UFO Mail - No 040 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: nr. 40
Date: 7. juni 2004
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on a significant UFO sighting over Mexico, detailing a Mexican military encounter and the subsequent official confirmation and investigation.

Ufoer over Mexico

The main article reports on an event that occurred on May 11, 2004, when many Mexican and international newspapers covered the story of a Mexican military aircraft filming 11 UFOs. The Mexican Ministry of Defense, led by Minister General Clemente Vega Garcia, officially confirmed the incident. A press conference was held at the Hotel Sevilla Palace in Mexico City, with international media invited.

The article presents a press release from Jaime Maussan, a researcher and TV journalist. On April 20, 2004, Maussan was contacted by a high-ranking officer from the Ministry of Defense for a private meeting. The following day, he met with General Clemente Vega Garcia and his staff, who provided information about an incident on March 5, 2004, in the airspace over Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche.

The Merlin C26A Encounter

On March 5, 2004, a Mexican Air Force Merlin C26A twin-engine aircraft was on a routine flight to track drug smugglers. The aircraft was equipped with advanced digital equipment, including a FLIR STAR ZAPPHIR II and a RADAR AN/PS 143 BRAVO VICTOR 3. The crew's mission was to detect and identify drug smuggler aircraft and report them for interception by fighter jets.

Around 5:00 PM, the Merlin C26A detected an unknown 'traffic' at an altitude of 3,500 meters over Ciudad del Carmen. Major Magdaleno Jasso, the pilot, maneuvered the aircraft to get closer and film the target. He reported the suspected contact to base and requested a fighter jet be prepared. The RADAR and FLIR systems registered the unknown 'traffic'.

When the Merlin C26A attempted to approach for visual identification, the object performed a surprising maneuver and flew away at high speed. Major Jasso attempted to pursue, but the object was too fast. The entire event was filmed by FLIR, and the radio communications were recorded.

Escalation and Confusion

Initially, the crew could not get visual contact with the object. However, the situation became more dramatic when the unknown object suddenly returned and began pursuing the Merlin C26A. This was registered by RADAR and FLIR. Within seconds, the equipment detected not one, but two unknown 'traffic' signals pursuing them.

Despite clear RADAR and FLIR images, the crew could not achieve visual contact with the two pursuers, increasing the tension. Major Jasso reported the developing situation to the base, relaying all data captured by the equipment.

As the situation intensified, more unknown objects appeared. RADAR and FLIR registered the presence of nine new objects with similar characteristics, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. This brought the total number of unidentified objects to eleven. The situation became critical, and Major Jasso reported a 'red alert' to the base, stating they were surrounded by 11 mysterious, round objects with unknown intentions and advanced technology that prevented visual contact.

Despite the high-tech equipment showing 11 targets, the crew could not see them with their own eyes, which was unprecedented for the experienced crew.

The Objects' Maneuvers and Departure

The 11 unknown objects then performed a maneuver, surrounding the Merlin C26A in a tight circle. The situation was described as completely out of control. Major Jasso reported that the aircraft was surrounded by 11 mysterious, round objects camouflaged with unknown, advanced technology that prevented any visual contact.

Major Jasso made the decision to turn off all the aircraft's lights to observe the reaction. The crew experienced a period of uncertainty and tension, with FLIR capturing images of the objects despite the lack of visual contact. After several stressful minutes, the 11 objects disappeared, ending the strange experience for the crew of Fly-eskadrille 501.

Investigation and Collaboration

Major Jasso and his crew maintained their composure and worked diligently to record and film every detail of the event. They completed their duty as experienced military personnel. Following the incident, Major Jasso wrote a detailed report, which was reviewed by the Minister of Defense. An in-depth investigation was launched, examining all aspects of the case, including crew statements, images, and meteorological data.

The Ministry of Defense took the incident very seriously. After several weeks of investigation, General Clemente Vega Garcia contacted researcher and TV journalist Jaime Maussan to collaborate on further investigation. On April 22, 2004, General Vega provided Maussan with copies of all tapes and data collected by the Merlin C26A. Maussan's research team was tasked with a thorough investigation and analysis to shed light on the event and its potential motives and consequences.

General Vega and his staff were open and willing to discuss the case, showing great interest in understanding what happened. General Vega granted Maussan permission to interview the Merlin C26A crew without censorship. This decision was described as a historically surprising move that would initiate a new era of cooperation between Mexican ufologists and the military, based on respect and a shared interest in finding the truth behind the intense UFO activity in Mexico since July 11, 1991.

UFOs on Video

Jaime Maussan's press release also mentions that this is not the first time UFOs have been seen and filmed in Mexico. Two video tapes are available:

• Messengers of Destiny: Features fantastic lights over Mexico, including footage from the 1991 solar eclipse. The lights are described as very mysterious. English narration. Price: 199.00 DKK. Order no. V-002.
• Masters of the Stars: Continues where 'Messengers of Destiny' left off, showcasing some of the most extensive and frequent UFO incidents in Mexico. Includes daylight footage of an incident from January 1, 1993, where three UFOs were filmed over a highway, causing traffic to stop. English narration. Price: 199.00 DKK. Order no. V-003.

Both videos are now sold out.

UFOs Over Mexico - Explanations?

Mexican scientists offered several explanations for the March 5, 2004 incident:

• Sociedad Astronomica Urania: Suggested the objects were weather balloons.
• Jose de la Herrán: Proposed they were fragments of a meteor burning up.
• Rafael Navarro (UNAM Institute of Nuclear Science): Believed it was likely space debris (satellite remnants, rocket parts, etc.) burning up in the atmosphere.
• Julio Herrera (National Autonomous University): Suggested they could be ball lightning.

The article points out weaknesses in these explanations. For instance, if the objects were invisible to the naked eye, how could they be balloons? Could balloons generate enough heat to appear as bright spheres on infrared film? And why couldn't the crew see the objects if they were meteors, space debris, or ball lightning?

UFOs on Radar

The magazine also features a section on radar phenomena. It mentions a reprinted report from UFO-Nyts titled 'UFOer på radar' (UFOs on Radar), compiled by Ole Henningsen, which covers radar-observed UFO phenomena up to 1974. The report includes sections by Professor James E. McDonald on three specific radar incidents and information on NATO's NADGE radar system.

It also highlights a notable radar-visual observation by a Boeing 747 from Japan Air Lines on November 16, 1986, during a flight from Reykjavik to Tokyo over Greenland and Alaska. The Japanese captain's account is presented.

Additionally, it mentions a report by American UFO researcher Bruce S. Maccabee, based on an account given to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes the official confirmation of a significant UFO event by the Mexican military, highlighting the advanced technology involved and the subsequent collaborative investigation between military and civilian researchers. The magazine promotes the idea of transparency and cooperation in understanding UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the decision to allow uncensored interviews. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, valuing evidence from military sources and scientific investigation.