Journal of the Fortean Research Center - Vol 1 No 3

Magazine Overview

This issue of the JOURNAL of the FORTEAN RESEARCH CENTER, Volume I, No. 3, dated October 1986, is priced at $3.50. The cover features an illustration of a large telescope apparatus. The journal is published quarterly by the Fortean Research Center, a non-profit corporation dedicated to investigating unexplained phenomena.

Editorial Stance and Issue Focus

The editorial, written by the journal's staff, introduces a special issue focused entirely on UFO-related documents released by the United States government. The editor explains that nine different documents are presented, five of which are fully substantiated as authentic, and four are from anonymous sources. While the latter cannot be confirmed as authentic, they might contain a 'germ of truth' and serve to illustrate the potential for disinformation campaigns. The editor stresses the importance of evidence, stating, 'One must never let the will to believe out-distance the need for solid evidence.'

Document Descriptions

The issue provides brief descriptions of the nine documents:

1. July 15, 1947 FBI memorandum: Discusses FBI involvement in UFO investigations and mentions a possible crashed UFO held by the Army. It includes a handwritten note from J. Edgar Hoover expressing a desire to agree but insisting on full access to recovered discs.
2. October 20, 1969 Air Force memo: Recommends disbanding Project Blue Book and indicates that it was not the sole Air Force UFO investigation.
3. November 3, 1961 Air Force memo: Concerns Project Moon Dust and Operation Blue Fly-2, other government projects related to UFOs.
4. September 10, 1980 Air Force report: From Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, detailing UFO landings in high-security nuclear weapons storage areas.
5. January 13, 1981 Air Force memo: Pertains to the Bentwaters incident.
6. UNSUBSTANTIATED memo (British Ministry of Defence): Concerns the Bentwaters incident and other alleged contacts.
7. UNSUBSTANTIATED November 7, 1980 Air Force memo: Regarding an Air Force UFO project named Project Aquarius.
8. UNSUBSTANTIATED Air Force memo: Details a UFO landing and attack on Air Force personnel at Elsworth AFB, South Dakota.
9. UNSUBSTANTIATED letter and report: Concerning the alleged shooting and killing of a UFO occupant at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, on January 18, 1978.

Membership and Center Information

The journal also includes information about membership in the Fortean Research Center, which costs $15.00 per year and includes a subscription to the journal, discounts on publications, and reduced fees for conferences. The center's purpose is to investigate unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, cryptozoology, and psychic phenomena, to provide accurate information. Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act are made available to members at the cost of reproduction and postage.

Project Blue Book Analysis (Pages 5-7)

Pages 5-7 delve into a memo dated October 20, 1969, concerning the termination of Project Blue Book. The memo outlines the program's objectives: to determine UFO threats to US security and to assess their potential for scientific or technical research. It notes that Project Blue Book had been in operation for over twenty years. The memo references the University of Colorado's independent scientific investigation of UFOs, directed by Dr. Edward U. Condon, which concluded that the study of UFOs had not added to scientific knowledge in 21 years. The Air Force Office of Aerospace Research agreed that Project Blue Book's continuation could not be justified on grounds of national security or scientific interest. The memo recommends terminating Project Blue Book, canceling related regulations and contracts, and transferring its records to an appropriate archive for historical value. It also addresses the handling of UFO reports affecting national security, suggesting they be managed through standard Air Force procedures and local police departments. The memo rejects the idea of establishing a new federal agency for UFO study, preferring to leave UFO reports to normal scientific and defense channels. It also discusses the concern about the potential loss of Project Blue Book records and their inaccessibility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, proposing their transfer to the USAF Archives at Air University. The memo concludes with a recommendation for signature by C. H. Bolender, Brig Gen, USAF, Deputy Director of Development, DCS/Research & Development.

Project Moon Dust and Blue Fly (Pages 8-10)

Pages 8-10 present a memo dated November 15, 1961, concerning the need to provide qualified personnel for Air Force intelligence teams, specifically for projects like Moon Dust, Blue Fly, and other UFO-related quick reaction projects. These projects involve the potential exploitation of unidentified flying objects or Soviet/Bloc aerospace vehicles. The memo details the criteria for intelligence team personnel, including linguists, tech men, and operations men, all of whom must be airborne qualified. It discusses the peacetime employment of these teams, primarily geared towards the CONAD/NCAD air defense mission, but with the capability to support foreign technology division projects. The memo traces the organizational history, from the 4602d Air Intelligence Service Squadron (AISS) to its redesignation and transfer to AFCIN, highlighting the maintenance of intelligence team capability over the years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around government investigations into UFO phenomena, the handling of classified information, and the distinction between substantiated evidence and unsubstantiated claims. The editorial stance emphasizes a cautious, evidence-based approach, warning against the dangers of disinformation and the 'will to believe' overriding the need for factual verification. The journal positions itself as a source of accurate information on unexplained phenomena, advocating for transparency through the release of government documents.

This document appears to be a compilation of official reports and internal memos concerning unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and related intelligence matters, primarily within the US Air Force and involving UK defense agencies. The content spans from 1977 to 1981, with a focus on specific incidents and broader personnel and capability assessments.

Intelligence Team Manning and Shortages

The document details significant concerns regarding the manning of intelligence teams. It notes that the organization has been supplementing its ranks with personnel possessing basic requisite skills who undergo further training. However, the sources for these personnel are reaching a point of diminishing returns, with only 21 qualified personnel assigned and approximately half scheduled for departure within 12 months. There is no forecast input of previously qualified personnel, and only five basically qualified volunteers are available for further training.

To augment this capability, the USAF is assigning personnel from other organizations who have airborne/intelligence team qualifications. These individuals are approved by their organizations and Headquarters USAF for wartime assignment to the 1127th and participate in a peacetime training program. Two such personnel are attached, with no other available additional personnel.

A particularly severe shortage is identified in Linguists. There are only five Russian Linguists assigned or attached, with only two being native speakers. Four of these are forecast for departure by November 1962. Only one, a native speaker, is scheduled for airborne training for intelligence team qualification. Additional Russian Linguists are forecast for assignment but are not yet qualified or known to be volunteers.

Eight personnel in these categories are forecast for Military Separation (MS) less within the next twelve months, with an input forecast of five personnel, four of whom are presently assigned and basically qualified volunteers for airborne training, and one of whom is a forecast returnee to the 1127th.

A sizeable number of qualified Linguists are presently assigned to other bases. Many of these individuals are either airborne rated or have had intelligence team assignments to this organization in its present or former designations. Reassignment of these individuals to AFCE-LE upon completion of their present tours is suggested as a logical method.

Possible Solutions for Linguist Shortage

A problem identified is the lack of 1127th Linguist Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) manpower vacancies. The 1127th has only twelve Linguist AFSC manpower spaces allocated, and seven are filled with non-Russian/Bloc country linguists or non-intelligence team qualified linguists.

Possible solutions proposed include:
1. Basically qualified personnel currently assigned to AFCIH-12 who volunteer for further training, including airborne training and assignment to intelligence teams, should be given such training and assignment as additional duty.
2. Assignment to the 1127th of intelligence team qualified Linguists returning from overseas or completing other ZI assignments on an authorized overage basis. Such overages were previously assigned and provided for intelligence team capability and fruitful peacetime ZI employment.
3. Qualified intelligence team personnel now assigned to the 1127th could be retained beyond their normal duty tours until a similarly qualified replacement is forecast or assigned.

Personnel Assignment Policy Recommendations

A standard Air Force Personnel Assignment and Air Force Civilian Personnel Policy should identify previously qualified intelligence team personnel forecast for return to the ZI from overseas assignments for assignment against AFCIH-LE forecast personnel vacancies. Latitude may be required and should be authorized in the assignment of such personnel by grade and AFSC, even if their current AFSC differs from the vacancy, provided they have skills that can be effectively utilized.

Specific UAP Incidents and Investigations

Kirtland AFB Sightings (August 1980)

Several incidents are detailed from Kirtland AFB, New Mexico:

• August 2, 1980: Three Security Policemen sighted an unidentified light in the air that traveled from North to South over the Coyote Canyon area. The light stopped suddenly, performed aerial maneuvers, landed in Coyote Canyon, and later took off at high speed.
• August 9, 1980: A Sandia Security Guard observed a round disk-shaped object behind an alarmed structure. When he approached, the object ascended vertically at a high rate of speed. The guard, a former helicopter mechanic, stated it was not a helicopter.
• August 10, 1980: A New Mexico State Patrolman sighted an aerial object land in the Manzano's between Belen and Albuquerque, NM.
• Early August (reported September 8, 1980): Another Security Guard observed an object land near an alarmed structure but did not report it until recently due to fear of harassment.

RAF Woodbridge Sighting (December 1980)

On December 27, 1980, two USAF security police patrolmen at RAF Woodbridge saw unusual lights outside the back gate. They investigated and reported seeing a strange glowing object in the forest, described as metallic, triangular, approximately two to three meters across the base and two meters high. It illuminated the forest with a white light and had a pulsing red light on top and blue lights underneath. As they approached, it maneuvered through the trees and disappeared. Animals on a nearby farm went into a frenzy.

The next day, three depressions, 1 1/2 inches deep and 7 inches in diameter, were found where the object had been sighted. The following night, beta/gamma readings of 0.1 milliroentgens were recorded in these depressions. Later that night, a red sun-like light was seen, which pulsed, threw off glowing particles, and broke into five white objects. Subsequently, three star-like objects were noticed in the sky, exhibiting rapid angular movements and displaying red, green, and blue lights.

RAF Bentwaters Landing (December 1980)

An OSI report details the landing of a craft of unknown origin crewed by several entities near RAF Bentwaters on the night of December 29/30, 1980. The entities were approximately 1.5 meters tall, wore nylon-coated pressure suits (no helmets), and had claw-like hands with three digits and an opposable thumb. Tape recordings captured them speaking English with a synthesized voice and a strong American accent. The craft landed deliberately as part of a series of visits to SAC bases in the USA and Europe. The landing was considered a peaceful contact, not a defense issue, but investigations were to continue.

Photo Analysis (November 1980)

A request for photo-imagery interpretation involved several negatives and films. Results included:

• A C-5A aircraft with a streaking unidentified aerial object.
• A cylinder-shaped unidentified aerial object.
• An irregular-shaped unidentified aerial object.
• A colored object moving in front of a still camera.
• A saucer-shaped object approximately 37 feet in diameter with a trilateral insignia.

Conclusions for most were inconclusive due to lack of fixed reference objects for depth analysis or inconsistent size relative to known objects.

Security Violation Incident (November 1977)

A report from Ellsworth AFB details a security violation involving a "HELPING LAND" and "COVERED WAGON" incident. Security personnel observed a bright light moving vertically upwards from behind a fence line. One security member approached the source and was fired upon by an intruder with an object that emitted a bright flash, disintegrating the rifle and causing burns. Two intruders were observed, one of whom was shot but recovered. They then entered a saucer-shaped object that ascended vertically and disappeared. Missile maintenance found components missing from a warhead.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The document concludes that there is a valid current and continuing need for the AFCIH Intelligence team capability for peacetime and wartime employment. Actions necessary to maintain the capability in "cadre" strength should be implemented immediately, and actions to expand the capability should be planned on a sound basis of personal acquisition, training, equipping, and deployment.

• Recommended actions include:
• Providing training and assignment as additional duty for basically qualified personnel who volunteer.
• Preparing and submitting justifications for authorized overage assignment of qualified linguists returning from overseas.
• Extending tours of duty for qualified intelligence team personnel.
• Establishing a practice to identify previously qualified intelligence team personnel forecast for return from overseas assignments.
• Conducting a ninety-day TDY of AFCHI intelligence team to South Vietnam for employment against USAF intelligence requirements to gain experience in developing logistical support and operational plans.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are the critical need for specialized intelligence personnel, particularly linguists, and the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance, as inferred from the official nature of the reports and the detailed analysis of personnel issues, is one of serious concern for national security and operational readiness, emphasizing the need for robust intelligence capabilities and thorough investigation of potential threats or anomalies.

Title: FORTEAN RESEARCH JOURNAL
Issue Date: January 18, 1978
Publisher: FORTEAN RESEARCH CENTER
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the Fortean Research Journal focuses on a detailed report of a UFO sighting and subsequent encounter that occurred in January 1978, involving military personnel and a physical alien-like entity. It also provides information on document sets available through the Freedom of Information Act and lists other organizations involved in the study of unexplained phenomena.

Key Incident: McGuire AFS / Ft. Dix Encounter

The central narrative is a first-hand account from a security policeman stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. During routine patrol between 0300 and 0500 hours in January 1978, he witnessed multiple UFO sightings over the air field and the adjacent Fort Dix Army camp. The incident escalated when a New Jersey State Trooper requested assistance entering the base to pursue a low-flying object. The trooper reported that a UFO had hovered over his car, describing it as oval-shaped and glowing with a blueish-green color, and that his radio transmission was cut off.

Subsequently, a physical entity, described as approximately 4 feet tall with a greyish complexion, a fat head, long arms, and a slender body, appeared in front of the trooper's police car. The entity was shot at by an MP, who fired five rounds from his .45 caliber pistol, and one round was fired into the object above. The object then fled straight up and joined eleven others high in the sky, an event witnessed by several patrols.

The entity reportedly ran into the woods towards the base fenceline. Later, the body of the entity was found near the runway, having apparently climbed the fence and died. The reporter noted a strong, unpleasant stench emanating from the body, described as similar to ammonia but not constant. The area was immediately cordoned off, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AF OSI) took control of the scene.

A team from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base arrived in a C-130 aircraft. They crated the body in a wooden box, sprayed it with something, placed it into a larger metal container, and transported it away on the plane. The reporter emphasizes that the incident was handled with extreme secrecy, with all personnel involved being told not to discuss it or face court-martial.

Official Report Details

A scanned incident report (dated January 18, 1978) provides official details of the event, classifying it as a "UFO/Sighting/Incident" at "Inactive Runway #5, MAFB, N.J. C9864." It confirms reports of UFO sightings over the base and an incident in progress on the Ft. Dix installation. The report notes that an unidentified being was shot by Dix MP's and entered MAFB. The disposition of the incident states that "One body of unknown origin released to the care of OSI District Commander and Special recovery team from Wright-Bat AFB." The report also lists personnel involved, including members of the N.J. State Police, Ft. Dix MP Battalion, and the 7th Security Police Squadron (SPS) at MAFB.

Document Sets Available from Fortean Research Center

The journal advertises several sets of U.S. government documents available for purchase, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. These include:

• The Bentwaters Incident: A complete file on the 1980 alleged UFO landing at a U.S. Air Force base in England.
• FBI Documents: Files related to FBI surveillance of UFO investigators and research groups.
• Department of Energy Documents: Information primarily concerning the "green fire-ball" phenomenon over Los Alamos in the late 1940s.
• Project Moon Dust Documents: Documents related to government efforts to recover downed UFOs.
• Defense Intelligence Agency Documents: Previously unreleased documents concerning the DIA's involvement with the UFO problem, some of which refer to Project Moon Dust.

The center states that these documents are made available as a service, with prices covering reproduction and postage costs. They express a belief that wider access to these documents is crucial to breaking government secrecy.

Help Our Friends: Other Organizations

The journal also lists several other organizations involved in the study of unexplained phenomena, encouraging readers to support them financially and spiritually. These include:

• Mutual UFO Network (MUFON)
• Fortean Times
• Arcturus Book Service
• The Gate
• Fair Witness Project
• Computer UFO Newsletter
• UFO Newsclipping Service
• Project Stigma/Crux
• Northern UFO News
• Citizens Against UFO Secrecy
• Lake Champlain Phenomena Investigation
• UFO Contact Center International

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, government secrecy, and the importance of information dissemination. The editorial stance, as conveyed through the availability of documents and the call to "break the government's wall of silence," is one of advocating for transparency and public access to information regarding unexplained phenomena. The journal positions itself as a facilitator for researchers and enthusiasts by providing access to official documents and connecting them with other organizations in the field.