Ground Saucer Watch Bulletin - 1980 08 - August

Magazine Overview

This document is the August 1980 issue of the GSW News Bulletin, published by Ground Saucer Watch (GSW), Inc., also known as the Civilian Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The bulletin features articles and analyses related to UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on questioning established theories and exploring potential government involvement.

Table of Contents

• The issue includes the following sections:
• Directly Speaking by William H. Spaulding, Director, GSW/WD (Page 1)
• Map of Sightings (Page 4)
• A Picture Worth Ten Thousand Words (Sometimes) by William H. Spaulding (Page 5)
• NSA Report (Page 10)
• Brief History on U.S. Government and UFOs - Part II (Page 14)
• Miscellaneous Information (Page 20)
• Suggested Reading (Page 21)

The contents are determined by the Editor and Staff and do not necessarily represent the official judgment of GSW. Opinions of contributors are their own. Print and electronic media may quote up to 300 words with credit to Ground Saucer Watch, Inc., Phoenix, AZ.

Directly Speaking

William H. Spaulding, Director of GSW/WD, discusses the public's perception of UFOs, dividing them into believers and non-believers. He further subdivides believers into those focused on contact cases (abduction syndrome, religious philosophy), supporters of the Extra-Terrestrial Hypothesis (ETH), and those who view UFOs as an unexplained phenomenon requiring scientific study. Non-believers are seen as easily explaining sightings as hoaxes, misinterpretations, or mental issues.

Spaulding notes that after 30 years of research, it's time to question the prevailing theories. His organization has leaned towards the ETH but finds too many unanswered questions. They are beginning to shift focus from the sky to the earth, suggesting that the U.S. government might be the source of some UFO sightings. He supports this by stating that despite thousands of UFO data points, there is no qualitative fact to support ETH. He lists several points suggesting government involvement:

1. Lack of qualitative evidence for ETH.
2. Hundreds of UFO landing cases are single-witness events without supportive data.
3. The number of UFO reports is likely significantly underestimated.
4. 'Contact' cases appear to involve selected individuals, not random chance.
5. The CIA was collecting UFO data as early as 1949.
6. Intelligence Agencies seem to direct and control government investigations.
7. CIA representatives check with Air Force officials after UFO sightings, even after Project Blue Book's closure.
8. FOIA documents show government concern, but primarily about how much material was obtained, not its scientific value.
9. Cattle mutilations show evidence of being interrelated with UFOs, with reports of all-black helicopters with darkened windows and noise-suppression rotors.

Spaulding proposes several hypotheses:

1. UFOs are a manipulative device used by the U.S. government for political or psychological reasons.
2. UFOs might be violating restricted air defense zones as a real-time test of defense systems.
3. There are few 'bona fide' UFO sightings; focusing on good data-producing events is key, as a few sightings can spur many misinterpretations.
4. UFO events are staged rather than natural.
5. Following negative publicity regarding clandestine testing (drug and germ warfare), the government likely continued such testing in secrecy, possibly using scenarios like cattle mutilations as a cover.

Helicopters are suggested to be used for nerve gas/germ warfare testing on animals, with organ removal serving as a scientific evaluation and a shroud of secrecy. The author posits that the UFO phenomenon might be a greater conspiracy, potentially used to deceive the public and cover more sinister motives, making the idea of UFOs from outer space seem like a children's story.

DIA Analysis of Iranian Incident of September 1976

This section details a significant UFO case that meets criteria for a valid study. The object was seen by multiple witnesses from different locations and viewpoints, including an Air Force general and aircrews. Visual sightings were confirmed by radar, and similar electromagnetic effects (EME) were reported by three separate aircraft. Physiological effects, such as loss of night vision due to the object's brightness, were also noted.

Map of Sightings

A map of the United States displays reported UFO sightings logged by GSW-East & West between March 1980 and July 1980. It notes that these sightings do not constitute real UFOs. The data includes 200 called-in reports and 25 hard copy reports received. The unknown rate (percentage of sightings that are unidentified) was 2.5% for the period. Arizona had the highest number of sightings (55), excluding advertisement airplanes. A footnote indicates that 73 sightings were attributed to bright stars, Venus, and conventional misinterpretations.

A Picture Worth Ten Thousand Words (Sometimes)

This excerpt from an upcoming book by W.H. Spaulding discusses the challenges of analyzing UFO photographs. Spaulding notes that while photography is an art, its interpretation is often guesswork and akin to 'black-magic'. He highlights that many UFO photos, whether from simple box cameras or sophisticated types, are often just blobs of light or vaguely disc-shaped, leaving questions about their authenticity and objective data. The ease with which elaborate scenes can be faked in movies suggests that UFOs can also be easily faked, especially since their shapes are so varied.

Spaulding explains that the advent of inexpensive cameras and fast film processing has led to a society where many people attempt to photograph UFOs. He describes a common scenario where individuals, after initial fruitless searches, resort to faking photos by suspending hubcaps or tossing Frisbees. The Polaroid process is noted as making this even simpler. These hoax photos are often submitted as 'hard proof' but are easily identified as misinterpretations or deliberate fakes by competent photographers. Examples include lens flares, hubcaps, searchlights on clouds, or aircraft landing lights.

He emphasizes that the ability to fake a UFO photograph does not mean UFOs do not exist, just as the existence of airplanes is not disproven by the ability to fake their photos. Conventional analysis methods for UFO photographs are time-consuming and rely heavily on human judgment. Problems include receiving copies instead of original negatives, poor image quality, missing foreground/background data, and witnesses selecting only the 'best' pictures, which may offer the least analytical information.

Key data for analysis includes camera type, lens settings, and film speed, which are often not provided. Professional photographers use densitometers to measure film darkening. While image enlargement can help, excessive magnification can lead to picture noise and obscure details. Occasionally, magnification has revealed evidence of fakes, such as supporting threads. The conventional analyzing arsenal includes microscopes to spot montage techniques, where images are combined. Photometric formulas and distance factoring are used, but many photos lack reference points, hindering analysis. Skilled hoaxers can effectively photograph planets or flashlight beams, which are easily mistaken for UFOs. The author stresses the importance of classifying images as hoaxes or misinterpretations, as even a small percentage of bonafide, technologically unidentifiable photographs would provide stronger evidence than visual sightings. He notes that as photographic analysis techniques improve, so do the skills of hoaxers, making it difficult to appreciate the ingenuity involved without careful evaluation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards the traditional Extra-Terrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) for UFO sightings. The editorial stance, primarily articulated by William H. Spaulding, leans towards a more grounded, potentially terrestrial explanation for many reported phenomena, including government involvement and deliberate deception. There is a strong emphasis on the critical analysis of evidence, particularly photographic evidence, highlighting the pervasive issue of hoaxes and misinterpretations within the field of ufology. The bulletin advocates for a more rigorous, scientific approach, while simultaneously suggesting that the phenomenon may be a complex conspiracy involving governmental agencies. The overall tone is investigative and questioning, urging readers to reconsider conventional explanations and look for alternative, possibly domestic, origins for UFO reports.

Title: UFO HYPOTHESIS AND SURVIVAL QUESTIONS
Issue: Part II
Date: August 1951
Publisher: National Security Agency Report
Country: USA
Cover Headline: "Does Secrecy Exist within the Government Investigation and Policies of the UFO?"

This document, presented as a staff editorial, delves into the various hypotheses surrounding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and their potential implications for human survival. It critically examines the evidence and arguments for each hypothesis, while also detailing the history of government involvement and policy shifts concerning UFO investigations, particularly by the U.S. Air Force.

Analysis of UFO Hypotheses

The document outlines five principal hypotheses concerning UFO phenomena:

1. All UFO's Are Hoaxes: This section notes that hoaxes have historically been infrequent and geographically restricted. However, the global and persistent nature of UFO sightings, witnessed by reputable scientists, suggests that UFOs are not all hoaxes. The trend towards increased reports is highlighted, with a three-month period in 1953 yielding 35 undetermined sightings. The author posits that if UFOs were indeed hoaxes on a global scale, it would indicate a significant human mental aberration with serious implications for nations possessing nuclear capabilities.

2. All UFO's Are Hallucinations: While acknowledging that individuals can hallucinate and that machines like radar can experience 'hallucinations' due to phenomena like temperature inversions, the document argues against mass hallucinations. The occurrence of multiple people and/or radar systems observing the same phenomenon simultaneously is cited as evidence against this hypothesis. The author notes that a high percentage of reports come from people in responsible positions in science, government, and industry, suggesting the evidence argues against UFOs being solely hallucinations. The psychological implications of widespread illusionary beliefs are considered significant for human survival.

3. All UFO's Are Natural Phenomena: This hypothesis questions the reliability of air warning systems if they cannot correctly diagnose an attack situation. Many UFOs are reported by trained military observers as behaving like high-speed, high-performance aircraft, sometimes confirmed by radar. The concern is that such objects, if originating from a hostile nation like Russia and approaching from the Arctic, could trigger false missile attack reports. Furthermore, some military officers have developed a 'blind spot' to UFO characteristics, potentially allowing enemies to exploit this by building replica phenomena to penetrate defenses. The possibility of these phenomena defying radar and causing electromagnetic interference is also raised, suggesting a need to discover their nature before potential enemies can use them to circumvent or jam defense systems.

4. Some UFO's Are Secret Earth Projects: This hypothesis is supported by references to U.S. Air Force re-entry vehicles and Canadian 'saucer' projects. The author suggests that UFOs should be scrutinized to identify such domestic or foreign projects, as a nation could be intimidated by a new secret 'doomsday' weapon.

5. Some UFO's Are Related to Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence: This hypothesis, considered by some eminent scientists, has significant survival implications. If humanity is discovered by a technologically superior civilization, the historical pattern suggests the inferior civilization would likely face physical conquest or cultural absorption. The document cites the Japanese people as an example of a culture that survived by accepting their inferiorities, maintaining national solidarity, limiting intercourse with the superior side, and adopting advantageous aspects of the other culture.

Photo Analysis and Deception

The first page of the document includes a discussion on the difficulty of analyzing UFO photographs. It describes a case from South Africa where sequential exposures of a metallic disc were initially deemed valid due to their sharp definition and apparent high altitude. However, a detailed analysis revealed the object was only six inches in diameter, and its perceived altitude was an illusion created by placing the camera in a hole and emphasizing foreground elements. The author emphasizes that a picture looking good does not prove its authenticity and that hoaxers can be clever, providing a series of 'artists' conceptions' demonstrating simple methods to fool photo-analyzers without expensive equipment.

Government Policy and Secrecy: The Robertson Panel and Project Blue Book

The document details the history of U.S. government involvement in UFO investigations, focusing on the Robertson Panel and Project Blue Book.

• November 1951: A preliminary panel of four scientists convened to review accumulated UFO reports, recommending a larger, more detailed investigation staffed by top scientific talent.
• January 17, 1953: The Robertson Panel adjourned. Two conflicting versions of its conclusions have been released.
• Conclusions as reported by Ruppelt (1956): Recommended expanding the UFO project, increasing government investigative staff, establishing tracking instrumentation nationwide, and informing the public about the investigation's details to dispel mystery and ensure a scientific basis. These recommendations were not adopted.
• Summary Released by the Air Force (1958): Concluded that UFOs posed no "direct physical threat to national security," found no evidence of "foreign artifacts capable of hostile acts," and saw "no need for revision of current scientific concepts." The panel recommended stripping UFOs of their "special status" and "aura of mystery" and implementing a program to reassure the public of the lack of inimical forces.

An "EDITORS NOTE" highlights that the full report of the "elite" panel might not have been made public or was modified. If the conclusions were clearly negative, there would have been no reason to classify them Top-Secret or to avoid massive public announcements.

The document notes that despite apparent initial interest in gathering data, the Air Force, starting around 1953, reversed its stance and engaged in severe debunking tactics. It ceased admitting any evidence for the reality of UFO phenomena and conducted a "fantastic snow-job" through its Public Information Office (PIO), maintaining a policy of public reassurance despite suffering credibility.

Key Dates and Events in Government UFO Policy:

• 1953: The Air Force conducted an independent study through the RAND Corporation, published as "Special Report No. 14" by Project Blue Book. The report's information cut-off date was the end of 1952.
• August 26, 1953: AF Regulation 200-2 issued, establishing procedures and restrictions on public discussion of UFOs.
• December 1, 1953: The Air Force announced the setup of cameras with diffraction gratings across the U.S. for analyzing light from UFOs.
• Summary 1953: An intensive review led many high-ranking officers to conclude that UFO phenomena had an interplanetary origin.
• January 6, 1954: News reporters were banned from ATIC, Wright-Patterson AFB.
• May 15, 1954: General Nathan Twining stated that the nation's best brains were working on the UFO problem, as the AF could not explain 109 sightings.
• May 5, 1955: Project Blue Book "Special Report No. 14" was declassified.
• October 25, 1955: A summary of the Project Blue Book Report linked to a statement that the Air Force would soon have its own "saucer-like" aircraft (AVRO disc), a project later scrapped.
• 1956-1957: UFOs faded from the news; queries were met with an official "fact sheet." A 1957 fact sheet stated the percentile of unknown cases had reduced from 10% in 1954 to 3%.
• July 10, 1957: GSW formed in Cleveland, Ohio.
• September 12, 1957: Maj. Gen. J. Kelly stated that no UFO reports were withheld and all civilian UFO groups received information from the USAF.
• November 15, 1957: Gen. J. Kelly replied to requests for case data, stating the Air Force never intended to turn over "Official Use Only" files.
• November 1957: "Fact sheets" emphasized explained UFO reports and the lack of evidence of a threat to national security. Hundreds of UFO reports remained unresolved.
• 1958-1959: "Fact sheets" reiterated the government's position.
• July 3, 1958: Richard Horner stated interest in truth and obligation to keep the public informed.
• October 10, 1958: Major L. Tacker stated the Air Force does not "edit" or "splice" film and returns it after study.
• December 1959: An Air Force Inspector General brief covered general investigative techniques, stating personnel should be equipped with tools for sample collection.
• August 15, 1960: An "Air Force Information Letter" stated a relationship between the Air Force's interest in space surveillance and its continuous surveillance of the atmosphere for UFOs.
• 1960-1961: Lt. Col. Lawrence Tacker published "Flying Saucers and the U.S.A.F.," a public tour promoting an anti-UFO stance.
• June 1961: Citizen requests for investigation led to scheduled congressional hearings that never materialized; instead, liaison personnel briefed committees privately.
• February 6, 1962: The last "fact sheet" was issued, ceasing publication of this type of information.
• 1963-1964: Packets of UFO information, including case details, replaced "fact sheets." The UNKNOWN category became blurred.
• March 22, 1966: The AF announced it would call in Dr. J.A. Hynek to solve the summer flap of UFO reports.
• March 25, 1966: Dr. Hynek's "forced explanation" of Michigan sightings as "SWAMP GAS" is mentioned.
• November 1, 1966: The Condon Committee began its study.
• January 9, 1969: The Condon Committee released its report after a two-year study costing over $500,000, sparking controversy.
• December 17, 1969: The Air Force announced the closure of Project Blue Book, stating UFOs offered no threat to national security.
• July 26, 1972: GSW went "public," revealing fifteen years of "underground" UFO research.
• August-November 1972: The Air Force began cooperating with civilian UFO research organizations, a reversal from past policy.

Survival Attitude and Modern Civilization

The document concludes by advocating for a more immediate and defensive approach to UFO questions, likening it to reacting to a rattlesnake warning. It suggests that a leisurely scientific approach has been too often taken. Observations of captive chimpanzees, which become confused and disoriented without adult guidance, are used as an analogy for how modern civilization might be causing a similar lessening of humanity's adaptive capability, health, and ability to recognize and adapt to reality. The author speculates that the UFO question might even prompt studies leading to a society that fosters a more complete, healthy, and reality-aware human being.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes include the nature of UFO phenomena (hoaxes, natural, extraterrestrial, etc.), the challenges of photo analysis and potential deception, and the evolving, often contradictory, policies and public relations efforts of government agencies, particularly the U.S. Air Force, regarding UFO investigations. The editorial stance appears critical of government secrecy and debunking tactics, advocating for a more serious and immediate approach to understanding the UFO phenomenon due to its potential survival implications for humanity. There is a strong undercurrent suggesting that the official government narrative has been misleading or incomplete.

The GSW News Bulletin is a publication by Ground Saucer Watch, Inc. (GSW), issued three times annually in April, August, and December. Regular features include 'Directly Speaking' by William H. Spaulding, Director, WD., organizational news, a Map of Sightings, and articles on various aspects of UFOlogy. Subscriptions are available for $3.00/yr for non-members and $2.00/yr for GSW members.

Historical Timeline of GSW Activities and UFO Phenomena (1973-1980)

The bulletin provides a chronological overview of significant UFO-related events and GSW's involvement:

• March-December 1973: Marked as the largest and longest UFO flap in recorded history, with thousands of reports received globally. This period saw increased scientific respectability granted to UFO phenomena.
• November 1973: GSW established a policy to work with Dr. Hynek's 'Center for UFO Studies' (CUFOS).
• 1974: Characterized by more scientific respectability, improved UFO reports, and a shift in U.S. government policy away from ridiculing UFO witnesses.
• 1975: GSW adopted a policy to work with MUFON, under the direction of Walter Andrus.
• 1977: GSW initiated a landmark FOIA lawsuit against the CIA, seeking UFO-related documents.
• 1979: Through FOIA requests and the lawsuit, GSW obtained 2,000 pages of documents that reportedly proved the U.S. government's continuing role in UFO investigations and indicated evidence of cover-up and concern among U.S. officials.
• 1980: Evidence began to emerge suggesting that the U.S. Government might be responsible for some UFO reports, leading to the conclusion that UFOs could be a government deception.

The 'Warminster Event' and Controlled Hoaxes

A reprinted article from the Christian Science Monitor (April 1980) details the 'Warminster Event' that occurred near Warminster, England, a decade prior. On March 28, 1970, about 30 witnesses gathered on Cradle Hill to observe a flying saucer accompanied by a purple light and a detector indicating a strong magnetic field. Photos taken at the time were considered by experts to be undoctored evidence of a saucer sighting.

However, the article reveals that this event was part of a series of 'controlled hoaxes' perpetrated by British physicist David I. Simpson. Simpson's study aimed to assess the competence of UFO investigators. He admitted to using a purple spotlight, switched on and off to simulate movement, and a confederate operating a bogus magnetic field detector. The photos, though carefully handled, were pre-exposed to show a saucer.

Despite these fakery signs, supposedly careful investigations by UFO organizations and even skilled experts failed to detect the trickery. Eyewitnesses later reported seeing a red light within the purple glow and the saucer itself, illustrating how the mind can perceive what it wants to believe.

Simpson's findings suggest that such gullibility is common among UFO investigators, and he warns that the 'irrational thinking' of UFO students can be infectious and provide media with sensational headlines. He implies that this tendency can lead enthusiasts to accuse skeptics of 'bias' when the bias may lie with the students themselves.

Limit To Information Act and Suggested Reading

Another section discusses a proposal endorsed by the Justice Department, allowing the FBI and CIA to certify certain materials as secret in response to Freedom of Information Act requests, thereby removing them from judicial review. This proposal, reported by the Washington Post, covers intelligence information not obtained from U.S. government employees, information identifying sources, and details about technical or scientific information-gathering systems that do not pose a risk to human life.

The bulletin concludes with a 'Suggested Reading' list for UFO researchers, recommending publications such as CUFOS's International UFO Reporter, 'Retrievals of the Third Kind' by Len Stringfield, MUFON's Symposium Proceedings, MUFON's UFO Journal, and 'JUST CAUSE' (formerly published by CAUS - Citizens Against UFO Secrecy).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The GSW News Bulletin consistently focuses on the pursuit of UFO information, particularly concerning government involvement and potential cover-ups, as evidenced by their FOIA lawsuit against the CIA. The publication appears to be critical of unsubstantiated claims and highlights instances where UFO phenomena have been deliberately faked, as seen in the Warminster event. The editorial stance leans towards a serious investigation of UFOs while acknowledging the role of psychological factors and skepticism in understanding witness accounts and the broader UFO phenomenon. The publication also advocates for transparency and access to information regarding UFO investigations.