UFO Mail - No 174 - 2014

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 174
Date: 21. maj 2014
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on two main topics: a concerning incident involving a SAS flight and a Russian military aircraft, and an exploration of US presidents' historical engagement with the UFO phenomenon. It also includes a report on a recent unexplained aerial observation in Denmark.

SAS Flight Near Collision with Russian Aircraft

The lead story details a near-collision incident on March 3, 2014, where a SAS flight (SK681) en route from Copenhagen to Rome narrowly avoided a collision with a Russian surveillance aircraft, identified as an Ilyushin Il-20M, south of Skåne. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff when the SAS pilots were alerted to an unidentified aircraft on their flight path. The Russian aircraft was not visible on Scandinavian air traffic control systems because its transponder was turned off. A Swedish military radar did detect the aircraft, allowing the SAS pilots to change course and pass the Russian plane at a distance of approximately 90 meters, significantly less than the minimum safe distance of 300 meters.

Jens Olsson from the Swedish Accident Investigation Board stated that the Russian aircraft was grey, had four turbo propeller engines, and a long antenna on its roof. The SAS crew had visual contact with the aircraft as they passed. Lieutenant Colonel Stephan Persson Tyrling of the Swedish Defence University emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting that the pilots had only seconds to react. The Swedish Airline Pilots Association also highlighted the need to investigate such encounters between military and civilian air traffic.

According to Lars-Eric Blade, an expert at the Swedish Transport Agency, the responsibility for the incident lies heavily with the Russian aircraft for flying with its transponder off, making it invisible to standard radar. He noted that military aircraft may wish to conceal their presence for operational reasons, but this incident could have ended tragically. Blade intends to raise the issue with international civilian aviation organizations to seek a reaction and to educate young pilots about the importance of visual observation.

Anders Persson, Colonel and Chief of Staff at the Air Force Tactical Staff, confirmed that Russian military aircraft commonly fly without transponders to conceal their presence. The incident occurred in international airspace, but the Russian aircraft deviated from accepted practice by operating in an area with heavy commercial air traffic.

The article also mentions that similar flights by Russian reconnaissance aircraft coincided with the CJSE (Combined Joint Staff Exercise) in eastern Sweden in April. These aircraft are based in Kubinka, near Moscow, and are regularly tracked by Swedish radar. They are known to fly missions year-round along the Polish coast, past Bornholm, and towards Sweden.

US Presidents and UFOs: A Historical Perspective

Another significant section of the magazine explores the connection between US presidents and the UFO phenomenon. It begins by noting the public's fascination with the idea that presidents might hold the key to UFO secrets. The article discusses statements made by former presidents, particularly Bill Clinton, who appeared on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" talk show.

During the interview, Clinton addressed questions about UFOs and aliens. He mentioned that he had investigated the topic during his presidency, particularly in 1997, around the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident. However, he concluded that while there were secret experiments, there was no evidence of flying saucers or aliens. He also stated he had reviewed the Roswell papers but found nothing conclusive.

The article then delves into Ronald Reagan's presidency, referencing his "fantasy" about an external threat uniting humanity. This idea, often linked to the Cold War context, was used to justify a shift in policy towards the Soviet Union. Reagan, a former actor, was known for his interest in the occult and was influenced by popular culture, including the "Star Wars" films, which also inspired the SDI program.

Canadian ufologist Grant Cameron is presented as a key researcher who has studied the relationship between US presidents and UFOs. Cameron claims that both Bill and Hillary Clinton showed significant interest in UFOs but faced obstacles in uncovering information. He points to numerous statements made by the Clintons regarding UFOs and aliens, particularly in relation to the movie "Independence Day." Cameron also highlights John Podesta's interest in the X-Files and the couple's general push for greater government transparency.

Cameron's research suggests that the Clintons sought access to classified UFO information, but he interprets the 1997 Air Force report "Case Closed" (which explained Roswell as a balloon crash and aliens as test dummies) as evidence that Clinton was denied access. However, the article suggests that Clinton himself did not believe in hidden alien secrets, viewing the Roswell incident as a secret experiment. The article criticizes Cameron for manipulating Clinton's statements to support his own theories, particularly regarding Clinton's perceived frustration with being kept in the dark.

The article concludes this section by suggesting that the interest of presidents like Carter, Reagan, and Clinton in UFOs can be attributed to their human curiosity and their exposure to popular culture, rather than necessarily indicating hidden knowledge. It argues that presidents, like anyone else, are influenced by societal trends and use cultural references to connect with the public.

Unexplained Lights Near Jægersprislejren

A separate report details an observation of unusual lights made by a 45-year-old observer on April 1, 2014, from his balcony in Virum, Denmark. He described seeing two clear orange lights in the west, near Værløse, which appeared to be blinking and were estimated to be at an altitude of 200-300 meters. Following this, a series of smaller red light spheres rapidly flew in different directions from the orange objects.

The observer managed to capture video footage of the phenomenon. SUFOI's Photo Department investigated the sighting, contacting the local Filmstation and weekly newspapers, but found no immediate explanation. However, after receiving additional photos and information from the observer, SUFOI contacted Jægersprislejren, a military base.

Captain Morten Malthe Pedersen from Jægerspris confirmed that on the evening of May 1, 2012 (note: the article text has a discrepancy here, stating May 1, 2012, while the observation date is April 1, 2014), flares and tracer ammunition were being used in exercises between 19:30 and 22:35. The large yellow lights could be 40mm flares released at 150m with a parachute, and the smaller red lights could be tracer ammunition from various weapons, including 35mm machine cannons on infantry fighting vehicles. Given the distance of approximately 35 km from Virum to Jægersprislejren and the curvature of the Earth, it is highly probable that the observed lights were indeed from military exercises at the base.

SUFOI's Photo Department concluded that the lights were most likely flares from the Jægersprislejren military base.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently addresses the intersection of unexplained aerial phenomena with military and governmental activities. There is a clear focus on investigating sightings and providing explanations, whether they be conventional or related to potential cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking factual evidence while acknowledging the public's fascination with UFOs and the possibility of hidden information. The magazine also highlights the importance of safety in air traffic and the challenges posed by military operations in civilian airspace. The exploration of presidential interest in UFOs suggests a theme of examining how public figures and popular culture influence our understanding of the phenomenon. The reporting on the Jægersprislejren incident demonstrates a commitment to resolving sightings through investigation and communication with relevant authorities.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue Date: 2014
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information

This issue of UFO-Mail features a review of Kevin D. Randle's book "The Government UFO Files. The Conspiracy of Cover-up," a report on a mysterious smoke ring phenomenon, and an article about a new universe simulation.

Review: "The Government UFO Files. The Conspiracy of Cover-up" by Kevin D. Randle

The review, written by Kim Møller Hansen, discusses Kevin D. Randle's latest book, which claims to present evidence of government cover-ups regarding UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation. Hansen notes that Randle's previous book, "Alien Mysteries, Conspiracies and Cover-Ups," also promised much but delivered less. He points out that Randle's book examines UFO projects by the US Air Force, CIA, and FBI, highlighting perceived shortcomings in their investigations. Hansen argues that Randle's assessment of past investigations is overly critical, failing to consider the historical context and limitations of the time. He suggests that the Condon Commission's primary goal in 1967-69 was to conclude the Project Blue Book, not to prove alien visitation, and that this task was completed with the release of a large report.

Hansen criticizes Randle's binary approach to evaluating past UFO investigations: either the investigators were incompetent, or they were hiding something. Randle concludes that the latter is true, asserting "We have been visited." Hansen strongly disagrees with this conclusion, stating that Randle has not proven his case.

The book is described as a mix of serious historical accounts, precise conclusions on fraud cases, and official document quotes, alongside unsubstantiated rumors and retellings from questionable sources like Linda Moulton Howe, Robert Hastings, Robert Salas, and Keith Chester. Hansen notes that Randle acknowledges the unreliability of some rumors but includes them anyway.

Specifically, the review mentions two classic UFO experiences, Kelly-Hopkinsville (1955) and Socorro (1964), which Hansen states do not prove extraterrestrial visitation. He believes Randle's analysis of these cases is biased and omits information that contradicts the spaceship hypothesis, leading to unclear and open-ended conclusions designed not to alienate the book's target audience of UFO believers.

The review also highlights two Danish observation reports mentioned in Randle's book concerning "ghost rockets" in Scandinavia. One is a brief report from Aftonbladet (June 4, 1946) about a farmer near Ringsted and his wife observing a shining object in the morning sky that emitted sparks and appeared too slow to be a meteor. The second Danish observation, incorrectly attributed by Randle to Denmark in his book, is from Jerome Clark's UFO Encyclopedia, originally published in Sjællands Tidende on April 17, 1971. This account by Hans Sørensen describes seeing three disc-like objects flying vertically near Viskinge in July 1946, with shiny tops and an uneven, matte grey underside, observed around 2 PM on a clear day with the sun at his back. Sørensen noted the absence of any sound, unlike a typical airplane.

Mysterious Smoke Ring - Again...

Ole Henningsen reports on a phenomenon observed by a 16-year-old girl in Leamington Spa, England, who captured a large, black smoke ring floating slowly across the sky on video. The video, posted on YouTube on April 13, has been viewed over a million times and sparked debate about its cause. While some users propose UFO theories, others suggest more creative explanations. The Danish media, including eb.dk, reported on the incident, with eb.dk also presenting more conventional theories for the smoke ring. The article provides links to various online resources discussing smoke ring phenomena, including volcanic activity from Mount Etna and other UFO-related cases. Henningsen suggests that Danish media should consult more background information before publicizing such "mysterious" events.

The Universe as You've Never Seen It Before

Tina Ibsen, an astrophysicist from the Tycho Brahe Planetarium, writes about a new, time-condensed simulation of the universe's development created by researchers. The simulation, based on the 'Illustris' computer model, begins 12 million years after the Big Bang and spans the next 13 billion years of the universe's life. The model covers a vast area of 350 million light-years in each direction, allowing researchers to observe large-scale cosmic mechanisms. Links are provided to view the simulation and related articles.

UFO Reports on www.ufo.dk

The issue directs readers to www.ufo.dk for the latest UFO reports and observations submitted to SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information).

Editorial Stance

UFO-Mail is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information. The publication states that news media may quote from signed articles with proper source attribution, but full reproduction requires written agreement. Printing and photocopying of UFO-Mail content are subject to Copydan fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO investigations, alleged government cover-ups, and the interpretation of unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a critical stance towards sensationalism in media reporting on UFOs, advocating for more thorough research and consideration of conventional explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while maintaining a critical perspective on unsubstantiated claims and media hype. The publication also engages with broader scientific topics, such as cosmology, as seen in the article on the universe simulation.