SUFOI Annual Report - 2014-2015

Magazine Overview

This issue of SUFOI's annual report, "SUFOI Arsrapport 2014/15," published in October 2014, presents a selection of articles previously featured in UFO-Mail. The report highlights the organization's activities in 2014, including thorough analysis of UFO-related evidence, particularly photographic, and engagement with both serious and unserious media inquiries. It also notes the continued operation of their website, www.ufo.dk, the release of a new book in the 'Fakta & Myter' series, and the organization's financial stability derived from sales and member contributions. The report also announces the establishment of a PayPal account to facilitate donations.

Article: Når ufomyter har ofre (When UFO Myths Have Victims)

This extensive article, authored by Henning Dethlefsen, delves into the case of U.S. fighter pilot William Schaffner, who disappeared over the North Sea on September 8, 1970. Initially, the incident was shrouded in mystery and fueled UFO speculation for decades, partly due to government secrecy surrounding the event. The article recounts how Schaffner, flying an English Electric Lightning, was scrambled to intercept an unidentified signal. His radar signal abruptly vanished, and his aircraft was later recovered from the seabed, remarkably intact, with the cockpit closed and the ejection seat not deployed.

The Mysterious Whistleblower

In 1992, rumors of a UFO abduction gained traction following articles in The Grimsby Evening News by journalist Pat Otter. Otter's source, a supposed member of the recovery team, claimed to reveal the truth behind Schaffner's disappearance. This source provided an alleged transcript of Schaffner's final moments, describing him pursuing a cone-shaped object emitting a bright blue light, accompanied by a rugby-ball-shaped object. The transcript ended with Schaffner attempting an evasive maneuver as the object approached him.

Tony Dodd and The Great Conspiracy

Former police officer and UFO investigator Tony Dodd further elaborated on the Schaffner case in his 1999 book, "Alien Investigator." Dodd claimed that multiple radar systems had detected the UFO and that even NORAD was alerted. He suggested President Nixon might have been involved and that American authorities insisted on Schaffner intercepting the object. However, Dodd, like Otter's source, relied heavily on anonymous informants, making his claims difficult to verify.

A Completely Different Story

The narrative shifts with the sons of William Schaffner discovering the UFO theories online in 2000. Their understanding was that their father died in a tragic accident. Through collaboration with the BBC in 2002, the original 1972 RAF report was declassified. This report presented a starkly different account: Schaffner's flight was part of a tactical evaluation exercise (TACEVAL) to test pilots' ability to intercept and track aircraft, including Soviet Bear bombers. The 'UFO' was actually a Shackleton aircraft flying at low altitude and speed, posing a challenge for Schaffner's high-speed jet. The report concluded that Schaffner's crash was due to a combination of factors, including pilot error, a defective ejection seat, and the challenging conditions, not a UFO encounter. The alleged transcript provided by Otter's source was exposed as a fabrication.

An Instructive UFO Story

The article emphasizes the lessons learned from the Schaffner case. It highlights the unreliability of anonymous sources and the ease with which misinformation can spread, especially in the age of digital manipulation. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the allure of conspiracy theories and the importance of critical evaluation of evidence. It also touches upon the emotional toll such speculation can have on the families of those involved, as Michael Schaffner noted the prolonged grief caused by the UFO rumors surrounding his father.

How the American Government Created the UFO Myth

This section, written by Kim Møller Hansen, explores the theory that the U.S. government deliberately created UFO myths and conspiracy theories as part of its Cold War espionage. It references the documentary "UFO-konspirationen" (Mirage Men) and books by Mark Pilkington and Greg Bishop. The article focuses on the role of AFOSI agent Richard Doty, who is accused of feeding disinformation to UFO enthusiasts, including Paul Bennewitz. Doty's collaboration with Bill Moore is detailed, suggesting a deliberate effort to confuse the public and spread false narratives. The article also touches upon Bennewitz's case, where his observations near a military complex were allegedly exploited by Doty and Moore, leading to Bennewitz's mental breakdown.

The Paul Bennewitz Case

The article further details the tragic story of Paul Bennewitz, who began observing strange lights near the Manzano Weapons Storage Complex in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1979. His observations and subsequent 'Project Beta' theory were allegedly fueled by disinformation from Richard Doty and Bill Moore. Bennewitz eventually suffered a mental breakdown and was institutionalized. The article suggests that Bennewitz might have inadvertently photographed early drone technology, which AFOSI may have sought to conceal through disinformation campaigns.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the debunking of UFO cases through official reports and critical analysis, the dangers of misinformation and conspiracy theories within the UFO community, and the role of government agencies in potentially shaping public perception. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, emphasizing the importance of verifiable evidence, the unreliability of anonymous sources, and the need to distinguish between genuine phenomena and fabricated narratives or deliberate disinformation campaigns. The issue advocates for a more grounded and evidence-based approach to understanding UFO phenomena, while acknowledging the emotional impact such stories can have on individuals and families.

This issue of the SUFOI Annual Report 2014/15, titled 'SUFOI Årsrapport 2014/15', focuses on various aspects of UFO phenomena, disinformation, and historical cases. The main cover headline, 'Spionsatellitter spiller observatører et puds' (Spy satellites play tricks on observers), introduces a key theme of the issue.

The Bennewitz Case and Disinformation

The report delves into the case of Paul Bennewitz, a UFO enthusiast whose interest in radio communications and UFOs allegedly led Danish intelligence agencies to engage with him. The intention was to monitor his activities and potentially discredit him and other UFO enthusiasts by feeding them outlandish information. This strategy aimed to mask genuine military communications and secrets. The article references Mark Pilkington's book 'Mirage Men. A Journey in Disinformation, Paranoia and UFOs,' which posits that intelligence agencies have historically used UFO narratives to conceal military activities, such as the testing of the F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft around Area 51 in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Bennewitz case and the dissemination of fake MJ-12 documents are presented as examples of this disinformation campaign, which influenced the UFO mythos in the 1990s. The report also mentions journalist Linda Moulton Howe and her work on cattle mutilation cases, suggesting she was also approached by intelligence figures like Richard C. Doty.

UFO Sightings and Satellite Explanations

A significant portion of the report focuses on a series of unexplained light sightings reported in Denmark in July 2014. Residents in Sydsjælland, Møn, and Lolland-Falster reported observing two strange, bright lights in the night sky. After initial investigations by SUFOI and checks with the Danish Air Force, which found no record of aircraft activity, the phenomenon was investigated further. A search on the website Heavens-Above.com revealed that two American NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) spy satellites were visible in the sky at the time of the observations. These satellites, designed to monitor maritime traffic, often travel in parallel pairs. While NOSS satellites are typically faint, they can occasionally flare up due to reflections from their solar panels, reaching a brightness comparable to Venus. The report concludes that these NOSS satellites are the most probable explanation for the observed lights, marking the first time SUFOI has identified NOSS satellites as the cause of such sightings. The report includes images of satellite tracks and a photograph of a NOSS flare.

Historical UFO Cases

The issue revisits historical UFO phenomena, starting with a discussion of 'Chinese lanterns' (likely referring to sky lanterns) as a common explanation for modern UFO sightings. The report then delves into two articles from the Danish newspaper Politiken from October 1897 concerning an early 'lamp case.' A reporter observed a strange, blinking red light in the sky over Copenhagen, which was initially speculated to be a star, planet, fireball, or even Andrée's balloon. The phenomenon was later explained as a large kite with a red oriental lamp attached, flown by German individuals. The report also touches upon the mysterious airship sightings of 1896-97, suggesting that this period constituted the first major 'UFO wave' with characteristics similar to later waves.

Anonymous Reports and Exopolitics

The report addresses the handling of anonymous UFO reports, stating that while SUFOI generally requires contact information for follow-up, they do maintain confidentiality for observers who wish to remain anonymous. A specific anonymous report is included, where the observer describes seeing large, orange-yellow, silent, and levitating objects that defied easy explanation, expressing a desire to be taken seriously. The issue also features an article on 'exopolitics' by Aaron John Gulyas. Gulyas argues that exopolitics, a movement that emerged in the early 2000s, is essentially a repackaging of the 1950s contactee phenomenon, applying new terminology to old ideas about extraterrestrial life and its influence on human politics and institutions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SUFOI Annual Report consistently adopts a skeptical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance emphasizes rational investigation and explanation, aiming to 'explain the causes of observations and photo-recordings' rather than 'explain away' sightings. The report highlights the importance of historical context in understanding UFO reports and the potential for misinterpretation or deliberate disinformation. The recurring theme is that many seemingly anomalous phenomena can be explained by known terrestrial or astronomical sources, including advanced technology and natural events, while acknowledging the possibility of genuine unknowns. The report also critiques certain aspects of the UFO community, such as the lack of seriousness in anonymous reports and the repackaging of old ideas under new labels like 'exopolitics'.

This document is the SUFOI Annual Report 2014/15, published by Skandinavisk UFO Information. It covers various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, exopolitics, and related topics, featuring articles, book reviews, and a photo analysis section.

Exopolitics and the Concept of Contact

The report begins by discussing the exopolitics movement, which it suggests uses a very narrow definition of 'non-terrestrial'. It highlights initiatives like the 'Galactic Freedom Day Declaration' and the emphasis on obtaining consent for contact, framed by the idea of 'free will'. The author questions the analogy of a parent-child relationship often used to describe humanity's interaction with extraterrestrials, finding it inconsistent and paternalistic. The article critiques the exopolitics movement's naive acceptance of unverified reports and its focus on 'non-official diplomacy', questioning the validity of the term in this context.

It explores the potential implications of a hypothetical Obama administration disclosure of extraterrestrial presence, suggesting it would lead to political division rather than global unity, with religious institutions quickly integrating the information into their worldviews.

The report also touches upon the idea that extraterrestrials might be more spiritual than physical beings, or that the phenomenon is not what it appears to be. It notes that exopolitics proponents often insist on human-like aliens and that their policies can be naive. The author suggests that the exopolitics movement, while interesting as a thought experiment, is largely a product of post-Watergate and post-Church Committee cynicism and paranoia.

Analysis of a UFO Sighting

A significant portion of the report is dedicated to the analysis of a photograph taken in Brønshøj, Denmark, on April 11, 2014, showing a small dark marking in front of the moon. The analysis, conducted by SUFOI's photo consultants, including Karsten Bomholt and Flemming Jensen, aimed to determine if the object was a spacecraft or something else. Initial comparisons were made with images of space shuttles and satellites, including the ISS, but these were ruled out due to timing and position discrepancies.

The possibility of it being a bird was considered, with a Eurasian Spoonbill (fiskehejre) being a potential candidate due to its silhouette. Detailed calculations involving hyperfocal distance, camera specifications (Nikon D5200, 300mm lens, f/5.6), and the object's apparent size relative to the moon were performed. These calculations suggested that if the object was a bird with a wingspan of 1.5-1.8 meters, it would need to be at a significant distance (5.7 km) and flying at a considerable altitude (3.3 km) to appear as it did. If it were a smaller bird, the distance would be closer to 600 meters and the altitude 330 meters.

The conclusion reached was that while it could not be identified with 100% certainty, the evidence strongly supported the theory that it was a small bird that happened to pass in front of the moon during the brief exposure of the photograph. The report also references an older, interesting account from 1946 about similar lunar passages.

SUFOI's Publications and Activities

The report details SUFOI's book series 'Fakta & Myter' (Facts & Myths), launched in 2013, which aims to provide readers with grounded guides to UFO-related themes, conspiracy theories, and half-truths. Several titles from 2013 are listed, including 'Area 51', 'Roswell', 'Aliens', 'Nærkontakt' (Close Encounter), and 'UFO-styrt' (UFO Crash). A 2014 publication, 'Bermuda Trekanten – og andre myter' (The Bermuda Triangle – and Other Myths), is also highlighted, covering a wide range of mysterious phenomena.

Information is provided on how to order these books and become a member of SUFOI's 'Støttekreds' (Support Circle) for 2015, which includes the option to receive a free book. The report also mentions that the SUFOI Annual Report itself is available online and sent to members and honorary members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this report include a critical examination of the exopolitics movement, a detailed scientific approach to analyzing UFO sightings, and the promotion of accessible information about UFO phenomena through publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims within the exopolitics community, favoring evidence-based analysis, while still acknowledging the public's interest in these topics. There is a clear emphasis on providing factual information and encouraging critical thinking, as demonstrated by the detailed photo analysis and the critical review of exopolitical theories.