Those of You Who Did Not Come Forward . . .

Greetings Forumerions,

Mike Fortson, eyewitness to the huge UFO that traversed the skies of Arizona (and else where) in '97 calls on other witnesses who haven't come forward:

This is being written for those in mind who may have witnessed something “unusual at the very least” and or “life-changing” at the top of the WOW! meter, on Thursday, March 13, 1997. (This could have been anytime from about 5:00 pm March 13, 1997 through 4 am., March 14, 1997). This is for you if you saw something and decided to keep it to yourself.

I have always preferred “The Massive UFO Flyover of Arizona, March 13, 1997,” over the term, “The Phoenix Lights” as the former is by far the most descriptive title regarding the true events state-wide, not just lights at or near the city. The term, “Phoenix Lights” is simply not accurate. The name came into being as 2 of the 5, “10 pm videos” (Rairdon & Kitei) of "mysterious lights" that slowly appeared and then disappeared, were aired on local news stations beginning the following day (Friday March 14th) and were erroneously depicted as being over Phoenix proper. These night-time video’s were shot by residents living in mountain-side homes; the respective cameras were pointed in a southwest direction with the Phoenix metro area in the foreground and the Estrella Mountain Range as the backdrop. The lights recorded were later proven to be flares dropped at (unusually) high altitude some 45-60 miles away by the Maryland Air National Guard. Thus, the name “Phoenix Lights” was born and by the same token confusion (which still exists today) between the flare drop footage and the “real, remarkable UFO events” which occurred on that date.

Speaking as a witness, it’s safe to say that those of you who were privileged to have observed the massive UFO—did tell someone! If not, how did you do it?! How did you vent the emotion? How could you keep it to yourself?! Having gone through the experience (myself) . . . seeing something that does not compute; that goes against the grain of how one was raised, and or what falls outside of that which society dictates is normal—the natural desire is to share the experience with folks, or seek out others who experienced the same phenomenon.

After 15 years we now know, given the area the UFO(s) traversed; the weather conditions, as well as the fact that people were sky-watching for the Hale Bopp comet that evening—only a fraction of the actual witnesses went public. . . .

The rest of the story . . .

Cheers,
Frank


Please read: Posting Work Written by Others

reply to post by Frank Warren


MOD,

Ooops, sorry haven't had enough coffee . . ..

Cheers,
Frank

One time at around 2 a.m. I was out on the beach near my house with some friends who were drinking (I don't) and I was sitting near the fire on a picnic table. A friend of mine, Jamal, was sitting next to me and we were somewhat apart from the crowd. We happened to be looking at the stars [because on this night they were so bright and easy to see] and we noticed what looked like 2 satellites.

Object #1 was travelling with Object #2 trailing behind at equal distance and constant speed. Suddenly the objects slow down a little bit (they had been moving across the sky toward the horizon) and while staying equidistant from each other, they revolved exactly 180 degrees, so that Object #2 was now leading. I told Jamal that night to never forget what we saw because it was unique... Thought this was an appropriate time to maybe share that

The big problem though, is that nobody seemed to film the 8pm event, whereas 5 people were able to film the 10pm flare drop event.

No matter what the testimony, this coincidence is going to blow pretty much any witness account not backed up with photographic evidence of that night.

The good news, is that NUFORC does have reported records of the sightings prior to the 10pm flare drop, so that at least confirms witnesses aren't confusing the time, and that indeed, there were sightings before the drop, but that's really all there is to go on. Any believe is left with the "pics or it didn't happen" argument, especially with 5 videos of the later event.

'96 and '97 seem to have been popular years for UFO sightings and other experiences. Probably every year is but those two years stick in my mind anyway.

I remember Hale Bobb too. Didn't that stay in the sky for at least a week or two? Maybe there weren't many people out that night in question having a look at it. Some people forget what they've seen too, but I hope the man gets the info he's looking for.

Good Day Gazrok,

Originally posted by Gazrok
The big problem though, is that nobody seemed to film the 8pm event, whereas 5 people were able to film the 10pm flare drop event.

Don't forget about the Proctor video, which some feel is the "only" video of the object in the public domain. Moreover there allegedly was the Curtis video which was intercepted by two men (MIB's) as relayed by Frances Barwood.

No matter what the testimony, this coincidence is going to blow pretty much any witness account not backed up with photographic evidence of that night.

Here I have to respectfully disagree; certainly ancillary evidence in support of an anecdote or other "singular" evidence strengthens a proposed hypothesis as to what folks witnessed; however, to quote Stan, "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." Additionally, 4 of the 5 videographers had been regularly filming the "flare" drops and consequently were "prepared" and or at the ready to do so.

The good news, is that NUFORC does have reported records of the sightings prior to the 10pm flare drop, so that at least confirms witnesses aren't confusing the time, and that indeed, there were sightings before the drop, but that's really all there is to go on. Any believe is left with the "pics or it didn't happen" argument, especially with 5 videos of the later event.

Reports to NUFORC were there of course, as well as call-ins to The Art Bell Show later that night. Moreover, the local media started reporting the events at 4:30 the next day and interviewed some of the "eight o'clock" witnesses at that time.

Finally, with the attention we give to Phoenix Lights at TUFOC (over the years), we have been fortunate enough to receive previously unknown witnesses, one in particular took part in Leslie's documentary.

Cheers,
Frank

P.S. I believe "video evidence" does exist for the 'craft" in the eight o'clock hour.

Good Day wigit,

Originally posted by wigit
'96 and '97 seem to have been popular years for UFO sightings and other experiences. Probably every year is but those two years stick in my mind anyway.

I remember Hale Bobb too. Didn't that stay in the sky for at least a week or two? Maybe there weren't many people out that night in question having a look at it. Some people forget what they've seen too, but I hope the man gets the info he's looking for.

To be clear, hundreds of people (of all walks of life) did come forward; if memory serves, over 700 people called Frances Barwood's office and or home (alone).

The reason there were so many witnesses is because people were observant of Hale-Bopp, which is also the argument why we believe there were "thousands" rather then "hundreds" of witnesses to the huge craft.

Cheers,
Frank

Originally posted by Gazrok
The big problem though, is that nobody seemed to film the 8pm event, whereas 5 people were able to film the 10pm flare drop event.

If i recall correctly, one of the Jamnes Fox specials (it may have been "I know what i saw") had footage of the earlier sighting...but it wasn't as "clear" as the later 10pm footage by a long shot.

reply to post by Gazrok


Well the flyover did happen but as you said, it again remains the same unclear and insufficient proof of anything that it could be. There is no reason to think the military cannot create something like that.

reply to post by Gazrok

The big problem though, is that nobody seemed to film the 8pm event, whereas 5 people were able to film the 10pm flare drop event.

No matter what the testimony, this coincidence...

I would disagree with the notion that this is a coincidence. It seems to me that people saw the 8pm event, or at least heard other people talking about it when they were in a bad position to film the UFO. After that they were ready for any UFOs because they had already heard that UFOs had been sighted in the area. At ten at night, it seems people would be looking for UFOs in the sky much more having heard or seen UFOs earlier. This means that more people would have had their cameras ready.

However, I don't believe the Phoenix craft was anything more then a top-secret government aircraft, as most—or maybe even all UFOs are.

Just my opinion on things.

-tst

The problem with some sort of secret military aircraft, hologram, or anything else that may be an asset of any government that can do this....

The craft we witnessed was at least a mile in length from the nose to the end of the left wing as it passed in front of us (V shape). See my original report. Over 30" at arm's length. Totally silent. 40-45 mph. I claimed in my report you could chase it with your car and not get a speeding ticket. Also, the V we saw was incredibly low to the surface. We saw a Southwest 737 in landing approach to Sky Harbor pass over the massive V.

Other witnesses, Max and Shala Sarasen reported a 2 mile wide triangle coming from the east headed west. All at incredible low altitude and totally silent.

Retired airline captain Trig Johnston claimed he could easily land his 737 on the wing of the craft. He claimed it to have an inside area of over a square mile.

There were at least 3 of the massive V shaped craft and at least 1 massive triangle. All 3 V shaped craft were witnesses together near Crown King, AZ. around 5:30 pm mst. 3/13/1997.

If our military or anyone else's military can do these things...massive size, totally silent, 40-45 mph, silent...I don't think so. And yes I am a veteran.

All of my articles are at theufochronicles.com just wait for it to load...scroll way down on the right hand side... there is a section...Mike Fortson...please read "The Non-Investigation of the Phoenix Lights" and "The Massive UFO Flyover of Arizona, March 13, 1997 12 Years of Retrospect" There is so much more to this case than is being reported by internet/cable documentaries/news organizations.

Mike

Good Day TST,

Originally posted by thesearchfortruth
reply to post by Gazrok

 

The big problem though, is that nobody seemed to film the 8pm event, whereas 5 people were able to film the 10pm flare drop event.

No matter what the testimony, this coincidence...

I would disagree with the notion that this is a coincidence. It seems to me that people saw the 8pm event, or at least heard other people talking about it when they were in a bad position to film the UFO. After that they were ready for any UFOs because they had already heard that UFOs had been sighted in the area. At ten at night, it seems people would be looking for UFOs in the sky much more having heard or seen UFOs earlier. This means that more people would have had their cameras ready.

However, I don't believe the Phoenix craft was anything more then a top-secret government aircraft, as most—or maybe even all UFOs are.

Just my opinion on things.

-tst

None of the videographers (that night) were aware of the activity in the eight o'clock hour; the local television media didn't begin airing reports until 4:30 the next day. (All would be extensively interviewed in the aftermath; Hamilton of course wrote a book).

When the media did begin reporting on the events of the 13th, they erroneously melded the 10:00 pm flare drop and recording thereof with eight o'clock witness accounts (this still occurs today). It was Richard Motzer who first realized the discrepancy between the vast number of witnesses "in the valley" in the eight o'clock hour and the handful of witnesses to the flare drop–who were at higher altitudes and could see the flares on the other side of the Estrella's.

Richard Motzer also gets credit for being the first to expose the flare videos for what they really were–as explained in his detailed report of May 1997 (published in The MUFON Journal in July).

Finally, if one adheres to, and or leaves the door open for the ETH, then in my view, by default–one has to give credence for the "possibility" of some sort of military experiment/exercise. That said, based on eyewitness accounts: if the military has a "nuts 'n' bolts craft as large as reported, with the stealth capabilities and silent propulsion as reported then this revelation would be "almost" as consequential as the ETH itself.

We know secrets can be kept, but how does one explain the "gap" between established technological advancement and this "futuristic" type of aircraft. Moreover, let us not forget that there were "psychological effects" reported by many witnesses, (not forgetting one account of an "entity") so this evidence would suggest that "if" it were possible for the military to manufacture such a craft and fly it, then there seems to be that "other goals" were desired, aside from say a "test flight" of such a craft. (As for some sort of hologram, this would also be monumental achievement for all the same reasons cited for a physical craft).

Finally, let's not ignore the "safety factor"; if the military was anyway responsible for the events of March 13, 1997 (which were not exclusive to Arizona) then they were/are culpable in severe safety issues and in violation of state and federal laws.

So yes, I leave the door open (ever so slightly) of some sort of military activity; however, I've seen no evidence to support it.

Cheers,
Frank

I think if that were to happen now a sighting of that scale with everyone now having cell phone cameras it would be a different story.

reply to post by Frank Warren


The lights of the American UFO during the Phoenix light looked similar to the actual balls of light that flew around Los Angeles during the UFO battle of 1942. Many think that one UFO was the centerpiece of the battle based on the photo, but there were at least 24 UFOs of the same size. They flew into LA, they hovered, and when they got hit the townspeople heard a ricochet.

Can I just ask, is ANY of the video evidence of the 8pm event available anywhere? Also, having seen a lot of footage of the 8pm witnesses, I do believe them in what they saw (to clarify).

Evenin' greyer,

Originally posted by greyer
reply to post by Frank Warren

 

The lights of the American UFO during the Phoenix light looked similar to the actual balls of light that flew around Los Angeles during the UFO battle of 1942. Many think that one UFO was the centerpiece of the battle based on the photo, but there were at least 24 UFOs of the same size. They flew into LA, they hovered, and when they got hit the townspeople heard a ricochet.

No balls of light flew over Los Angeles during the "Battle of LA"; moreover there is NO film in the public domain of BOLA. The first video is merely searchlights intersecting each other along with some "creative license." The second is a (retouched) still from the photo that donned the front page of the LA Times on February 25th 1942. The "balls of light" in the second vid (of the "real" [although retouched] photograph) are AA rounds exploding on and or near the UFO.

Cheers,
Frank

Originally posted by thesearchfortruth
reply to post by Gazrok

 

The big problem though, is that nobody seemed to film the 8pm event, whereas 5 people were able to film the 10pm flare drop event.

No matter what the testimony, this coincidence...

I would disagree with the notion that this is a coincidence. It seems to me that people saw the 8pm event, or at least heard other people talking about it when they were in a bad position to film the UFO. After that they were ready for any UFOs because they had already heard that UFOs had been sighted in the area. At ten at night, it seems people would be looking for UFOs in the sky much more having heard or seen UFOs earlier. This means that more people would have had their cameras ready.

However, I don't believe the Phoenix craft was anything more then a top-secret government aircraft, as most—or maybe even all UFOs are.

Just my opinion on things.

-tst

Biggest problem with that is that no way could a craft of the size described possibly be kept anywhere on earth secretly * hint hint

Originally posted by Zcustosmorum
Can I just ask, is ANY of the video evidence of the 8pm event available anywhere? Also, having seen a lot of footage of the 8pm witnesses, I do believe them in what they saw (to clarify).

Guess that's a no then.

Evenin' Z,

Originally posted by Zcustosmorum
Can I just ask, is ANY of the video evidence of the 8pm event available anywhere? Also, having seen a lot of footage of the 8pm witnesses, I do believe them in what they saw (to clarify).

The video (in the eight o'clock hour) along with an account from the videographer (Terry Proctor) can be see here: UFOs Over Phoenix: The V-Shaped Object

Cheers,
Frank

reply to post by Frank Warren


Much obliged mate , shame it wasn't better quality footage but definitely something there and it isn't a plane. I've always held the believe that the military flares dropped a few hours later was nothing but a smokescreen to cover up the real incident.

Let's hope another one of these crafts show up again sometime soon, we're all camera ready now

Let's remember that there were more than just one overflight of Phoenix that evening. One of the sightings was a sighting of a Advanced Stealth Lockheed Blimp....the other was the Real Deal.

The Military Flares that was handled so badly as far as the Agency that is relugated to doing so...was a Big Surprise for me as these Guy's NEVER SCREW UP! Which leads me to believe a few people were fired.

As far as the Stealth Blimp....anyone can go on google earth and check out the relativly new GIGANTIC HANGER that was built to house this Blimp. It is of a Ridged Design and uses an advanced form of propultion....that was not what people saw over Phoenix with Lights blinking in and out of existance and as the mistake was made to call these Flares from an A-10 or I even hard one story about an F-16....and some IDIOT at the AGENCY tried to hire a specialist and match up how the flares stopped Glowing as they fell behind the Mountains....well that was a CLUSTER F@#$!

The fact that the REAL and VERY LARGE E.T. craft was seen over a Major Metropolitan Area....lends me to believe that they are a new visitor and don't understand protocol. I have a Family Member who is X-USAF who lives outside of Phoenix. I HATE THE F#@%$&$ DESERT! Split Infinity