UFO Mail - No 129 - 2011

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 129
Date: March 29, 2011

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information features two main articles: a review of the science fiction film "World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles" and a report on a UFO incident that disrupted air traffic at Oslo Gardermoen Airport.

World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles Review

Kim Møller Hansen reviews the science fiction film "World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles," noting its release date of March 31, 2011. The film is described as an intense, 116-minute action film about a battle between the U.S. military and aggressive aliens who are invading Earth to seize its water resources. The aliens are depicted as ugly, robotic beings with surprisingly human-like anatomy and earthly weapons, while the American marines are portrayed as the heroic defenders of humanity. The review highlights the film's reliance on explosions, fast cuts, and patriotic themes, suggesting it may serve as a recruitment tool for the Marine Corps. The reviewer points out the film's simplistic good-versus-evil narrative and a somewhat contrived plot point where the aliens' weakness is revealed to be a vulnerability to being shot to the right of the heart.

The film is seen as contributing to the ufomythology that any future alien visitors would likely be hostile. The article references how films and TV series like "X-Files" have influenced public belief in UFOs, citing a 1996 Newsweek poll showing that a significant percentage of Americans believed in UFOs, extraterrestrial contact, and government cover-ups.

The Real "Battle"

The article then connects the film's title to a real event: the "Battle of Los Angeles" on the night of February 24-25, 1942. During this incident, anti-aircraft artillery fired over 1,400 shells at unidentified objects observed by searchlights over Los Angeles. The event occurred less than three months after Pearl Harbor and two days after a Japanese submarine shelled an oil installation in Santa Barbara, leading to fears of a Japanese air raid. However, it is widely believed that the incident was triggered by war nerves rather than an actual attack. The event is discussed in UFO-Nyt nr. 4, 1984. A famous photograph from the Los Angeles Times showing illuminated objects is mentioned, but the article notes that investigations revealed the photo was heavily retouched, casting doubt on the details visible to UFO enthusiasts.

UFO Disrupted Air Traffic at Oslo Airport

Ole Henningsen reports on an incident at Oslo Gardermoen Airport on March 24, 2011, which led to significant flight disruptions. The headline from bt.dk, "UFO paralyzed all air traffic at Oslo Airport," is noted for its sensationalism. The incident began around 4 PM when the crew of a SAS flight (TG954) approaching Gardermoen at an altitude of 2400 meters and less than 60 km from the airport spotted an unknown object.

The SAS crew alerted air traffic control, and Gardermoen Airport was closed to all flights for about an hour and a half, affecting thousands of passengers. One affected flight, Thai Airways TG954, was diverted to Stockholm Arlanda Airport after being held in a holding pattern over Arvika, Sweden. Other flights were diverted to Rygge, Kjevik, Fagernäs, and Torp.

Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige, followed the event closely. According to SAS information chief Knut Morten Johansen, the object was described as resembling a glider or an ultralight aircraft, but despite checks with glider associations, no identification was made. The object was not detected by ground observation or airport radar. Police were involved in the search, but the object was not identified by 8:30 PM that evening. The airport reopened at 5:30 PM.

The Swedish Pilot's Account

Clas Svahn interviewed the Swedish pilot, Johan Kylborn, from the SAS flight. Kylborn and his co-pilot, a former fighter pilot, spotted a greenish object to their right while approaching Gardermoen at approximately 2400 meters altitude. Kylborn initially thought it might be a glider or some other type of aircraft, but it was in an unusual location. He reported it to air traffic control, who stated there should be no other aircraft in the area. The object was estimated to be 2-3 kilometers away and appeared to have a lime-like color, a wing profile, and a tail. Kylborn observed it for about 15-20 seconds as it made a controlled right turn and a near 360-degree rotation before disappearing from view as their own aircraft turned towards the airport, with the sun in their eyes.

Kylborn doubted it was a hang glider due to the altitude and strong winds. He described the object as resembling an airplane or a light aircraft, but acknowledged it was an unidentified object. He stated that he and his co-pilot agreed it was an aircraft they had seen. Despite the incident, Kylborn did not expect it to cause the entire airport to be shut down, though he understood the need for caution.

Knut Morten Johansen confirmed that no explanation for the incident had been found, and police had checked flying clubs without success. He suggested that the pilot would likely not come forward voluntarily.

Plastic Bag?

John Eirik Laupsa, responsible for airspace at the Norwegian Sports Aviation Association, believes the object was not a sports aircraft. He stated that the gliding community is small and that no gliders were in the air at the time. He also noted that wind conditions were unfavorable for micro-light aircraft or hang gliders. Laupsa proposed a theory that the object could have been a plastic bag or other plastic debris, as he has encountered such items at high altitudes. However, the pilot maintained that it was an aircraft he saw.

Still Unidentified

Ole Jonny Brænne from UFO-Norge stated that there was still no new information about the object's origin. Police and airport authorities had not identified the object or the person responsible. Brænne expressed regret that a helicopter was not deployed, suggesting that if it was a glider or micro-light aircraft, it might have gone off course due to strong winds. He also commented that the responsible person would likely not report themselves, considering the potential economic consequences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, alien encounters, and related phenomena, often linking them to popular culture, such as science fiction films. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena, while also acknowledging the influence of media and public perception on the UFO topic. The articles present factual accounts of sightings and incidents, alongside analysis and expert opinions, aiming to inform readers about the ongoing mystery of UFOs.