UFO Mail - No 279 - 2019

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-Mail nr. 279
Date: January 8, 2019
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information

This issue of UFO-Mail delves into the potential for a new government-sponsored UFO investigation project, while also providing a historical perspective on the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book. The magazine is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information, a Danish organization dedicated to providing serious information about UFO phenomena.

Is a New UFO Project Underway?

The lead article, "Er et nyt ufoprojekt på vej?" (Is a new UFO project on the way?), discusses rumors of a new government-funded UFO project. Journalist Kim Møller Hansen reports that Tim Printy, writing in "SUNlite," states that Luis Elizondo (formerly associated with the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program - AATIP) has informed journalist George Knapp that the Pentagon may be establishing a new group to study UFO experiences. Knapp reportedly believes Elizondo has inside knowledge, despite Elizondo no longer being affiliated with the Pentagon. The article cautions that any information from Elizondo might not be official and could stem from wishful thinking or rumors.

The author posits several reasons why the Pentagon might be hesitant to reinvest taxpayer money into UFO investigations. Firstly, the negative experiences and perceived failures of Project Blue Book make a repeat unlikely. Secondly, the military is more concerned with potential threats from foreign aircraft than with UFO reports that do not appear to pose a threat. Thirdly, if UFOs were indeed a threat to aviation, it would fall under the purview of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), not the military, as there is no evidence of UFOs causing aircraft accidents.

The Results of Project Blue Book

The issue dedicates significant space to the history and conclusions of Project Blue Book. This U.S. Air Force project investigated UFO experiences reported by the American public from 1947 to 1969. The project was officially closed on December 17, 1969, following a university project review conducted under the leadership of physicist Dr. Edward U. Condon.

The Condon Commission, funded by the Air Force with a budget of $525,000, analyzed the report material. Their work resulted in a 1,485-page report titled "Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects." On January 8, 1969, the report's conclusions were supported by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and the Air Force publicly announced the results the following day.

The article presents the Condon Commission's three main conclusions:

1. No reported UFOs posed the slightest danger to national security.
2. No evidence emerged to suggest that 'unidentified' observations represented technological developments or principles beyond current scientific understanding.
3. No evidence was found to suggest that 'unidentified' observations represented extraterrestrial vehicles.

Despite these conclusions, the article suggests that the U.S. Air Force's serious engagement with the phenomenon, even if amateurish and unscientific in approach, may have inadvertently reinforced public belief in extraterrestrial visitation. The persistent public interest in UFOs led many to believe that if the world's largest military power spent so much time investigating, there must be something to it.

A table is included showing the number of UFO reports investigated by the U.S. Air Force annually from 1947 to 1969. In total, over 12,000 reports were collected, with 701 categorized as unidentified, unsolved, or unknown. The article notes that all archival material from Project Blue Book was transferred to the Air Force's historical archive at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama and is now accessible online at bluebookarchive.org.

It is also mentioned that American Tim Printy, in his e-newsletter "Skeptical UFO Newsletter" (SUNlite), analyzes the "701 club" cases from Project Blue Book, finding plausible and natural explanations for many of the previously unsolved cases.

Reading UFO Reports Online and Membership

The magazine encourages readers to submit their own UFO reports on www.ufo.dk under the "Observationer" section. It also promotes membership in SUFOI's "Støttekreds" (Support Circle) for 2019. For a contribution of 250 Danish Kroner or more, members receive a free book from a selection of four titles: "Ildkugler over Danmark" (Fireballs over Denmark) by Ole Henningsen, "UFO'er - Myter og viden" (UFOs - Myths and Knowledge), "Mysteriet om UFO'er" (The Mystery of UFOs) by Kim Moller Hansen, and "Firestorm" by Ann Druffel.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO-Mail maintains a critical yet informative stance on UFO phenomena. It questions the likelihood of new government UFO projects, citing the historical precedent of Project Blue Book's inconclusive and dismissive findings. The magazine emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and evidence-based analysis, as demonstrated by its detailed examination of the Condon report and Tim Printy's work. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensational claims, while still acknowledging the public's enduring fascination with UFOs and encouraging the reporting and investigation of sightings. The promotion of SUFOI and its resources underscores the organization's commitment to providing credible information and fostering a community of interest in the subject.