UFO Intelligence Newsletter - 1996 04 April

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO INTELLIGENCE NEWSLETTER
Issue: Volume 9 Issue 4
Date: April 1996
Publisher: UFO Filter Center
Editor: Francis Ridge

This issue of the UFO Intelligence Newsletter, produced by the UFO Filter Center, notes a "sudden decline in UFO sightings and/or input," leading to a "No Summary" cover headline. The newsletter aims to fill the pages with "other good news" and updates on the center's activities.

Email Backlog

The newsletter highlights the UFO Filter Center's presence on the World Wide Web, including pages for "Regional Encounters" and the "Lunascan Project." The editor, Francis Ridge, mentions that while his email is not yet fully configured, he is working to manage the influx of inquiries received via US Mail. He notes that the internet, while intended to save time, is currently proving to be more work than speed.

No Peace Talks in Air Force Hangar

This section features a letter from Field Investigator Jim Delehanty regarding an article about Richard Hoagland's statements. Delehanty expresses skepticism about Hoagland's claims that "Peace Talks" were held at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in "Hanger 13." Delehanty, who was temporarily assigned at Wright Patterson, states there was no hangar close to the location where the supposed talks were held and that security was noticeable around the compound.

Airing on "Sightings"

This brief item announces that the "Incident at Exeter" UFO sighting will be featured on the Fox Network TV show "Sightings" on May 6th. Peter Geremia, State Director of New Hampshire MUFON, is mentioned as having worked with the producers, emphasizing the importance of accurate UFO history.

Nova Abduction Broadcast

The article criticizes the TV special "The Case of the UFO" by NOVA, accusing it of negatively portraying veteran researcher Budd Hopkins and others. The author agrees with Walt Andrus's sentiment that the title should have been "The Case Against The UFO!"

The CE-III Database

This section introduces the CE-III category (Close Encounters of the Third Kind), which involves the visual observation of entities on or near a craft, with no interaction. The newsletter's regional database (RSID) contains 71 such incidents. The article notes that CE-IIIs are rare but interesting, and the newsletter plans to make "Alien Command Structure" a regular feature.

Alien Command Structure: The Steep Rock Lake Encounter

This detailed account describes a CE-III case from July 2, 1950, at Steep Rock Lake, Ontario, Canada. A man and his wife witnessed a large, shining object resting on the water, described as two saucers stacked. Ten to twelve "little figures" moved around its surface. The object then gyrated, and the figures moved like automata. Later, the object stopped, and the figures vanished. The water near the object was tinged with color. The disc tilted, and with a rush of wind and a flash of red-blue-gold, the object departed.

Dr. Haines' Request

This section reiterates Dr. Richard Haines' request for cases related to human aggression against UFOs, Vietnam War sightings, and pilot sightings. It includes a case from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where police fired machine gun shots at three crew members of a flying saucer that landed near an airport. The object was described as oval-shaped with feet on its edges, emitting multicolored rays, and departed at high speed.

Steep Rock (contd.)

This continuation of the Steep Rock Lake encounter describes the man clambering up rocks for a better vantage point. He observed the shining object and figures. The object was aligned between two trees, and calculations suggested it was about 48 feet wide. The figures were described as 3 to 4 feet tall, moving like automata. One midget figure picked up a vivid green hose. The air hummed with vibration, and it was unclear if something was being ejected from the water. Later, the figures vanished, and the machine was about 8 feet in the air. The water was tinged with color, and the object departed heading northwards.

An Alien Agenda

Fran Ridge discusses his approach to collecting and presenting UFO information, noting that most newsletters focus on everything but sightings. He believes that the objects themselves are not piloted craft and that the focus should be on alien beings and close encounters. He mentions that many people have never read important historical UFO information and that the current state of UFOlogy is ironic.

The Lunascan Project

This section details the Lunascan Project, coordinated by Francis Ridge for MUFON's Indiana Group. The project aims to observe and videotape the lunar surface, create a database of Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs) and Uncorrelated Lunar Objects (ULOs), and serve as a filter center for lunar research. The project is seeking contributors and has set a membership fee.

Michigan State Director Interviews the Indiana Investigation Coordinator

This interview features Bill Murphy (Michigan State Director) and Francis Ridge (Indiana Investigation Coordinator). Ridge recounts his 34 years in UFOlogy, starting with Ed Ruppelt's book and attending a seminar in 1956. He discusses his involvement with NICAP, MUFON, and CUFOS, and his work on the MADAR UFO detection system. Ridge expresses frustration with the lack of sharing among researchers and the focus on arguing with skeptics. He sees hopeful signs in the growth of state groups and cooperation. He also discusses the "National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena" (NICAP) and its historical role.

Ridge assesses the current state of UFOlogy as being "spoon-fed" information, with a need to study existing data and acknowledge mistaken identities. He believes that the truth about UFO phenomena is often overlooked due to misidentifications.

Indiana News

This section provides updates from the Indiana MUFON group. It details renewal fees for members, training for Field Investigators (FITs), and the Indiana Membership Fees. It also mentions Francis Ridge's continued involvement with the Lunascan Project and his role as a contributor to the UFO Intelligence Newsletter.

Interesting Case from Len Stringfield

This article recounts a case from Len Stringfield's "UFO, Crash Retrievals: Is The Lid Lifting? (Status Report #5)" concerning "Humanoid Remains Found On Western, Kentucky Farm, 1987." A retired medical doctor allegedly found the skeletal remains of two bipedal humanoids, about 4 feet tall, with unusual features, on his farm. The doctor contacted the sheriff, who then alerted the Air Force. The case involved a military investigation and the removal of the bones and soil.

UFOs & Science by David Mayo

This reprinted article from HOUSTON SKY discusses the work of James E. McDonald, Ph.D., a scientist who rigorously applied scientific principles to the study of UFOs. The article highlights McDonald's book "UFOs and Science," which chronicles his career and opinions on the UFO phenomenon, government cover-ups, and specific cases. The reviewer praises the book for its factual content and the inclusion of previously unpublished material, emphasizing the importance of remembering past research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous research, accurate reporting, and the sharing of information within the UFO community. There is a critical stance towards sensationalism and misrepresentation, particularly in media portrayals of UFO phenomena. The publication also highlights the ongoing efforts of organizations like the UFO Filter Center, MUFON, and the Lunascan Project in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating UFO-related data. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and a desire to uncover the truth behind UFO sightings and encounters, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by misidentifications and a lack of cooperation from some researchers and government entities.