Mutual UFO Network

The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) is an American non-profit organization that investigates cases of reported UFO sightings. It is one of the oldest and largest UFO-investigative organizations in the United States.

MUFON was originally established as the Midwest UFO Network in Quincy, Illinois on May 30, 1969 by Walter H. Andrus, Allen Utke, John Schuessler, and others. Most of MUFON’s early members had earlier been associated with Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO).

The organization now has more than 3,000 members worldwide, with a majority of its membership base situated in the continental United States. MUFON operates a worldwide network of regional directors for field investigation of reported UFO sightings, holds an annual international symposium, and publishes the monthly MUFON UFO Journal. The group now has more than 800 field investigators as well as teams to investigate possible evidence of any extraterrestrial craft. The network trains volunteers to be investigators, and teaches them how to interview witnesses and how to draw conclusions from the evidence. Although investigators are not paid, they must pass both an exam on a 265-page manual, and a background check.

The stated mission of MUFON is the scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity through investigations, research and education. Along with the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) and the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR), MUFON is part of the UFO Research Coalition, a collaborative effort by the three main UFO investigative organizations in the US whose goal is to share personnel and other research resources, and to fund and promote the scientific study of the UFO phenomenon.

MUFON is currently headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio under the direction of David MacDonald, who owns an air carrier business in Cincinnati