Flying Saucer

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Flying Saucer" magazine, dated with a cover headline "HUSHED UP- 22 UFO SIGHTINGS IN ONE DAY" and attributed to "Flying Saucer Specialist John A. Keel," focuses on a significant wave of UFO activity. The main article by Keel details a notable incident on October 5, 1960, and a widespread "flap" on March 8, 1967.

Hushed Up- 22 UFO Sightings in One Day

The lead article by John A. Keel explores the phenomenon of UFO sightings, particularly focusing on a day with an unusually high number of reports. Keel begins by recounting the events of Wednesday, October 5, 1960, when sophisticated computerized radar screens at Thule, Greenland, detected a formation of unidentified flying objects heading towards North America from the direction of the Soviet Union. This triggered a high alert within the Strategic Air Command (SAC), with SAC crews on standby and atomic-bomb-laden B-52s in the air. However, the objects suddenly disappeared from radar screens, coinciding with a submarine cable outage attributed to an "iceberg." This event was later downplayed, with the U.S. Air Force attributing similar radar signals to reflections off the moon, a claim Keel finds dubious.

Keel then shifts to the "flap" of March 8, 1967, a Wednesday, which saw numerous UFO sightings across various states. He notes that this was not an exceptional event, but rather one of many such "flap dates" in 1966 and 1967, some of which were much larger. Keel criticizes the government's official negative stance on flying saucers since 1953, suggesting that any phenomenon that could accidentally trigger World War III must be taken seriously. He recounts his own investigation, starting in March 1966, where he subscribed to newspaper clipping services and was overwhelmed by the volume of reports, initially suspecting a "gigantic put-on." To properly investigate, Keel traveled extensively, interviewing witnesses and applying journalistic techniques. He concluded that witnesses were giving honest descriptions and local newspapers were providing objective accounts, but the meaning of what they saw remained elusive.

Keel developed a new respect for newspaper clippings as reliable sources for basic information. He notes that while UFO organizations did not compile such data, the U.S. Air Force had attempted it in the early 1950s but apparently gave up. Keel undertook the massive task of translating thousands of clippings and reports into statistical information, categorizing them and focusing on "Type I" cases (sightings of low-level objects observed by reliable witnesses). He cross-referenced this data with astronomical information and rocket launch data to filter out misinterpretations.

Patterns in Sightings

Keel identified a significant pattern: sightings tended to cluster around specific days of the week, with Wednesday having the highest number, usually reported between 8 to 11 P.M. This contradicted the expectation that more sightings would occur on Saturday nights when people are more active. He also observed a baffling geographical factor: reports often clustered within the boundaries of specific states, suggesting that the operators of these objects were familiar with human maps and calendars.

The March 8, 1967 Flap

The article provides a detailed list of 22 specific sightings reported on March 8, 1967, from various locations including Minnesota, Michigan, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Iowa. These reports describe objects with various characteristics: flashing lights, changing colors (red, white, blue, green, yellow, orange, amber), unusual shapes (circular, oval, sphere, domed), and behaviors such as hovering, rapid movement, and sudden disappearances. For example, in Minnesota, a "strange object" was described as moving with a gliding motion and sometimes with utmost speed. In Michigan, police received reports of a "burning orange oval" photographed by two people. In Oklahoma, a "twirling object with colored lights" was seen. In Arkansas, an object described as "reddish orange" changed to "silver-white" before speeding away. In Maryland, an object with a "shiny gold bottom" glowed red at the top and flew an oval path. In Montana, circular objects reportedly dropped "three balls of fire." In Kansas, multiple police officers observed objects that changed color and moved erratically, with one incident involving an object that "spread apart" before disappearing.

Skepticism and Official Stance

Keel addresses the skeptics' explanation of "mass hysteria," arguing it's untrue because reports often appear simultaneously on the same day. He criticizes the lack of communication and research, attributing it to the official government indifference. He questions the validity of Secretary McNamara's statement that every report had been investigated and found to have a reasonable explanation other than an extraterrestrial object or threat.

Further Questions and Concerns

Keel also mentions a report from Erie, Pennsylvania, involving two policemen who observed a strange light over Lake Erie that transformed into a "silvery object, possibly metallic." He wonders if such objects, when viewed in daylight, could explain away all the "strange lights" and dismiss theories of swamp gas, meteors, and natural phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), the patterns and characteristics of their sightings, and the perceived lack of transparency or adequate investigation by official bodies. John A. Keel's editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, challenging official explanations and highlighting the need for serious investigation into UFO reports. He emphasizes the potential implications of these phenomena, including the possibility of them being operated by intelligent entities who wish to avoid detection, and questions the government's handling of the subject, suggesting a possible covert military operation or a deliberate downplaying of the issue. The article advocates for a more objective and thorough approach to understanding UFOs, moving beyond simplistic explanations and acknowledging the complexity and potential significance of the phenomenon.