MUFON NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This is the October 1983 issue, #13, of the MUFON NEWSLETTER, published by the Mutual UFO Network, Inc. The newsletter covers national news, organizational updates, and UFO-related events and investigations.

MUFON National News

New Journal Editor Robert V. Pratt has been appointed as the new editor for the MUFON JOURNAL. Pratt, a member since 1976, resides in Lake Worth, Florida. His background resume will be featured in the September issue of the Journal.

Larry Moyers (1918-1983) MUFON's State Director for Ohio, Larry Moyers, passed away on July 29th after a heart attack. The organization has experienced a significant loss. Richard Seifried of Dayton, Ohio, has been appointed as the new acting State Director for Ohio.

Nebraska UFO Conference Nebraska MUFON, in conjunction with the University of Nebraska, is sponsoring an upcoming UFO conference titled "UFOs and Government Coverup--A Cosmic Watergate?". The event will take place on November 11, 12, and 13 at the Nebraska Center for Continuing Education in Lincoln. A notable list of speakers is scheduled, including Tom Adams, Larry Arnold, Loren Coleman, Larry Fawcett, Budd Hopkins, Linda Moulton Howe, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Walt Andrus, Dr. Roy Mackal, John Schuessler, Leonard Stringfield, and Ray Boeche.

Dallas Symposium Walt Andrus is scheduled to meet with the MUFON Metroplex organization and State Director Neal Hern on November 8th to finalize plans for a symposium in Dallas.

Magazine Drive Success

The annual magazine subscription drive was highly successful, thanks to the coordination of Jules Vaillancourt and Joan Nestor. A total of $845.90 worth of subscriptions were sold, resulting in a net profit of $284.51 for Mass. MUFON. Jules Vaillancourt received a $50 dinner gift certificate for selling $356.45 worth of subscriptions. Only nine members participated, making the profit remarkable. Last year's profit was $291.00.

Organizational Updates

New Treasurer Fred Chaffee has resigned as the treasurer for Mass. MUFON after two years of service. Bob Taylor has volunteered to take over the role. A full financial report from Chaffee will be presented at the November meeting, at which time Taylor will assume his duties.

Refreshments Chairperson Needed Joan Nyman intends to resign as Refreshments Chairperson. Despite soliciting volunteers, none have come forward. Interested individuals are asked to contact Marge Christensen if they are willing to take on this role starting with the November meeting. It is also noted that as of January 1984, MUFON meetings will be held only six times a year.

Other News Briefs

Gersten Obtains CIA Documents On December 12, 1982, Peter Gersten filed a FOIA request that led to the U.S. Army releasing a 3-page teletype to him on August 12, 1983. This teletype concerned UFO activity over Czechoslovakia in December 1980. The CIA also referred Gersten's request to the Pentagon's Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson AFB, which released two 2-page documents on September 9, 1983: an "Intelligence Information Report" on French UFO investigations and "FTD Daily SNAP" (Soviet News Abstract Publications), both dated 1979. An additional FOIA complaint was filed on September 14, 1983, in Washington D.C. regarding 57 UFO-related documents still withheld by the CIA. For more details, members are advised to contact CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy).

Bentwaters Case Hits British Press According to Larry Fawcett, MUFON's Asst. State Director of Connecticut, the Bentwaters incident was prominently featured in British newspapers on October 1 and 2. The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) interviewed Fawcett and a witness stationed at Bentwaters AFB in December 1980. The witness's identity remains confidential. The BBC program aired on October 3, featuring the witness's segment but cutting a lengthy portion with Fawcett. Following the broadcast, another civilian witness reportedly came forward to the BUFORA group. Larry Fawcett is preparing a lecture on the Bentwaters story for the upcoming Nebraska MUFON UFO conference.

Important Announcement

Proposed UFO Computer Networking System The Fund for UFO Research is exploring the establishment of a computer networking system for active UFOlogists. The goal is to reduce the time lag between receiving a UFO report and an investigator accessing it. The Fund is requesting that individuals who own computers and modems send a postcard or letter describing their system and interest in such a network to the Fund for UFO Research, Box 277, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712.

Director's Message

Walt Andrus reports that "Frontiers of Science" magazine, which is no longer published, will provide approximately 700 new subscribers for the MUFON Journal. These individuals selected the MUFON Journal as their preferred choice from a list of options offered to their former subscribers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter reflects MUFON's ongoing commitment to investigating UFO phenomena, disseminating information through its journal and conferences, and maintaining organizational efficiency. There is a strong emphasis on member participation, from subscription drives to volunteering for roles. The inclusion of FOIA requests and international press coverage of cases like Bentwaters highlights MUFON's engagement with both official information channels and public awareness.
The editorial stance appears to be one of active investigation, information sharing, and organizational development within the UFO research community.