The Ufologist - vol 2 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: the Ufologist
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 1
Date: January-March 1993
Publisher: North Bridge Publication
Country: USA
Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of *the Ufologist* marks a transition from a monthly newsletter to a quarterly magazine, presenting a new face and publishing schedule. The editorial states that the publication began as the *St. Johns River MUFON UFO Newsletter* but was discontinued after the editors were dismissed from their MUFON positions for expressing their opinion that the Ed Walters case was a hoax. *The Ufologist* is now an independent entity dedicated to open-minded investigation of UFO and related phenomena.

UFOs in Paradise: Puerto Rico Investigation

The main focus of this issue is an investigation into ongoing paranormal activity in Puerto Rico, described as "The Enchanted Island." The magazine features firsthand reporting from the sites of major UFO and related events. The investigation was aided by *Enigma!* magazine editor Jorge Martín and his wife, Marlene, who provided help and hospitality, and by investigator Fearon Hicks.

The Laguna Cartagena Phenomenon

The surge in sightings in Puerto Rico reportedly began with an underground explosion near Lajas. Laguna Cartagena, a small, polluted body of water, has become a focal point. The lagoon's shape is noted for resembling the United States from the air, and it is known for its unique waterfowl population. For years, residents have reported balls of light coming from the water. In late May 1987, the activity escalated:

• May 30, 1987, 10:30 p.m.: A large red buzzing ball of light was seen descending into the lagoon.
• May 31, 1987, 2:00 a.m.: Residents were awakened by a blinding white light and saw a huge disc-shaped object with brilliant lights circling over the water.
• May 31, 1987, afternoon: A huge underground explosion occurred, followed by a tremor. Cracks opened in the ground, emitting cobalt blue smoke. Seismic reports initially placed the epicenter under the lagoon at 8100 feet, but later reports contradicted this.
• Evacuation: Residents near the lagoon were forcibly evacuated by U.S. military personnel in HUMVEES and other vehicles. They reported seeing men in decontamination suits sweeping the ground.

Witness Testimonies

Johnny Vasques: A WWII veteran retired to Puerto Rico, Vasques reported seeing a collection of brilliant lights, as large as a commercial airliner, stationary and silent in October 1988. A year later, in October 1989, he saw a similar object hovering. He criticized local authorities for trying to discredit witnesses.

Melvin Rosado Andujar: A resident of Lajas, Andujar reported seeing a large, illuminated disc-shaped object hanging stationary above his house in 1989. The object brightened and moved west towards the aerostat facility.

Miguel Figaroa: A former shop owner, Figaroa reported seeing thin, grey beings with big heads trying to break into his shop after the 1987 explosion. He later saw three such figures walking down a road.

Heriberto Acosta: A resident near the aerostat facility, Acosta reported seeing bright saucers 38 years prior and has heard recent explosions, which he believes are related to construction at the aerostat. He also mentioned his father chasing away grey beings and two female relatives seeing a UFO so bright they could see through their skin. He also witnessed a triangular UFO intercepting two F-14s on December 28, 1988.

Unnamed Farmer: This farmer reported seeing a large, unmarked helicopter land with six or seven men in dark green uniforms who searched the area with detectors. The next day, pairs of circles appeared in the dry grass. He also described regular tremors and underground sounds for three months following the explosion.

Victor Rodriguez: A fisherman, Rodriguez reported seeing a lighted disc fly in from the Caribbean and settle noiselessly into a bay. He also recalled the 1987 explosion with blue smoke and the presence of U.S. military and forensic personnel. He expressed doubts about his fisherman brother's suicide, believing it was related to seeing a "big headed grey thing" near the aerostat.

Amador Piazza: A motel owner in Ponce, Piazza initially disbelieved UFO reports but in 1990 saw a large, triangle-shaped object hover over a hill near transmission lines. He noted that the warden of a nearby minimum security prison also saw the UFO.

The Aerostat Facility and Government Involvement

Several witnesses mention the aerostat facility and suggest that something secret is located there. Some believe the phenomena are related to controlled contact with an alien culture or an intentional illusion. The military's presence and alleged attempts to silence witnesses are noted.

Did a UFO capture two Navy Tomcats?

This section details two exceptional incidents involving UFOs and U.S. military jets:

November 16, 1988 (San German): Witnesses saw a huge, silent yellow light approach, hover near a microwave tower, and then two jet fighters appeared. One jet vanished, and the other flew west. The UFO then ejected two red lights and flew north.

December 28, 1988 (Sierra Bermeja): A large, triangular UFO was witnessed by 113 people. Two jet fighters appeared and interacted with the UFO, with one jet disappearing and the other flying away. The UFO then separated into two smaller triangles and flew off.

Investigator Jorge Martín verified that the jets were F-14s and suspected they came from a Navy carrier. Navy contacts reportedly confirmed radar tapes of the incidents, though the FAA denied knowledge. The article notes the lack of official records, obituaries, or news reports for the alleged loss of three fighters and their crews.

Analysis of Incidents

The article outlines commonalities between the two incidents:

1. Both occurred on a Wednesday.
2. Both took place when there was no moonlight.
3. In both cases, the UFO arrived from the south over Sierra Bermeja.
4. Airplanes arrived from the same direction, as if pursuing.
5. The UFO hovered near a tall vertical structure (microwave tower or Musiradio tower).
6. The jets' noise and lights vanished instantly.
7. The object flew away to the north.

It is suggested that the mystery object advanced from the south, approached a tall structure, and then continued its journey. Airplanes either vanished or departed towards the Laguna Cartagena area, the aerostat facility, or a private airstrip. The article also notes a previous incident where a UFO was chased by jets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of *the Ufologist* strongly emphasizes witness testimony and presents a consistent pattern of unexplained aerial phenomena in Puerto Rico. The editorial stance is one of open-minded investigation, suggesting that the events point towards something significant and potentially secret, possibly involving extraterrestrial contact or advanced technology. The magazine highlights the alleged suppression of information by authorities and the military's involvement, particularly around the aerostat facility. The recurring themes include UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, military interactions, unexplained explosions, and the potential for a hidden agenda or secret operations in Puerto Rico.

This issue of The Ufologist, Vol. 2 No. 1, delves into a variety of UFO and unexplained phenomena primarily centered around Puerto Rico. The cover story, "Aliens in the Swiss Cheese Plant," details an encounter in Lajas involving small, humanoid beings interacting with a decorative plant. The magazine also extensively covers the controversial deployment and use of aerostats, large tethered blimps, in Puerto Rico, questioning their stated purpose of drug interdiction and suggesting potential military or surveillance roles.

Aliens in the Swiss Cheese Plant

The article recounts the experience of Marisol and Albert Camacho, who lived in Lajas, Puerto Rico, in late 1991. Marisol was awakened by strange, chattering voices and observed small, white, egg-shaped headed creatures taking leaves from their Swiss Cheese plant. She watched them for several minutes before they fled when she opened the window. The creatures returned a few nights later, and again fled when the door was opened. Marisol described them as fast, faster than humans, and noted their skinny build. The article also identifies the Swiss Cheese plant as Monstera deliciosa, known for medicinal properties.

Puerto Ricans Suspicious of Aerostat

This section investigates the presence of aerostats in Puerto Rico, which were introduced in the late 1980s as part of the U.S. Justice Department's drug interdiction program. The article questions whether these aerostats have broader, undisclosed functions beyond drug surveillance. It traces the history of blimps and aerostats, noting their use in military contexts and their potential to detect low-flying cruise missiles. The expense of these aerostats, built by TCOM (a Westinghouse subsidiary), is highlighted, with the Defense Department requesting significant funding. The article details a dismal track record for aerostats, including instances of deflation, crashing at sea, and structural failures. Despite these issues, the aerostats were also used by Voice of America to broadcast TV Marti to Cuba. By March 1990, it was reported that TV Marti would share aerostat space with spy radar, drawing outrage from Castro. The article suggests that while the effectiveness in the drug war may be dubious, the aerostats had apparent value as a military tool.

Aerostat Operations and UFO Sightings

The article continues to explore the aerostat program, mentioning a Cuban defector flying a MIG into Key West in March 1991, which NORAD explained as a lapse in attention. It questions the aerostat's capability to detect low-flying supersonic MIGs, citing retired Air Force Colonel Alan Gropman. The purpose of these aerostats is questioned, with speculation that they might be a 'flying pork barrel' or something more significant. The article notes that aerostats tend to appear in areas with high UFO sightings, citing an instance where an Army ship dragged an aerostat into Pensacola Bay for 'sea trials.' Another aerostat was tethered near Gulf Breeze for 'research.' The aerostat at Parador is under U.S. Customs service control and is reportedly made by General Electric, with possible connections to a nearby unfinished Voice of America station. Local job applicants at the aerostat facility reported being asked about their beliefs in UFOs and extraterrestrial life, and stories of UFOs entering and leaving offshore waters are common. The possibility of an alien base under the aerostat facility is raised, though considered unlikely due to the nature of blimps.

Even the Ufologist Sees One in Puerto Rico

This section details the personal experience of the magazine's staff. While visiting Puerto Rico, the author and others in their car witnessed a small white disc slip behind a mountain. The author hesitantly described the sighting, acknowledging the possibility of misinterpretation. The sighting occurred over restricted airspace designated R-7103A on a VFR Terminal Area Chart for Puerto Rico. The object was described as a white disc, moving with a 'falling leaf motion.' A disposable camera was used to take a picture of the general area, though it did not turn out.

Policemen Encounter Aliens at El Yunque

This report, translated from Spanish and reprinted from Enigma! Magazine, details an encounter between a group of policemen, their wives, and alien beings in El Yunque. The area is described as a place of mystery and legend. Ex-policeman Luis Torres recounted an experience in late February 1991 where he and his wife, along with two other couples, saw two small beings, about four feet tall, with large, egg-shaped heads, dark eyes, and thin necks. They were dressed in a monochromatic greenish-grey, tight-fitting outfit. The beings spoke in a strange, rapid language and walked calmly down the highway. Torres stated they were not ordinary humans and had arms that reached their knees and long hands. The beings eventually crossed the highway and disappeared into the underbrush. Torres, an ex-state policeman, expressed concern for his wife's safety and drew his gun as a precaution. He believes these were extraterrestrial beings.

His wife, Marguerita, described them as 'two little boys' or 'little men' with large heads and black eyes, calling them 'bizarre creatures' with a rapid buzzing language. She felt it was a special event and that they looked like identical twins. She also mentioned seeing flying saucers in Adjuntas later, reinforcing her belief that aliens are present.

Antonio Contrares and his wife also reported seeing a large, luminous disc over El Yunque on October 18, 1991. The object, described as football or hamburger-shaped with three bright white lights, flashed and floated away. The article speculates about the long-standing rumors of an extraterrestrial base in the Caribbean National Forest.

Flimflam Alien?

This section presents two seemingly independent encounters with a metaphysics-spouting being and his 'white - not grey – biologic androids.' Fisherman Andy Olivares and hot dog vendor Amaury Rivera, who did not know each other, experienced similar events. Rivera claimed to have been escorted to a large room with other people and shown a demonstration of an asteroid hitting Earth. He described the small white beings as 'robots manufactured for certain tasks.' Olivares recalled seeing white creatures cross the road and later found himself crying in his car, with no memory of the intervening time. He developed nightmares and sought help from Jorge Martín. Olivares later had encounters with a Hindu-appearing man who told him the white creatures were manufactured and recycled. Both men are puzzled by the similarities and differences in their stories, suggesting they may have been contacted by different individuals or beings.

Puerto Rico a microcosm of UFO and related phenomena

This article compiles various UFO and unexplained phenomena reports from Puerto Rico. It mentions an account by Ivan Sanderson of the U.S. Navy encountering a very fast underwater object off Puerto Rico in 1963, which tracked the object for four days. Dr. Donald Menzel's 1963 book is cited for a report of a huge fireball exploding over Puerto Rico on January 12, 1947. Multiple animal mutilations in the Moca district from February to July 1975 are detailed, with Linda Mouton Howe's book 'An Alien Harvest' being referenced. The article also includes reports from Janet and Colin Bord's book 'Unexplained Mysteries of the 20th Century,' detailing sightings of entities on El Yunque in 1973 and a small green being with a tail in Quebradillas in 1977. It also mentions a report of a winged lizard and a bird with retractable fangs found in the rain forest.

Alien Animals?

This brief section touches upon the exotic flora and fauna of Puerto Rico's rain forests, mentioning a bird with retractable fangs and a winged lizard. It also references the unique white, sightless fish Alaweckelia gurneei from the subterranean pools of Camuy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings and encounters with non-human beings in Puerto Rico, the controversial use of aerostats for surveillance, and reports of unexplained phenomena such as animal mutilations. The magazine appears to present these accounts with a degree of seriousness, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial presence and unexplained events. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness testimony and investigative reports without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the skepticism and potential for misinterpretation.

Title: The Ufologist
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 1
Date: Approximately early 1993 (based on publication date of reviewed book and content)
Character: This issue of The Ufologist focuses on UFO sightings, alien encounters, and abduction experiences, with a critical examination of ufology research and its methodologies.

Aliens by Daylight

This section presents three anecdotal reports concerning the sighting of small grey aliens in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, shared with thanks to Jorge Martín. The first report details a group of three grey beings, varying in height from four to six feet, seen walking down a country road in southwestern Puerto Rico in broad daylight. Witnesses initially mistook them for people in costume but then pursued the beings, who fled and raised their fingers in a V-shape, interpreted as a peace or victory symbol.

A second report describes a military-like jeep carrying three passengers and a driver. Two human soldiers were in the front seats, while the rear seats were occupied by individuals wearing hats and sunglasses. One of these individuals revealed a large, bald, grey head when his hat and wig flew off, and the vehicle sped away.

The third account comes from a woman in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, who had an encounter in Costa Rica. While walking in a rainforest, she turned a corner and faced a small, grey being, short in stature, with a large head and big black eyes. The being was dressed in a turquoise jumpsuit and had pointed ears. The woman managed to take a picture as the entity dove behind a bush.

Jorge Martín is planning a return trip to Puerto Rico to meet with the woman from Mayaguez and view her photo album.

Our Lady of El Yunque?

This section, also drawing on information from Jorge Martín, discusses unusual happenings in Puerto Rico beyond UFO sightings. It recounts reports of manifestations of the Blessed Virgin Mary near a spring close to El Yunque, where a Catholic church was built near an old Taino Indian sacred spot. The local Catholic population was increasingly drawn to the location due to these apparitions.

However, a group of worshippers and their priest encountered military men with black berets at the spring. The soldiers presented a small, hairy hominid in a cage, claiming it was the entity that had appeared as the Blessed Virgin Mary. While parishioners were distracted, the priest rang the church bell, calling people inside for mass, thus preventing them from looking at the caged creature. The people dispersed, leaving the creature with its captors.

The article also provides geographical and geological information about Puerto Rico, noting its extensive cave systems, including the Camuy system with a 200-foot-high room and the Camuy River, which is nine miles long and believed to be the third largest underground river in the world. Additionally, a list of military installations on Puerto Rico is provided, including Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Fort Bundy, San Juan Naval Station, and others.

Abduction book raises troubling questions

This is a review by Anne Ecker of the book "Into the Fringe" by Karla Turner. The book, published in 1992, is a Berkley paperback of 242 pages priced at $4.99. Ecker compares the book's narrative style to horror movies where characters behave irrationally.

Karla Turner, a former college instructor, recounts a series of unusual experiences and dreams involving herself, her son, her husband, and various friends and family members, starting in 1988. Her interest in the paranormal was initially sparked by her freshman argument and logic class's assignment to evaluate UFOs, the Loch Ness monster, and Bigfoot. Reading Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and Budd Hopkins's "Missing Time" further piqued her interest.

The book's narrative begins when Turner decides to hypnotize and age regress her husband to understand his stress. Although untrained in hypnosis, she felt qualified due to her own past experiences. Under hypnosis, her husband recalls a childhood UFO encounter and draws a picture of the entity.

Turner then seeks the help of a therapist who had treated her for stress, but the therapist refuses to see her husband, suggesting Turner seek treatment herself. Turner then contacts UFO organizations and is referred to a local MUFON chapter.

In July 1988, through MUFON, Turner meets Barbara Bartholic, an investigator with Oklahoma MUFON. The Turners spend a weekend at Bartholic's guest house in Oklahoma, where Bartholic, who learned hypnosis from a qualified hypnotherapist and worked on abduction cases, age regresses Turner's husband again. A retired military intelligence man, who is also a counselor, is present during the session.

The hypnosis session reportedly unearths a horrifying abduction experience. Later that night, around 2:00 a.m., after Bartholic leaves, the counselor is with the Turners. At 3:00 a.m., they go outside, and the counselor points out a strange light in the sky. The light resolves into an array of lights, moves closer, and appears as a dark shape connecting the lights. This is described as their first remembered UFO sighting.

Turner remains awake, talking with the counselor about the UFO phenomenon. The review highlights Turner's emotional distress, disorientation, and dependency on the counselor, suggesting these conditions could be a means of insinuating a belief system. The reviewer questions the motives and accountability of some UFO groups.

The Turners return home, and further UFO-related hidden memories and strange happenings emerge for their son, his fiancée, and a friend, including nightmares and strange sounds. They contact Bartholic, who advises them to check for scratches and punctures, which they find.

Turner discovers that her best friend is also part of the abduction scene. The book is described as a swirl of dreams, altered states, and contusion lists, culminating in Turner's husband's dream of being abducted by a white pickup that takes him to an underwater base for interrogation by a US Army Major.

Ecker acknowledges the book is well-written and sympathizes with Turner's distress but criticizes her "willing descent into the popular culture of ufology" and "passive capitulation to the experience." The reviewer suggests that if paranormal phenomena feed on emotions, Turner has become a "buffet." The reviewer is more critical of the "researchers," suggesting they have their own agenda and steered Turner into a standardized abduction scenario, muddying the waters and making it difficult to determine the motive force behind her experiences.

The review concludes with a cautionary moral: "If you don't want to come home with a fish, don't go to the fish market."

Puerto Trench

A brief note states that the Puerto Trench lies off the northern coast of the island and is 8,742 miles deep, making it the deepest spot in the Atlantic Ocean.

Available from Arcturus

UFO Pioneer publishes booklet

This section announces that George D. Fawcett, described as a genuine "old timer" in ufology, has written and published a twenty-eight-page booklet titled "Human Reactions to UFOs Worldwide (1940-1983)." Fawcett, who lives in Lincolnton, North Carolina, has forty-eight years of UFO research experience. He has founded and advised several UFO study groups and previously wrote "Quarter Century Studies of UFOs in Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee." He is currently affiliated with North Carolina MUFON and plans to establish a UFO museum. The booklet is available for five dollars from Arcturus Books Inc. in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Subscription Offer

A subscription offer for "The Ufologist" for one year at $15 is presented, with payment to be sent to North Bridge Corporation, P.O. Box 1359, Palatka, FL 32178.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien encounters, and abduction experiences, with a particular focus on reports from Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. There is also a significant critical examination of the methods and potential agendas of ufology investigators, as seen in the review of Karla Turner's book. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism towards sensational claims and a desire for rigorous investigation, as highlighted by the reviewer's critique of Turner's "passive capitulation" and the investigators' "own agenda." The magazine also touches upon the intersection of paranormal phenomena with religious beliefs and the potential for manipulation within the ufology community.