UFO Newsclipping Service - 2008 08 - no 469

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Newsclipping Service, dated August 2008 and identified as Number 469, focuses on the persistent phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and their potential implications for national security and air safety. The cover story, "Unidentified Flying Threats" by Nick Pope, argues for renewed investigation into UFO sightings, drawing parallels between US and international approaches.

Unidentified Flying Threats by Nick Pope

Nick Pope, former head of UFO investigations for the British Ministry of Defense, contends that a healthy skepticism towards UFOs has led to an overdependence on radar data in the United States, potentially creating a vulnerability that could be exploited by terrorists or for espionage. He highlights that the US government ceased investigating UFOs in 1969 with the end of Project Blue Book, while Britain and France continue to investigate due to concerns about foreign military aircraft or space-based systems. Pope cites several incidents: a disc-like object at Chicago's O'Hare Airport in 2006 that was not tracked by radar; a 1980 incident at two English Air Force bases involving a landed UFO, ground indentations, and high radiation; a 1993 wave of sightings in Britain of a triangular craft; and a 2007 sighting by an airline pilot of a mile-wide cigar-shaped UFO near the Channel Islands. He concludes that the US should reopen investigations, not to confirm 'little green men,' but to acknowledge that radar alone may not reveal all aerial activity.

Why we should be more curious about U.F.O.'s.

This section elaborates on the arguments presented by Nick Pope, emphasizing that radar systems can filter out signals not matching normal aircraft characteristics, and stealth planes are designed to be invisible to radar. It questions the wisdom of entirely ignoring observations from multiple witnesses. The article contrasts the US approach with that of Britain and France, which investigate sightings for potential national security threats from foreign military or intelligence assets.

UFO investigators drawn to Bucks

This article from the Bucks County Courier Times reports that the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) will dispatch field investigators to Lower Bucks County following four UFO reports between January and June 2008. Incidents include a craft with six lights in a boomerang shape over Oxford Valley Mall, an object described as 'hovering like an octopus' over Don Pablo's restaurant, a blinking red, white, and green light object over Vermillion Hills, and an orange fireball seen crashing out of the sky over Newtown. MUFON state director John Ventre estimates that about 93% of UFO reports are conventional aircraft, but the remaining 7% defy explanation.

Flying fajitas and other alien craft

This commentary piece from the Bucks County Courier Times addresses reader skepticism regarding UFO reports. The author recounts several anecdotal accounts from Bucks County residents, including a 'grouping' of round, silent, shiny objects seen in Doylestown in the 1980s, and a UFO witnessed in Washington Crossing in 1978, which was documented but resulted in all photographic film being inexplicably ruined. Another account describes a UFO seen on Eagle Road that caused extreme turbulence and loud noises before vanishing. The author notes the variety of descriptions: discs, saucers, round things, blinking things, silent things, whooshes, streaks, and hovering objects.

Are extraterrestrials monitoring Bucks County?

This commentary piece from the Bucks County Courier Times explores the history of UFO sightings in the region. It notes that while recent reports have surfaced, UFO sightings have been regular occurrences in Bucks County and the Philadelphia area for decades. The author recalls a spike in sightings in 1973, the same year President Jimmy Carter filed a report with NICAP after seeing a UFO. The article mentions a terrifying experience at the Roosevelt Drive-In Theater where two girls saw a large V-shaped object descend and hover. It also recounts a report from a Philadelphia TV reporter about a glowing red spherical object descending outside her bedroom window. The piece cites online reports of sightings, including three circles in a triangular pattern over Oxford Valley Mall in 2001, and a 'Nova brilliance' light seen in Levittown. The author also shares a personal experience from the Korean War where he saw a light that stopped and made a sharp 90-degree turn, which he believes was beyond the capabilities of any aircraft at that time.

Bucks 'flapping' over UFO sightings

This article from the Bucks County Courier Times reports that Pennsylvania is experiencing a 'flap' of UFO sightings, with Bucks County being the epicenter. The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) has received about 50 reports in Pennsylvania in two months, with over two dozen in Bucks County. A Plumstead woman reported seeing a blinking, triangular object hovering above her neighborhood. MUFON director John Ventre notes that the current wave is the largest since the Kecksburg incident in 1965. Ventre interviewed eight people in Lower Bucks County, accompanied by a Discovery Channel film crew. He describes two consistent types of craft: a high-flying, bright 'star-like' object and a low-flying, six-sided or boomerang-shaped object with multi-color lights. Diana Bereck described seeing such a craft, which she believed was from a military exercise. MUFON investigations typically conclude that sightings are conventional aircraft, but Ventre suggests the remaining cases could be advanced military aircraft or extraterrestrial.

Radar tracked unidentified craft, group's report says

This article from The Star Telegram reports that FAA radar data appears to corroborate witness accounts of unidentified aircraft on January 8 over the Stephenville-Dublin area, Texas, with one craft heading towards President Bush's Crawford Ranch. The MUFON report indicates the craft were not military and lacked transponders. Witnesses described two large glowing amber lights, similar to school bus lights, which moved slowly but at one point accelerated to 532 mph. The object was on a direct course to Crawford Ranch but did not reach the property. The report notes that military jets did not react to the unknown craft. The incident attracted international attention, leading to a live interview on CNN's Larry King Live program titled "UFOs: Target Texas?" Witnesses, including Erath County Constable Lee Roy Gaitan and reporter Angelia Joiner, felt vindicated by the MUFON report. Joiner lost her reporting job due to her focus on the UFO investigation. The report details FAA radar tracking an object at 7:20 p.m. and then at 7:36 p.m. showing it veering north at 1,900 miles per hour before continuing southeast.

UFOs: Witness heartened by new report

This article continues the report on the January 8th Texas sightings, detailing the MUFON investigation process, which involved filing Freedom of Information requests to various government agencies. While the FAA and weather service were responsive, most other agencies claimed no information. FAA spokesman Roland Herwig was not familiar with the radar data. The MUFON report, released on their website, appears to back witness stories, including Constable Gaitan's account of an unknown object south of his home.

whatever happened to... the former Marine who reported seeing a massive UFO in Suffolk?

This article from The Virginian-Pilot profiles Terrell Copeland, who was featured on The History Channel's "UFO Hunters" series. Copeland, a former Marine, reported seeing a massive triangle-shaped craft hovering over a Suffolk shopping center in 2005. He later videotaped an orb of bouncing light. A man identifying himself as a military contractor approached Copeland, asking if he was ready for 'the truth' and mentioning a government 'personal relationship with 'ET'.' Copeland subsequently experienced 'missing time' and temporary paralysis. The "UFO Hunters" team investigated, comparing Copeland's video with one from Michael Hill of Lake Erie, who claimed abduction experiences. Both men showed elevated levels of creatine kinase. Host Bill Birnes speculated that Copeland might be a 'hybrid' being recruited by a government branch. The show concluded there was insufficient evidence. Copeland continues to believe he is leading towards a meeting with a biological entity and has found more respect at home since appearing on television.

UFO LIGHTS OVER BRECON BEACONS

This article from The Sun reports on a UFO sighting over the Brecon Beacons in Wales. Dr. Simon Griffey, a university don, witnessed seven lights over Llangynidr Mountain, describing them as the same color and spherical shape as those reported by soldiers in Shropshire. He noted the absence of noise and the object's size, estimating it to be smaller than a full moon but still large and high up. His son Jack also witnessed the event, and two other cars pulled over. Dr. Griffey's mobile phone footage only captured three lights. Police helicopter crews reportedly failed to record the sighting. The article mentions this as the third UK sighting in five days, following reports from Tern Hill, Shropshire, and St. Athan, near Cardiff. Expert Nick Pope advocates for an official inquiry into these sightings.

Giant UFO spotted over N. Lancs town

This report from The Westmorland Gazette describes a sighting of a large, bright orange light over Carnforth, England. The object was shaped like a shoebox with a slight dome, described as 'huge' and the 'size of a bus.' The sighting occurred around 3:40-3:45 am on a Sunday morning. The witness, Mrs. Kathleen Winn, stated it was not a fuel tank from a shuttle mission and swore that what they saw was true.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Report Winged Men Circling Above Longview & Chehalis Woman Sees 'Birdman'

These articles from The Oregonian and The Daily Chronicle, dated January 21, 1948, and April 9-10, 1948, respectively, recount historical sightings of 'flying men.' Mrs. Bernice Zaikowski of Chehalis reported seeing a 'birdman' with large silver wings manipulating controls, who ascended rapidly and flew in an upright position. Police and army officials were skeptical. In Longview, Washington, Mrs. Viola Johnson and James Pittman reported seeing three men in flying suits hovering about 250 feet in the air. They described the objects as having motors that sounded like airplane motors but without propellers. The faces of the individuals were not visible, but they appeared to be wearing helmets. These reports are presented on the 60th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's initial UFO report.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, their potential implications for national security and air safety, and the ongoing debate about their origins. There is a clear editorial stance advocating for continued investigation into UFO phenomena, particularly in light of government cutbacks in this area. The articles highlight the contrast between the US's cessation of official investigations and the continued efforts in other countries, suggesting that ignoring these phenomena could be detrimental. The issue emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging skepticism while also recognizing the possibility of unknown aerial phenomena that defy conventional explanation. The articles also touch upon the historical context of UFO reporting and the personal experiences of witnesses, underscoring the persistent nature of these sightings.

Title: The Sun
Issue Date: June 20, 2008
Publisher: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

Cover Story: Flying saucer chased by cops over Cardiff

The main headline on the cover of The Sun is "Flying saucer chased by cops over Cardiff." The article details a dramatic incident where stunned police gave chase to a UFO after it allegedly "attacked" their helicopter near a military base. The mystery aircraft reportedly zoomed straight at the chopper as the three-man crew prepared to land at the MoD's St Athan base near Cardiff.

The pilot banked sharply to avoid a collision and then launched into a high-speed pursuit. However, the chase had to be abandoned as the helicopter's fuel ran low, and the UFO escaped towards the North Devon coast. All three crew members described the object as "flying saucer-shaped" and circled by flashing lights. They reported the incident to senior officers, who passed the report to Britain's UFO investigators.

According to a source, the UFO was at 500ft and closed in at great speed, aiming directly at the helicopter. The crew stated that if they had remained stationary, they would have been hit. They are described as "hardened professionals" who are certain of what they saw. The source added that the police helicopter, equipped with hi-tech cameras, was unable to capture the UFO on film, and strangely, the craft was not visible with night-vision goggles, though it was clearly seen by the naked eye.

South Wales Police confirmed that their Air Support Unit sighted an "unusual aircraft" and that the report was passed to relevant authorities for investigation. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that they had heard nothing about the incident but advised against police helicopters chasing UFOs.

MoD faces calls for X-Files inquiry

Another article reports that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is facing calls to launch an official inquiry into a series of UFO sightings, including one filmed by a soldier on night patrol. These incidents, which occurred in Shropshire, south Wales, and Worcestershire earlier in the month, are considered "particularly significant" by UFO experts due to observations made by military personnel and the crew of a police helicopter.

The MoD confirmed it had received footage captured on a mobile phone by a corporal on guard duty at Tern Hill barracks, Market Drayton, Shropshire, on June 7. Corporal Mark Proctor reported witnessing a "fleet" of objects zig-zagging across the sky at about 11 pm, describing them as "13 craft in the skies" that were like "rotating cubes with multiple colours."

Former MoD UFO expert Nick Pope stated that an inquiry is vital to establish what was seen, and that a senior air force officer should lead it. He emphasized that "something quite extraordinary does seem to be going on in British air space at the moment" and that the fact it was seen by military personnel over a military base makes it a "national security incident."

An Army spokesman declined to comment in detail, stating that the MoD examines reports solely to establish whether UK airspace may have been compromised by hostile or unauthorised military activity, and does not attempt to identify the nature of each sighting unless there is evidence of a potential threat.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue heavily features reports of UFO sightings and related phenomena, with a focus on incidents involving official personnel (police, military) and calls for government investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events, highlighting witness accounts, and acknowledging the significance attributed to them by experts, while also including official statements that downplay or offer alternative explanations for some sightings. There's a clear interest in unexplained aerial phenomena and the potential for official cover-ups or lack of transparency, as suggested by the calls for an "X-Files inquiry."