MUFON Massachusetts - Newsletter - 43 - 1987 06

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON NEWSLETTER, dated June 1987, is identified as Issue #43. It is published by MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC. and edited by James Melesciuc, who also serves as the Editor/State Director. The newsletter covers a range of UFO-related topics, including upcoming conventions, research updates, and detailed reports on past and recent sightings.

Conventions and Events

The newsletter highlights "June is the Month for UFO Conventions." The 24th annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) was scheduled for June 12-14 in Burbank, California. A one-day forum sponsored by the New York Center for UFO Research was set for June 21, featuring speakers like Antonio Huneeus, Peter Gersten, Budd Hopkins, Philip Imbrogno, and Bob Bletchman. The annual MUFON convention was planned for June 26-28 in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Fund for UFO Research.

Mass. MUFON members nominated to represent the state at the Washington convention are listed: Vic and Margie Zeller, Steve Firmani, Mary Pare, Jules Vaillancourt, Barry Greenwood, Joe and Diana Santangelo, Merlyn and Joe Sheehan, and Jim and Joanne Melesciuc. Other nominated members include Joanne Bruno, Eric Jacobson, Martha Munroe, Charlotte M. Cobb, Joe and Joan Nyman, Diana DeSimone, Leonard Silverman, and Rick and Marina Giordano.

Research Centers and Archives

The J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) has relocated to a new office in Chicago at 2457 W. Peterson, providing more space for its extensive files and library. Founded by astronomer J. Allen Hynek in 1973, CUFOS is described as the first research facility established by a scientist dedicated to UFO investigation. The new office also houses the case files of the defunct National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), founded in 1957 by USMC Major Donald E. Keyhoe. These NICAP files contain reports of classic UFO cases from the 1950s and 1960s, including the 1964 Socorro, New Mexico landing and the Betty and Barney Hill abduction.

MUFON Director's Updates

MUFON Director for UFO Investigations, Ray Fowler, reports that Bantam Publishing plans to reprint "The Andreasson Affair," with Whitley Streiber writing an endorsement. Prentice-Hall is also negotiating with Bantam for paperback rights to "The Andreasson Affair - Phase Two." Fowler is also working with "Yankee Magazine" on a story to be published in the winter.

"Now You Know" Trivia

Two trivia items are included: the sun is a 5 billion-year-old star and is estimated to exist for another 5 billion years; and Jupiter has a diameter of 88,748 miles.

Classifieds and Corrections

A correction is made regarding the annual subscription rate for "The UFO Intelligence Summary," clarifying that the $6.00 rate does not include postage and handling. The newsletter is also searching for a hardcover copy of "UFO Controversy in America" by Dr. David Jacobs.

Radio-TV Log

Several radio and television appearances related to UFOs are listed for May and June 1987, including "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson featuring Whitley Streiber, "20/20" with a UFO segment, "The Larry King Show" with a debate between Phil Klass and Dale Goudie, the "Oprah Winfrey Show" featuring Budd Hopkins and Phil Klass, and "People Are Talking" with Stan Friedman and Gary Kinder. Budd Hopkins and Gary Kinder were also guests on radio shows. A notable report by Paul Harvey on WBZ radio mentioned documents from CUFOS confirming rumors of a 1947 crash/retrieval, including details about MJ-12 and photos of the object and alien bodies.

UFO Reports

Two recent UFO reports are summarized: a possible CEII case with animal reaction from Summer 1979, and a report from April 14, 1987, suggesting natural phenomena or space junk reentry. A May 15, 1987, report by Paul Harvey mentioned that police officers and others observed objects in the Denver-Colorado area, which NORAD had on radar.

Time Capsule

The "Time Capsule" section revisits past UFO-related events:

• 10 years ago (July 21, 1977): Dr. Frank Press requested NASA review the UFO situation.
• 13 years ago (May 1964): The official publication of NICAP's "The UFO Evidence" report, which was circulated to the media and Congress.
• 22 years ago (January 19): A CIA representative contacted NICAP to inquire about their investigative methods.
• 31 years ago (May 1956): The Greene-Rouse documentary film "UFO" was released, featuring former Air Force personnel and based on real USAF cases.
• 40 years ago (September 23): A letter from General Nathan Twining to the U.S. Air Force concluded that UFOs were real disklike objects and recommended a detailed study.

Stick With The Facts Column

This column by James Melesciuc discusses a CNN debate between Dale Goudie and Phil Klass regarding UFOs. It highlights the 1952 Washington radar/visual sightings, where Klass attributed them to temperature inversions, while Melesciuc emphasizes the numerous pilot and controller reports. The column details several specific radar/visual encounters involving the Air Defense command scrambling F-94 jets, including an incident where Lt. William Patterson described objects surrounding his interceptor. Other aviation personnel who tracked unidentified targets are mentioned, along with a sighting by Captain Casey Pierman and control tower operator H. Cochlin. The column notes that the Air Force initially explained these sightings as mirage effects but later reclassified them as unknowns after scientists found the explanation insufficient.

July 1952 Air Force Reports

The 142nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron was scrambled over Washington D.C. in pursuit of elusive objects. In July 1952, the U.S. Air Force received approximately 536 reports from across the country, with the Washington radar/visuals marking the high point of the 1952 flap, described as the most highly publicized UFO sightings in the Blue Book files.

News Clippings: Glenwood Springs Sightings

Two news clippings from the Rocky Mountain News report on "Lights in the sky fuel UFO interest" and "Eerie lights stir UFO hunt in Glenwood" from May 1987. These articles describe sightings of bright, multicolored lights by dozens of residents and police officers near Glenwood Springs. Officials were unable to explain the phenomenon, ruling out satellites and aurora borealis. Bruce Maccabee, a research physicist and chairman of the Fund for UFO Research, is quoted suggesting a need to rethink humanity's position in the universe and mentioning that visitors from other parts of the universe have become daring, even abducting humans for biological experiments. He also stated that scientists from 12 countries would present evidence of a government cover-up at an upcoming symposium.

Observer Article: "Close encounters of an alien kind"

This article from The Observer (Sunday, May 31, 1987) reports on a "top-secret document" obtained by British researcher Timothy Good, which purports to be a briefing paper for President-elect Eisenhower on "Operation Majestic-12" (MJ-12). The document claims that four alien bodies were recovered from a crashed UFO 40 years prior and examined by a special American Government team. It states that MJ-12 was a committee of senior US officials set up by President Truman in 1947 to investigate and cover up UFO incidents. The article notes that inquiries at the National Archives and other government bodies failed to authenticate the briefing paper, leading to speculation that it might be a hoax. However, new evidence from US Intelligence files, including a declassified White House memorandum to General Twining about an "MJ-12" briefing, suggests the group may have existed. Archivist Joanna Williamson found the memorandum genuine but noted the lack of other MJ-12 related papers. Barry Greenwood raises the possibility of a sophisticated fraud, pointing out that the White House memo is unsigned.

Annual MUFON UFO Symposium Schedule

The tentative schedule for the Annual MUFON UFO Symposium, hosted by the Fund for UFO Research, is provided for June 26-28. The schedule includes a reception, opening remarks by Bruce S. Maccabee and Walter H. Andrus, Jr., various presentations on UFO research in different countries (Italy, France, Argentina, Britain, India, Chile, Sweden, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada), panel discussions on abduction cases and government responses to UFOs, and contributed papers. Notable speakers and panelists include David M. Jacobs, Roberto Pinotti, J-J. Velasco, Antonio Huneeus, Hilary Evans, Kanishk Nathan, Budd Hopkins, Whitley Strieber, Eddie Bullard, Barry J. Greenwood, Bill Moore, Stanton Friedman, and Jenny Zeidman.

Personal Sighting Report

A personal sighting report, dated April 27, 1987, details an event that occurred in the summer of 1979. The witness's wife and her sister reported seeing a hovering UFO with flashing colors outside their living room window. The incident caused the dog to growl, the TV to lose sound, and the lights to go out temporarily. The witness, who arrived later, noted an unusual quietness, with no crickets chirping, which returned to normal after about 15 minutes. The report emphasizes that the witnesses are not prone to making up stories.

Unexplained Light Streaks Across Southwestern Skies

An Associated Press report from April 14, 1987, describes bright lights streaking across the skies in the Southwest, from Arizona to California and south of the Mexican border. The phenomenon prompted numerous calls to government agencies, but officials were unable to explain it. The object was described as "something on fire, like a ball of fire in the sky." NORAD stated it did not result from any man-made object. While some suggested it could be a meteorite, others were uncertain, and deputies were sent to look for wreckage, finding nothing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and the potential for government cover-ups. There is a strong emphasis on presenting factual accounts and research, as seen in the "Stick With The Facts" column and the detailed reporting of sightings and historical cases. The inclusion of news clippings and reports from various sources suggests an effort to provide a comprehensive overview of UFO-related activities and discussions. The coverage of the alleged Majestic-12 document highlights the ongoing debate about the authenticity of evidence and the potential for sophisticated hoaxes within the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the investigation of UFO phenomena while also maintaining a critical approach to evidence, as exemplified by the discussion of the MJ-12 document's potential authenticity.