SUN 55 (Jan 1999)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter (SUN), dated January 1999, is identified as SUN #55 and focuses on the controversial topic of the MJ-12 documents. The main cover story, authored by Philip J. Klass, is titled 'Dr. Robert Wood Emerges As New Promoter Of MJ-12 Authenticity, Endorses Recent Batch Of Flawed Documents From Secretive Source.' The newsletter is published by Philip J. Klass and is based in Washington D.C.

Dr. Robert Wood and the MJ-12 Documents

The central theme of this issue revolves around Dr. Robert M. Wood, a retired McDonnell Douglas engineer, and his son Ryan, a computer specialist, who have become prominent proponents of the authenticity of the MJ-12 documents. They endorsed both the original MJ-12 papers released in 1987 and a new batch of documents presented by Timothy Cooper, a California researcher. Cooper claims these new documents were left in his mailbox by a source named Thomas Cantwheel.

Dr. Wood and his son presented their findings in a paper titled "Cosmic Watergate: New Evidence of Retrieved UFOs" at a UFO conference in North Haven, Connecticut. Their endorsement of these documents, which Joseph P. Firmage, a Silicon Valley businessman, also hailed via an internet press release, has drawn scrutiny. Firmage claimed the documents revealed the recovery of extraterrestrial vehicles and bodies during the Truman administration and stated that scientists rejecting this claim were ignoring a significant event. However, the newsletter points out that Stanton Friedman, a well-known MJ-12 proponent, had previously investigated some of Cooper's documents and found them to be counterfeit, a fact known to Dr. Wood.

Examination of Document Authenticity

The newsletter meticulously dissects the alleged MJ-12 documents, highlighting numerous discrepancies and potential signs of forgery. One key document, a purported memo to President Truman from Rear Adm. Hillenkoetter dated "February 1948," is noted for its poor reproduction and lack of a specific date. Friedman himself expressed mild suspicion about its contents and noted Cooper's initial reluctance to share it due to fears of being accused of forging it.

Further inconsistencies are detailed, such as the Eisenhower briefing document from 1987 listing "Adm. Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter" which incorrectly implies he was a four-star admiral, whereas the "Hillenkoetter memo" received from Cooper correctly identified him as "Rear Adm. USN." A significant flaw in the "February 1948 memo" is the inclusion of "USAFOSI" among the agencies receiving copies, despite the Air Force Office of Special Investigations not existing until August 1, 1948, and never being called USAFOSI.

Another document, a "Top Secret/Eyes Only" memo allegedly signed by President Truman on July 9, 1947, directed Lt. Gen. Nathan Twining to investigate unidentified objects at White Sands. However, Twining was already at Kirtland AAF on that date, attending a course on nuclear weapons.

Wood's Defense and Counterarguments

Dr. Wood, during his talk, admitted to factual discrepancies in Cooper's documents but argued that these "tend to indicate authenticity instead of lack of authenticity," suggesting that hoaxers typically strive for perfection. He offered explanations for discrepancies, such as the differing numbers of recovered ET bodies (four in one document, five in others), suggesting that perhaps one alien was alive and not mentioned.

Regarding the Eisenhower Briefing Document's mention of a crash on December 6, 1950, near the Texas-Mexican border, a Cooper/Cantwheel document from July 9, 1947, reports the recovery of two crashed UFOs in New Mexico between July 4-6, 1947. This document details recovery sites near Corona and Socorro but does not mention the Texas-Mexican border incident. Another Cooper/Cantwheel document, allegedly from Hillenkoetter on September 19, 1947, refers to a "subsequent capture of another similar craft 30 miles east of the Army's Alamogordo Army Air Field on 5 July 1947."

The "MJ-12 Special Operations Manual (SOM-101)"

The newsletter also scrutinizes the "MAJESTIC-12 GROUP SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANUAL (SOM-101)," which surfaced in March 1994. This document, dated April 7, 1954, was provided by an anonymous source. Despite its classification as "TOP SECRET/MAJIC EYES ONLY," the newsletter argues that its contents were written to "provide useful 'evidence' for those who promote the myth of crashed-saucer recovery and government coverup."

Several discrepancies are highlighted in SOM-101. For instance, it instructs UFO-recovery units to explain UFO sightings as "meteors, downed satellites, weather balloons and military aircraft." However, as of April 1954, no man-made earth satellite had been launched, with the first satellite launched by the USSR in October 1957. Dr. Wood attempted to counter this by claiming references to satellite plans existed in open literature in 1954, a claim the newsletter disputes.

Another discrepancy involves the description of ETs. SOM-101 describes two types: skinny humanoids (41-50 inches tall, 25-50 lbs) and larger humanoids (60-64 inches tall, 80-100 lbs). The newsletter notes that these descriptions do not align with typical accounts from UFO abductees.

Furthermore, SOM-101 directs recovered ET technology to "Area 51 S4" rather than Wright-Patterson AFB, suggesting a confirmation of recent claims about Area 51's role in reverse-engineering UFOs. However, the site was known as "Watertown" in 1954, and the term "Area 51" was not used until 1958.

The manual also mentions "Photographs" on page 31, which were allegedly removed by order of MJ-12 on April 12, 1955, due to their sensitive nature. Sketches of UFO configurations in SOM-101 include a triangular shape resembling the 1990 Belgian UFO photo, a shape that was rare before that incident. Another configuration is described as ice-cream cone-shaped, which Wood found unfamiliar.

Friedman's Role and Wood's Credulity

The newsletter notes that Stanton Friedman, who had previously challenged Cooper's documents, was initially eager for new evidence supporting MJ-12. However, after discovering clear evidence of fraud, Friedman's book detailed his conviction that some documents were doctored versions of older memos. Despite this, Dr. Wood, in a review of Friedman's book, praised Cooper's documents as supportive of MJ-12. The newsletter questions Wood's credulity, especially given his own background and security clearance.

Other Sections and Recurring Themes

The issue also includes a section on Peter Gersten, director of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), who has been involved in legal battles for UFO-related documents. Gersten's personal narrative describes receiving messages about a plan to kidnap a Supreme Court Justice and subsequent FBI interactions. He also endorsed a prediction by Richard Hoagland about an ET spacecraft landing.

A "Retrospect: Words Of Wisdom" section features comments from prominent pro-UFOlogists from a 1977 conference, reflecting on abduction claims, the need for solid cases, and the nature of UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the critical examination of claims of authenticity regarding UFO documents, particularly the MJ-12 papers. The Skeptics UFO Newsletter, through its editor Philip J. Klass, maintains a skeptical stance, meticulously analyzing evidence and highlighting inconsistencies and potential hoaxes. The editorial stance is to question extraordinary claims and to demand rigorous proof, challenging proponents of UFO secrecy and authenticity to provide verifiable evidence. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of scientific scrutiny and the dangers of credulity in the field of UFO research.