UFO Potpourri No 382

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: no. 382
Volume: LIE NO. 1!
Date: September 1994

This issue of UFO Potpourri, dated September 1994, focuses on the enduring mystery of the 1947 Roswell incident. The cover story, "Army 'Disk' Storm Stilled; It's Only a Weather Device," presents the official Air Force explanation that the recovered wreckage was not an alien spacecraft but a component of a secret military project. The magazine includes articles from various sources, including the Associated Press, Houston Post, USA TODAY, and The New York Times, all addressing the Roswell event and the Air Force's revised explanation.

The Roswell Incident: Air Force Explanation

The central theme of the issue is the debunking of UFO conspiracy theories surrounding the 1947 crash near Roswell, New Mexico. The Air Force, after decades of silence, issued a report in September 1994 identifying the wreckage as part of "Project Mogul." This was a secret, high-altitude balloon project developed by leading scientists from institutions like Columbia University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Project Mogul's objective was to detect faint reverberations from nuclear tests conducted by the Soviet Union, a critical concern for the U.S. during the early Cold War. The wreckage found by rancher W. W. Brazell on his property northwest of Roswell consisted of foil-wrapped fabric, sticks, rubber pieces, and small I-beams with strange markings. These were identified as parts of the balloons, sensors, and radar reflectors (made of thin metal foil) used in the Mogul system.

Brig. Gen. Robert M. Ramey, commander of the Eighth Air Force, announced that the object was a U.S. Army device and that plans to fly it to Wright Field for further investigation were cancelled. Warrant Officer Irving Newton of the base weather station confirmed that such weather balloons, capable of reaching 60,000 feet, were used to track wind currents via radar. Newton also revealed that similar balloons had been used during the invasion of Okinawa to gather ballistic information for heavy guns.

The articles highlight the discrepancy between the initial Air Force explanation (a weather balloon) and the subsequent myth that grew around the incident, fueled by conspiracy theorists. The New York Times article by William J. Broad notes that the incident became legendary among flying-saucer fans, who spun slim evidence into claims of alien bodies and government cover-ups. The USA TODAY article by Dennis Cauchon states that the Air Force admitted it lied when it originally explained the wreckage away as a "weather" balloon, but the 1994 version of Project Mogul is presented as the true explanation, denying any recovery of alien craft or bodies.

Skepticism and Continued Belief

Despite the Air Force's detailed report, many flying-saucer enthusiasts remain unconvinced. Col. Albert C. Trakowski, a retired Air Force officer who ran Project Mogul, expressed his belief that the explanation would not change minds, stating, "People believe what they want to believe." He noted that in New Mexico, "lying saucerism has become a minor industry" with museums dedicated to "outrageous fictions."

Walter G. Haut, president of the International U.F.O. Museum and Research Center in Roswell, dismissed the report as "a bunch of pap," suggesting the Air Force had merely provided a "different kind of balloon" explanation. He believes "nothing has changed" and that the government is still playing games. Don Berliner of the Fund for UFO Research called the Air Force's confession "pathetic," stating that they expected the blame to fall on Project Mogul. Haut himself described the situation as "another cover-up."

Key Figures and Details

Key individuals mentioned include Brig. Gen. Robert M. Ramey, who announced the findings; Warrant Officer Irving Newton, who identified the object; Major Jesse A. Marcell, who was involved in the initial recovery; Col. William H. Blanchard, the commanding officer at Roswell Army Air Field; and Col. Richard Weaver, who authored the Air Force's research conclusion.

The wreckage was found on Brazell's property, about 85 miles northwest of Roswell. Brazell, whose ranch was remote, bundled the debris and later reported it to the sheriff's office after hearing about "flying disks" in town. The object was flown to Fort Worth Army Air Field by a B-29 from Roswell Army Air Field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the conflict between official explanations and popular belief, particularly concerning UFO phenomena. The magazine presents the Air Force's scientific and military explanation for the Roswell incident, emphasizing Project Mogul as a legitimate, albeit secret, Cold War initiative. However, it also gives voice to the persistent skepticism and belief in a government cover-up among UFO enthusiasts. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting the official findings while acknowledging the ongoing debate and the cultural impact of the Roswell legend.

The issue highlights how a single event can be interpreted in vastly different ways, becoming a focal point for theories about extraterrestrial visitation and government secrecy, even when a rational explanation is provided.