APRO
From the UAP Encyclopedia, the open encyclopedia of UFO and UAP history · 🏢 Organization
Contents 5
| Type | Organization |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Aerial Phenomena Research Organization |
| On the Timeline | 4 events, 1950–1980 |
The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) was an American civilian UFO research group founded in January 1952 by Jim and Coral Lorenzen. One of the most important private UFO groups of the 1950s to 1980s, it was known for field investigations and for its network of consulting scientists. It remained active until 1988.[1]
History
The Lorenzens started APRO in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; from 1960 it was based in Tucson, Arizona, and it had branches in many states. It emphasised scientific field investigation and listed a large number of consultants with doctorates. Astronomer J. Allen Hynek named APRO and the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) as the two best civilian UFO groups of their time, made up largely of "sober, serious-minded people".[1]
Scientists
Atmospheric physicist James E. McDonald of the University of Arizona, perhaps the leading scientific UFO researcher of his day, was associated with the group, and James Harder, a professor of civil and hydraulic engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, served as its director of research from 1969 to 1982. Both were among six scientists who testified at a symposium on UFOs held by the House Committee on Science and Astronautics on 29 July 1968.[1]
Split and end
In 1969 a sizeable group of members formed the Midwest UFO Network, which grew into the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), today one of the largest UFO groups. APRO stayed active until late 1988. Its case files were then kept in storage for almost 35 years before being transferred on 25 November 2023 to the National UFO Historical Records Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[1][2]
On the UAP Timeline
- Holloman cigar-shaped object film (1950) (July 1950) — A Holloman AFB contractor films a cigar-shaped metallic object and hands the film to the base.
- Ed Balocco's night chase near Edenton (1953) (19 February 1953) — A Marine pilot scrambled near North Carolina reports a disc with red lights coming within 350 feet.
- Holloman landing and hangar claim (1964) (30 April 1964) — A claimed UFO under guard at Holloman AFB; the same day a pilot reports an egg-shaped object.
- Weitzel letter (1980) (July 1980) — Air Force counterintelligence officer Richard Doty delivers a forged letter to a civilian UAP group.
References
This page was last edited on 29 October 2026. Articles are written in our own words from the sources listed under References; disputed claims are attributed to the people who made them.
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