23857122-1403-531545-0004

v Sas AF FORM 112—PART II SECRET APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 (CLASSIFICATION) AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) REPORT NO, 34th Air Division (Defense) TR-1=53W nee ff 4 ys (1) Shape: Oval Sige: Like a large burning flare. Color: White to white-red, Speed: 12~15 MPH Number: One Formation: Negative Maneuvers: Moved outbound westward then turned north for several minutes then disappeared while inbound toward obser-= vers. Manner of Disappearance: Faded from view, Other Factors: Negative (2) 2115 MST, 26 Jamary 1953. Length of Observation: 45 mimutes ( intermittently). (3) Visual observation, (4) Back entrance door to operations building, 769th AC&W Sq, Continental Divide, New Mexico. (5) Observers reliability considered excellent (A/lc Dennis, A/le Welch), (6) Weather: High thin overcast, lower scattered clouds. Winds from 270° at 30 knots at 10-30,000 feet MSL, Inversion existed at 18,000 feet MSL with top at 21,000 feet MSL, (7) Object observed concurrently with radar observation. (8), (9) and (10) All negative, COMMENTS of Preparing Officer: Negative. COMMENTS of Approving Officer: Weather balloons are released daily at 0300Z (2000 MST) at points located near Phoenix, Ariz; Winslow, Ariz; Denver, Colo; Albuquerque, N Mex; White Sands, N Mex; las Vegas, Nev; Big Springs, Tex; and Bl Paso, Tex, Winds aloft (10-30,000 ft.MSL) at the time of this observation were from 270° at 30 knots. Due to the direction of the winds aloft (about the same through Arizona and New Mexico) the only weather balloon likely to have been in the 769th AC&W Sq area would be the balloon released at Winslow Arizona one hour and fifteen minutes prior to the observation of the bright object. The balloon released at Winslow was approximately three feet in diameter at launching and expands to seven feet in diameter before bursting at 30,000 feet MSL, Leaking balloons are not uncommon and could conceively be carried some distance at low altitudes, Balloons released during the hours of darkness carry & flash light attachment. The flash light is standard size and is suspended from the balloon by a short length of waxed linen cord, From the information given by the observers the object moved west then north for some time then southeast, If the winds given are correct this would mean the object moved against the wind, which is opposite the direction a free balloon would normally move. The balloon covld not under normal circumstances be seen as a large WOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S, C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. SECRET yf (CLASSIFICATION) 36—55570-1 3X U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFI S@CURITY /NFORMATIOW “v Declassification Authority: NND 57565