Georgia Sky Watch - 1996 07 - no 08

Magazine Overview

Title: Georgia Sky Watch
Issue: Number 8
Date: July 1996
Publisher: MUFON of Georgia
Focus: UFO news and research, with a special issue honoring the MUFON 1996 UFO Symposium.

The Case of the Boomerang UFO Crash at Corinth

This article by John C. Thompson, Field Investigator, details the alleged UFO crash in Heard County, Georgia, in the late 1970s. The investigation began with a routine inquiry to a police dispatcher, leading to witness Carolyn Shelnutt. Ms. Shelnutt reported seeing a boomerang-shaped UFO with a metallic finish flying across the northern sky, which then executed a radical right-angle turn and dropped to the horizon within seconds. She initially thought it had crashed about 7-8 miles away.

After the sighting, Ms. Shelnutt took her children and drove towards where she thought the craft had disappeared. She saw smoke coming from the woods and her car went off the road. Later, with her husband, they investigated the area near Charles B. Johnston Road, where they observed helicopters shining spotlights on the ground amidst smoke, which her oldest son described as a fire.

Subsequent searches for other witnesses in the area failed to corroborate Ms. Shelnutt's account. Residents on Charles B. Johnston Road remembered seeing military helicopters but nothing related to a crash. A hunter and a commercial pilot also found no evidence of a crash site. Permission to search the exact site where smoke and fire were seen could not be obtained from the landowner.

Related Sightings and Incidents in the Heard-Troup Corridor

The investigation expands to other unusual events in the vicinity:

• Summer 1992: Two miles south of the alleged crash site, a six-sided, low-hovering UFO was observed by two families.
• 1975: Four miles southwest of Corinth, at the Potato Creek crossing, two brothers hunting saw a bright orange, cigar-shaped UFO.
• Approximately 1980: At the same location, another witness saw a giant 600-foot long cigar-shaped UFO drawing water from Potato Creek with a tube, emitting a blue light.
• April 1995: A witness saw a similar cigar-shaped UFO three times, surrounded by red, green, and white lights.

Military Activity and Potential Cover-ups

The article explores possible military involvement in the area:

• May 28, 1977: A civilian Bell 206B helicopter crashed on the west side of Hwy. 27. Witnesses claimed the crash was kept secret and that military jeeps, trucks, helicopters, tents, and soldiers were present, along with civilians in 'white decontamination suits' and 'beehive type headgear.' The witnesses were chased when they attempted to photograph the scene.
• March 1990: A military CH-46 helicopter made an emergency landing for engine repairs near the Bell crash site. A perimeter was set up, and a soldier reportedly told deputy sheriffs that they couldn't enter because it was a 'secret mission' with a 'high-ranking officer aboard.'

The Quartz Connection and Triboluminescence

Geologist Allen J. Giles reported that unusual quartz specimens from the Heard-Troup corridor displayed a remarkable piezoelectric quality, creating a soft glow when rubbed together – a phenomenon known as 'triboluminescence.' The article speculates if this property could be the reason for alien craft visits to the region, or if extraterrestrials are attracted by large granite outcrops and remoteness.

Abduction Experiences and Deception

Michael Norris contributes an article discussing UFO abduction phenomena. He recounts an experience with Leigh Culver, a UFO abduction researcher, concerning an abductee named Mark. Initially, Mark believed three military men had threatened him and his son. However, hypnosis revealed that these 'military men' were actually entities promoting a lie to silence Mark. Norris expresses concern about a 'secret agenda' and deception within the abduction phenomenon.

Another abductee, David, shares his experiences. After waking with a triangular bruise, David underwent hypnosis sessions. He described seeing dissected alien body parts, including parts of aliens and some human-like parts, in a room with glowing panels. The beings he encountered were described as stout, with grayish-brown skin, resembling Easter Island figures, and about five feet tall. David felt an urgency and a sense of being pulled open, with a feeling of heat and pain being blocked.

Unanswered Questions

The investigation into the Boomerang UFO crash and related activities leaves many questions unanswered. The article concludes by posing whether something of 'Roswellian proportions' happened in Heard County, or if it was a simple misidentification by a truthful witness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, alleged crashes, and potential government cover-ups. It highlights witness testimony, investigative efforts, and the unexplained aspects of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these events, presenting evidence and witness accounts for the reader to consider, while acknowledging the complexities and lack of definitive answers in many cases. The recurring theme is the potential for advanced, non-human intelligence interacting with Earth, possibly with a hidden agenda, and the challenges in uncovering the truth.

Title: Georgia Sky Watch
Issue: 11
Date: July 1996

This issue of Georgia Sky Watch features a cover story titled "Science or Belief: Where is Ufology? Part One" by Daniel T. Sharpe, which explores the nature of ufology and its relationship with the scientific method. The magazine also includes a book review of Major Donald E. Keyhoe's "Aliens from Space: The Real Story of Unidentified Flying Objects" and a message from the editors.

Science or Belief: Where is Ufology? Part One

Daniel T. Sharpe, who holds a Master's degree in Information and Computer Science, examines the perceived hostility from the scientific community towards ufology. He addresses the common perception of scientists as dogmatic and closed-minded, contrasting it with the actual principles of science. Sharpe defines science as an approach to understanding the universe's rules through observation and experimentation, emphasizing key assumptions like the fixed nature of these rules and the utility of dissecting phenomena into smaller parts.

The article outlines a six-step process for scientific inquiry: picking a question, researching existing literature, making observations and collecting data, formulating a theory, critically evaluating the theory based on criteria such as agreement with data, improvement over existing theories, and accuracy of predictions, and finally, repeating the steps. It highlights the importance of repeatability, consistency, generality, and aesthetic qualities in scientific theories. Sharpe also touches upon the less ideal aspects of science, such as the influence of social and political factors, and the potential for fraud, prejudice, and closed-mindedness.

A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the concept of falsifiability, which is crucial for a theory to be considered scientific. The author notes that science is a continuous process of approximation to the truth.

David's Experience

The issue begins with a transcript of an interview with an individual named David, who describes an encounter with beings. David characterizes the beings as "metallic... metallic gray" and dark, with some resembling "grays" and one appearing to be "in charge." He describes the leader's face and hand as "cracky" and "rough." During the encounter, David felt that the beings were trying to block his memory of the event, stating they "don't want you remembering" and that they "can't explain it to you" because "we have our orders." David's experience raises questions about the motive behind the encounter, whether it was a maintenance check, or part of an "advanced science project." The article speculates on the connection between David's description of "Easter Island types" and the colossal statues on Easter Island, suggesting a possible ancient alien visitation.

The author expresses a personal belief that humanity is part of an ongoing project with a higher intelligence, citing thousands of cases with physical marks and scars as evidence. The central question remains "why?" – why have humans been chosen, why have they come, and how will our future be shaped by these experiences? The author urges readers to become involved in seeking answers, envisioning a world where the scientific community unites to unlock these secrets.

Book Review: Aliens from Space: The Real Story of Unidentified Flying Objects

Reviewed by Susanna Felder, this section praises Major Donald E. Keyhoe's book for its comprehensive documentation of UFO sightings and its detailed account of the history of government disinformation regarding UFOs. Keyhoe, as Executive Director of NICAP, championed rational investigation and challenged secrecy. The review highlights the book's coverage of events from the 1950s and 1960s, drawing on Keyhoe's extensive network and experience.

The review notes the persistent official denial and institutional disbelief in UFOs, contrasting it with widespread belief at the grassroots level. It emphasizes the importance of understanding this history for building MUFON's credibility. Keyhoe's book is described as indispensable for its documentation of sightings by qualified witnesses, including FAA controllers, military pilots, and commercial pilots.

Several specific cases are mentioned: a 1948 sighting by Navy missile trackers of an oval UFO at 18,000 mph; a national "flap" in 1968; Henry Ford II's sighting of a UFO pacing his plane at 35,000 feet in 1968; and a 1952 incident where an Air Force bomber crew tracked a UFO formation at 5240 mph, which merged with a giant ship estimated to be 1200 feet long. The review also details a 1952 case involving Naval Aviation Photographer Delbert Newhouse, who filmed UFOs maneuvering at high speed. The review points out that the Secretary of the Navy, Dan Kimball, ordered the film to be turned over to Navy investigators, who concluded the objects were "unidentified flying objects under intelligent control." The article notes the CIA's subsequent involvement in a cover-up operation in 1953.

The review concludes by lamenting that Keyhoe's book is out of print and expresses hope that NICAP's files have been preserved to tell the full story of UFO history.

Message From the Editors

The editors express excitement about the upcoming 1996 MUFON Symposium and thank contributors for their articles. They also list several individuals who have helped make Georgia Sky Watch a success.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of science and belief, particularly in the context of ufology. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of rigorous investigation, critical evaluation of evidence, and challenging government secrecy. The magazine appears to advocate for a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the historical context and the experiences of witnesses. The editorial stance supports open discussion and the pursuit of truth, encouraging reader involvement and the sharing of information.