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AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 : AIR INTELLIGENC E INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) 3600th Flying Trng Wing Luke AFB, Giendale, Arizona REPORT NO, PAGE OC OF 3 PAGES Captain Roderick D. Thompson, instructor pilot, assigned to Luke Air Force Base, reported the sighting of an unidentified object which he and two fellow officers observed while on a training mission. Investigation by this office produced the following information; 1. Object was never actually observed, but a high altitude condensation pattern was observed, When first sighted, contrail was approximately 300-500 feet in diameter, The pattern began with a smooth, knifelike leading edge, developing into a crescent shape, very thin in depth and with an irregular trailing edge. (ref sketch 1, Incl 2). As the source gave chase, the contrail made a slight dip’ to the nerthwest and began climbing at 20 degrees, During this maneuver, source and object were at right angles and he observed the pattern to appear as a sharp nosed, very thin object, about 300-500 feet long with an irregular, whispy trailing edge, (ref sketch 2, Incl 2). Immediately, a heavy condensation trail began to form and extended for approximately 1000 feet back, at which point it separated into a double trail which again was . approximately 1000 feet long, ending abruptly. At this time object was travelling at an estimated 400 MPH true air speed. ‘The most unusual feature was the contrail stayed with the unsighted object, and did not extend across the sky as in the case of conventional aircraft contrails. 2. Time of sighting was 1325M hours on 3 March 1953, for a period of 7 - 10 minutes, 3e Manner of Observation; Aerial observation at 25,000 = 30,000 feet from an F-84 type aircraft, Pilot was cruising at 25,000 feet altitude, true airspeed 500 MPH when object was first sighted. A few minutes later, 30,000 feet altitude and 560 MPH was attained and pilot chased object for an estimated 50 - 60 miles before breaking off chase, A full armament and fuel load was being carried, however, source stated he was closing with the object fairly well. 4. Observers position at time of sighting was approximately BJGE 4525 at 25,000 feet on the GHOREF grid, with contrail at ten o'clock high, approximately ever EJFE 5520 at 35,000 te 45,000 feet altitude on a heading due west, 5. Sighting was made by Captain Roderick D, Thompson, 3600 Fighter Trng Gp (ftr) Luke Air Force Base, Glendale Arizona, Captain Thompson, an instructor pilot, was leading a flight of three #-S4 type aircraft on a simlated combat strike to Nellis AFB, Lt. Jack R, Brasher, and Lt. Thomas W. Nale III, student pilots, were accompanying source and also observed subject contrail, However, these men did not give chase to the sighted object, 6, Weather at 9:;30M hours clear, visibility 45 miles, temperature 4g degrees, dewpoint 26, Winds aloft; 30,000 feet ~ 300 degrees at 35 knots; 45,000 - 270 degrees at 50 knots, Rees as ee Te No meterological phenomenon reported, &, Captain Thompson took approximately 30 feet of gun camera film during the observation, : Bee ee ee Ee arly al eh ho "MOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT,50U.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 OT! FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOROF | INTELLIGENCE, USAF, ; Ne ER THAN UAITED . GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1950—O-918332 Declassification Authority: NND 57565 ge