PROJECT BLUE BOOK

PROJECT 10C73 RECORC
DATE · TIME GROUP 2. LOCATION
30 August 66 31/00302 Alley Springs, Missouri Wiple
3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION
Cimilian
Balloon
4. NUIMBER OF OBJECTS
One
S. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 11. ANALYSIS
90 minutes
Observers noted round object about the size of a marble.
6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION The color was silver that later changed to orange.
Ground Visual Object was visible for l hours before disappearing to-
ward the west. The object was seen by many pe and some
7, COURSE said that it looked like a balloon.
West
A balloon was launched by Litton Systems Incorp. of
8. PHOTOS Minneapolis, Minnesota on 24 August 66. The balloon
dropped its package however, it did not function properly
Yes and the ballonn went toward the south for the next 10
X No days. This balloon was over the southern Mbssouri area
9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE on the 30 August 66.
Yes Balloon was confi ansas.
No
FORM
ETD SERA3 0.329 (TDE)
35 5
";
,ai A -
T

TATOGSH ISLAND
CARIBOL
SPOKANE
HAVRE
YAKIMA GREAT FALLS -GLASGOW WILLISTON INTERNATIONAL FALLS
SALEM MISSOULA SAULTE STE. MARIE
ISTON HELENA DULUTH
PENDLETON BISMARCK DULUTH
DEUGENE FARGO
BILLINGS ST. CLOUD
073c EDT. SYRACUSE BOSTON
BURNS 3tX ALBANY HARTEORD
1 SHERIDAN GREEN BAY BUFFALO
MEDFORD BOLSE
RAPID CITY HURON LA CROSSE MUSKEGON BINGHAMTON
MADISON FLINT WILLIAMSPORT NEW YORK
POCATELLO LANDER
INNEMUCCA CASPER MILWAUKEE HARRISBURG
HED BLUFF SIOUX CITY TOLEDO AKRON PHILADELPHLA
ELKO FORT WAYNE PITTSBURGH
CHEYENNE DES MOINES DAYTON
RENO NORTH PLATTE MOLINE (SULPHUR GROVE) COLUMBUS
SACHAMENTO cIT OMARA OMARA ab ab
ELY PEORIA INDIANAPOLIS
22 CHARLESTON QUANTI
GAKLANE CINCINNATI CINCINNATI QUAN
BUHOP BLUHOP 28 COLUMBIA SPRINGFIELD RICH
MILFORD GRAND JUNC TION GRAND JUNCTION DENVER GOODLAND NORFOLA NORFOLA
MERCED TOPERA TOPEKA 24 24 EVANSVILLE LOUISVILLE LOUISVILLE ROANOKE
FRESNO ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS/
PUEBLO HATTERAS
DODGE CITY RALEIGH
WICHITA SPRINGFIEL SPRINGFIEL
ALAMOSA NASHVILLE KNOXVILLE POPE AFB
SANTA MARIA SANTA MARIA BRAGGI
SANDBERG RATON TULSA CHATTANOOGA
BURBANK CAMP CHAFFEE CAMP CHAFFEE GREENVILLE
SANTA MONTCA SANTA WINSLOW AMARILLO OKLAHOMA CITY FORT SMITH MEMPHIS
MONTCA PRESCOTT PRESCOTT ALBUQUERQUE ATHENS CHARLESTON
SAN DIEGO LITTLE ROCK BIRMINGHAM
YUMA PHOENTX
ROSWELL MONTGOMERY
ABILENE JACKSON
TUCSON
RTH SHREVEPORT EGLIN AFB
EL PASO MIDLAND (VALPARAISO) TALLAMASSEE
ACO MOBILE
JAN.1,1957
LEGEND PENSACOLA
4 LAKE CHARLES ORLEANS
WEATHER BUREAU PILOT BALLOON
WEATHER BUREAU PILOT BALLOON AND BURRWOOD
SAN ANTONTO OR
RAWIN LAUGHLIN AFB GALVESTON CAPE CANAVERAL
AIR FORCE PILOT BALLOON (DEL RIO)
AIR FORCE RAWIN AFB AIR FORCE BASE CORPUS CHRIST
NAVY PILOT BALLOON LAREDO
KAVY RAWIN WB-ARMY COOP' RAWIR
BROWNSVILLE KEY WEST

From: TELEPHONE NO.
ROUTING SYMBOL
MEMPHIS ARTC CENTER
FAA Form 2641-1 (7-65)USE PREVIOUS EDITION
(1360)
2 Cote 7 4 12. c Ve
11 4 $z, : 44. 51
* . 7 (2. 7.
1o a 411 A We ,- t ;2 1. F
! a I - w 3.
GA7 W
t 2 it Sits
7 2 i i7 17
2
'N 7 \s$ 1,
137 i (p U . ,
,on - :5 2 . 2 kt
363 9 142 4 A to 1
& n 4 2 3 sd 1s
72 745 A 6 un 2
2 2 20 12 WiT ...
CL i 41 1
J
1

9/2.66
NAME()O TACTED IM ERENCR AND LOCATION ROUTING
Hr. Little, IM-3 BVMBAL INITIAL
H
.
Balloon
OIGESY
Mr. Little called concerniog the balloon and we discussed it briefly. .jle srated that
Mr. Floner hed been designated by Dave Thomas:to be the cne to'keep an eye con the
situation and take whatever action was eppropriate. Mr. Little asked that Mexphis
Center work closely with Fort Worth and Housten to Supply Mr. Flener and Control
Central with current information. Mr. Fleneriwould like to know innediateiy when
any of the following conditions cocur:
l. If the ballcon descends at arty time below u5, ooo feet.
The Watch Supervisor should determine fron Fo h.ar. regka cci.
the location of the ballocn, ineluding heigbt. The Watch Supervisor shculd check
for current information as to location cnce eech hour so that thio infcrmation will
be avallabie fcr Mr. flener. if asked for.
Mr. Litile stated that FAA will trust Gcl for locaticn and painting of t the balloon
tonight igstead of aircraft naintaining  watch.
Watch Supervisora are requested to notify Kr: Plener immadiately concerning Items
l. 2, ed 3 above, or any other Informaticn cdnsidered significant. Also
signifiant infornaticn shbuld be forwarded td Mr. Wvatt·Lewks for the Aree Office.
CONCLUSION.ACTIOM TAKEN, CR REQUIRED CONCLUSION.ACTIOM TAKEN .CR REQUIRED
DATE TITLE SIGNATUME
9/2/68 William V.Parker
Chiof, M phis Center
19480.01

n
T UNCLASSIFIED 3/01
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH
INCOMING MESSAGE Pg l of 6
AF IN: 10707 (8 Sept 66) T/ms
ACTION: RDC-4 3/0
INFO: XOP-1,XOPX-2(SAFOS-3,NIN-7,DIA-1(19)ADV CY DIA 25 10632-UUUU-UED HQA 00302
SMB B11RFTU RUEdWXA02 13
DE RUW GHU 1317 725 10201
ZNR UUUUU
R 08013CQZ SEP 66 R 08013QZ SEP 66
FM 97BW BLYT IEV ILLE AFB ARK FM 97BW BLYTHEV ILLE AFB ARK
TO RUNM FUA/ADC ENT A FB COLO TO RUVM FUA/ADC ENT A FB COLO
RUW GK G/2 9AD RICHARD S GE BAUR RUV GK G/2 9AD RICHARD S GE BAUR R AFE MO A FE MO
RUEDFIF/FTD W PA FB OH1O RUEDFIF/FTD WPAFB OHIO
Rued HQa/afNiN Wa Sh D C
RJED HQA/SAFIO WASH D C
INJ RUWGAA/2AF BAR
BT
OHIO FOR TDETR,
SUBJ: UFO REPORT. REFERENCE PARA 14, AFR 200-2. PARA HACALPHA):
LARGE BALL (1) SHAPE WAS ROUNC. (2) SIZE APPROX IMATELY THAT OF A
MARELE. (3) CQL OR WAS SILVER CHANGING TO CRANGE. (4) NUMBER WAS MARBLE. (3) CQLOR WAS SILVER CHANGING TO CRANGE. (4) NUMBER WAS
ONE (5) N/A. (6) OBECT WAS OGSERVED BEFORE MOON CAME UP. THE
APPROX IMATEL Y AT IT S SEVEN EIGHT SEVEN EIGHT TS PHASE S ONTHE DATE OF DATE OF BAIN
MOON WAS
AFHQ JAN 6S FORM 0-309C UNCLASSIFIED
S
1

UNCLASSIFIED
i
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH
INCOMING MESSAGE
AF IN:10707 (8 Sept 66) Pg 2 of 6
OBSERVATION. (7) NO TAIL, TRAIL OR EXHAUST. (8)NO SOUND.(9)NO
OTHER PERT INENT OR UNUSUAL FEAT URES.
PARA 14B(BRAV O): (D OBSERVERS IT ION WAS ATTRACTED BE CA USE
Tate - noome henromane PAGE 2 RUNGHU 1317 UNQAS
OTHER PEOPLE INTHE AREA WERE LOOKING AT THE OBJECT. (2) OBJECT OT HER PEOPLE INTHE AREA WERE LOOKING AT TIE OBJECT. (2) OBJECT
FIRST OBSERVED AT AN ANGLE OF APPROX IMATELY 25 DEGREES ABOVE THE
HOR IZ ON TO THE SOUT HEA ST OF OBSERVERS POSIT ION. (3) OEJECT HOR IZ ON TO THE SOUT HEA ST OF OBSERVERS POSIT ION. (3) OEJECT
DISAPPEARED AT APPROX INATELY THE SANE ANGLE. (4) OBJECT MOVED FROM DISAPPEARED SAME ANGLE. (4) OBJECT MOVED FRON .k
EAST TO WEST. ( AND ONE-HALF
HOURS.
VISUAL. (2) NO OPT ICAL A ID S.
(3) NA. B
PARA 14D (DELTA): (1D APPROX IMATELY 31003 OZ AUG 66, ABOUT 30
PARA 14ECECHO): CBSERVER SS SIGHT ING WAS MADE AT TE POST OFFICE IN 7
ALLEY SPRING MISSOUR I, LOCATED ON HIGHTWAY 106.
PARA 14F(FOXTRC GE
CALLEGE ST IDENT AT SPRINGFIEL COLLEGE, MO. COM ETELY
REL IABLE. M RELIABLE. T HIS BROT HER
HIs MOT HER HIS M IEVED TO BE AN AN EMPL OYEE OF THE
AFHO JAN GS FORM 0-309C UNCLASSIFIED
70

UNCLASSIFIED
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH
INCOMING MESSAGE
AF IN: 10707 (8 Sept 66) Pg 3 of 6
U.S. POST CFFICE IN ALLEY SPRING, ADDRE SS UNKNONN, AL SO SAW THE
CBJECT AT THE SAME TIME AS D ID MANY OT IERS.
PARA 14G(GQL F) : ( 1) OBSERVER DE SOR IBED THE WEAT HER COND IT IONS AS
QLEAR WITH UNL IM ITED VISIBIL ITY. (2) BL atan "irn oitm neo vroioien es oe in ILLE A FB WEAT HER ST AT ION
PAGE 3 RUW GHU 1317 UNQLAS PAGE 3 RUWGHU 1317 UNQLAS
REPORTS THE WIN D IRECT ION AND VELCCIT Y IN DEGREES AN KNOT S AS REPORTS THE WIND D IRECT ION AND VELCCITY IN DEGREES AND KNOT S AS
150/05 AT THE SUR FACE, 120/10 AT 6000FT, 120/10 AT 10,000 FT,
120/15 AT 16000 FT, VAR 1ABLE/05 AT 20,000 FT , 350,20 AT 30,000 FT, FT.350.20 0,000 FT,
330/25 AT 50,000 FT AN NOT AVAILADLE AT 80,000 FT. (3) NONE. NONE
(4) 10. (5) SCATTERED AT 6O00 FT. (6) NONE. (7) NORMAL LAPSE RATE
TEN'PERATURE DEV IAT ION PL US 15 DEGREE S.
PARA 14HCHOTEL): NONE
PARA 1 14I(INDIA):UNKNOWN 10 1
PARA 14J(JULIET): TWO B-52 AIRQRAFT FROM THE 9TTH BN WERE A IRBORNE
AT tinE of tiE Sight ing; However, An Exam inat ION oF thE fL ighT rouTE
AND TIMES OF EACHAIRCRAFT IND ICATES THAT ONLY ONE WAS IN THE VACINITY
OF ALLEY SPR ING AT THE T INE FOR SIGHT ING. THE AIR ORAFT IS IDENT IFIED
AS ETTA 22, PILOTED BY CAPT IAIN WARREN J. HERRIG, 34 OTH BO'B SQUADRON. AS ETTA 22, PILOTED BY CAPT IA IN WARREN J. HERR IG, 34 OT H BOMB SQUADRON.
CAPTAING HERR IG ADVISED THAT AT APPROX IMATELY 30175 QZ AUG, WHILE HIS CAPTAING
A IR ORAFT A IR ORAFT WAS BETWEEN SPR INGFIELD, MO AN EVANSV ILLE, IND, HE RE CE IVED WAS BETWEEN SPR INGFIELD, MO AN EVANSV ILLE, IN, HE RE CE IVED
.
AFHQ JAN GS FORM 0-309C UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH
INCOMING MESSAGE
AF IN: 10707 (8 Sept 66) Pg 4 of 6
AN ADVISCRY TO BE ON THE LOOK FOR A WEAT HER BALLOON BUT AT NO T INE HE
THE KANSAS CIT Y CENTER TO BE ON THE LOOK THE KANSAS CIT Y CENTER TO BE ON BALL OON WHICH BALL OON WHICH
PAGE 4 RUWGHU 1317 UNQAS 1
HAD BEEN RELEA SE AT ST. LOUIS. CAPT HAD BEEN RELEA SE AT ST. LOUIS. CAPT HERR IG ADV ISE S T HAT IE SAW THE HERR IG ADV ISE S T HAT HE SAW THE
BALL cOn at t HIs t iME. BALL CON AT THIS T IME.
AN EXANINAT ION OF CAPT T HERRIGS FLIGHT ROUTE IND ICATES THAT HIS A IR-
37,000 FT AT 310042Z, AND WAS A SOUT H POPUL AR
BLUFF, MO AT 3 10055Z AUG.
AT 011430Z SEP, MAJOR JOHN C. G FREY, 97BW COMMAND POST ADVISED THAT
HE HAD RECE IVED AND ADVISORY FROM MEMPHIS CENTER THAT A WEATHER BALLOON
WAS INTHE AREA. MAJ GO FRY FURT HER ADV ISES THAT AT O100OZ SEP HE
OBSERVED A WEAT IER BALLOON FRON A POSIT ION APPR OX IMATEL Y HAL F WAY OBSERVED A WEAT IER BALLOON FRON A POSIT ION APPR OX IMATEL Y HAL F WAY
BETWEEN MEMPHIS, TENN AN. EL YT HEV ILLE AFB, ARK. MAJOR GO FRY EST I-
MATED THE ALT IT LDE MATED ALT IT UDE OF THE OF THE BALLOON AS 45 000 FT AND FURTHER ADVISES BALLOON AS 45000 FT AND FURTHER ADVISE S
AFHQ JAN GS FORM 0-309C UNCLASSIFIED

1
UNCLASSIFIED
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH
INCOMING MESSAGE
AF IN: 10707 (8 Sept 66) Pg 5 of 6 2
THAT THE BALL OON HAS BEEN REPORTED IN T HE AREA APPR OX IMATEL Y 1O DAYS,
DIAMETER IS APPROX IMATELY 5OO FT AND THE KBOA RAD IO STAT ION IN E
KENNETT, MO, HAD REPORTED A WEAT HER BALLON IN THE AREA. KENNETT, MO, HAD REPORTED A WEAT HER BALLOON IN THE AREA.
PARA 14K(K ILO) : CHIEF, INTELLIGE NCE PARA 14K(K ILO): CHIEF, INTELLIGE N D IV SION, 97TH BOMBARDMENT WING ardment WINg
BLYT HEV ILLE AFB, AR KANSAS. BLYT HEV ILLE A FB, AR KA NSA S.
PAGE 5 RUGHU 1317 UNQLAS
THE MOST LOGICAL EXPLA NAT ION OF TIE CAUSE OF T HIS SIGHT ING IS THAT THE MOST LOGICAL EXRLA NAT ION OF TIE CAUSE OF THIS SIGHT ING IS THAT
THE OBSERVER SAW THE LAR GE WEAT HER BALL OON W HICH REPORTEDL Y HAS BEEN $1
DRIFING INTHE AREA FOR APPROX IMATELY 1O DAYS. SEVERAL OFFICERS
HAVE REPORTED SEEING THE BALLOON. THE B-52 WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN UNDER
OBSERVAT ION FOR THE LENGT H OF T IME REPORTED BY TIE OBSERVER AND
UND OUBTABLY WAS TOO FAR AWAY AN TOO HIGH TO BE OBSERVED , PART ICULARLY
IN VIEW OF THE LATE AFTER NOON T IME OF OBSERVAT ION. IT WILL BE NOTED
THAT THE OBSERVER REPORTED THAT THE OBJECT WAS FIR ST OBSERVED AT
APPR CX IMATELY 3O MINUTES BE FORE SUNSET AND WAS IN V IEW FOR
APPROX IMAT EL Y ONE AND ONE-HAL F HOURS BUT DISAPPEARED WHEN THE SUN
WENT DOYN. THIS APPARENT DISOREPA NCY MIGHT BE ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE WENT DO'N. THIS APPARENT DISOREPA NCY MIGHT BE ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE
FACT THAT EMINENCE, MO, IS ON DAYL IGHT SAVING T IME OR BY POSSIBLE
ERRORS INTHE ERRORS I OB SERVER S OBSERVERS E ST IMATE OF THE IMATE OF THE TIME OF DAY, BUT THE
1
AFHO JAN SS FORM 0-309C UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
T STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH
INCOMING MESSAGE
Pg6 of 6
AF N: 10707 (8 Sept 66)
DISOREPANCY IS NOT CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT . FURTHER, AN EXAM INAT ION
OF THE SAT ELL ITE
OF NISSOUR I AT ROLLA AND PUBL ISHED BY THE MEMPHIS, TENN, CONERCIAL
A IEVED THE WEATHER WEAT HER
BASIS OF AVA IL BEL INFORMAT ION, IT
PAGE 6 RU GHU 1317 UNCLAS
BALL OON WAS THE OBE CT SIGHTED. THE USAF OPERAT IONAL SUMAR Y OF
2 SEP 66 CONFIRMS A FREE AREA.
PARA L( LUNA): NONE.
BT
NNNN
AFHO JAN ESS FORM 0-309C UNCLASSIFIED

9 Sept. 66
Contact with Dr. Morris of NCAR (303-443-1960 ex. 502). Dr. Morris
said that he knew a little about the balloon launched from Minn.
It was launched by Linton Systems Incorp. (6l2-633-7ll0). He
said that other groups launched balloons.
Winzen Resear Incorp. Mr. Dan Williams 1-5871)
Raven Industries Mr. Keauser (605-336-2
Wad a balloon launched from Palistine, Texas on 5 Sept. 66 which
went westward. Over Lubbock, Texas, Tucumcari, New Mexico, Gallop, went westward. Over Lubbock, Texas, ucumcari, New Mexico, Gallop,
New Mexico, to Prescott, Arizona. Dr. Morris didn't know where the Dr. Morris didn't know where the
balloon was at the time of the conversation. This was 9 Sept, 66 and
the balloon was still loese. the balloon was still loese.
Dr. Morris also said that it was quite possible for a balloon to Dr. Morris also said that it was quite possible for a balloon to
reach the US after having gone around the world. There have been
balloons launched from New Zealon by NCAR that have gone around the
Southern Hempesphere in 10 days,
Contact with Mr. Richard Olson of Litton Incorp. about their
Balloon which was launched on 24 August 6 Their balloon was up
from 24 Aug. to 4 Sept Balloon was launched and stayed in
the area for several hours. Balloon went up to 137,000 feet.
Balloon traveled slowly westaard and dropped its package about
. 7-8 hours about 40 ) miles west of Launch area. Balloon traveled
slowly toward south and was reported over Shenandoah, Iowa on
the 26 August 6e ug.66 Hastings Neb. 28 Aug.66 Russell,
Kanas, 29 Aug.66 Kansas City, Mo. Balloon has a red pennant
which has been report as a big red tail. Balloon came down
in SE Texas.
Contact with Balloon Control Center, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
about balloons launched from Holloman. Balloon was launched
on  Sept66 at 2245 MST and came down 1155 8 Sept, 66 near
Doglan, Arizona.

8 Sept. 66
Contact was made with the PIO Scott AFB, Ill. concerning the
release of a balloon from the St. Louis area. The PIO stated
that he knew of no balloons being released from the area. He
had heard of two balloons; one in Wisconsin and the other in Tsiaruore
Texas that had" gotten away". Texas that had"gotten awa He said one of the balloons was He said one of the balloons was
being tracked by NORAD and was now near Winslow, Arizona. being tracked by NORAD ar now near Winslow, Arizona.
Conversation with Radio Station KBOA Kennett, Mo. Informed that
a balloon(weather) had been launched near Minneapolis, Minn. on
24 August 66. The balloon traveled southward being over the 24 August 66. The balloon traveled southward being over the
Mo.,Ark., Tean. area on 30-3l August 66. Mo.,Ark., Tenn. area on 30-3l August 66. The balloon left this The balloon left this
area and was heading SE toward Alabama. Balloon went down in area and was heading SE toward Alabama in
Texas. The balloon dropped its package however it did not
deflate proparly. (314-88-84616)
9 Sept. 66
Contact with the FAA at Memphis Airport, Memphis, Tenn. (9Ol-
Balloon was west of Memphis, Tenn on about the 30 o August 66.
Balloon went cver Wynne, Ark., Clarksdale, Miss. and was heading
SW. Contact should be made with FAA(90l- 363-l202) for more data.
An aircraft near Dyersburg, Tenn saw the balloon and identified it.
Contact with FAA Memphis, Tenn, chief controler (363-1202). Mr. Starns.
Mr. Starns said that they picked up the balloon on 30 Aug. 66 at
O4OOZ. The balloon at this time was I reported to be at lO miles NW
of Sedalia, Mo. and was moving ESE at about 5-l0 miles per hour.
The altitude was about-59,ooo-but-net not known but believed to be The altitude was ebeut-5g,ooo-but-net not known but believed to be
about 59,Ooo feet. Mr. Starnes said he would send us their report about 59,000 feet. Mr. .Starnes said he would send us their report
on the balloon flight path.
.