UFO Mail - No 218 - 2016

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: nr. 218
Date: June 27, 2016
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, titled "Area 51 bag de lukkede døre" (Area 51 Behind Closed Doors), delves into the history and mysteries surrounding the secretive US military base. The magazine explores its origins, key personnel, technological advancements, and its place in UFO lore, including the Roswell incident.

Area 51: The Secret Base

The article begins by recounting the search for a secluded location for Lockheed's advanced aircraft testing. Lockheed's chief test pilot, Anthony W. LeVier, along with CIA project leader Richard M. Bissell Jr. and Air Force official Osmond J. Ritland, surveyed over 50 desert areas in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Ultimately, Ritland recalled a small, cross-shaped airfield in Nevada, previously used for atomic testing. This site, which would become Area 51, was chosen for its isolation and suitability for secret operations.

Clarence "Kelly" L. Johnson, head of Lockheed's Skunk Works, described the chosen area as a "perfect, natural airfield... as flat as a billiard table." The site was first named Groom Lake after the dry lakebed that formed most of the area. Construction began in the summer of 1955, including hangars, workshops, and fuel tanks, to support the testing of the U-2 spy plane.

To attract labor to the remote location, the base was renamed "Paradise Ranch," despite its desolate appearance. The first experimental aircraft was tested on the taxiway on August 1, 1955. This marked the beginning of operations for advanced and highly classified spy planes like the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, and others that played crucial roles during the Cold War.

Area 51 is a frequent subject in books and documentaries, with certain names appearing repeatedly. One such individual is Thornton D. "TD" Barnes, who began his career as an intelligence officer during the Korean War and later became an instructor in radar technology. Barnes was involved with Nike radar and missile systems before being stationed in West Germany. After a military career-ending injury, he worked on NASA projects, including the X-15 and XB-70, and lunar landing modules for the Apollo program. He was later recruited for "special projects" at Area 51, including the CIA's A-12 spy plane (Project OXCART), stealth technology, and Project Constant Peg (1977-1988), which involved analyzing Soviet MiG aircraft acquired by the US.

Barnes' autobiography, "Soaring With The Eagles," is mentioned as a source of information about his career. He describes his professional journey from being trained to shoot down aircraft to working on stealth technology at Area 51, which ironically utilized Nike radar technology. The article also shows images of radar systems from the late 1960s and early 1970s that Barnes worked with.

The Roswell Incident and World UFO Day

The magazine also addresses the persistent UFO mystery surrounding Area 51 and touches upon the Roswell incident. It explains that World UFO Day is celebrated on July 2nd, a date chosen by enthusiasts who believe an alien spacecraft crashed near Roswell, New Mexico, on that day in 1947. However, the article points out that the actual discovery of wreckage by sheep farmer Mac Brazel occurred on June 14, 1947. The initial press release about the incident, which described a "flying disc," was later retracted and attributed to a weather balloon.

The Roswell story was revived 33 years later with the publication of "The Roswell Incident" by William L. Moore and Charles Berlitz. The article critically examines the description of the found materials, suggesting they were not indicative of a spaceship but rather mundane items like tinfoil, rubber, and paper.

It is revealed that the US authorities did indeed provide a cover story in July 1947 to conceal the truth about the top-secret Project Mogul, which involved high-altitude balloon launches. Professor Moore, a participant in Project Mogul, believes the wreckage found by Brazel belonged to "Flight #4," a service flight launched on June 4, 1947, consisting of balloons, radar reflectors, parachutes, and ballast.

The article suggests that June 24th could be a more appropriate date for the birth of the modern UFO myth, referencing Kenneth Arnold's observation of nine mysterious objects on that day in 1947. Arnold's sighting, though not the first of its kind, had a significant impact on the development of UFO mythology.

Other UFO-Related Content

The issue also briefly mentions a British UFO documentary from 2015, "Den store UFO konspiration" (The Great UFO Conspiracy), which was re-broadcast on DR3. The documentary explores conspiracy theories prevalent in Britain, including the belief that Jesus was an alien and that humanity is controlled by reptilian rulers.

Additionally, a segment discusses mysterious signals from the star KIC 8462852, which have sparked theories about alien activity due to their unusual nature and the inability of scientists to provide a definitive explanation. The article provides a link to further information on videnskab.dk.

Finally, the magazine encourages readers to share their UFO experiences on www.ufo.dk.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the secrecy surrounding military projects, particularly Area 51, and the enduring fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting historical facts and official explanations while acknowledging the public's interest in these subjects. The article on Roswell, in particular, attempts to separate myth from reality by referencing official documents and research, while still recognizing the cultural impact of the event. The magazine encourages reader participation by inviting them to share their own UFO accounts.