MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 2010 11

Magazine Overview

This document is the November 2010 issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, the official newsletter of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network. The issue is dated November 2010 and features a cover headline about a successful presentation by Peter Robbins. The newsletter covers a range of topics related to UFO research, sightings, and related scientific and governmental developments.

State Director's Message

The State Director's message begins by thanking attendees of Peter Robbins' UFO presentations on September 18 and 19, highlighting the caliber of the presenter and thanking Jay Korinek, David Twichell, and others for facilitating the event at Henry Ford Community College. DVDs of the HFCC talk will be available for purchase. The message also notes that funding for Robbins' presentations was largely aided by a charitable gaming fundraising event, with more such events planned. A significant announcement is made regarding the retirement of the title 'State Section Director,' including 'Regional SSD,' due to a streamlined investigation management process provided by CMS. Those holding the title are still welcome to participate in board discussions. The message concludes by reminding members that MUFON dues remain $25 per family for 2011 and can be paid via the mimufon.org website, at meetings, or by mail.

Inside This Issue

The "Inside this issue" section lists the articles and their corresponding page numbers:

• UFO Researcher Wendelle Stevens dies (Page 4)
• The Vatican and United Nations ready for contact? (Page 5)
• Did You Miss MUFON's 41st Annual Symposium? (Page 6)
• Major Discovery: New Planet Could Harbor Water and Life (Pages 7-8)
• Michigan UFOs and the November MIMUFON Meeting Presentation—Bill Murphy (Pages 9-10)
• CGI's Mr.Ed: ET UFO Are Real: Ben Rich Lockheed CEO Admitted In His Deathbed (Pages 12-13)
• British X-Files reveal secret UFO study (Page 14)
• Recent Michigan Sightings (Page 15)
• From The Editor's Desk (Page 18)

Upcoming Events and Membership

The newsletter announces the upcoming Michigan MUFON meeting on November 7 at Walli's East in Flint. Deputy Chief Investigator Robert Nolan will conduct a morning Field Investigator Training. The afternoon presentation will be by MIMUFON Consultant and CUFOS Board Member Bill Murphy, titled “Northern Lights,” focusing on Michigan's prominent UFO sightings. Subscribers are informed that they can opt for a printable electronic PDF version of the newsletter instead of a mailed black and white copy by contacting the Newsletter Editor, David Twichell, at [email protected]. The organization is also mirroring the International MUFON policy of maintaining a back catalog of issues online. The message concludes with holiday wishes.

Monthly Statistical MUFON Report for Sept 2010

The report states that in September 2010, MUFON received 353 sighting reports worldwide through its CMS system. Of these, 310 were in the United States, with 15 in Michigan. Globally, there were 15 Landings, Hovering, or Takeoffs reported and 9 Entities observed. Readers are directed to www.mufon.com to review the CMS data, including the last 20 sightings, custom searches, or to log in for more detailed information.

Article: UFO Researcher Wendelle Stevens dies at age 86

This article reports the death of retired USAF Lt. Col. and UFO researcher Wendelle C. Stevens at the age of 86. He passed away on September 7, 2010, from a massive heart attack or respiratory failure. Stevens was born in 1923 and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a fighter pilot. He was involved in ufology for 54 years, including his role as Director of Investigations for APRO. Stevens authored numerous books, including "UFO Crash at Aztec: A Well-Kept Secret," and amassed a large collection of UFO photos. He investigated many contact cases, notably the Billy Meier case. In 1997, he received a lifetime achievement award in Brazil. His extensive photo collection, library, and archives were transferred to Open Minds Production. The article mentions Stevens' controversial views on the Laredo, Texas UFO crash in 1948, which he believed was a U.S. experimental aircraft, and his association with Billy Meier, whom many in ufology consider a hoaxer.

Article: The Vatican and United Nations ready for contact?

Authored by Herbert Deary, this article discusses recent developments suggesting the Vatican and the United Nations are preparing for potential alien contact. It highlights the UN's appointment of Malaysian astrophysicist Mazlan Othman to head the "United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs" (UNOOSA), positioning her as an official "Greeter" to extraterrestrial species. The article also notes that Vatican astronomer Dr. Guy Consolmagno expressed a desire to "baptize an alien" if contact is made, suggesting a potential shift in Catholic doctrine regarding alien life and souls. The author references other tidbits, such as alleged cover-ups of UFO issues by Churchill and UFO craft compromising nuclear missile sites, to support the idea that major institutions are changing their stance towards disclosure and potential contact. The article concludes by posing the question of what comes next and expressing hope that these developments signal a genuine move towards open contact.

Article: Did You Miss MUFON's 41st Annual Symposium?

This section encourages readers who missed the 41st Annual UFO Symposium to purchase the official MUFON Symposium Proceedings for $29.00. The proceedings contain papers from speakers such as George Filer, Linda Moulton Howe, John Burroughs, Marc D'Antonio, Kathleen Marden, Richard Dolan, Nick Redfern, John Greenewald, Kevin Randle, Donald Schmitt, Michael Schratt, and others. Information on ordering is provided via a URL.

Article: Major Discovery: New Planet Could Harbor Water and Life

Written by Ker Than for Space.com, this article reports on the discovery of Gliese 581 C, an Earth-like exoplanet located 20.5 light-years away. Scientists announced that this planet is the first found that could support liquid water and potentially harbor life, as it is situated at the "Goldilocks" distance from its star. Gliese 581 C is about 50 percent bigger than Earth and five times more massive. It orbits its red dwarf star much closer than Earth orbits the Sun, with one year lasting 13 Earth days. The planet's temperature is estimated to be between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius, allowing for liquid water. The discovery was made using the HARP instrument on a telescope in Chile. The article also mentions other scientists' perspectives, including David Charbonneau of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who calls it a "fantastic discovery," and Seth Shostak of the SETI institute, who notes that the Gliese 581 system has been previously searched for intelligent life. The article includes a brief UFO sighting report from Newcastle Upon Tyne and a quote from Stephen Hawking on the nature of intelligence.

Article: Michigan UFOs and the November MIMUFON Meeting Presentation

This column by Bill Murphy discusses his upcoming presentation, "Northern Lights: the Michigan UFO Experience," for the Michigan MUFON. He aims to provide "Michigan ammunition" to counter skepticism about UFOs, arguing that ufology is "Serious Business." Murphy plans to include "classic" Michigan cases with new information, such as the 1953 Kinross case and 1994 Holland-Grand Haven radar records, as well as the 1966 "Swamp Gas" sightings. He also mentions lesser-known cases, like the "Michigan's Flying Bird Cage" and a Selfridge Air Force base case. The presentation will also cover arguments for taking UFOs seriously, including points about the Roswell incident, using logic and Air Force materials. The role of then-Congressman Gerald Ford in UFO history is highlighted, along with his correspondence at the Presidential Library. Murphy emphasizes the importance of understanding both the phenomenon and the human reaction to it. He mentions incorporating insights from three recent books: Leslie Kean's "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record," Dr. Peter A. Sturrock's "A Tale of Two Sciences," and Dr. Thomas E. Bullard's "The Myth and Mystery of UFOs." He also recommends Don Schmitt and Tom Carey's "Witness to Roswell: Unmasking the 60-Year Coverup."

Article: CGI's Mr.Ed: ET UFO Are Real: Ben Rich Lockheed CEO Admitted In His Deathbed

This article, appearing on pages 12-13, is not fully visible in the provided scan. However, the title suggests it discusses admissions from Ben Rich, former CEO of Lockheed, regarding the reality of ET UFOs, possibly related to the "Mr. Ed" project.

Article: British X-Files reveal secret UFO study

This article, appearing on page 14, is not fully visible in the provided scan. The title indicates it will discuss secret UFO studies revealed in British X-Files.

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section, on page 15, is not fully visible in the provided scan but is expected to detail recent UFO sightings reported in Michigan.

From The Editor's Desk

This section, on page 18, is not fully visible in the provided scan but typically contains editorial comments or reader correspondence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, the potential for extraterrestrial contact, and the scientific search for life beyond Earth. The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission of systematic data collection and analysis. There's an emphasis on presenting UFOs as a subject worthy of serious consideration, countering public skepticism, and highlighting Michigan's role in UFO history. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging members to stay informed about scientific discoveries (like Gliese 581 C) and governmental or institutional shifts in attitude towards the UFO topic (like the UN and Vatican's apparent readiness for contact). The newsletter also actively promotes MUFON's activities, events, and resources, such as symposium proceedings and online forums.

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated November 2010, features several articles related to UFO sightings and government disclosure. The cover story highlights a press conference by former Air Force officers discussing their experiences with UFOs at nuclear weapons sites. Other articles delve into Michigan-specific sightings, the legacy of Lockheed Skunk Works, and the UK's release of secret UFO files.

Former Air Force Officers Discuss UFO Sightings

This lead article, by Ledyard King for The Air Force Times, dated September 27, 2010, reports on a group of former Air Force officers who gathered at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to discuss their experiences with UFOs. Convened by UFO researcher Robert Hastings, the officers asserted that UFOs visited bases and caused nuclear weapon systems to temporarily malfunction. Hastings believes these visitors are fixated on nuclear weapons to send a message for disarmament. Robert Salas, a former missile launch officer at Malmstrom Air Force Base, recounted an incident in March 1967 where 10 nuclear missiles were disabled after his team saw a "large glowing, pulsating red oval-shaped object." He was told to keep quiet about the incident. Salas criticized the government for "deliberately withholding the facts" since 1969, hindering public engagement on national security issues. The article mentions Project Blue Book, the Air Force's UFO investigation program from 1947 to 1969, which identified 701 out of 12,618 sightings as "unidentified." An Air Force spokeswoman cited a 2005 fact sheet stating no new evidence supports resuming UFO investigations. Hastings also mentioned a UFO incident at Malmstrom as recently as 2007. The declassified documents presented included government memos detailing sightings above Alabama, Montana, New Mexico, and North Dakota. Hastings emphasized the public's right to know about these "national security issues." He stated he had spoken with 120 former or retired U.S. military personnel about UFO presence at nuclear weapons sites globally since 1945. Bruce Fenstermacher, a missile combat crew commander at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, shared his experience of being "laughed at" by superiors for reporting a UFO sighting, leading him to be more cautious about sharing his story.

Michigan MUFON State Section Directors Meeting Minutes

These minutes from the September 19, 2010, meeting held in Flint, Michigan, detail various administrative and operational discussions. Attendees included Bill Konkolesky, David Twichell, Gary Golem, Judy Kulka, Bill Murphy, and Wendy Smith. The meeting covered the attendance at a Peter Robbins lecture, the MUFON Librarian's computer issues, the library's lending status, and suggestions for donating CDs to public libraries or selling items at a used book sale. Gary reported on the diligence of Field Investigators contributing to MUFON's high CMS rankings. Bill discussed the status of the MUFON Store and the need for a volunteer manager. Wendy reported the attendance at the meeting was 50, including the speaker. The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 PM.

CGI's Mr.Ed: ET UFO Are Real: Ben Rich Lockheed CEO Admitted In His Deathbed

This article reports on alleged deathbed confessions of Ben Rich, former CEO of Lockheed Skunk Works. According to an article in the May 2010 MUFON UFO Journal by Tom Keller, Rich admitted that Extraterrestrial UFO visitors are real and that the U.S. military travels to stars. Rich's statements, made before his death in January 1995, are said to lend credence to reports of U.S. military vehicles mimicking alien craft. Keller, an aerospace engineer and computer systems analyst for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, wrote the article. The article presents three "Nuggets" from Rich's alleged confession:

• NUGGET ONE: Describing the Skunk Works as a small, intensely cohesive group of engineers and workers focused on building technologically advanced, high-class airplanes for highly secret missions.
• NUGGET TWO: Stating that humanity already possesses the means to travel among the stars, but these technologies are locked in black projects and would require an "act of God" to benefit humanity. He asserted that anything imaginable is already known.
• NUGGET THREE: Claiming the capability to travel to the stars exists, but requires a new propulsion technology and finding errors in Einstein's theories. He stated that chemical propulsion is insufficient.

The article also mentions Michael Lindemann's report that Ben Rich's statements were derived from forensic illustrations and witness testimonies about the Roswell UFO, provided by William L. "Bill" McDonald. Harold Puthoff, founder of the U.S. "remote viewing" program, is also mentioned. John Andrews, the former Lockheed engineer and Testor Corporation designer, allegedly confirmed the design connection between the Roswell spacecraft and U.S. advanced aircraft like UCAVs, Joint Strike Fighters, and Space Shuttles. Andrews was a friend of Ben Rich and had taken questions to him before Rich died of cancer. The article lists three points confirmed by Ben Rich:

1. There are two types of UFOs: those built by humans and those built by "them," learned from crash retrievals and "hand-me-downs." The government knew and managed this information until 1969, after which an international private sector board took over.
2. Nearly all "biomorphic" aerospace designs were inspired by the Roswell spacecraft, influencing designs from the SR-71 Blackbird to modern drones and UCAVs.
3. Ben Rich believed the public should not be told about UFOs and extraterrestrials, fearing they could not handle the truth. However, he felt the "international corporate board of directors" might pose a greater threat to personal freedoms than off-world visitors.

Lindemann noted that McDonald received this information from Andrews between 1994 and 1998. It is also mentioned that Ben Rich attended a conference in 1993 where he stated that the U.S. aerospace community possessed the technology to "take us to the stars." The article concludes by stating that NASA cannot deny secrets discovered by UK hacker Gary McKinnon and astronauts if it expects full funding.

Lockheed Skunkworks Engineer USAF, and CIA Contractor Admitted: UFO Are Real

This section features a statement by Don Phillips, identified as a Design Engineer for Lockheed, CIA, and USAF. Phillips claims that UFOs were huge and could stop and make sharp turns, reversing direction instantly. He recalls Neil Armstrong stating during the Apollo landing, "They're here. They are right over there," and noting the size of the ships suggested they "don't like us being here." Phillips signed an agreement with the government to keep quiet about his work with the Skunkworks. He confirms that "anti-gravitational research was going on" and that captured craft from Roswell in 1947 were real, providing technology that was put to work in an "unseen industry," described as "black, deep black, or hidden." He states that while he didn't see the craft or bodies himself, he knew people who did, confirming the existence of beings from outside the planet. Phillips believes these beings are not hostile, as they could have destroyed humanity long ago. He mentions "handhold scanners" that can scan and diagnose the body, and also treat conditions, including cancer. He founded his technology corporation in 1998 to bring forth these technologies for environmental and health benefits, stating that "it has already started."

British X-Files reveal secret UFO study

This article by Maria Golovnina of Reuters reports on the release of hundreds of previously secret "UFO files" by Britain. A letter within these files suggests that Winston Churchill ordered a 50-year cover-up of a wartime encounter between a UFO and a military pilot. The files, published by the National Archives, contain witness accounts, sketches, and briefing notes documenting sightings across Britain. One Ministry of Defense note references a 1999 letter stating that a Royal Air Force plane returning from a mission in Europe during World War II was "approached by a metallic UFO." The letter's author claimed his grandfather attended a meeting between Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower where they discussed the incident and "decided to keep it secret." The Ministry of Defense investigated but found no written record. In a 1999 note, the ministry stated it "does not have any expertise or role in respect of 'UFO/flying saucer' matters or to the question of the existence or otherwise of extraterrestrial lifeforms, about which it remains totally open-minded."

The article also notes that Britain has been releasing long-classified files related to UFO sightings. Some cases have rational explanations, like meteors, but many remain unsolved. A 1997 memo reported "sonic booms" and a mysterious plane crash in northern England with no wreckage found. Another incident described a "black triangular UFO" over the home of the shadow home secretary in Kent in the late 1990s. A 1995 case involved a plane captain reporting a near-miss with an "unidentified object" near Manchester's airport, with a witness describing a UFO "20 times the size of a football field." An inquiry failed to identify the object.

During the Cold War, files refer to curious episodes, including British fighter jets intercepting Soviet aircraft up to 200 times annually. A 1996 document indicated that mystery sightings picked up on radar were usually Soviet anti-submarine or long-range reconnaissance planes. Aircraft were scrambled about 200 times annually before the Soviet Union's collapse to intercept uncorrelated tracks from the north, with the last scramble in September 1991.

The article includes a quote attributed to Sir Winston Churchill from a July 28, 1952 memo: "What does all this stuff about flying saucers amount to? What can it mean? What is the truth?"

Recent Michigan Sightings

This section details several recent UFO sightings in Michigan:

• August 23, 2010 (Farmington Hills): A couple witnessed a "mirror like object" in the sky perform a "C shape loop" and disappear. A plane was visible nearby.
• August 13, 2010 (Sylvan Lake): Two "lights" were seen flying erratically with no sound, performing loops and maneuvers faster than airplanes. Later, one light reappeared and performed similar maneuvers.
• July 11, 2010 (Detroit): An object was seen hovering and then moving in a straight line at high speed, stopping instantly. It darted between points, using clouds for cover. The object was dark gray/graphite. A previous sighting by the same witness involved a red-orange glowing orb.
• August 26, 2010 (Lapeer): During a camping trip, a star brighter than usual was observed. It became smaller, disappeared, then reappeared and moved in odd motions. It turned red, got close to the moon, and remained visible for about three hours. Cell phones had no service during this time.

Bill Murphy Presents at the November 7th Meeting

This section announces a presentation by Bill Murphy titled "Northern Lights: The Michigan UFO Experience" for the November 7th meeting. Murphy, a Board Member of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies and Consultant to the Michigan Mutual UFO Network, will examine UFO phenomena in Michigan, including a 1953 UFO-jet collision, the 1966 "swamp gas" episodes, and Holland-Grand Haven radar-visual sightings featured on "CBS' 48 Hours." His presentation will include lesser-known cases and insights from his own investigations and research into UFO files. Murphy, a former automotive engineer, college teacher, and historian, aims to provide points to prove why UFOs are important and summarize beliefs about UFOs and Roswell, including a "cover-up" not recognized by most researchers. The article also details Bill Murphy's extensive background in engineering, quality control, and education, as well as his involvement with MUFON and editing newsletters. It also mentions MUFON Field Investigator's Training by Robert Nolan and provides reservation information for the meeting.

Michigan MUFON Meeting at Walli's East Restaurant

This section provides details for the Michigan MUFON meeting on Sunday, November 7, 2010, at Walli's East Restaurant in Burton, Michigan. The schedule includes FI Training with Robert Nolan at 10 am, Buffet Lunch at 12 pm, a presentation by Bill Murphy at 1:30 pm, and MUFON Announcements & Necessary Business at 4 pm. Board members are requested to attend a brief at 1:00 PM. The meeting costs are $14.00 for members, $16.00 for non-members, and $5.00 for first-time guests. A map of the location is provided.

From The Editor's Desk: Disclosure by Acclimation

In this editorial, David Twichell discusses the concept of "disclosure by acclimation," referencing recent media portrayals of UFOs and aliens in shows like NBC's "who are the aliens?" and Fox's "Fringe." He notes that these fictional narratives, along with serious documentaries, may be preparing the public for official disclosure. Twichell mentions a recent press conference on September 27, 2010, where Air Force officers and UFO researchers discussed UFOs spotted over nuclear missile sites, which was covered by major media. He also references the Pope's statement that extraterrestrials are "God's children" and the curator of the Pope's meteorite collection offering to "baptize an alien." The appointment of Mazlan Othman as the UN's official "Greeter" to contacted species is also noted. Twichell cites Nick Pope's prediction of disclosure starting with a "little d" and Richard Hoagland's description of disclosure as "drip, drip, drip" becoming a "splash, splash, splash." He questions whether these developments, both fictional and non-fictional, are laying the groundwork for official disclosure and if the evidence has become too obvious to deny. He concludes by stating it's an exciting time to be involved in UFOlogy.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

This section provides a comprehensive contact list for Michigan MUFON State Section Directors and other key personnel. It lists regional directors for Southeast Michigan and then breaks down contacts by county. It includes names, phone numbers, and email addresses for individuals responsible for specific regions and counties, as well as the State Director, Assistant State Director, Electronic Data Manager, Librarians, Newsletter Editor, and Chief Investigator. A map of Michigan is included, showing the divisions for the regional State Section Directors (N SSD Sunny Young, SW SSD John Castle, SE SSD Gary Golem).

Suggestion Box & Subscription Form

This section includes a "Suggestion Box" for reader feedback on their interest in the UFO phenomenon, desired MIMUFON events, speaker suggestions, and other comments. It also provides a form for 2011 calendar year memberships and newsletter subscriptions, requiring a $25.00 payment and personal information. An attention notice directs readers to email the editor at [email protected] to receive the newsletter via email.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, particularly those involving military installations and nuclear weapons, and the ongoing debate about government secrecy and the potential for official disclosure. There's a strong emphasis on firsthand accounts from former military personnel and the presentation of alleged insider information from figures like Ben Rich. The editorial stance, particularly in David Twichell's column, leans towards the belief that disclosure is imminent and that media and public interest are paving the way for it. The newsletter actively promotes MUFON's activities, including meetings, training, and membership, positioning itself as a hub for UFO research and discussion within Michigan.