UFO Intelligence Newsletter - 1995 06 June

Magazine Overview

This document is the June 1995 issue of the UFO Intelligence Newsletter, produced by the UFO FILTER CENTER and edited by Francis Ridge. The newsletter focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and analysis, featuring updates on ongoing cases and historical incidents.

MONGO PHOTOS UPDATE

This section details an ongoing effort to analyze daylight photos taken on May 11th for Dr. Richard Haines. The original photographer and other witnesses were involved. These photos are intended to provide a panoramic view of the sky from the same vantage point as night UFO photos taken on August 31, 1994. Dr. Haines will use these photos and a large-scale map to plot the object's position during its flight and perform calculations. A key factor is determining the location of two hunters who also saw the object. The article also mentions an arrangement made by John Timmerman of CUFOS to meet with the witnesses on May 19th to gather information, photos, and maps. A strong emphasis is placed on ruling out the blimp explanation, with witness reports indicating the object's speed and rapid acceleration were inconsistent with a blimp. The possibility of blimp flights in the area on August 31st is being investigated. The newsletter also notes an attempt to get a report from David Martin, a reporter who wrote about a UFO and blimp activity in NE Indiana on the same evening, suggesting at least ten witnesses observed the event or object.

MYSTERY UFO A BLIMP?

This section discusses an article from REPUBLIC, Fairfield, CA, dated February 15, 1995, titled "Mystery UFO." Travis Air Force Base identified the object as a blimp advertising tax services, but not everyone is convinced. The author notes that people are reluctant to admit they were fooled and recounts talking with people who were watching Venus, mistaking it for a UFO. The article emphasizes that while many cases may be blimps, the people contacted for this specific article were adamant that what they saw on two January nights was not a blimp and was not easily explained. They wished to remain anonymous. Two ROTC students reported a sighting on January 16th, stating that the object's agile movement convinced them it was not a blimp.

The News Clipping Service and Other Intelligence Sources

This brief section notes that intelligence sources are full of reports of UFOs and suspected blimps. It suggests that organizations like FIS should contact blimp companies directly to establish blimp coordinates and that local agencies could help identify unknowns, potentially preventing the overlooking of genuine UFO reports. The author warns against relying on second-hand information and "local experts" who might dismiss UFOs by accepting unsubstantiated blimp activity reports. It's stated that blimps are primarily for advertising and want to be clearly visible.

WHEN THE TRUTH HITS HOME

This personal narrative explores how truth is perceived differently and how it can become personal. The author's brother, Steve, a born-again Christian, initially believed in UFOs but felt the source might be demonic rather than extraterrestrial. Steve later befriended a couple, Gary and Cheryl, who had a close encounter with a UFO in the summer of 1969. This encounter occurred when the University of Colorado had reportedly concluded there was nothing to UFOs. The author notes that the Air Force's Project Blue Book shut down that year, but the Air Force remained involved in UFO investigations. The Regional Sighting Information Database listed 89 cases in a six-state region for that year, with 21 being close encounters, and eight of those being CE-2s (indicating something real maneuvering). The rarest, CE-3s, involve beings. The narrative then details Gary's CE-1 encounter on U.S. 40 near Marshall, Illinois. Gary, driving with his wife and two others, noticed a light that he initially thought might be a helicopter. Upon closer inspection, the object, about 1,000 to 1,500 feet away, made no sound. The "Lonely Road Syndrome" is mentioned as a common occurrence during close encounters. The object hovered over an old oak tree, and Gary drove closer to get a better look. The object was described as dome-shaped with a squared-off flange, resembling a flying saucer, estimated to be 35-50 feet across. Gary's wife saw a smaller dome on the bottom, while Gary focused on swirling lights. The craft was about 35-40 feet off the ground. When headlights struck the craft, it spun rapidly and disappeared to the southwest.

Exhibit 4A from "Regional Encounters: The FC Files"

This section presents an illustration of a flying saucer, labeled as Exhibit 4A from "Regional Encounters: The FC Files," dated June 8th, 1964, from Lawrenceville, IL. The accompanying text details Gary's sighting, describing the object's dome shape, squared-off flange, swirling lights, and rapid departure when illuminated by headlights.

GAO CONTINUES TO SEARCH FOR INFO ON UFOS

This article reports on the General Accounting Office's ongoing 14-month search for documents related to the Roswell Incident of 1947. The search has uncovered a document detailing daily activities at Roswell Army Air Field during the week of July 2, 1947, but it does not shed light on the crash. The article notes the Air Force's current insistence that the Roswell crash was a downed secret Mogul balloon, not a weather balloon, and dismisses this explanation, stating that those involved at Roswell knew what a balloon looked like and that a cover-up occurred.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT AIDED BY ET?

This section discusses a statement that appeared in a book review of "UFOs: The Final Answer" in the MUFON UFO JOURNAL. The statement claims that in 322 B.C., during Alexander the Great's siege of Tyre, a large "flying shield" and four smaller companions circled the city, shining a beam of light that crumbled the walls. Dr. Michael Swords, Professor of Natural Science at Western Michigan University, researched this claim. In a letter dated April 16th, Swords stated that according to Arrian's Anabasis, Book II, Chapters 16-24, no such event occurred. He suggests debunking this myth for the sake of truth and asks for Arthur Tomlinson's source. The editor notes the need to compile "fact sheets" on statements and cases to combat false information being "peddled."

UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT STILL UNIDENTIFIED

This report from TRUTH, Elkhart, IN, dated March 8, 1995, states that a year after unidentified flying objects confounded sky watchers in western lower Michigan, they remain unidentified. On March 8, 1994, Holland police received numerous 911 calls about objects described as five or six cylinder-shaped objects with blue, red, white, and green lights, showing on radar larger than typical planes and flying fast at varying altitudes. A National Weather Service operator confirmed the radar detection. Dr. Michael Swords is quoted stating these sightings fall into the category of unidentified flying objects. Researchers have ruled out various conventional explanations, but the exact nature of the objects remains unknown. The Mutual UFO Network is investigating.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR ABOUT THE UFO INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Dan Mulford writes that he finds the monthly UFO Intelligence Summary to be a waste of paper and suggests it could be published every six months instead, with the other pages devoted to case coverage or membership lists. He expresses concern that the editor might not receive feedback if opinions are contrary.

EDITOR RESPONSE

The editor responds that while he has received one similar letter, numerous others praise the Summary as the best part of the newsletter. He states that dropping the Summary would significantly reduce his workload, allowing for a simpler newsletter. He clarifies that the Summary is intended to be a two-page section of the newsletter, updated monthly with new entries, and is not a reprint. He occasionally drops it due to space constraints or lack of new entries, and sometimes combines it into a three-page summary. He explains that the readership consists of two basic groups and that combining two previous newsletters (one for MUFON Indiana Group, one for outside researchers) into the current format has improved quality. He mentions considering compressed print to fit more content but notes it's hard to read.

INDIANA NEWS - DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Francis L. Ridge announces vacation time and a need for a breather after an intense year, encouraging readers to hit the books hard in the fall. He wishes everyone a happy summer. The section also notes that Printcrafters is completing the printing of 1,000 copies of the book "Regional Encounters: The FC Files."

THE TRAINING OFFICER

Jerry L. Sievers reports on new materials available for trainees, including the fourth edition of the MUFON FI Manual, the UFO Field Investigator's Training Guide, and its Syllabus and Teacher's Aids. He expects these to enhance the training program. Certified FIs can take a "refresher" course via correspondence. Trainees will have a regular correspondence course, allowing them to progress at their own rate on a "pay as you go" program.

INDIANA RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

• This section lists publications available for purchase:
• "Regional Encounters: The FC Files": A book on close encounter UFO activity in the region, illustrated, including incidents with MADAR detected anomalies. Soft cover, 170 pages, $20.00.
• "UFO Intelligence Newsletter": An eight-page newsletter with UFO Intelligence Summary sighting listing. Single issues $2.00; 12 issues $15.00.
• "Field Investigation": Technical Information Series, TI-2. $1.00.
• "Engineers Praise Disc Performance." $2.00.
• "The Report on Unidentified Flying Object": A book by Project Blue Book Captain Ed Ruppelt. Hardbacks $10 each; paperbacks $5 each.

THIS MONTH'S SUMMARY

This section presents the last 104 entries in chronological order, from November 17, 1994, to May 7th, 1995. There are 32 new entries and one corrected entry. It notes that prior to this summary, there were 14 late entries occurring before November 17th, 1994, and two corrected entries. The oldest new entry was March 27, 1992. A list of these entries follows, including date, time, city, state, object description, sound, duration, and source.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the analysis of potential explanations, particularly the distinction between UFOs and blimps. There is a clear editorial stance against unsubstantiated claims and a desire to present factual information, as evidenced by Dr. Michael Swords' research debunking the Alexander the Great story. The publication aims to compile and disseminate information on UFO phenomena, encouraging a critical yet open-minded approach. The editor emphasizes the value of the "UFO Intelligence Summary" despite some reader feedback, highlighting its role in providing updated information to researchers. The newsletter also touches upon government involvement and potential cover-ups related to UFO incidents, such as the Roswell crash.