UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Volume VI, Number 5, published monthly or bi-monthly by UFO Research Associates (UFOR) in Los Angeles, California, covers the period of April-May 1979. It features reports of UFO encounters from residents in Tennessee, Florida, and California, alongside discussions on international UFO research and historical sightings.

Resident Reports: Tennessee, Florida, California

The newsletter begins by noting the continuous influx of UFO reports globally and the challenge of sorting credible information. Three significant incidents from early 1979 are detailed:

• Nashville, Tennessee (January 15, 1979): Metro Policemen Mike Leech and James Evans reported observing a massive UFO, described as "three football fields in length," hovering at treetop level (about 75 feet off the ground). Leech described it as having a low humming noise, with two long parts joined in the middle and shortish wings. Evans noted "fins" protruding from the back. Leech admitted to being frightened.
• Ona, Florida (January 2, 1979): Joe Guerrero, while in his pickup truck, heard a "rushing of air" and saw a UFO "about the size of a large jumbo jet." The object had a large hole on its pointed end and two holes at the other, emitting red blinking lights. Antenna-like structures, described as aluminum, extended from its sides. Guerrero alerted his wife and friends, but the UFO sped straight up and vanished.
• Antioch, California (January 13, 1979): Ron Perry and two friends observed a yellow light with a "rectangular object" in the center. During the sighting, a digital clock in their car began turning wildly, and the object moved erratically across the sky for about 15 minutes. Perry's friend's car was inoperable for about an hour afterward.

French Release UFO Study; Makes Condon Report Seem "Very Poor"

A French government study examining 11 detailed UFO sighting reports between 1966 and 1978 concluded that UFOs are real and represent objects with propulsion and sustenance methods beyond current knowledge. The study, conducted by the Groupe d'Etudes Des Phenomenes Aerospatiaux Non-Identifiees (G.E.P.A), was praised for its high quality and made the University of Colorado's Condon Report appear "very poor" by comparison. The study was endorsed by several renowned French scientific institutions.

United Nations Continues UFO Reach

In late November and early December 1978, the United Nations continued its inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, initiated by Grenada's Prime Minister Sir Eric Gairy. The UN Special Political Committee heard from Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Dr. Jacques Vallee, and Lt. Col. Larry Coyne.

• Dr. J. Allen Hynek stated that the UFO phenomenon is not yet understood but has captured the attention of millions, including many responsible individuals. He emphasized its scientific, sociological, and political significance, especially regarding the possibility of intelligences other than our own. He advocated for a UN body to facilitate the dissemination of UFO research data collected by scientists worldwide.
• Dr. Jacques Vallee affirmed that the UFO phenomenon is real but stated he has found no evidence of extraterrestrial visitors. He identified three aspects: physical manifestation, psycho-physiological effects, and the creation of a social belief system. He concluded that humanity has a choice to treat UFOs as a threat or an opportunity.
• Lt. Col. Larry Coyne shared his personal experience of sighting a UFO in 1973 and stressed the need for thorough investigation and the establishment of worldwide procedures for studying UFO phenomena through international cooperation.

Astronaut Gordon Cooper submitted a statement, expressing belief that extraterrestrial vehicles are visiting Earth and calling for a top-level coordinated program to collect and analyze data. He suggested the UN has a vested interest in handling this subject. A resolution was drafted to recommend the UN initiate, conduct, and coordinate research into UFOs.

Hynek noted that UN delegates were reluctant to get involved, but a decision was expected within two months. A critical deadline was set for June, when member country reports were due, potentially obligating the UN to take positive action if the phenomenon was deemed of significant interest.

Prelude to a Flap: 1978 Sighting Reports Increase

This section details a surge in UFO sighting reports from August to December 1978, including incidents involving objects lifting cars, executing 90-degree turns, near-collisions, causing animal reactions, emitting light beams, and being photographed. Witnesses included pilots, a meteorologist, and police.

• Great Britain:
• October 7, 1978 (Finedon): Martin Batley reported a large, delta-shaped object with white searchlights and a green rear light, which hovered and then zoomed off.
• Early morning, December 1, 1978 (Urmston): Sharon Badcock witnessed an object descend from a larger one, shaped like an ice cream cone with tires.
• Argentina:
• August 31 (San Juan and San Luis Provinces): Nazareno de Cesare and Giglio Martin observed a fleet of UFOs that circled their truck, discharging the battery and stopping the engine. They later found dead goats and earth formations.
• September 20 (Santa Isabel and Maria Teresa): Juan Marchisio saw a "reddish sphere" and a "dark green object." An "explosion" occurred, causing his car's interior to become brighter and affecting his senses. The car was lifted and carried seven kilometers.
• October 13 (Benjamin Matienzo Airport): Meteorologist Juan Carlos Teseira and others observed a UFO execute two quick 90-degree turns.
• Peru:
• November 4 (Coast): Fausto Julca Aguirre and a friend saw a brilliant blue light, the size of a tank, which narrowly avoided colliding with their boat.
• Canada:
• October 21 (Oshawa and Oakville, Ontario): Tom Grey and Malcolm Williams observed six saucers performing "arrow acrobatics" and took eight photographs.
• Pennsylvania, USA:
• October 10 (Mahaffey): Kathy Moyer saw a bright, oval UFO shining a pulsating blue light that headed towards her house.
• Alabama, USA:
• December 31 (Demopolis): Mrs. Bobby Hines reported a large, bright, triangular-shaped object hovering over trees, which dimmed, brightened, and moved in a zig-zag pattern.
• Indiana, USA:
• November 8 (Greenfield): Cathy Wilfong and Cindy Bridges experienced power outages, followed by seeing bright lights in a bean field. A saucer-shaped object with lights was observed, leaving a 40-foot impression in the field.
• Indiana, USA:
• December 16 (Near Abington): Esther Drew and family experienced their car's motor stopping and radio going dead. An "almost rectangular" UFO with lights flew in front of their car, then over a corn field, after which the car's engine and radio restarted.
• Michigan, USA:
• December 15 (Duck Lake): Randy Pion and his brother heard a loud noise and saw a "triangle-shaped object" with four white lights that turned orange. The television was distorted, and their dogs became scared.
• North Dakota, USA:
• November 2 (Near Watford City): Barb and Kent Johnsrud saw a large light that appeared to be two lights beaming, which descended quickly. It was described as a "huge stop sign" with blue and red lights, moving slowly at about 25 m.p.h.
• Nevada, USA:
• December 16 (McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas): A commercial airliner pilot reported a "flash of light," and an unidentified couple saw a UFO "occasionally bank from side to side" covered in white lights.

South Carolina Man Paralyzed, Abducted, Examined, and Released

This case details the alleged abduction of Bill Herrmann near Summerville, SC, on March 18, 1978. Herrmann reported being paralyzed by an orange-silver disc's light beam and taken aboard. Under hypnosis, he recalled an examination table and a blinking "X-ray" type device. The crew was described as 4.5 feet tall with marshmallow-type skin, fetus-like faces, and no hair or pupils. He was released unharmed, finding himself in a glowing circle.

Famed Editor, Norman Cousins, Joins UFO Believers

Syndicated columnist and advisory editor Norman Cousins, previously a skeptic, now believes UFOs are real and not products of delusion. He finds recent UFO reports too authoritative, detailed, and consistent to ignore, stating it's inconceivable that US investigators are unaware of the reality of these objects and their specific flying characteristics. He suggests the US has no justification for dismissing reports as aberrations and that deliberate concealment is distinct from military security.

Historical Reports Add Perspective

This section presents documented UFO incidents from before the "modern era" of UFO sightings, including:

• July 20, 1860 (Wilmington, Delaware): Residents witnessed a pale blue light pervade the city, followed by a strange object about 200 feet long flying overhead from west to east.
• February 19, 1865 (Rockville, Connecticut): Lyman Clarke King's diary entry describes a "solid column of fire" rising from the ground, tapering to a point, which dimmed and disappeared.
• February 24, 1893 (South of Quelpart Island): The crew of the British ship H.M.S. Caroline spotted "unusual lights" that appeared sometimes as a mass and other times in an irregular line, maintaining a consistent bearing.
• 1895 (Grand Forks, North Dakota): Edwin Blue recalled observing 8-10 bright lights flying in formation, traveling from southeast to northwest.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently presents UFO sightings as credible phenomena requiring serious investigation. It highlights the inadequacy of official explanations and advocates for international cooperation and transparency in UFO research. The editorial stance supports the view that UFOs are real, unexplained objects with advanced capabilities, challenging skepticism and urging a more open approach to understanding the phenomenon. The issue also notes the continuation of the UFO Research Newsletter and the postponement of a new publication, 'Other'.