Orbiter - No 06 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Subtitle: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report
Issue: #6
Date: March, 1988
Publisher: Jim Melesciuc (Editor)
Country: USA

Message from APRO

The issue begins with a message from APRO, expressing concern for Mrs. Lorenzen, who is reportedly very ill and unable to continue her duties as editor and memory bank for the bulletin. The message asks for prayers for her recovery.

Radio-TV Log

This section details recent media appearances by UFO researchers:

• January 13: Paul Cerny and Budd Hopkins were guests on Channel 5, KPIX, for the show 'People Are Talking'.
• March 10: Budd Hopkins appeared on the Wil Shriner Show on NBC.
• March 14: Phil Klass and Stan Friedman were guests on 'People Are Talking' on WOR-TV, New York.
• March 18: Paul Cerny and Tom Fage were guests on KCBS radio.
• March 31: 'The UFO Incident' was aired on Channel 6, Rhode Island.

Case Report: South Carolina Coast Sighting

On March 21, 1988, an unconfirmed report was received about an airline travelling along the South Carolina coast being paced by an unknown object. The crew and passengers observed the object. The pilot took evasive action and contacted air traffic controllers, who reported no object on radar. Both the crew and passengers lost sight of the object when the pilot maneuvered away. A second airline, heading to Boston, was monitoring the transmissions and confirmed the object was no longer pacing the first aircraft. The object then appeared alongside the second aircraft and was observed by its crew and passengers for 15 minutes.

New Book

A new book titled 'UFO ABDUCTIONS_A_DANGEROUS GAME' by Philip J. Klass is announced. A note mentions that 'Communion (paperback)' was listed as number one by The New York Times book review on February 28, 1988.

Conference Announcement

The 'UFO Experience' conference, sponsored by F'si Symposium, is scheduled for May 6-7, 1988, at the Best Western Motel in Waltham, MA. Scheduled speakers include Rev. Richard Fewkes, John White, Raymond Fowler, Dave Webb, Marianne Shenefield (abductee), Diana DeSimone (abductee and MUFON investigator), and Budd Hopkins. Contact information is provided for further details.

Gulf Breeze Space Odyssey

This article investigates the UFO sightings in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The author, Dave Barry, explores two possible explanations: a hoax or genuine extraterrestrial observation. He recounts his visit to Gulf Breeze and examines reports, including a newspaper item about a glowing object and similar sightings reported by residents. The article mentions the Gulf Breeze Sentinel newspaper and its editor, Duane B. Cook, who published photos of a UFO. The story also includes accounts from witnesses Charlie and Doris Somerby, who claim to have seen the same object.

The Wire Story

An item from The Herald on December 3rd reported that photos of a glowing unidentified flying object published in The Sentinel of Gulf Breeze prompted several residents to report similar sightings. The object was described as looking like the top of the Space Needle in Seattle.

The Town of Gulf Breeze

Gulf Breeze is described as a small, quiet, beach-oriented residential community. The author notes the heavy air traffic in the area due to nearby military bases and airports. He humorously points out a 'BUSH 83' bumper sticker as the only phenomenon not having an obvious earthly explanation. The article then delves into seemingly mundane local news, such as a giraffe wedding and snake bites at a Wal-Mart, before returning to the UFO topic.

The Newspaper (Gulf Breeze Sentinel)

The Gulf Breeze Sentinel, a weekly newspaper with a circulation of 3,500, is characterized as a typical small-town paper. However, the November 19th issue featured a front-page story headlined 'UFO SIGHTED OVER GULF BREEZE' with three photographs of a disk-shaped object. The accompanying text was an anonymous letter from the photographer, who claimed to have seen the object on November 11th. The editor, Duane Cook, was initially nervous about publishing the story but felt reassured when his stepfather and mother, Charlie and Doris Somerby, revealed they had also seen the same object.

The Witnesses (Somerbys)

Charlie and Doris Somerby, described as reliable witnesses, recounted seeing an object over the bay on November 11th. It made no sound and did not resemble any known aircraft. They had not planned to speak about it until Cook showed them the photographs. They described the object as having a glowing, tapered bottom and a small glowing protrusion on top.

The UFOs (Gulf Breeze)

This section discusses the ongoing UFO sightings in Gulf Breeze. It mentions that the phenomenon is not considered a hoax by MUFON investigator Donald Ware. The article touches upon the idea that the government might be withholding information about UFOs.

The Story Spreads

The story of the Gulf Breeze sightings spread, with reports of similar phenomena occurring elsewhere. The author notes that the government's handling of UFO information is often contradictory.

The Key Figure (Richard Giordano)

Richard Giordano, a forty-year-old independent investigator from Fremont, NH, is dedicated to uncovering government "cover-ups" regarding UFOs. He believes the government is misrepresenting information and has used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain documents. Giordano has been involved in a court battle to force the CIA and NSA to release UFO-related files. He received a letter stating "no records responsive to your request were located" regarding his request for UFO files from the NSA and CIA. He believes the government knows more than it is revealing and that the public should be informed.

The Key People (Giordano's Research)

Giordano's interest in UFOs began at age nine when he witnessed a sighting. He became active in investigating UFO events after the Exeter incident in 1965. He has collected numerous documents and has a vast library of video and audio recordings related to UFOs. He criticizes the government's inconsistent statements and its attempts to downplay the significance of UFO phenomena.

The Call

Giordano receives many calls from people reporting UFO sightings. He counsels them and shares his sentiments about the government's handling of the issue. He believes that unidentified flying objects operating in U.S. airspace are under intelligent control and technologically advanced.

Dutch Police Chase Purported Spacecraft

This news brief reports on a late-night chase in Amsterdam, Netherlands, involving police cars and a helicopter pursuing a craft from outer space. The hunt, prompted by numerous calls from residents, failed to yield any extraterrestrial evidence. Police spokesman Klaas Wilting stated that the objects described ranged from "airplane-like things to fantastic contraptions." The chase involved 12 patrol cars and a helicopter, but only strong lamps on a crane were found.

Uncovering The Coverup

This article focuses on Richard Giordano's efforts to expose government secrecy surrounding UFOs. He believes that the government agencies are misrepresenting and abusing the subject of UFOs. Giordano has used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain documents and has been involved in legal battles to compel the release of classified information. He criticizes the government's justifications for keeping UFO data confidential, citing national security concerns. He argues that the truth should be known and that the public should be allowed to form their own conclusions. Giordano also expresses frustration with the government's contradictory statements and its attempts to dismiss UFO phenomena as unsolvable or not of domestic origin.

Oldies & Oddities: When Pancakes Flew

This section features an article about Charles H. Zimmerman and his "Flying Pancake" aircraft, the Vought XF5U-1. Designed in the 1940s, this Navy fighter was intended to take off and land vertically and achieve speeds of 500 mph. Despite successful test flights of a prototype (V-173), the XF5U-1 project was canceled in 1947 due to the Navy's shift towards jet aircraft. The article details the aircraft's design, testing, and eventual demolition, with only a partially disassembled V-173 remaining as a testament to Zimmerman's vision.

Preliminary Report of Sighting of Unidentified Flying Object (Nashua, NH)

This report details a sighting by Val P., a Russian immigrant residing in Nashua, NH, on Saturday, May 30, 1987. The witness observed a disc-shaped, shiny metallic object, approximately 300 ft. in diameter, travelling east to west at an estimated altitude of 1/2 mile for 20 seconds. The object made no sound. A photograph was taken, and it is currently undergoing photo analysis. The witness was described as calm and employed as a drafter. The report was passed on by Carl McCoy, a technician at Raytheon.

The Mundrabilla, Western Australia Incident

This article details a family's alleged encounter with a UFO near Mundrabilla, Western Australia, on January 21, 1988. The glowing object resembled a giant egg and allegedly chased their car, leaving behind physical traces. The family reported a "spongy substance" on the car's roof, a sensation of heat, a "greyish-black mist" entering the car, and a humming sound. They also believed the car was lifted off the road. Media sources and preliminary reports from UFO investigators are cited. The article notes that while the family appeared to be genuine, caution is urged until technical reports are complete. Indications of a hoax are considered minimal.

UFOs (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

This is the first part of a five-part series on UFO sightings in Foreman and Ashdown, Arkansas. Residents have been reporting strange lights and shapes in the night sky since November. The article highlights an incident on January 19th where three women reported being chased by a "bright light." The local sheriff's department has received over 200 alerts. The sightings are unusual due to their duration and the number of people involved. The article mentions that the Air Force is no longer officially investigating UFOs since Project Blue Book closed in 1969. It also discusses other potential explanations, such as regular air traffic and planetary activity, which locals dismiss. The article notes that a Southwestern Electric Power Company substation seems to be a focal point for the sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Orbiter are UFO sightings, government secrecy and cover-ups, and the investigation of these phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of seeking truth and transparency, encouraging the public to be informed and to question official narratives. There is a clear interest in documenting and analyzing UFO reports from various locations, including the US, Australia, and the Netherlands. The magazine also highlights the efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to UFO research and advocacy.