Brief overview: Ann Druffel dated her interest in the UFO question from 1945 when, as a schoolgirl, she viewed a bright yellowish object, very high in clear blue skies over Long Beach, California. She and her mother, Aileen Walsh McElroy, watched the object as it slowly traveled in a westerly direction. After about an hour and one-half, having traveled about 30 degrees from the NNE to the NNW, it then released 15-20 smaller shiny objects, which took varying paths out and away from the main object. Years later, it was determined that this sighting occurred at about the same time the first experimental atom bomb was exploded in New Mexico.

Interested in earth mysteries of all kinds, Druffel researched various aspects of the UFO question and investigated reports of all kinds since 1957. She was one of the first investigators for NICAP, and remained with that organization from April 1957 to 1973. During the NICAP years she became acquainted with the renowned atmospheric physicist, Dr. James E. McDonald, and participated with him in several UFO cases during his six years of UFO research. After NICAP was destroyed by subversive agents from the FBI and CIA who had secretly penetrated into the higher realms of NICAP, Druffel joined the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) as investigator, frequent contributor to their journals and other official capacities. She also joined the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) and contributed articles on California sightings and other UFO subjects to IUR (International UFO Reporter). She was a U.S. consultant and regular contributor for the British research journal FLYING SAUCER REVIEW (FSR) through 2004.

Druffel authored six books and numerous articles for newsstand magazines on UFOs and other earth mysteries and contributed 190+ articles and columns for top UFO journals in the field. Her grand opus remains FIRESTORM! DR. JAMES E. McDONALD's FIGHT FOR UFO SCIENCE. Published in July 2003 by Wild Flower Press/Granite Publications, it re-introduced the phenomenal UFO research of prestigious atmospheric physicist, James E. McDonald, to the world. The astounding gains McDonald made, during his public work in the UFO field between 1966 and 1971, gives us undeniable evidence that the scientifically-oriented approach is necessary to solve the UFO problem. The book details how McDonald made great strides in convincing the scientific community at large that UFOs were a real phenomenon which was being neglected by science, and also how he apparently was at the verge of breaking through the government coverup. Tragically, McDonald's breakthroughs were unexpectedly cut short in 1971 when he died an apparent suicide. FIRESTORM! relives McDonald's work and methods which, if put into effect today in the UFO field, could perhaps bring about a solution.

'UFO/Alien' Hypothesis: In general, Druffel hypothesizes that the so-called UFO phenomenon is actually two separate phenomena. Like James McDonald, she favors the extraterrestrial hypothesis to explain UFOs seen from a distance, in which no contact or only minimal contact occurs between the witnesses and craft/occupants. From the weight of evidence, she is convinced that reports by credible witnesses of seemingly physical aerial objects that are detected on radar, chased by jet pilots, and photographed/recorded by verifiably honest witnesses constitute a serious scientific question that has been neglected by the scientific establishment and that secrecy imposed on the subject by the U.S. government is unjust and illogical.

On the other hand, Druffel considers so-called abduction scenarios to be separate phenomena from the possibly extraterrestrial UFOs. Since most abduction scenarios take place in different states of consciousness, she doubts the physical reality of situations associated with abductions, such as genetic manipulation, missing fetuses, and alien implants, due to the lack of solid scientific proof. As many abduction researchers believe that there is a deceptive component to this phenomenon, Druffel hypothesizes that so called abducting UFO aliens are posing as actual UFO occupants from physical crafts. Concurrent with this is the growing evidence that many abduction reports are caused, at least in part, by a combination of telepathic leakage during hypnosis between witnesses and hypnotist/researchers, and/or psychological and emotional needs of the individuals concerned.

However, she accepts the possibility that many abduction scenarios may be real in some type of altered reality, especially those reported by undeniably rational and honest individuals. She accepts the possibility that such witnesses may be interacting with interdimensional beings which delight in harassing, deceiving, and assaulting unsuspecting human beings. These types of creatures are described in a number of religious books, accounts, and folklore from the Muslim Koran to Native American narratives.

Ann Druffel was active in the UFO field for almost 60 years. She was married to Charles Druffel for 48 years, delighted in her five daughters, and ten grandchildren. She passed away in June 2020, but her research and writings remain relevant for current researchers as well as to give direction for anyone interested in the growth of this field.