UFO Mail - No 221 - 2016

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 221
Date: July 26, 2016
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information delves into critical perspectives on the American UFO community, primarily focusing on the perceived shortcomings of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) and the controversial theories of James Carrion. The magazine highlights the author's, Kim Møller Hansen's, critical stance on MUFON, suggesting that the organization, despite its motto of scientific exploration, often fails to uphold scientific rigor.

Key Figures and Their Contributions

The issue contrasts two different types of personalities within ufology: those who gain media attention through charisma and sensationalism, and those with a more sober approach who strive to improve data collection and analysis. Allan Hendry is presented as a figure who set a high standard for serious UFO report investigation. His book, 'The UFO Handbook,' published in 1979, was a guide to investigating, evaluating, and reporting UFO sightings. Hendry, with a background in astronomy and a connection to J. Allen Hynek (former consultant for Project Blue Book), investigated 1,307 UFO experiences through the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). His analysis revealed that observers frequently misinterpret known phenomena, such as stars, aircraft, and meteors, to the point where their descriptions become difficult to reconcile with the original source.

Hendry's work was considered groundbreaking and served as a model for more serious UFO organizations. However, he also became unpopular in some circles for stating that ufology was stagnant and characterized by naivety and poor reporting. He predicted that without new analytical methods, future UFO research would merely repeat past failures.

James Patrick Carrion is presented as a contrasting figure. He became the leader of MUFON and attempted to reform the organization to align with its scientific ideals. However, Carrion eventually fell out of favor with MUFON and was described as being in "bad standing." He authored a book, 'The Rosetta Deception,' which the magazine notes has been largely ignored.

James Carrion's 'The Rosetta Deception' and the 'Ghost Rocket' Phenomenon

The magazine extensively discusses Carrion's book, 'The Rosetta Deception,' published in 2014. The book focuses on the post-World War II period of 1946-47, a time marked by the burgeoning Cold War. During this period, Scandinavia registered approximately 2,000 sightings of 'ghost rockets.' Carrion's theory, as presented in his book and elaborated upon in an interview on 'The Paracast,' suggests that these sightings were not extraterrestrial but rather a strategic deception orchestrated by intelligence agencies in the USA and Great Britain, collectively known as 'Rosetta.' The primary goal of this deception was to break Soviet communication codes, particularly during the peace negotiations in Paris.

Carrion argues that fabricated stories about new, devastating weapons, far more advanced than atomic bombs, were planted in the press worldwide. These stories, featuring peculiar names and locations, were designed to be deciphered by Soviet spies and sent to Moscow, creating alarm and potentially influencing Soviet decision-making. The 'ghost rocket' phenomenon, described as rocket-like and capable of changing direction, was presented as evidence of advanced Soviet weaponry, thereby creating a perceived threat to Moscow.

Carrion's book suggests that the 'ghost rocket' wave was a sophisticated psychological operation aimed at influencing Soviet intelligence and diplomatic communications during a critical geopolitical period. The magazine notes that Carrion's work has been met with silence in ufology circles, possibly because it does not support the prevailing belief that UFOs are alien spacecraft, especially in the context of humanity's development of atomic weapons.

Carrion's subsequent manuscript, 'Anachronism,' expands on his theory and is available for free download. The magazine recommends reading 'Anachronism' for those interested in the 'ghost rocket' mystery and the origins of UFO mythology during the Cold War.

MUFON's Internal Issues and Carrion's Departure

The article details Carrion's tenure as MUFON's International Director, which began in November 2006. His efforts to reform the organization and his eventual departure in 2009 are discussed. Carrion's critical statements about MUFON, particularly his assertion that the organization was lost and not truly scientific, led to his "bad standing." The magazine references an article titled "MUFON Censors Their Former International Director?" as evidence of this.

Carrion's interview on 'The Paracast' is quoted extensively, where he expresses his initial curiosity about the UFO phenomenon and his growing realization of self-deception within the organization. He states that many cases he investigated lacked supernatural or extraterrestrial elements, but rather involved peculiar individuals telling strange stories. He believes that while some members are genuinely interested in truth, the organization as a whole is stuck in old habits and worldviews, even participating in sensationalist programs on channels like the Discovery Channel.

The Rosetta Project and Intelligence Operations

The magazine elaborates on the 'Rosetta' group, an intelligence project involving high-ranking officials from the USA and Great Britain. The project aimed to decipher the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's thoughts by breaking the code used by Soviet spies. The success of this operation would have been comparable to the British breaking the Enigma code during WWII and the Americans breaking the Japanese Purple Cipher.

The Rosetta group planted numerous fabricated stories about new weapons of mass destruction in the press. These stories were designed to be intercepted by Soviet spies and transmitted to Moscow. The article mentions that a "random" strike among telegraph workers on overseas lines used by the Soviet Union forced them to use alternative communication channels, which the Americans could more easily monitor. This allowed the Rosetta group to control the flow of information, including the planted stories about ghost rockets and super-weapons, enabling codebreakers to study the encrypted messages and gain insight into the Soviet code language.

Key American participants in the Rosetta deception included General Hoyt S. Vandenberg and Admiral Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, both future leaders of the CIA, as well as General Omar N. Bradley and Colonel Carter W. Clarke.

Sources and Further Reading

The issue lists several sources and recommended reading materials, including books by Jack Brewer, Joel Carpenter, Allan Hendry, and James Carrion, as well as articles and blog posts related to UFO research and specific incidents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critique of established UFO organizations like MUFON for perceived lack of scientific rigor and adherence to outdated beliefs, the exploration of historical intelligence operations and their potential influence on UFO mythology, and the examination of specific UFO cases like the 'ghost rockets.' The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging a more evidence-based and less dogmatic approach to the study of UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the complex interplay between historical events, intelligence operations, and public perception.