LONG ISLAND U.F.O. UPDATE

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "LONG ISLAND U.F.O. UPDATE," Volume I, Issue IX, published in September 1990 by The Long Island U.F.O. Network Inc., focuses heavily on government involvement in UFO research and alleged cover-ups. The cover prominently features Howard Blum's book, "OUT THERE," which is described as a major breakthrough in investigative journalism, exposing a secret government intelligence group tasked with researching the UFO phenomenon. The price of the magazine is $2.00.

L.I.U.F.O.N. News

The L.I.U.F.O.N. Network has had a busy September, with its investigative case load exceeding one hundred cases for the year. Chairman John Ford was interviewed by the Smithtown News for a major story on the Network. Barry and Debbie Gellis are preparing a series of shows for Brooklyn Queens Cable, featuring discussions on the Network's findings, including the Moriches Bay UFO Crash Retrieval Case. Joel Martin has rescheduled his taping. John Ford delivered a well-received talk to the Amityville Kiwanis Club and presented a slide show at the Retired Telephone Worker's Association meeting. Richard Stout is running Operation Skywatch at Moriches Bay. Bud Hopkins has agreed to speak at the L.I.U.F.O.N. Conference III in October. The organization has also seen a surge in new members and requests for interviews. The organization is also increasing its membership dues to $25 per year starting January 1, 1991, due to rising costs.

The Island Scene

September saw continued UFO activity on Long Island. A family in West Islip reported an abduction experience, with other family members experiencing similar phenomena. L.I.U.F.O.N. is investigating information from a former military officer regarding a test flight of a captured UFO in 1955. A woman in Ridge reported nearly colliding with a hovering UFO on Rte. 25 in 1986. The report suggests ongoing government intimidation of UFO witnesses and directs readers to special reports on the Hunter Ave. Case and the 1984 Crash Retrieval Case. Strange pulsating lights were also reported over Moriches Bay by Skywatch Coordinator Richard Stout.

Membership Corner

The next membership meeting is scheduled for September 28th at the South Country Library in Bellport Village, featuring a talk by Howard Metz on the Mystery of the Pyramids and the UFO Phenomenon. The newsletter costs have increased due to rising printing expenses, and non-members will now be charged $1.00 for a copy, while the membership price has risen to $2.00. Membership dues will increase to $25 per year in 1991. Operation Long Island Skywatch continues every Saturday evening. Future meeting dates are listed through December. A planned trip to Pine Bush has been canceled due to lack of interest.

Special Report: Was There a UFO Crash Retrieval in 1984 on Long Island?

This report details a phone call received by the L.I.U.F.O.N. Hotline from an anonymous former Air Force member who claimed to have witnessed the retrieval of a strange object at the West Hampton Air Force Base in late 1983 or early 1984. The object was described as white, boomerang-shaped, with a faint orange color when exposed to light, measuring 20 feet by 20 feet and weighing 10,000 lbs. It was housed in a jet fighter scramble pod under heavy security and was subsequently flown out by a C-141 jet. The source refused to divulge his identity to protect his pension but stated he might talk in person later. The organization is treating this as a potentially significant case.

Book Review: "Out There" by Howard Blum

This review hails Howard Blum's book as a major breakthrough, with Blum, a reputable investigative reporter, taking the UFO subject seriously. The book exposes a secret government intelligence group, operating under the Defense Intelligence Agency, authorized to conduct covert research into the UFO phenomenon. Blum uncovered this group while researching his previous book, "I Pledge Allegiance." He was directed to the UFO Working Group by a National Security Agency official. Over two years, Blum spoke with about two hundred members of this group. The book details the formation of the Working Group in 1987 following several puzzling events, including radar fence breaches and the tracking of an unidentified object by Air Force Space Command. Psychics were consulted, reporting a circular, wingless aircraft. The Working Group, funded by covert funds from other agencies to avoid Congressional oversight, spent $50 million in its first year. Blum uncovered incidents including a secret intelligence operation from 1983-1984, Air Force monitoring of UFO researchers and dissemination of disinformation, an FBI investigation into the MJ-12 documents, a CIA investigation into a 1976 incident in Wisconsin, NSA reports of signals from outside Earth's atmosphere, the Working Group's interest in SETI, and the Air Force's consideration of alien aircraft penetrating airspace around nuclear installations. Blum suggests the group might be a cover for an even more secret entity like MJ-12.

The Hunter Avenue Case: Special Report to the Membership

This case (0103-90) involves alleged government cover-up and intimidation of witnesses on Long Island. Two residents of West Islip provided affidavits about a family who witnessed a large, triangular object with bright lights hover over their backyard on June 21, 1990. Following the sighting, agents from the CIA or NSA immediately debriefed the family and conducted scientific tests. The family is reportedly subjected to ongoing, weekly debriefings, sometimes taken from their homes or workplaces. They have been warned not to discuss the event publicly. L.I.U.F.O.N. has passed word to the family offering assistance but notes their desire for the situation to end. The organization believes this is another example of a government cover-up of UFO phenomena on the island and plans a thorough investigation.

Special Report: Pine Bush Field Investigation, July 21 and 22, 1990

This report details an investigation conducted by Mark Landers and John Ford at the Walden Community Cemetery in Pinebush, NY. The investigation involved setting up detection instruments, including an RF detector, magnetic field detector, radiation detector, and infra-red detector. During the investigation, the RF detector repeatedly triggered without an apparent cause. Both investigators experienced subjective phenomena, described as 'pressure' or 'extreme anxiety.' A 'red haze' was also observed. The report notes that the RF detector only triggered when vehicles passed nearby, and then continued to trigger without apparent cause. The conclusion is that a recurring, but not periodic, RF energy field was discovered at a location known for unusual observations. The editor's note mentions that Pine Bush has been under study by UFO researcher Ellen Crystal, who has reported strange craft landings, underground drilling, and evidence of an alien underground base.

Operation Skywatch Report: Moriches Bay

On September 15, 1990, during Skywatch operations near Moriches Bay, Richard Stout and John Ford observed strange flashing lights in a cloud. No aircraft were heard or seen in the cloud, but three white lights reportedly dropped from the sky and returned. Two aircraft were observed entering and leaving the cloud, but no other aircraft were in the vicinity. The source of the light flashes remains unknown, though Moriches Bay is noted as an area of high UFO activity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government secrecy, covert intelligence operations related to UFOs, and the alleged cover-up of UFO phenomena. The L.I.U.F.O.N. Network positions itself as an investigative body seeking to uncover the truth, encouraging members to get involved and form their own opinions. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that there is significant, hidden information regarding UFOs that the government is withholding from the public. The publication strongly recommends Howard Blum's book as a crucial piece of evidence in unraveling this "Big Secret."