MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 117

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated January/February 2006, Issue #117, focuses on various aspects of the UFO and extraterrestrial phenomenon. It includes articles on public reaction to alien contact, potential security risks from SETI, theories on extraterrestrial contact strategies, and reports of UFO sightings from around the world.

Public Reaction to Alien Contact

An article by Dick Moss, MN MUFON State Director, presents a condensed version of a 1988 MUFON UFO Symposium presentation by Raymond Boeche. The presentation explored the potential public reaction to an official government admission of extraterrestrial vehicles. Boeche referenced Dr. Hadley Cantril's study of the 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast, noting that while no single factor explained the extreme reactions, the prevailing economic depression and political instability likely contributed. The article also touches upon the Robertson Panel's 1947 assessment of UFO sightings, which found no direct threat but acknowledged the risk of overloading emergency channels with false information and public vulnerability to psychological warfare. Boeche suggests that societal reactions to alien contact would be shaped by factors like the potential destruction of humanity's belief in being the sole thinking beings, the overshadowing of political and religious leaders by alien culture, and the risk of societal disintegration if basic rules are removed. He posits that humanity might adapt by reshaping itself around a superior alien culture, creating a hybrid culture, or by embracing a sense of global humanity over nationalism. Boeche believes that due to the extensive discussion of extraterrestrial life, widespread panic is unlikely, as many people are already somewhat prepared for the possibility of contact.

Could Aliens Be Hacking Into Your Computer?

This article by Tom Spears, published in The Vancouver Sun, discusses the hypothesis of Richard Carrigan, a scientist at a U.S. physics lab. Carrigan suggests that the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project, which utilizes volunteers' computers to scan for signals, might be exposing Earth's computers to alien viruses. He likens it to astronauts quarantining themselves after visiting Mars. Carrigan's 'SETI@home' hypothesis posits that radio signals from space, while searching for alien communication, could carry a virus. He also notes that Earth's own radio signals have been broadcasting our presence for decades, potentially allowing an intelligent system 50 light years away to send a return signal. Carrigan's ideas were rejected by the journal 'Nature', with an editor citing a lack of deep new physical insights and conceptual novelty, referencing Arthur C. Clarke's book '3001: The Final Odyssey'. The article also includes a quote from Patrick Lyons of Carleton University, who dismisses the idea, suggesting people should worry more about human hackers.

The CE4 Corner: A Strategy for Contact?

Authored by Craig R. Lang, this section explores potential strategies for extraterrestrial (ET) contact. It begins by posing a scenario of a vast, enlightened cosmic civilization and questions whether humanity is ready for such contact. Lang references Dr. James Deardorff's article, 'A Possible Extraterrestrial Strategy for Earth,' which addresses the lack of confirmed ETI detections despite the statistical likelihood of civilizations existing (referencing the Drake equation and Fermi's paradox: 'Where are they?'). Deardorff's model suggests a staged program of quarantine, observation, and gradual, covert contact to acclimate humanity without causing societal damage. This strategy includes stages like mapping and surveying, covert interaction (abductions), subtle disclosure, infusion of ET knowledge, and eventually, overt contact. Deardorff also suggests that ETs might deliberately employ mystery and logical absurdity to make their presence seem unscientific and thus uninteresting to the scientific community, avoiding premature acceptance. The CE4 phenomenon, characterized by covert encounters often occurring at night and cloaked in mystery, is presented as potentially fitting this model. The article concludes by stating that the next issue will explore other contact models like the 'Zoo' hypothesis and the 'National Park' metaphor.

Estimate of the Situation – 2005

By William I. McNeff, this article reviews two significant events in 2005 that raised the visibility of the UFO/ET subject. The first was the ABC-TV special 'UFOs: Seeing Is Believing,' which persuasively presented the reality of UFOs as alien craft in its first hour but was criticized for its handling of alien abductions. The second event was Paul Hellyer, former Canadian Defense Minister, publicly stating that UFOs are real and expressing concern about a potential intergalactic war, suggesting the U.S. military was preparing weapons for such a conflict and agreeing to build a forward base on the moon. Hellyer has joined with NGOs to urge Canadian Parliament to hold public hearings on 'Exopolitics.' The article also touches upon the secrecy surrounding the Roswell incident, suggesting it was an ET craft crash possibly caused by Army radar, and mentions the ongoing research into the 'MJ-12 documents.' It also notes instances of Canadian citizens being denied entry into the U.S., possibly as a form of harassment for their UFO research.

Walter Haut Issued UFO Crash Report

This piece by George A. Filer reports on Walter Haut, the U.S. Army lieutenant who issued the original news release about the Roswell UFO crash in 1947. Haut, who has since passed away, reportedly told Filer that the story was designed to divert attention from the recovery of a UFO, with a weather balloon story to follow. Haut was convinced an alien craft had crashed. The article also mentions the founding of The International UFO Museum by Haut and others.

UFO Defense Tactics: Weather Shield to Chemtrails

This section reviews A.K. Johnstone's book, 'UFO Weather Shield.' The book explores the hypothesis that military and government agencies might use electromagnetic manipulation and chemtrails to deter unconventional craft, potentially explaining erratic weather changes. The article notes that UFO sightings have increased and become more blatant, with many occurring over military bases.

Navy Directive on Whistleblower Protection

This is a brief excerpt stating the U.S. Navy policy that prohibits reprisal against service members for making protected communications, including allegations of sexual harassment or discrimination.

2005 UFO Sightings Russian Wrap-Up

This report from MosNews.Com and Komsomolskaya Pravda details UFO sightings in Russia and other post-Soviet countries in 2005. It notes 18 crop circle cases, an increase from previous years. It also recounts a specific incident where a photograph taken on the Yenisei River was examined by the Eternal Frost Museum and confirmed to be of a distinct 'saucer.' Astronomers in Crimea reportedly observed a reddish ball, estimated to be 400 km away, which could have been a secret flying device. The article also describes luminous orange-colored objects observed in the Primorye region, which responded to a farmer's flashlight signals, and mentions patterned watermelons found in a field, attributed to 'night visitors.'

On the History Channel in Jan. 2006

This section lists upcoming History Channel programs: 'Out of This World' (discussing aliens, cosmic catastrophe, and government secrets about UFOs and Roswell) and 'Deep Sea UFOs' (examining Unidentified Submerged Objects, or USOs, with references to ancient sightings and the 'Shag Harbour Incident'). It also mentions 'Britain's Roswell' (about the 1980 RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge sightings) and 'The Day after Roswell' (exploring the aftermath of the 1947 Roswell incident and the potential alien origin of technologies like lasers and fiber optics).

Brazil's Roswell

This segment discusses a series of mysterious events in September 1977 on the Brazilian island of Colares, where luminous objects were sighted, and residents reported feeling as if blood was sucked from them. The Brazilian Air Force investigated, compiling a 300-page report, but details were kept from the public until May 2005.

Bermuda Triangle Mystery Still Haunts

This article by Meg Jones reports on the disappearance of a C-119 Flying Boxcar (Plane No. 680) and its 10-man crew over the Bermuda Triangle 40 years prior. Despite extensive searches, nothing was found. The article highlights the ongoing pain for the families and the dedication of the 440th Airlift Wing to remembering the lost crew.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial contact, and related government secrecy. The MUFON organization, as indicated by its presence, maintains a stance of actively researching and disseminating information on these topics. The articles collectively suggest a growing public and media interest in UFOs, while also highlighting the challenges of scientific acceptance and the potential implications of contact with advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. There is an underlying emphasis on the need for open-mindedness and continued study of these phenomena.

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal focuses on unexplained disappearances, particularly the case of a C-119 Flying Boxcar, Plane No. 680, which vanished on June 5, 1965. The magazine features personal accounts, historical context of the Bermuda Triangle, and information on UFO research organizations.

The Disappearance of Plane No. 680

The lead story details the disappearance of a C-119 Flying Boxcar, carrying 10 individuals, including flight engineer Milt Adams. His wife, Phyllis Adams, recounts the events leading up to his departure from Mitchell Field and expresses her deep skepticism regarding the official accident report, noting that it is incomplete and that no wreckage was found despite the aircraft's size and multiple engines. She questions how such a large aircraft could vanish without a trace.

The article lists the names and roles of the crew members on board: co-pilot 1st Lt. Lawrence F. Gares, navigator Capt. Richard J. Bassett, and maintenance crew members Raoul P. Benedict, Duane W. Brooks, Norman J. Mimier, and Frank Ellison. Airman John W. Lazenry was also on board, having hitched a ride to the Bahamas.

Osbee "Sam" Sampson, a maintenance crew member who knew the crew, recalls packing life rafts for the flight and expresses his lingering concern about flying through the Bermuda Triangle. He emphasizes that the crew was highly experienced and questions why they would not have sent a distress signal if there was a problem, suggesting a catastrophic event like an explosion.

Joe Davis, who spent three decades with the unit, recalls the initial hope that the crew would be found and the subsequent unanswered questions that lingered, stating, "There's got to be an answer."

Historical Context: The Bermuda Triangle

The issue places the disappearance of Plane No. 680 within the broader context of mysterious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle. It references author Gian J. Quasar, who notes that aircraft have vanished without distress signals or indications of impact, and that many were tracked on radar before disappearing. Quasar estimates hundreds of such disappearances.

• Historical incidents cited include:
• In 1945, 14 men in five TBM Avengers disappeared after leaving Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
• A PBM Mariner and its 13-person crew, sent to search for the Avengers, also vanished.
• In 1948, a DC-3 with 31 people disappeared while flying from Puerto Rico to Miami, last heard from about 50 miles away.

Investigation and Findings

The article notes that extensive searches for Plane No. 680 covered 54,000 square miles but yielded no oil slick, life rafts, or debris. Months later, newspapers reported the Air Force found a wheel chock and a piece of a box lid with "ION KIT" stenciled on it. However, the 104-page Air Force investigation report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, is described as having 17 deleted pages and numerous blacked-out sections, particularly concerning personal information about the crew and testimony from military officials.

Sampson suggests that the lack of debris indicates a massive explosion or similar catastrophic event, as even in an emergency landing scenario, some debris would be expected.

UFO Disclosure Efforts

The latter part of the journal discusses efforts towards UFO disclosure. It promotes a petition titled "UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF CONTACT," organized by individuals including Alfred Webre, former Director of a proposed Jimmy Carter White House extraterrestrial communication study project. The petition aims to encourage the UN to study the UFO issue and establish diplomacy with "off-planet cultures."

Minnesota MUFON Information

• The issue also provides contact information and details for Minnesota MUFON, including:
• State Director Richard Moss and Assistant State Director Bill McNeff.
• Field Investigator Coordinator Margaret DeHarpPorte.
• Journal Editor Joel Henry.
• Contact details for reporting UFO news and sightings via a national hotline.
• Information on the Minnesota MUFON Journal (MMJ), a free PDF publication.
• Details about the MUFON Ham Radio Net, led by Bob Schultz.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are unexplained disappearances, particularly those attributed to the Bermuda Triangle, and the ongoing pursuit of UFO disclosure. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official explanations for mysterious events and a belief in the importance of transparency and further investigation into UFO phenomena. The inclusion of personal testimonies and the critique of the incomplete investigation report suggest a leaning towards uncovering hidden truths and advocating for public awareness.