333336491

(CLASSIFICATION) af’ RESHRICPEO PPROVES 1 JUNE 158 . y eal COUNTRY : REPORT NO, (LEAVE BLANK) 7 | a“ __Uniitea States _ TR-53 W v At @ of ¥en AGH) AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT any Unidentified Flying Object Report (Short Title: FLYOBRPT) AREA REPORTED ON FROM (Agency) Di rector of Intelligence, Hq 28th Cambria, California Air Div (Def), Hamilton AFB, Calif. ‘DATE OF REPORT DATE OF INFORMATION EVALUATION 16 March 1953 2 March 1953 i a PREPARED BY (Officer) | iy SOURCE Capt. Orville E Bixel, Dir of Intelligence USAF Airmen REFERENCES (Control number, directive, er report, etc., as applicable) ae a AFL 200-5, dated 29 April 1952, Hq 775th AC&W Sq Msg 75 SAJ 179 SUMMARY: (inter concise sumvmary of report. Give significance in final one-sentence paragraph. List inclosures at lower left. Begin tert of report 0 on n AF Form 119—~ P "art IL) In accordance with AFL 200-5, dated 29 April 1952, Subject: "Uniden- tified Flying Objects Reporting (Short Title: FLYOBRPT)" the following re- port of an unidentified flying object is submitted, On 2 March 1953, between 2100 and 2135 PST, four airmen of the 775th AC&W Squadron, Cambria, Cajifornia observed an uni dentifi ed airborne object, over the ocean to the West of the 775th AC&W Squadron, which appeared to be heading in a WNWW direction, The object appeared to be about 30 degrees above the horizon when first sighted. The object was described as spherical in shape, ranging from approximately twelve inches to about one inch in diameter and dropping to a horizontal position onthe horizon. The observers stated that the object appeared to move short distances in a WW direction and in termittently hovered in one place. The object appeared to be red when first observed, changing to a reddish-orange as it appeared to move further away. The object was not picked up by radar at the 775th AC&W Squadron, The speed of the unidentified object was described only as "Excessive". No sounds were heard coming from the object. lb contrails or visible means of propulsion were observed. On two subsequent nights following the sighting of this unidentified flying object, an extremely bright planet Was visible in a WW direction from the 775th AC&W Squadron, At 2000 PST the planet appeared to be approximately forty degrees above the horizon amd disappeared below the horizon at about 2135 PST. As the planet progressed toward the horizon, the size appeared to diminish causing its color to change from a bluish-white to a red-orange, As the angle between the planet and the horizon decreased, the observer viewed it through an increasing amount of haze and smoke from local brush fires. This would probably account for the apparent changes in size, color, am movemert of the planet. It is possible that the unidentified flying object observed by the four airmen on 2 March 1953 was the same planet observed from the 775th AC&W Squadron onthe nights of 3 and 4 March 1953. RR OS NS, wet ee ee a , , A SETS SPT Rs SOM aT USA “Th Memo 2/34 ex ORVILLE E Cnible & Gs Ys fol. eeis Se POLBLE Captain, USAF ane sannnmniveninin to a INCLS. | Director of Intelligence Statements by L, Airmen, 775th AC&W Sq ‘DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR l copy Chief, Air Technical Intelligence Center ATTN; ATIAA-ec Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT. 50 U. S.C_— 81 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. =RESERICTE-D- 16-—55560-2 U. &. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE (CLASSIFICATION) SEGORIT YEN FORMATION Declassification Authority: NND 57565 ~~ = f ’ AF FORM 112—PART ti , RESFRICTE DBD. (CLASSIFICATION) APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) REPORT NO. Dir of Intel. 28th Air Div, Hamilton AFB, Calif. | LRH 53 W 5 ae _- On 2 March 1953 between 2100 and 2135 PST, T/Sgt Benjamin F. Brunges of the 775th AC&W Squadron, Cambria, California observed an unidentified flying object, Sgt Brunges subsequently contacted three other airmen whom he knew to be on duty at that time, The other three airmen also observed the unusual object. See inclosures 1, 2, 3, am 4. le Description of G@bject: Shape: Spherical. Size: From approximately 12 inches to 1 inch in diameter, Golor: From red to reddish-—orange. Number; One object, Speed: Unknown. Described as excessive. Sound: None. Maneuvers: Dropping and rising in altitude as Well as apparently moving from side to side. Trails or Exhaust: None observed. Propulsion System: None observed, Vanner ef Disappearance: Suddenly disappeared from view while it | appeared to be at extreme range, Other Unusual Features: Object appeared to sway like a light suspended from a balloon, Time of Sighting: Between 2100 and 2135 PST, 2 Mareh 1953. Length of time observed 35 mimtes. | Manner of Observation: Visual without aids. The 775th AC&W Squadron had mo radar contacts with this object. Location of Observers During Sighting: | At the 775th: AC&W Squadron, Cambria, California, Object was first sighted at approximately 30° above the horizon. The distance between the observers and the object was undetermined. The object appeared to be approximately horizontal with the observers at the time it disappeared belew the horizon, — Observers were: | ye 2 ie i T/Sgt Benjamin F, Brunges, Jr. uUsAF « memo 2/31/7F%' ip ee eee Si anS [Py Wh ese AS O80 A LCAC TE A/2C Leo A. Delinski itty A/3G Howard M, Potter, Jr. All are airmen assigned to the 775th ACeW Squadron, Cambria, Calif, Weather and Winds: The Weather was generally clear with a slight amount of smoke haze from brush fires in the local area. Surface winds were between 20 and 25 knots from the WNW, On the 3rd and 4th of March 1953, an extremely bright planet was visible in a WNW direction from the 775th AG&W Squadron. At 2000 PST this planet appeared to be approximately forty degrees above the hori- zon. This planet disappeared below the horizon at about 2135 PST on both of these nights. As the planet appeared to progress toward the horizon, it diminished in size with its color changing from a bluish- white to a red-orange. As the angle of observation between the planet NOTE: 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, ASAMENDED. 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. (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 WU. &. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE S ECYRITY EN FORMAT OY Declassification Authority: NND 57565 AF FORM 112—PART Il RESTRICTED. (CLASSIFICATION) APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 AIR INTELLIGENCE ada in ati REPORT FROM (Agency) REPORT NO, Dir of Intel. 28th Air Div, Hamilton AFB, Calif. TRG5 3 \A and the horizon decreased, the observers viewed it through an in- creasing amoum of haze and smoke from local brush fires, This would probably account for the apparent changes in size, color, and movemem of this planet. It is possible that the unidentified fly- ing object observed by the four airmen on 2 March 1953 was the same — observed from the 775th AC&W Squadron on the two subsequent nights. Negative. Negative, 10 * Negat ive « Cuil EB é Gig , Gaptain, USAF Director of Intelligence NOTE: 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. Ss bs (CLASSIF ete 16—55570-1 XX sO. &. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE Declassification Authority: NND 57565 HEADQUARTERS 775TH AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND WARNING SQUADRON Cambria, California At about 2100 hours 2nd March 1953, an object, red in color app= earing to be about one (1) foot in diameter, was seen. This object was first thought to be antenna corona, but when I went outside at appro= ximately 2115 PST the object moved off in a northwesterly direction at an excessive rate of speed so as to appear the size of a baseball in a very few seconds. The object moved in a very peculiar manner, ie; it acted like a light suspended from a baloon, sort of a swaying motion. The object gave a long dip as it moved out to sea. At about 2120 I called A/2C Haag and also A/2C Delinski and they also saw the object which was then far out to sea and slowly moving. The altitude at first sight appear= ed about 1000 feet but after more careful study it could have been much higher as it was about 30 degrees above the horizen when first sighted. V4 ben) BENJAMIN F BRUNGES JR, AF36410,50 T/Sgt, 775th AC&W Squadron Declassification Authority: NND 57565 HEADQUARTERS 775TH AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND WARNING SQUADRON Cambria, California STATEMENT At 2120 hours, 2 March 1953, T/Sgt Brunges came up to the transmitter door and summoned me outside. On going out he told me to shut off the ocut- side light. He then pointed out over the ocean. There was a round object which gave off a reddish erange glow. When I first saw the object, it look- ed about the size of a dime. It kept getting smaller. It was moving in a direction of NW. The distance and height was hard to judge because it was dark. Upon first observation it appeared to be a star. But to the fact it was getting smaller, it ruled the fact of being a star, almost impossible. It moved from side to side sort of a wig-way. It seemed te hogver for an instant and then diminished from view. RONALD E HAAG, AF16407489 A/2C, 775th AC&M Squadron fe ae vt a teh T ur “Pe. me, an 0 ve, BS bs, ~~ > a ’ ; ae Sar te ellie at ie ee ab . eo oP) . . S le 7 ia . ’ , +4 4 . es Tee Rb a ie pero ed > / ay - wa a ad P ier" - rereepe poem titel wah ety a ro “wT — a J —— . aa TT n——«,, fa aan 5 . : 4: ‘ : f 4 = a - : - 4 - - . a : Re. : . > . Batce ~ t= co Wet mo anton t Declassification Authority: NND 57565 HEADQUARTERS 775TH AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND WARNING SQUADRON Cambria, California STATEMENT At approximately 2120 hours on the 2nd of March 1953 I received a telephone call from T/Sgt Brunges, who was on duty at the MARS station, asking me to step outside the door and look at the sky out over the ocean and tell him what I saw. I stepped outside and looked in the described direction and sawW an object which appeared to be a ball of fire. It app- eared to be about eight (8) inches in diameter and was proceding in a West- erly Northwest direction. I could not judge the speed for it moved which to me looked about one (1) foot and stopped. It seemed to drop and rise three times without getting smaller. It then moved again in the same direction as mentioned above which appeared again to be several feet. It then stopped and dropped again and stayed out of sight for approximately five (5) seconds, then reappeared and disappearing again. The last time I was the object, it app- eared to be about three (3) inches in diameter. The time that had lappsed from the first time I saw it until it disappeared was about ten (10) minutes. The above took place while I was on duty with the Air Police stationed at Post number 4. és ZO RJ ¢ LEO A DELINSKI, AF16400170 A/2C, 775th AC&W Squadron Declassification Authority: NND 57565 HEADQUARTERS 775TH AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND WARNING SQUADRON Cambria, California STATEMENT March 2nd at 2120 I went outside the door of the Operations building and observed a reddish orange ebject suspended in the sky. tt seemed to be about on a level with where I was standing thus it might have had an altitude of approximately 109% feet. Distance is deceptive at night so it is hard to estimate how far it was away. I would judge that it was nearly out to the horizon. It had a slight sideways motion and also it seemed to hoover at a certain distance from land over the ocean. It din- inished in size at approximately 2135 and disappeared in e matter of a couple of seconds. The size when it was hogvering over the ocean seemed to be a little bit bigger than that of a 25¢ piece. > f ) \) ha) . he a> A/3C HOWARD M POTTER JR, AF12378&176 775th AC&W Squadron, Cambria, Calif Declassification Authority: NND 57565 Declassification Authority: NND 57565 RESTRICTED - - w oe AF FORM 112—PART HI (CLASSIFICATION) APPROVES 1 JUNE 1948 3 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT _ | FROM (Agency) REPORT NO. CG 10th Air Division (Defense) LOAD-3-53 Following is an account derived from an interview with Major Joesph H. Lemon, AO $13 5313 At approximately 2350 (AST) 16 Feb 1953 a C-47, AF 1042, piloted by Major Joesph H, Lemon, AO $13 531, and carrying Captain Eugene S, Cramer, AO 816 247, as instructor-pilot, was east of Fire Island and South of Anchorage over the mouth of Turnagain Arm, (GEOREF Position BLQB 5510) flying on an approximate heading of northeast. At that time an object, described as a round red light approximately the size of a wing navigation light of an aircraft approximately five miles distant, was observed at a ten o'clock position from the C-47. The C-47 was flying at 2000 feet and the light was estimated to be at 1000 feet. The light was below the horizon at this point. The object was estimated to be west of Fire Island and pro- ceeding on the same course as the C-47 at the cruising speed of a jet, estimated to be 300 knots. When it was realized that the red light, which is normally on the left wing of an aircraft, was apparently on the right wing, Captain Cramer contacted by radio, the Elmendorf tower and the nearest radar station in an effort to identify the object as a jet aircraft. Both the tower and the radar station reported no Jets airborne and the radar station was unable to pick up a flying object in the area. The object continued on a straight course for the Willow area, Slowly climbing to approximately 2000 feet and increasing to twice its original size and intensity. On reaching the above point the object seemed to stop and hang suspended in mid-gir, maintainine that suspended position for approximately five minutes. It was above the horizon at that point. The C-47 approached Elmendorf and entered the traffic pattern at 1500 feet on the upwind leg for runway 050, continued on around the traffic pattern onto the final approach then broke traffic and climbed out again in order to more closely observe the object. After the C-47 had taken up a heading of 330° magnetic the object was directly ahead of it. At this time the light appeared to continue on a northerly course and, gradually diminishing in size and intensity, disappeared. The C-47 circled the area north of Elmendorf for several minutes but no further sightings were made. After the object had disappeared a C-124 arriving at Elmendorf from Ladd AFB was observed by the C-47 pilots at approximately the same point at which the object disappeared. The duration of the sighting was approximately 15 minutes under CAVU weather conditions. Aurora Borealis illuminated the sky behind the object. The only description of the object was that it was a round, red light, resembling the running lights of an aircraft, However, the shape was not clearly ascertainable by the observers. : NOTE: 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 (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 + U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE Declassification Authority: NND 57565 é ’ a i 7 AF FORM 11%—PART ll “ (CLASSIFICATION) APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 : AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT : CG 10th Air Division (Defense) LOAD=3-53 3 Following is an account derived from an interview with Captain Eugene S. Cramer, | AO 816 247: On 16 Feb 1953, at approximately 2345 hours (AST), a C-47, AF 1042, piloted by Major Joesph H. Lemon, AO 813 531, and carrying as instructor-pilot Captain Lugene De Cramer, AO 816 247, was proceeding on an approach heading of 010 degrees magnetic toward Elmendorf Air Force Base. At this time, when in a position approximately ten (10) miles east of Fire Island over Turnagain Arm (GEOREF Position BLOB 5510) and approaching at a speed of 120 knots, Captain Cramer observed a light in a ten o'clock position to the C-47. At this time the light appeared to be stationary and was alternating in color from red to blue-green, Believing it to be a celestial body or an aircraft at some distance, Captain Cramer did not mention his observation to Major Lemon until they had proceeded approximately ten miles further on their course. At this time the light began to move in a southwesterly direction, and | Captain Cramer estimated its speed and altitude as being approximately 350 knots per | hour at 1000 feet and its original position as beins in the vicinity between Big | Lake and Willow. Inasmuch as the light now appeared as a constant red color and was about the size of a running light of an aircraft when seen from this estimated distance, Captain Cramer then believed it to be a jet aircraft, However, as they continued on course, the object reversed its flight in the vicinity of GEOREF Position BLQB 3030 and returned at approximately the same speed and altitude to its original position. This maneuver was accomplished at least once and possibly twice. | Due to the faecé that the light remained red when traveling northeast in approximately the same direction as the C-47 rather than appearing green as would the right running light of an aircraft, Captain Cramer contacted the Elmendorf tower as to whether any | jets were airborne in the vicinity or whether the tower had also sighted the object, The tower answered in the negative to both questions. After requesting jet inter- ception of the object and being advised that no aircraft were available for the mission, Captain Cramer and Major Lemon received permission to fly a course toward the object, which then appeared to be over Wasalla. Taking up a heading of 345 degrees magnetic and a speed of 150 knots, they broke out of the traffic pattern and flew toward the object. As they continued over Knik Arm on this course, the light remained stationary and began to increase in either size or brilliance until it seemed to be about three times its original proportion and appeared to be the reddish orange color of molton iron. As the C-47 reached the approximate GEOREF Position CLAB 1530, at about 0005 hours, 17 Feb 1953, the object began to move again, this time on a heading of between 270 and 290 degrees magnetic at an estimated altitude of 2500 feet, and at an unknown speed. It gredually assumed a bright red color and began to diminish in size until it disappeared about 45 seconds later. | After circling for several minutes and making no more observations of the object, the C-47 returned to Elmendorf Air Force Base and landed, From the time the light was first observed until it began to increase in size or brillance the light appeared to have the half-oval shape characteristic of obstruction lights. As it grew in size or brilliance it assumed a complete oval shape. No sound was heard nor were any smoke or vapor trails observed. The duration of the sighting was approximately fifteen (15) minutes under CAVU conditions. At no time did the observor Loosaaaght of the light, a ie lene ; et a f\ cs, : I STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U. S. C.— E: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED ig 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 AS (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 + U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE Declassification Authority: NND 57565