Polarnytt - 1981 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: NUFOC's POLARNYTT
Issue: Volume 2, Number 2, 1981
Publisher: NUFOC Avd Nord-Norge (NUFOC North Norway Department)
Date: 1981

This issue of NUFOC's POLARNYTT, a Norwegian publication focused on UFO phenomena, covers organizational news, significant UFO sightings, and discussions on the nature of UFOs.

Organizational News and Leadership Changes

The magazine opens by noting the start of February and significant changes within NUFOC. Kolbjørn Stenødegård, the administrative leader since NUFOC's inception in 1972 and founder of the organization, has stepped down. Stenødegård is credited with significant work in ufology in Norway and the Nordic region and will continue to be active in UFO research in the Nordics through the Nordic UFO Groups (NUG).

Odd-Gunnar Røed, a 30-year-old field researcher, has been appointed as the new national leader. Røed also holds positions as section leader, county leader, committee member, and committee leader, and heads the Vestfold county and ØST department. His appointment effectively makes him the de facto leader until the next congress in 1982. The organization is considering centralizing its administration, but a final decision has not yet been made, with discussions ongoing regarding whether NUFOC truly needs a central administration given the existence of its committee.

The issue also lists the addresses and contact information for various NUFOC departments and county leaderships across Norway, including NUFOC NORD in Bodø, NUFOC MIDT in Trondheim, NUFOC VEST in Bergen, NUFOC ØST in Duken, and NUFOC SØR in Arendal. Specific leadership details are provided for Avdeling Nord (Department North), Nordland county leadership, and Troms county leadership.

Key UFO Incidents and Reports

A prominent article details a confession from the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) that they had tracked an unidentified flying object (UFO) on radar and scrambled two F-106 fighter jets to intercept it on November 11, 1975. Although the jets did not make contact, the object was tracked for six hours over Ontario, Canada. Witnesses included police constables, military personnel at the NORAD radar station on Falconbridge, and local residents. Captain Gordon Hilchie, a NORAD press officer, stated that this was the first time NORAD had publicly acknowledged seeing a UFO. Lieutenant Colonel Brian Wooding, head of the control center, mentioned that while many UFO reports are received, this was the only one where they had tracked it on radar and deployed fighter jets. The object was observed ascending from 8 km to 13.5 km and then to 22 km altitude. Reports of strange lights began around 3 AM from people in Sudbury.

In Norway, the report indicates a generally quiet period for UFO cases. However, a small 'flap' of activity was noted in Trøndelag, with Leif Havik, the new head of department NIDT, reporting three cases in a short period. Further details on these Norwegian cases were not provided in this issue but were promised for a later publication.

Discussion on UFOs and Ufology

The magazine includes a section addressing the question "Do you believe in UFOs?", suggesting that this question indicates a lack of understanding about UFOs as a science. The definition of a UFO is reiterated: an object or phenomenon whose cause is unknown and which is in a flying state. The article critiques the common misconception that all UFOs are necessarily alien spacecraft, arguing that while this is a possibility, it cannot be proven without concrete evidence, such as a 'landing'. The text also touches on the grammatical usage of the term UFO in Norwegian, advocating for correct pluralization.

Military and UFOs

Another article discusses the relationship between the Norwegian military and ufology. It notes that the military is often perceived as an "enemy" of ufologists, with the USAF being considered a primary adversary. The Norwegian defense forces are described as being less dismissive than their US counterparts but still skeptical. The article mentions that the military eventually responded to a case at Espevær, and a photograph was published in RAPPORT-NYTT. A formal cooperation agreement exists, though the Norwegian military is hesitant to engage in higher-level agreements due to potential implications within NATO. The article recalls the Forsvarets Overkommando's (Defense Command) interest in the Hønefoss landing incident, which was featured on Norwegian television.

Despite skepticism, the publication notes that two members of the military are passive members of NUFOC in Nord-Norge. The Forsvarskommando Nord-Norge (North Norwegian Defense Command) is described as sometimes dismissive of UFO research, labeling it as "nonsense" and "childish prattle." The article expresses hope for a gradual, official understanding from the Norwegian military regarding ufology.

Subscription Information

The final pages contain a subscription form for POLARNYTT, offering options for a full year ('81) or half a year, as well as a trial issue. Payment is to be sent to NUFOC Avd NORD via postgiro.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the organizational structure and leadership of NUFOC, significant UFO sightings (particularly the NORAD incident), and the complex relationship between ufology and military/governmental bodies. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious investigation into UFO phenomena while acknowledging the skepticism from official sources and the public. There is a clear emphasis on providing factual reporting and fostering a scientific approach to ufology.