PROJECT BLUE BOOK

Pt cand

2 =

1. DATE - TIME GROUP
2 April 53 | -1.2/23102

Snot

2, LOCATION

—

— + — ge oe

LENGTH OF OBSERVATION

2 liinnut a:

PE OF OBSERVATION 7a yoOUN fl.t ractzllic colored Obg CGS y elarnghin: for .tlon
— 7 braveled ot mi unestimmted high rete of speed on a heeding
Aire Vis we). Of approx J10 deg at an estinetcd altitude of 7500 Mh. “bj cbis
wnased under right naceled of a/e & pilot tu ite right th:
ti fit 300 dec tera & ble a bebt=r o " » af ev ne
OLjcets vere Uim obgerved reli 2 right turn cf consifers (fy,
PHOTOS greater yadius then that ef the C47 & lover than when Mrst
observed, Observed for approx 170 deg of thelr turn & cise

0 Yes

TixNe
9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

"~~ * ved , » yey ge  w\% “* ry
appoured on heading of approx 3t

O Yes

EXNe
FORM

FTD sep 63 0-329 (TDE)  Provious editions of this form may be ued.

Form A

U. $ AIR FORCE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET

This questionnaire has been prepared so that you can give the U, S. Air Force as much |
information as possible concerning the unidentified aerial phenomenon that you have observed.
Please try to answer as many questions as you possibly can. The information that you give will
be used for research purposes, and will be regarded as confidential material. Your name will not
be used in connection with any statements, conclusions, or publications without your permission.

We request this personal information so that, if it is deemed necessary, we may contact you for
further details.

ee 0 a

2. Time of day: _ /S L0

Hour Minutes

(Circle One): A.M or

]. When did you see the object?
42 APEIL 19853
Doy

Month Yeor

|
;
i

—

3. Time zone:

(Circle One): a. Eastern (Circle One): a. Daylight Saving |
b. Central b, Standard
c. Mountain
d. Pacifip
e. Other...
4, Where were you when you saw the object? OVER SWESTWHTER AIPORT, NEVO.
~  Neorest Postol Address ~ City or Town ipa | State or Country
Additional remarks: : & . AL a
STEAD A&B RENO, Jeuang. on -- |
5. Estimate how long you saw the object, ————__ = —_—"s
Hours Minutes Seconds

5.1 Circle one of the following to indicate how certain you are of your answer to Question 5.

a, Certain c. Not very sure

|
b, d. Justa guess
6. What wos the condition of the sky? ae 1

(Circle One): G_ Bright daylight d, Just a trace of daylight

b. Dull daylight e. No trace of daylight
c. Bright twilight (54'*474/ H42y) f. Don't remember

—

7. IF you saw the object during DAYLIGHT, TWILIGHT, or DAWN, where was the SUN leeated as ons looked at
the object?

(Circle One): a. In front of you d. To your left
b Uo ack of youy 72 THe Ri6HT) o, Oveheod
c. lo your right f. Don't remember

_-- — a —_ _—_ —_—

J
eee ie ee ee

Page ?

8. IF you saw the object at NIGHT, TWILIGHT, or DAWN, what did you notice concerning the STARS and MOON?

8.1 STARS (Circle One): 8.2 MOON (Circle One):
a. None N a. Bright moonlight
b Atew /; f\ b. Dull moonlight
c. Many c. No moonlight — pitch dark
d. Don’t remember d. Don’t remember

— oe —— —_—-

GRound Constitutes THE
9. Was the object brighter than the background of the sky? ‘Rac K Greoeuwg,

(Circle One): a. Yes b. No c. Don't remember

—— a - er

10, IF it was BRIGHTER THAN the sky background, was the brightness like that of an eutemebite headlight?:

(Circle One) a. Amile or more away (a distant car)?
b. Several blocks away?

— ———_—_— oo ee Or - Cr['—-

ce. Ablock away? N/A .
d. Several yards away?
. (i uy BE  ——EE al ae
11, Did the object: (Circle One for each question)
a. Appear to stand still at any time? Yes Don’t Know
b. Suddenly speed up and rush away at any time? Yes Don't Know
c. Break up into parts or explode? Yes Don’t Know
d. Give off smoke? Yes Don’t Know
e. Change brightness? Yes Don’t Know
f. Change shape? Yes Don't Know
g. Flicker, throb, or pulsate? Yes Don’t Know
12. Did the object move behind something at anytime, particularly a cloud?
(Circle One): Yes (Ns) __ Don't Know. IF you answered YES, then tell whet

it moved behind: ____ = =

ss —— — — a

—_ _ = -— - -_-S —_—

13. Did the object move in front of something at anytime, particularly a cloud?
(Circle One): Yes (No) Don’t Know. _ IF you answered YES, than tell what

it moved in front of: _ sa oy eS ewer as

a

= —_— — — —

__-

14, Did the object appear: (Circle One): o.Golid?) b, Transparent? c. Don’t Know.
15. Did you observe the object through any of the following?

a. Eyeglasses Yes No e. Binoculars Yes No

b. Sun glasses Yes No f. Telescope Yes No

c. Windshield Wes) No g. Theodolite Yes No

d. Window glass Yes No h. Other ehnaiis

16. Tell in a few words the following things about the object.
RGR EES i

NeTAcuC

b. Color GRAY cranane To BLACK AS DISTANCE Bécane GeenrER

_—-

17. Draw ¢- picture that will show the shape of the object or objects. Label and include in your sketch ony details

of the object that you saw such as wings, protrusions, etc., and especially exhaust trails or vapor trails. Place
an gfrow beside the drawing to show the direction the object was moving.

’ ~ PATH oF
JEvcierican is SHAPE Pd sia ne aie dnonne
‘A
P . AiacrarT

DeTTErD uiae- PATH
OF SOB IGCTS

DISTANCE NOT Te
ScAce,

Fd
Eee —_ —_— ——- —— — -_-_- -_ -_ -——_

18. The edges of the object were:

(Circle One): oo Pveey_ bared) e. Other _ :
b. i a . 9g ts aor

c. Sharply outlined >

d. Don't remember — _ —_— —

— ie eee —_— —_—— ae eee ae rere =

19, IF there was MORE THAN ONE object, then how many were there? _7_o& LO
Draw a picture of how they were arranged, and put an arrow to show the direction that they were travel ing.

CHANGING Loose FORMAT ion.

Ee. %'?

Page 4

20. Drew a picture that will show the motion that the object or objects made. Place an “A® at the beginning
of the path, a "B” at the end of the path, and show any changes in direction during the course.

Sێ 17

—

ao ttt DESCENHING TURN:

obec TS WERE

———= ee

-_ - oe a —

21. IF POSSIBLE, try to guess or estimate what the real size of the object was in its longest dimension.
feet.

——_ -_—__

—_——— _ —

22. How large did the object or objects appear as compared with one of the following objects held in the hand
and at about arm’s length?

(Circle One): a. Head of a pin g. Silver dollar

b.CPea) h. Baseball
c. Dime i. Grapefruit
d. Nickel j. Basketball
e. Quarter k. Other m
f. Half dollar

22.1 (Circle One of the following to indicate how certain you are of your answer to Question 22.
a. Certain c. Not very sure

b€ Fairly certain) d. Uncertain

23. How did the object or objects disappear from view? _ FADED aAwey Ry BLenDoinG@  _
INTo THE Bacx<GRouwh of Hicty TERRAIN.

—_——--- -— os

24. In order that you can give as clear a picture as possible of what you sow, we would like for you to imagine that you could
construct the object that you saw. Of whot type material would you moke it? How lorge would it be, and what shape
would it have? Describe in your own words a éommon object or objects which when placed up in the sky would give the
same appecrance as the object which you sow.

METAL, 1S FeeT DimmeTSe » EclieT cA |

25. Where were you located when you saw the object?
(Circle One):

26. Were you (Circle One)

a. In the business section of o city?
a. Inside a building
b. ina cor

b. In ~ on section of a city?
¢, Outdoors d. Flying near an airfield?
e. Flying over a city?
e. Ar ses (Flying over spon oon
ee Se ane Eee Rp TT g- Other icduediialdlgseuidiiaieantpaaiioecans

f, Other _

A C-412, OBTEcTS F< Ww id Ni = nose

27. What were you doing at the time you saw the object, and how did you happen to notice it? | |
_LeoxinG® ovT THE RichT SIDE Window oF THE COcKeiT of

SecTied AND RIGHT ENGINE NACELcE. nore |

--——

23. IF you were MOVING IN AN AUTOMOBILE or other vehicle at the time, then complete the following questions:

28.1 What direction were you moving? (Circle One)

a. North c. East e. South g. West
b. Northeast d. Southeast f. Southwest h. (Northwest
28.2 How fast were you moving? 140 miles per hour.

28.3 Did you stop at any time while you were looking at the object?
(Circle One) Yes (Re)

a -_-—_—— —_—_ - - -

—$—----—— —_—_ ease ee -_—_—-_-

29. What direction were you looking when you first saw the object? (Circle One)

a. North c. East e. South g. West
b. Northeast» d. Southeast f. Southwest h. Northwest

—_——_— we eee —_—_>—_- -—-— -_---ooer  - SO rr -- _—

30. What direction were you looking when you last saw the object? (Circle One)

a. North | c. East e South g. West
b. Northeast d. Southeast f. Southwest h. (NorthwaaD

——

—_— _— - —_—- oe

31. If you are familiar with bearing terms (angular direction), try to estimate the number of degrees the object was
from true North and also the number of degrees it was upward from the horizon (elevation).

31,1 When it first appeared:

a. From true North 3a ___ degrees.
b. From horizon _1e-"%0 degrees. DowWN .

31.2 When it disappecred:

a. From true North _. Be degrees.
b. From horizon __3°- 40 degrees. DO wn.

—_—-—_ Cl ere -__—_ — —_ -_--—— —-——

_—-

Page 6

32. In the following sketch, imagine that you are at the point shown. Place on “A” on the curved line to show how

high the object was above the horizon (skyline) when you first saw it. Place a “B” on the same curved line to
show how high the object was above the horizon (skyline) when you last saw it.

Z
i, EP. 4

= wi 4 ty rie Foe
Fi BS A We AO
pers ee ee ks

a a
4

/ ‘t

_——

33. In the following larger sketch place an “A” at the position the object was when you first saw it, and a “B” at its
position when you /ast saw it. Refer to smaller sketch as an example of how to complete the larger sketch.

_ a
“er nr °

a *. LY

PD eee)

-_

Page 7

34. What were the weather conditions at the time you saw the object?

34,1 CLOUDS (Circle One) 34.2 WIND (Circle One)
a. Clear sky a. No wind
b
catterec c. Strong wind

d. Thick or heavy clouds d. Don’t remember

e. Don’t remember

34.3 WEATHER (Circle One) 34.4 TEMPERATURE (Circle One)
«On a. Cold |
b. Fog, mist, or light rain b&K Cool) |
¢. Moderate or heavy rain c. Warm
d. Snow 2 d. Hot

e. Don't remember e. Don't remember

—_—_—_—_——— -———- —- _ —

35. When did you report to some official that you had seen the object?
SRE Se

Day Month Year

—_— -- ———— —-_——— - —— + ee. ee ee.

ee ee ee

36. Was anyone else with you at the time you saw the object?

(Circle One) No
36.1 IF you answered YES, did they see the object too?
(Circle One) No

36.2 Please list their names and addresses:

2/:7 EE, 27600 EB, evo, NEVADA.
ee a ee STEAD AFB, CENO, NEVHOA.

- —_ —

37. Was this the first time that you had seen an object or objects like this?

(Circle One) Ges) No

37.1 IF you answered NO, then when, where, and under what circumstances did you see other ones?

---

38. In your opinion what do you think the object was and what might have caused it?
SEN OW pr).

a

Fa

Page 8

39. Do you think you can estimate the speed of the object?

(Circle One) Cre No

IF you answered YES, then what speed would you estimate? __ £9090 ok”
40. Do you think you can estimate how far away from you the object was? 9DISTANCE VRRIEN Froy
~ es
(Circle One) Yes) —No ao
IF you answered YES, then how far away would you say it was? s feet.

ees eae

— _—_ _——_ —

41, Please give the following information about yourself:

ADDRESS 8TH Arn Reseve Squankow _ Srear, AFR Rene NEVADA

Street City Zone State

TELEPHONE NUMB_ ea

What is your present job? FRIGHT CommanbER A® Fu. Gul

—

Age __ 38 Sex __ MALE

Please indicate any special educational training that you have hod.

a. Grade school — ee. Technical school Pitot TrRainInG
b. High school : (Type) _-©
c. College D> VEARS f. Other special training

d. Post graduate __.___

42, Date you completed this questionnaire: {2 JUNE A9s3

Day Month Yeor

—— +> oo

Form B

-

——————

U. S$ AIR FORCE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET
(SUMMARY DATA)

In order that your information may be filed and coded as accurately as possible, please use
the following space to write out a short description of the event thot you observed. You may re-
peat information that you have already given in the questionnaire, and add any further comments,

_ Statements, or sketches that you believe are important. Try to present the details of the observa-

tion in the order in which they occurred. Additional pages of the same size paper may be attached
if they are needed.

we - ee errr ——_——

——

NAME (Do Not Write in This Space)

se

CODE:
SIGNATURE

pate __/2 Name /953 {= =e

ComfimusrA — ne
otyiate, Hheg Harnad etarhen. Bo 1 t, Ahe

7

: ’
page at Pe ant Bihan mt mt Uy aun, 0-4 Ke

il ll a

’ 7
/ ;
4 /

——_ — ——— - --

Sweetwater, Nevada U NCLASSIFI ED 12 April 1953

I. DESCRIPTION

At 1510 hours PST, ten round flat metallic colored objects changing forma-
tion traveled at an estimated high rate of speed on a heading of 110° at an
estimated altitude of 7,500 ft. No trail, sound, or exhaust were noted. Objects
passed under the right nacelle of the observers’ C-47 type aircraft, and vere
observed by the co-pilot. He took control of the C-47, and turned to the right
in a tight 300°turn for a better view of the objects. Objects were then picked
up unassisted by two more members of the crew. The objects were observed in a
right turn of greater radius than that of the C-47, and at a lower altitude.

The objects were observed for approximately 120° of their turn, and disappeared
on a heading of 300°. Observers were unable to estimate the speed of the objects
because of the distance and the objects' large radius of turn.

II. DISCUSSION

No aircraft were observed in the area and the pilot reported no radio
facilities at Sweetwater Airport. No report was made until landing at Stead
‘AFB, Nevada, Weather at the time of sighting was slightly hazy, visibility
30 miles.. Although the observers reported seeing no aircraft in the area, it
is believed that the objects were aircraft (probably trainers) because of the
‘color, maneuvers, and distance at which they were observed.

III. CONCLUST
' Possibly aircraft.

DOWNGRADED AT 3 YRAR INV)
CAR I} F 1” Py «
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 yu.
DOD DIR 6200.10 ~~

2
UNCLASSIFIED

a et

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Howano L, Brvts, President
COLUMBUS 190

EMERSON MeMILLIN ODSERVATORY

19 May 53

ist Lt. Robert Olsson
“Wright-Patterson AFR.

Dear Lt. Olsson;

This is a belated report on the last batch which I received at
the end of April.

Just as soon as our plans for employing iiss SR ot shetty
go through, I shall be able to send you a sheet with comnuents dn’ each individual
case, so that you will have my coments on each folder. The letter method x=
has obvious drawbacks. But until that time comes and she can handle my typing
and completion of forms, I had better stick to this letter method.

In this latest batch we have only l} really interesting cases. I
might mention a 5th, 26 March 53, Scott AFB, which is the lst report I've
seen of an honest to goodness mirage. 6 Cases have only one observer and I'}
following my usual rule of discounting those.

8 April was a meteor.
The Great Palla Apri) case was Venus if reported tine was in

28 March Albrook AFB was pr/obably Venus,

31 arch Fonshu, and 30 } farch Lyle, Wash., are puzzling but could
possibly have been balloons.

The-8-April Greenland case was an obvious meteor.

This brings us to the interesting cases:

25 March San Antonia could hardly have been a mirage and I'm surprised
there was no radar pickup. ‘Yas there any aircraft like helicopters that mint
explain this, Anything more come in on this one? Don't think this is food enough
for a pinch-bottle but it should be listed as Nocturnal meandering kight.

29 March Spooner, “iscs Duration times needs ch@cking here. Herd to
to believe that object could have done all that in 15 seconds. An Sedan ietiae case
and one of the regular questionsries should be sent to lr, Gilette.

Next is the 12 April Stead AFB, I think this is the nost intoresting
case of the batch, and I hope you receive more dope on it. Questionnaires should be
sent.I'd like to see Menzel ge this one! Is there any possibility thatthese could

error.

have been atrerady ? Appa — have been eliminated,
(is poe the mae nto > Equasseur AFB although NML, the data are gcon-
traguarsly Ga Laow nsuffici + Perhaps this was a helicopter? We ought to tocz have

much more information on this one. Has this been received?

| _-b
c/. Lite vl

é. LOL Ce eget

—

Atte hata
UNCLASSI« is. | i.

Aartia hs GS : ; 1h’ aps } Abt git Me Be Yb
wPGu2t ; oe ol oui ot padeall
YMAWS4 A
XYCA55 od a eda
XHAZS9
CXES65

JWENV 512

RR er Saat JWPHL JEDWH 555

Di JWPNV Aan aa
R 1525262 ZNJ Pw

Fi, COCONPWGSSZ4 STZAD AFB NE
TO JePH@/Ha USAF WASHINGTON 25 DC .

JEDWP/ATIC WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB lle Fa
JEDEW/ENT AFB COLO SPGS COLO

JWPHL/CONGEN WADC HAMILTON AFB CALIF

JEDMH/CGSAC OFFUTT. AFB NEBR UNCrASSie

/ ummm 1) 2272. FLYOSRPT . FOR DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENECE,
FOR ATTIAA -2C, OBJECTS OBESZRVED WERE ROUND AND FLAT « SIZE OF A FLYING
T-6, WETALLIC IN COLCR , TEN IN NUMBERGN IN LOOSE, CHANGING FORMATION

NO TRAIL OR EXHAUST .UNABLE TO ESTIMATE EXTREWELY-HIGH-SPEZD.OF OBJECTS
BECAUSE OF DISTANCE AND OBJECTS LARGE RADIUS OF TURN. NO SOUND, C-47
TURNED TO RIGHT IN TIGHT 309 DEGREE TURN TO BETTER OBSERVE OBJECTS THAT
PASSED UNDER RIGHT NACELLE HEADED APPROXIWATZLY 146 DEGREES. OBJECTS
AGAIN PICKED UP WERE IN A RIGHT TURN O§ CONSIDERABLY GREATER RADIUS
THAW THAT OF C-47 AND OBSERVED FOR APPROXIMATELY 122 DEGREES OF TURN
YNTIL DISAPPEARED AT APPROXIWATELY 380 DEGREES. TIME LAPSE FROM INITIAL

DOWNGRADED A# 3

AT 3 YZAR INTE

DECLASSIFIED AF NTERVAiS;
DOD Dik i 12 YEARS,

-_

; PAGE TWO JWPNWV Lun

OBSERVATION TO DISAPPEARANCE APPROXIMATLLY TWO MINUTES. CEJECTS WERE
OBSERVED AT 1512 PACIFIC TINz , 12 APRIL 1953.

OBSERVATION S WERE VISUAL FROM C-47, NO 433, AT 12,500 FENT MSL, FLYING
149-MPH, DIRECTLY OVER SWEETWATER AIRPORT, COORDINATES 38 ECNe419 121

ON 30g DLGREL HEADING. OBJECTS WERE HEADED 449 DEGREES, WHEN FIRST
OBSERVED IN FLASH BENEATH C-47 OZJLCTS WERE HIGHER THAN AFT&R 362

DEGREE TURN OF Ce47, COUPOSITS ALTITUDE ESTIMATE WaS 7547 FEET MSL DUT
MAJ PADELFORD ESTIMATES ONLY 1522 FEET ABOVE TERRAIN. CESERVERS WERE

MAJ FRED Ge PADELFORD, 2D LT FRANK Ey WHITH, AND 2D LT JON CRIP OF 81HD
AIR RESCUZ SQUADRON, STEAD AFB « WITNESSES ARE ESTIWATED TO BE USUALLY
RELIABLE AND UNINT.RPRETED OBSERVATION 1S ESTIMATED AS PROBALY TRUE.

tiAJ PADELFORD IS FLIGHT CO OF "A" FLIGHT, STH ARS WITH THIRTEEN YEARS
SERVICi. HE TOOK OVER CONTROL WHEN OBJECTS FLASHED BENLATH C-47 AND
INITIATED 36% DECREE RIGHT TURN. HE FELT THAT SPEED OF OBJECTS WAS

TOO FAST FOR DUCKS. OTHER CREY MEMBERS LOCATED OBJECTS UNASSISTED ="
REPEAT UNSSISTED AFTER RIGHT TURN. NO FUTHER QUESTION IN OBSERVERS'

MINDS OF DUCKS. WINDS ALOFT UNKOWN, WIND IN GENERAL FROM WswW AT TWENTY
KNOTS. TURBULEWECE MILD. WEATHER CLEAR WITH A FEW HIGH SCATTERAD CLOUDS.
VISIBILITY MORE THAN THIRTY MILES WITH EXTREMELY THIN HAZE THe OWLY
RESTRICTION, NO EARLIER RADIO OR TWX REPORT. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AVAILABLE. NO REPORT FOLLOWS

Do} .
14/0552. APR JUPINV DECLARG Ato. 2 SEAR INTERY
DOD Dir 00.4; shir

as oe JOINT MESSAGEFORM ‘ "="

SPACE ABOVE FOR COMMUNICATIONS CENTER ONLY —~ petites )
FROM: (Originator) DATE-TIME GROUP = er

1520152 APR 55

| 10N
CO ATIC PRET OR: ing ROVITNB

TO: “ Je i ae wi ww wt hae ot oo toed Th ey
.

[_] 800k messace

C) MULTIPLE ADDRESS

—_

IDENTIFICATION
Pas)
INFO:

PROMS «AP OLRATTAB al 1005

Teurneg ID $277 rewarding visual sighting of ten (10) unidentis aerial objocts by
three (3) éir Force pilote on 12 Apr 53 ab 1510 P37 in the vicinity of Sweetwater,
Naveda, Project Dlue Look requests you sulmit an Air forve form 112 as preseribed

TAz=5

nm
~

EY | in Ale loree Lebter 200-5, mith special attention to the following itemas 1) “cre
there any alrerafs in the area at the time of the sishting? 2) Did the winds aloft
coincide witn the nevenent of the odjects? 5) Vere there any unusual conditions or
phenomena which could have caused such a sighting? 4) Did the sources check with
the cweetwater Airport for any ovideme of phenomena in the air?

ra raply cite Project Hlue Look.

DOWNGRADED ;
DECLASSIFIED APYE AT INTERVATS;

DOD Dik 5200.10 YEARS.

CONDI Marlous
nee ot & mee
‘DRAFTERS NAME (and signature, wien required) | nec Avives OFFICERS SiGh . : iced
Df/lLS Ae GILAeBN/ jos 6.263 ROWRE Cy DTI, Majors, USAP
pe ee : : Air Adjutans Coneral |
ae! ee. as ia ‘OFCML TIME ©

D D aa a | 4 3 REPLACES NME FORM 173, | MAY & ‘ N 1 f SSI , Saete-3 YE ov. &. Govceneint peintins onvice

WHICH MAY BE USED,

‘  ciempempemnemernpenrneseecene mentite iit tt i cecil ert cinklnilae a

| ‘away
ees 3904-1-53 UNCLASSIFIED
PLYOSRPT
33/F1M6119/120 3904th Comp Wg, Stead AFB
. | : » Reno, Nevada
21 April 1953 12 April 1953 Bad
Capt. John V. Ruppersburg Flt "A", Sth ARS, 3904th Comp Wg

TWX 3904th CW ID 2272 dtd 13 Apr 53

1. Report of approximately ten (10) unidentified Aerial objects
observed by C-47 crew on 12 April 1953 over Sweetwater, Nevada.

2. Signifieance of sighting cannot be determined. Qualifications
of principal observer are significant.

JOHN V. RUPPERSBURG
Captain, USAF
Deputy Director of Intelligence

1 ae

AY Form 112—-Part II

DOWNGRADED AT 8 YEAR INTERY
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS
DOD DIR 5200.10

}.
D/T, Hq USAF, Washington D.C. 1 Copy

Chief, ATIC, ATTN: ATIAA, Wright~Patterson APS, Ohio (Info nial
Fils, 1 copy

ONCASSIFIEn

—_--

o -——

——

UNCLASSIFIED —

3904th Comp Ng, Stead AFB 390ha1=53 )

1. Crew of C47 Aircraft #3133 on DVFR flight from long Beach, California
to Stead AF3, Reno, Nevada 12 April 1953 flying at 10,500 feet heading 300
devrees at 140 miles per hour, visually observed approximately ten (1°) um.
identified objects directly over Sweetvater Airvort (39$1N-119/12W) heading
approximately 110 degrees at about 7500 feet MSL (composite sstimata). Time
ot siting 1510 Pacific Time, Observers wore Major Fred G. Padelford, 2nd Lt

“rank BE. White, and 2nd Lt John Gripe, all assigned to Sth Air Rescue Squadron,
Stead Air Force Base, eno, Nevada.

2. Cojects passed under right nacelle of C-47 * Std. were observed by
Major Padelford. Ha took over control of C-47 and turned to right in tizht
300 degrees turn to enable better observation of objects. Cdjects were then
nicked up unassisted by two other observers. Objects were observed to be
making a rizht turn of considerably greater radius than that of the ©-47 and
were Lower than when first observed. Cbhjacts were observed for aprroximately

20 degrees of their turn and disappeared on heading ancroxinately 300 degrses.

3. Cbjects were round and flat, estimated size of a flying T-6 aircraft,
metallic in color and in a loose, changing formation. Wo trail or exhaust
was observea; no sound was heard. Observers wers wmeadle to estimates extremely
high speed of objects because of distance and objects large racius of turn.

4. Wo airoeraft were observed in the area and pilot reports no radio

facilities at Sweetwater Airport. lo revort was made until landing at Stead
APS, Reno, Nevada.

5. Weather in the area was slightly hazy with scattered clouds and

visibility 30 miles, Winds at 10,500 feet were WSW at 20 Imots—turbdulence
nild.

COMENTSs

1. Major Padelford is Flight CO of "A" Flight, Sth ARS and has 13
years’ service. —

2. It is the opinion of the crew that there were no unusual atmospheric
conditions which could have caused such a sighting.

ROBERT Z. WORK
Lt Col, USAF
Director of Intelligence

Te aol

A Sa i

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
(: OHIO

pul 5 June 1953

Major F. G. Padelford
8th Air Rescue Squadron
Stead Air Force Base
Reno, Nevada

Dear Sir:

Your recent report of unidentified aerial phenomena has been
received by the Air Technical Intelligence Center. Inclosed is a
questionnaire, which, when completed by you and returned in the
inclosed, self-addressed envelope, will aid in standardizing the
data and will provide a complete record of the occurrence,

Your interest in reporting the matter and your public spirited
desire to be of service are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

lesritacal T Karrasllt—

2 Incls BARBARA P. HANAWALT
1. Questionnaire lst Lt, USAF
2. Envelope Assistant Adjutant
(5 June 53) ST 1D,

HEADQUARTERS, EIGHTH AIR RESCUE SQUADRON, Stead Air Force Base, Reno, Nev

TO: COMMANDER, AIR TECHNICAL INTYLLIGENCD CENTER, Wright-Patterson,
Air Force Base, Ohto

Basic complied with,
FOR THE COMMANDER:

FRED G. PADFLFO
| Major., USAF

— eer ee