SUN 68 (Summer 2001)

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptics UFO Newsletter
Issue: SUN #68
Volume: Summer 2001
Publisher: Philip J. Klass
Country: USA
Language: English
Date: Summer 2001

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, published by Philip J. Klass, critically examines claims made by UFO proponents, focusing on Dr. Stephen Greer's 'Project Disclosure' conference and other alleged UFO incidents and testimonies.

Dr. Greer's "Disclosure" Conference Reveals His New Strategy

The lead article details Dr. Stephen Greer's UFO 'Project Disclosure' press conference held on May 9th. Greer's stated objective was to prompt a Congressional hearing on UFOs, but he also revealed a new strategy opposing missile defense systems, which he believes are intended for use against UFOs and ETs. Greer's beliefs align with Joe Firmage's ideas about ETs discovering and using 'Zero-Point Energy' (ZPE) to solve Earth's energy crisis. Firmage financially supports ZPE researchers like Dr. Hal Puthoff. The article notes that Greer's 573-page book 'Disclosure' contains transcripts of interviews with 69 'witnesses.' Greer claims that advanced spacecraft of extraterrestrial origin have been downed and studied since the 1930s or 1940s, leading to technological breakthroughs in energy and propulsion that utilize a new physics for unlimited energy. He also claims that top-secret projects possess operational anti-gravity propulsion devices and new energy systems. More startling claims include that since the early 1990s, at least two extraterrestrial spacecraft have been targeted and destroyed by experimental space-based weapon systems. Greer also asserts that extraordinary inducements and penalties are used to maintain secrecy, with at least 10,000 people allegedly receiving $1 million or more for cooperation.

Greer further claims that senior officials from the CIA, Congress, the Clinton Administration, the UN, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff agreed that the time had come for truth about UFOs/ETs, but lacked access to the truth. He states that multiple witnesses corroborate crash and retrieval of ET spacecraft in 1947 in New Mexico and 1948 in Kingman, Arizona. Greer alleges that Presidents Truman and Eisenhower were aware of the 'truth' about UFOs, with Eisenhower reportedly being 'furious' about being out of the loop, but only warning about the 'military-industrial complex.' Greer posits that the covert UFO program is now run by 'mid-level military and intelligence operatives' and 'black units' within high-tech entities, policy analysis communities, religious groups, the scientific community, and the media. The newsletter editor expresses skepticism about the maintenance of secrecy with so many organizations involved.

The Japan Air Lines Alaska UFO Incident

This section details the Japan Air Lines (JAL) 747 incident that occurred on November 17, 1986, over Alaska. John Callahan, former head of the FAA's Accidents & Investigations Branch, described the incident at Greer's conference. He stated that radar data and radio transcripts were presented to FAA Administrator Engen, but CIA representatives allegedly instructed everyone that the meeting never took place and the incident was never recorded. The JAL pilot, Captain Terauchi, reported a giant array of white and yellow lights in front of the 747. The FAA controller saw no other traffic on radar. The JAL pilot reported the UFO at 'six o'clock position' and later at '11 o'clock, eight miles, same level.' The newsletter notes that this position curiously matched the location of the planet Jupiter. Later, a United Airlines transport was vectored to observe the JAL aircraft and the alleged UFO, but the United crew saw no other aircraft. An Air Force C-130 also reported seeing no other traffic. Captain Terauchi later reportedly believed his sighting was light from a petroleum pumping station bouncing off clouds. Callahan, despite having access to data, failed to mention any prosaic explanation. An FAA press release stated that the investigation aimed to determine if an unreported aircraft posed a safety hazard and concluded that a second radar target was an 'uncorrelated primary and beacon target return,' not another aircraft. The FAA stated it does not investigate UFO sightings and has completed its investigation.

Filer Claims ET Was Shot Dead In 1978 At New Jersey Base

George A. Filer III, MUFON's Eastern Region Director, is presented as another witness from Greer's conference. Filer claims that on January 18, 1978, he witnessed events at McGuire Air Force Base where UFOs were reportedly over the base all night. He was told that an alien had landed or crashed at Fort Dix, and a military policeman shot the alien. The alien allegedly climbed a fence and died on the runway, with security police guarding the body and a C-141 from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base coming to pick it up. Filer states he was told to brief generals on the incident, and his checks with the 38th Military Airlift Wing Command Post confirmed the story. He also claims he was denied access to photos of the event and that key personnel involved were transferred. The security policeman who shot the alien was allegedly transferred to Wright Patterson and debriefed.

Clifford E. Stone: "Spinner of (Very) Tall Tales"

This section critically examines the claims of Clifford E. Stone, a former Sergeant First Class. Stone, who published a book titled 'UFOs: Let The Evidence Speak For Itself,' claims to have been part of an Army team that recovered crashed ET craft and bodies. He stated at Greer's conference that he was involved in situations where ET spacecraft and bodies were recovered, and that some ETs were alive. He also claimed to have seen a live ET at the Pentagon and investigated a UFO incident at the USAF Bentwaters base in England in late 1980. The newsletter points out inconsistencies, such as Stone's FOIA request for information on the Bentwaters incident being made in 1983, three years after his alleged visit. Stone's military record shows him primarily as a clerk/typist and administration specialist, with no evidence to support his claims of being an ET-craft-retrieval specialist. His Army superior cited his 'personal UFO activities' as a basis for criticism, leading to his 'relief for administrative inefficiency.' The Army's final report on an investigation cleared Stone but attributed his interests to a 'life-long interest in UFOs,' without addressing his recovery team claims.

Dr. Greer's Lawyer Claims He Has Seen Photos Of ET Craft

Attorney Daniel Sheehan, counsel for Project Disclosure, claims that in 1977 he was allowed to examine unclassified photos of crashed ET craft. Sheehan, with degrees from Harvard in Law and Divinity, has been involved in high-profile cases. He states that President Carter had asked for information on extraterrestrial intelligence and UFO phenomena. Sheehan claims he was granted access to a section of the Vatican library in Rome, where he saw documents, films, and photographs of UFOs, including one of a crashed craft with Air Force personnel taking pictures and measuring it. He claims to have covertly copied insignia or symbols from one photo onto his yellow pad and possesses all these documents.

Filer Praises Greer's Conference And Its Speakers

This short section summarizes George Filer's positive assessment of Dr. Greer's May 9 conference, published in his 'Filer's Files' Internet column. Filer stated that Greer and his staff took a 'mighty first step towards the validation of UFOs and alien life forms,' and that he considered it an honor to have participated with 20 former government employees. He noted that many witnesses had excellent evidence, including FAA tapes and government documentation, and that reporters were amazed to see 'credible proof of ETs and UFOs.'

Senior UFOlogist Richard Hall Resigns From MUFON

Richard Hall, former director of NICAP and a columnist for the MUFON UFO Journal, resigned from MUFON. His resignation stemmed from MUFON director John Schuessler's refusal to publish Hall's column criticizing the choice of speakers for the current year's conference. Hall's unpublished column expresses concern about MUFON's 'endorsement' of 'extreme and questionable people and viewpoints,' specifically mentioning Dr. Steven Greer, lawyer Daniel Sheehan, and Alfred L. Webre. Hall criticizes the inclusion of 'politically loaded issues' and questions the relevance and validity of speakers discussing topics like alien implants and remote viewing without adequate background information. He suggests MUFON should focus more on vetting speakers and providing context to the public.

Short Shrift:

This section contains several brief news items:

• FAA Action: The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS), founded by Robert Bigelow, has been recognized by the FAA as the sole contact for receiving UFO reports in the U.S. The newsletter predicts the FAA will regret this decision when it discovers NIDS's belief in ET craft and its tendency to avoid prosaic explanations.
• MUFON UFO Journal for Senators: Thanks to a contribution, every U.S. Senator will receive a complimentary subscription to the MUFON UFO Journal, with hopes to extend this to the House of Representatives.
• Hill UFO-Abduction Conference Papers: Financial sponsor Joe Firmage will fund the publication of papers from a conference on the Betty/Barney Hill abduction case into a book format.
• Crashed Saucer Retrieval Manual Bogus: Six respected UFOlogists issued a statement dismissing the 'Majestic Twelve Special Operations Manual (SOM1-01)' as a hoax, citing its inappropriate content for a field manual.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO claims, the alleged government cover-up of extraterrestrial phenomena, and the credibility of UFO researchers and witnesses. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publication's title, 'Skeptics UFO Newsletter,' is one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a focus on scrutinizing evidence and testimonies presented by UFO proponents. The newsletter actively seeks to debunk or question the assertions made by figures like Dr. Stephen Greer, George Filer, and Clifford Stone, highlighting inconsistencies, lack of evidence, and potential biases.