $4.00 for AM/PM sessions.

UFO Update - Photo Analysis

The Editorial Staff reviews the book "UFO: Contact From The Pleiades," which features numerous daylight photographs and claims of contact with 'space beings.' The article expresses skepticism about the book's scientific authenticity, comparing it to science fiction movies and noting that the UFO public is tired of simple reports, desiring 'flashy' evidence. GSW had advised caution to those inquiring about the expensive book, awaiting evaluation by UFO researchers. GSW's analysis focused on ten of the photographs, concluding they were likely a hoax. Key points of their analysis include:

• The clarity of the images, with many containing extreme detail, unlike typical UFO photos which are often indistinct or show simple disc shapes.
• A lack of contrast in the sky above the UFO images.
• Photographic interpretation began over two and a half years prior, involving high-resolution negatives and evaluation by photographic analyzers and consultants.
• Opinions were weighed against outside sources, with basic questions raised about image sharpness, the suggestion of a linear structure possibly being a supportive device, and the spatial placement of a UFO 'in a tree'.

A computer analysis also indicated a combination of grandiose and crude attempts to hoax UFO encounters. Specific findings from the computer analysis include:

• UFO images being close to the camera/witness, with calculations suggesting they are less than four feet away.
• A model of eight to ten inches in diameter being used, with pixel jaggedness indicating straight edges and even densities.
• The use of photographic hoax techniques such as suspended models, double exposure, and double print methods.
• A linear structure (string) detected above UFO images.
• Signs of manufacture on models, with rivets and bolts disproportionately large.
• Experiments by GSW successfully replicated the double exposure technique.
• Shadow discrepancies and a lack of brightness or density on some images, inconsistent with other features.

The article mentions a quote from the Arizona Republic newspaper (December 16, 1979) where Wendell Stevens stated that Billy Meier was not lecturing, selling his story, or selling his pictures, and had no background promotion or record of conning anyone.

However, the bulletin's opinion, based on Falk's letter and their own research, suggests that cases of elaborate photographs and contact with alien beings do not belong in ufology. They believe the focus should be on proving the phenomenon's existence first, rather than worrying about extraterrestrial intelligence. GSW is convinced UFOs exist but cannot yet prove they are from another planet.

Upcoming Events

MUFON Symposium - 1980: To be held in Clear Lake City, Texas, on June 7th and 8th, 1980. The theme is "Technology and the UFO." Speakers include Leo Sprinkle, Stanton Friedman, Ray Stanford, Henry Monteith, Richard Niemtzow, and James Oberg. Information and tickets can be obtained by contacting John Schuessler.

National UFO Conference: To be held at the Doral Inn in New York City on June 20th and 21st, 1980. This is the 17th consecutive year for this event, sponsored by the National UFO Conference, chaired by James W. Moseley. Speakers include Stanton Friedman, Betty Hill, Art Ford, Philip J. Klass, Rich Hilberg, and Robert Easley. Special convention rates are available at the Doral Inn. The cost for attending two public sessions is $15.00.

Map of Sightings

This section presents a map of the United States with numbers indicating UFO sightings logged by GSW-East & West between December 1979 and March 1980. It notes that not all sightings constitute real "UFO's." Key statistics include:

• 150 called-in reports of UFO's.
• 30 reports received with hard copy.
• An unknown rate of 10.7 percent from December 1979 through March 1980.
• Arizona numbers do not include Phoenix-based advertisement airplanes.
• 14 sightings are categorized as 'unknowns' for the period.
• 38 sightings are attributed to bright stars, Venus, and other conventional misinterpretations.

• The map shows the following distribution of sightings:
• Washington (WA): 5
• Oregon (OR): 2
• California (CA): 20
• Nevada (NEV): 1
• Utah (UTAH): 4
• Arizona (AZ): 35
• New Mexico (NM): 7
• Colorado (CO): 4
• Oklahoma (OK): 4
• Missouri (MO): 3
• Texas (TX): 8
• Minnesota (MN): 2
• Indiana (IN): 12
• Ohio (OHIO): 12
• Pennsylvania (PA): 2
• North Carolina (N.C.): 3
• Alabama (AL): 3
• Georgia (GA): 2
• Florida (FL): 4
• All Others: 12
• Mexico: 2
• Canada: 7

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin exhibits a critical and analytical approach to UFO phenomena, particularly concerning photographic evidence. There is a strong emphasis on rigorous investigation and the need for factual data to legitimize ufology. The editorial stance appears to be that while UFOs likely exist, claims of extraterrestrial origin or elaborate contact scenarios require substantial proof. The organization is actively engaged in pursuing government documents related to UFOs through legal means. The publication also serves to inform its readership about significant events and developments within the UFO community, such as conferences and symposiums. There is a clear distinction made between genuine UFO reports and misinterpretations or hoaxes, as demonstrated by the analysis of the Meier photographs and the categorization of sightings.

This document, titled "DATA RETRIEVALS FROM THE GOVERNMENT - PART IV," is presented as the fourth installment in a series updating CIA lawsuit documents. Authored by James A. Spaulding, it offers a collection of government papers related to the UFO phenomenon, with a focus on military installations and government officials' concerns. The publication notes that individual sets of lawsuit documents, averaging 40 pages, are available for purchase. The document is dated May 25, 1950.

Content Summary

New Mexico Area Observations (December 1948 - May 1950)

A significant portion of the document details a "Summary of observations of Aerial Phenomena in the New Mexico Area, December 1948 - May 1950." This report, addressed to Brigadier General Joseph F. Carroll, Director of Special Investigations, USAF, was initiated following a December 1948 meeting where the frequency of unexplained aerial phenomena in New Mexico necessitated an organized reporting plan. The District Office assumed responsibility for collecting and reporting this information, distributing it to the Air Material Command and other agencies. The attached compilation includes sightings reported since December 1948, focusing on those with sufficient information. Observers included scientists, Special Agents, airline and military pilots, and security inspectors. Sightings were classified into three categories: (1) green fireball phenomenon, (2) disc or variation, and (3) probably meteoric.

Dr. Lincoln LaPaz, Director of the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico, provided an analysis of the green fireball occurrences. Conferences held in February and October 1949 at Los Alamos, New Mexico, involving representatives from various government and scientific organizations (including the Fourth Army, FBI, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, and USAF Scientific Advisory Board), discussed these phenomena. While no definitive explanation was offered, it was concluded that the phenomena were real and required scientific study, especially given their occurrence near sensitive installations. The Geophysical Research Division of the Air Material Command contracted with Lend-Air, Inc. for a scientific study of green fireballs.

NORAD Overflights (October - November 1975)

Another section, marked "CONFIDENTIAL" and titled "Suspicious unknown Air activity," reports on numerous suspicious object sightings received by NORAD from October 28 to November 11, 1975. Military personnel at Loring AFB (Maine), Wurtsmith AFB (Michigan), Malmstrom AFB (Montana), Mindi AFB (North Dakota), and Canadian Forces Station Falconbridge (Ontario) visually sighted objects. Some objects at Loring and Wurtsmith were identified as helicopters, while others at Malmstrom were described as sounding like jet aircraft. Radar at Malmstrom tracked an object between 8,500 and 15,600 feet at a speed of seven knots. Scrambled F-106 interceptors could not make contact due to darkness and low altitude. Site personnel reported the object's lights turned off as interceptors approached and came back on after they left. The object then reportedly increased speed and altitude. Minot AFB reported a bright, car-sized object at 1,000 to 200 feet with no noise. CFS Falconbridge also reported radar contacts.

A subsequent report from Page 3 (RUWRNLB5409) details an object sighted 25 to 30 nautical miles south of a site, ranging in altitude from 26,000 to 72,000 feet. Binocular observation revealed a 100-foot diameter sphere with craters. Efforts by Air Guard Helicopters, SAC Helicopters, and NORAD F106s failed to produce positive identification.

Kuwait UFO Sightings (November - December 1975)

A report from the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, dated January 29, 1979, discusses "'UFO' SIGHTINGS CAUSE SECURITY CONCERN IN KUWAIT." A series of sightings on November 9 prompted the Kuwaiti government to form an investigatory committee from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). The committee's report, released January 20, detailed eight sightings between November and December 14. Some early sightings occurred near a Kuwait Oil Company gathering center. The KISR committee rejected the idea that the UFOs were espionage devices but remained uncertain about their extraterrestrial origin, with one representative stating they didn't know enough to rule out "spaceships." The report recommended government measures to protect Kuwait's airspace, territory, and oil resources. The phenomena also stimulated interest in the country's air defense system. One incident involved a Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) pumping system automatically shutting down during a UFO appearance and restarting when it vanished.

Historical Overview of U.S. Government and UFO Phenomenon (1947-1952)

This section provides a "Brief History on the U.S. Government and the UFO Phenomenon (Part I)" by the GSW Research Staff, presenting evidence of government cover-up and foul-up. It chronologically details official statements and events:

• 1947: Initial Pentagon statements were dismissive or attributed sightings to hallucinations. However, by September 23, an official analysis report from ATIC concluded that "The reported phenomena are real." The Air Corps was convinced, and orders were issued to bring down flying saucers.
• 1948: Project Sign, a secret intelligence investigative agency, was established. General G. Kennedy expressed mystification over a sighting. An ATIC estimate, later declassified, suggested some UFOs could be interplanetary spaceships.
• 1949: The Air Corps became the Air Force. A 22-page digest acknowledged some cases remained unidentified. However, a December press release claimed the project was discontinued due to misinterpretation, mass hysteria, or hoaxes. Secret summaries stated it would "never be possible to say with certainty" that an object wasn't a spaceship or missile, and warned that visitors from space might be alarmed by Earth's atomic weapons.
• 1950: Official statements continued to deny evidence of flying saucers, attributing sightings to misinterpretations or hoaxes. A "general 'explaining away' policy" was in effect, with ridicule as the theme.
• 1951: Despite public ridicule, a new, serious investigation was ordered by Lieut. General Cobell. This reversal followed a discovery that UFO reports had not been thoroughly checked.
• 1952: AF Secretary Thomas Finletter stated that some sightings remained unexplained and would continue to be studied. ATIC Colonel stated that reports came from "sincere people" and that "We have to find out what." Captain E. Ruppelt of Project Blue Book concluded that flying saucers were not an immediate threat.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this document are government secrecy, alleged cover-ups, and the persistent, often unexplained, nature of UFO sightings, particularly in proximity to military installations. The publication itself, through its title and the inclusion of these documents, implies a critical stance towards official government narratives, suggesting that the secrecy surrounding UFOs contradicts claims of their non-existence. The "Editors' Note" on page 7 explicitly questions the secrecy if UFOs "officially do not exist."

The GSW News Bulletin is a publication focused on UFOlogy, with this particular issue dated August and covering events and statements from July and September 1952, as well as a broader look at the "Situation in 1952." The bulletin is published three times annually (April, August, December) by Ground Saucer Watch, Inc. It features regular columns like "Directly Speaking" by William H. Spaulding, organizational news, a Map of Sightings, and articles on UFOlogy. Subscriptions are available for non-members at $3.00/yr and for members at $2.00/yr.

UFO Sightings and Air Force Statements (July-September 1952)

The issue details a significant increase in UFO sightings by pilots, CAA tower operators, and other observers in July 1952. In response, Air Force HQ issued a statement on July 29, acknowledging that while a small percentage of reports from reliable sources remained unexplained, the majority were misidentifications of ordinary objects, hysteria, phenomena, or hoaxes. This statement aimed to downplay the significance of the sightings.

Further complicating the official narrative, Major Gen. Sanford, past Director of Air Force Intelligence, stated at a press conference on July 29 that radar and visual sightings at the Washington National Airport were caused by temperature inversions. However, a September statement by Major Lewis Norman, a USAF expert on temperature inversions, contradicted this. Norman, designated to present the official Air Force viewpoint, commented in an interview that the low temperature inversions involved (1.5 to 2 degrees) could not possibly explain the Washington sightings. Albert Chop, serving as the official Air Force Press Desk witness, was present during Norman's interview.

The "Situation in 1952" and Air Force Policy

The bulletin describes the Air Force's struggle in July 1952 to manage the public perception of the numerous UFO sightings. Faced with press demands for information, the Air Force had a choice: reveal evidence suggesting UFOs were real and possibly interplanetary, or dismiss the reports as worthless. The latter policy was chosen, although a number of Air Force Intelligence officers reportedly continued to advocate for making all evidence public.

The "Conclusion in August Issue..." suggests that further analysis or discussion of the situation was intended for the next issue.

Recommended UFOlogy Publications

The GSW News Bulletin recommends several publications for UFO researchers:

• CUFOS's International UFO Reporter: Published by CUFOS, 1609 Sherman Ave. Suite 207, Evanston, IL 60201, for $12.00/yr, ATTN: Allan Hendry.
• JUST CAUSE: Published by P.O. Box 9743, Arlington, VA 22204. The bulletin notes that CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy) no longer publishes a monthly bulletin but will honor previous subscriptions. The cost is $10.00/yr (12 issues).
• Retrievals of the Third Kind (Case study of Alleged UFO occupants in military custody): By Len Stringfield. Contact GSL.
• MUFON's Symposium Proceedings: Available for 1973 through 1979. Contact MUFON.

The MUFON UFO Journal

The issue specifically highlights a publication from MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), located at 103 Oldtowne Rd., Seguin, TX., 78155: The MUFON UFO Journal.

What are UFO's?

The MUFON UFO Journal acknowledges that some reported UFOs are explainable as balloons, hoaxes, airplanes, or aerial gases. However, it distinguishes "hard" sightings – such as daylight discs, objects with lighted portholes, or objects simultaneously tracked visually and on radar at fantastic speeds, and objects leaving physical evidence – as currently unexplained by known science. The journal focuses on gathering additional evidence for these types of sightings.

MUFON's Role and The Journal

The MUFON UFO Journal is described as a significant means of sharing UFO sighting reports and vital information globally. It features investigations and reports from MUFON's international liaison representatives and has a staff of reporters and columnists, including guest writers from MUFON's Advisory Board of Consultants, many of whom hold doctorates. The journal is the successor to SKYLOOK (founded in 1967) and is considered a leading monthly UFO magazine. Annual MUFON membership is $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for students under 18. A "Contributing Subscriber" option is also available for $12.00. A sample copy can be obtained for $1.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The GSW News Bulletin appears to adopt a stance of reporting on UFO phenomena with a degree of seriousness, while also acknowledging official explanations and the challenges in verifying reports. The emphasis on conflicting official statements regarding the 1952 Washington sightings suggests a critical perspective on government transparency. The bulletin actively promotes UFO research and encourages engagement through subscriptions to its own publication and recommendations for other UFOlogy resources, particularly the MUFON UFO Journal, positioning itself as a hub for UFO information and discussion.