PROJECT BLUE BOOK

^
PROJECT 10073 RECORD
1. DATE · TIME GROUP 2 LOCATION
15 August 66 16/03002 Fort Smith, Arkansas
3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION
Civilian 1: Possi ble (AIRCRAFT)
4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 2. Astro (STAR/PLANET)
ANTARES was at 2l2 degree azimuth and 15 deg elevation, at 2l00L
Varied Varied ARCTURUS was at 270 degree azimuth and 28 ceg elevation at 2l00L ARCTURUS was at 270 degree azimuth and 28 deg elevation at 2l00L
5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION LENGTH OF VATION 11. 11, BRIEF BRIEF SUMMARY SUMM AND ANALYSIS ANALYSIS
Varied Observers reported Observers reported ious lights in the sky (red, green, and
6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION TYPE OF OBSERVATION white in color), white in color), casionally blinking, and twinkling. Some
of the lights were traveling in a southerly direction. Local
Ground-Visual (BX) Ground-Visual (BX) FAA tower reported objects resembled aircraft. No radar paints
7. 7. COURSE of any unusual objects were reported by the FAA. of any unusual objects were reported by the FAA. One witness One wi tness
reported that he observed two planes refueling overhead. reported that he observed two planes refueling overhead. Local
Varied ied tower operator said that he believed the people were looking
8. PHOTOS at high-intensity serooe lights from aircraft passing overheag.
A weather officer stated that the alleged Ufo looked like one
n Yes of the aircraft that has been seeding the clouds around the
No area.
9. PHYSICAL IDENCE The 7Oth BW, Clinton Sherman AFB, Okla., was refueling on the
07 Yes refueling track "Ten Ki1ler" between 0243-0343, 16 Aug 66. No.1
No See Also: Tape.7-3745-351
FORM -351 4
FTD SEP 63 0-329 (TDE) Previous •ditions of this form mey be ueed. i: -358 tapes
- 359
h

Sky Gazers See Something Saucers
Fort Smith squinted skyward he drove around the city. no fire, no smoke and no noise. (Continued from page 1-A)
Monday night, searching for Fort Smith police contacted He said other witnesses told Like a star. . .only one
something - flying gsaucers - Little Rock Air Force Base him that when the lights disap- light is green and the other
unusual phenomena— unidenti- about the sightings. The .base peared, they seemed to "just bright red."
fied flying objects? reported that it knew of no air- blink off, not gradually fade Car four, is that one straight
Many saw something, they'll craft in the area. away." ahead of you?"
attest. "Apparently they saw some- Gilbreth did not see the lights "Ten-Four."
But just what was a mystery thing over there last night, but go out because he was talking Crowds gathered on street
today. we don't know what it is," a by telephone at the time with corners. Citizens clad in slip-
A deluge of reports of un- base spokesman said. Air Force personnel at the Lit- pers or barefoot scanned the
identified objects sightings were Capt. James Ector, informa- tle Rock base. skies with their searching eyes.
received between 9 p.m. and 10 tion officer at the base, said The following conversation Monte Lumpkin of Alma, who
p.m. by the airport, law enforce- -that from Jan. 1, 1947, to Dec. was monitored over the police was traveling down Rogers
ment officials and radio 31 of last year, 10,047 sightings radio: Avenue, said he saw two
stations. of unidentified flying objects "Car eight to car four - did white objects "traveling low
The more the stations broad- were reported and all but 646 you see that UFO?" over the city.
cast the reports, the more who were explained to the Air "Ten-four (transmission sig- Youths with binoculars or
scanned the skies. Force's satisfaction. nal that means yes or okay)." telescopes had a field day.
Ed Stacy, chief of the Feder- Gilbreth said the lights he What did it look like?" There were in
al Aviation Agency tower at the saw made no sharp maneuvers, (Turn to page 5-A) discrepancies
Municipal Airport, said person- One man said
nel observed nothing they could that it white lights
not identify. traveling together. Another comn-
He said there was nothing not mented that he saw only one
visible on a clear night. light - "and it was red."
Stacy suggested there wer e Yet, there are many possible
aircraft away up there, th e ir "and logical" - explanations
lights on, their jet engine noise or the phenomen, accord-
not penetrating the thousands of ing to Jerry Bain, controller at
feet between sky and earth. the FAA tower.
-Reports of this nature occur Yes, I saw something up
from time-to-time, but t h er e fhere," Bain said. "But I be-
seemed more excitement I a s t lieve it was high - intensity
night than usual," Stacy said. strobe lights from a high-alti-
Reports of sightings began ude jet passing overhead.
patrolmen, told of sightings. radar in the Fort Smith area,
Sgt. J. W. Gilbreth Jr., 38, had been notified.
a six-year veteran oi the Fort "They say they have not seen
Smith Police Department, sight- anything on the scanner that
ed the objects with his eyes and cannot be accounted for," Bain
with the use of binoculars. said.
This is how he described (An ex-serviceman said that he
them: believed that "the lights came
Four red lights, from two planes refueling over-
stationary head."
but seeming to rotate like a po- "I was watching it through
lice patrol car warning beacon, highpowered binoculars," he
were spread out in the sky like said. "I could see the tanker.
points on the corners of a The white lights were on the
square. tanker and the red lights were
One set of red and green on the jet. By listening closely
lights appeared, then a white I could hear the engines' roar."
blinking light, then a steady blinking light, then a steady The lights could also have The lights could also have
white beam of light, all moving come from a satellite passing come from a satellite passing
separately, in straight lines, above, Bain said.
from one to another of the four The Associated Press said The Associated Press said
red lights. that at Pine Bluff, residents re-
"What we saw were lights," ported sighting four red lights
Gilbreth said. "What they were in the pre-dawn darkness to-
on, I can't say." A VIEW OF AN UFO - MaNy citizens time exposure s day. day.
Gilbreth said he observed throughout the area spotted UFO's Monday ject." (Southwes The lights appeared be
them for about an hour. Others night over night ov the city. This photograph is a the city. This photograph is a very high, slowly moving north. very high, slowly moving north-
said the lights were visible for said the lights were visible for eastward, with three arranged
about three hours. Gilbreth said in a triangle form in a triangle formation a n d the
The saw crowds of about 60, 350 fourth light, very dim, deserib-
and 600 watching the lights as ed as "seeming to be out of
formation."
The lights changed colors
from red to silver to green to
blue and back to red, witnesses
. said.
And at Paragould residents
reported seeing what looked
like a bright star traveling
across the sky in an erratic
pattern.
The light would zoom ahead,
then hover in ene spot, moved
up and down, and two smailer
lights would break off of it,
travel away, and return, wit.
nesses said.
Newsman Ken Bock of Radio
Station KDRs, Paragould, said
that he was asked to look at
the light and he observed it
moving in what he described as
"very tight cirele."

pooj B ut
TRU puno oe duo
+
A VIEW OF AN UFO -Many citizens time exposure showing the path of an "oh-
throughout the area spotted UFO's Monday ject." (Southwestern Photo by Bill Spruell)
night over the city. This photograph is a
.

Nil
Sky Gazers Sky Gazers throughout the city as lights, red and green
THESE TEEN-AGE BOYS point to the TEEN-AGE BOYS point to the and white, appeared in the sky. Reports of
skies over skies over Fort Smith Fort Smith after spotting a after spotting a sightings began pouring in at 9:15 p.m.,
UFO which was seen by many citizens UFO which was seen by many citizens and they were still trickling in after mid-
throughout the city and area Monday night. throughout the city and area Monday night night. What the nigbt. What the neople people saw is still a saw is still a
Crowds of from 60 to 600 were seen mystery. (Southwestern Photo)
Air Force Investigating
Local Reports of UFOs
By FRANCES MILLER persons saw the lights which set be able to identify an object,
Capt. James Ector, informa- off a batch of comment about or light, this does not t mean
tion officer at Little Rock Air unidentified flying objects. Wit- that it is necessaryily unidenti-
Force Base, was in Fort Smith nesses included police officers fiable, Capt. Ector said.
Tuesday to make a routine in- and newsmen. But exactly what it (or they)
vestigation on unusual lights The lights - red, green, blue was still remains a mystery.
in the skies Monday night and or white - didn't do much but As far as the visit here Tues.
before dawn Tuesday. blink on and off. day by Capt. Ector and a non-
Hundreds of city and areal While the naked eye may no commissioned officer from his
office, he said: "It was stand- ofnice, he said: It was stand-
ard operational procedure. We ard operational procedure. We
always always follow follow up on up ntings.
such as this.
"Our visit was to try and de
termine if a further investiga- termine if a further investiga-
tion was needed and to obtain
photographs if possible. We will
continue the investigation until
we get what we need." we get what we need."
Capt. Ector said more than
likely he and a member of his likely ba and a men
staff will come to Fort Smith
one more time - tod ay or
Thursday, perhaps.
We will look at photographs
and try to determine whether
or not the UFO was really just
that or if it was a high flying
aircraft."
When asked his opinion about
the sightings, Capt. Ector said:
"We are prohibited from spec-
ulating. The only release that
can be made must come from
the Foreign Technilogical Divi.
sion at Wright - Patterson Air
Force Base, Ohio. It's their
job to examine the data we
give them and then they will
either identify what it was or
they won't."
The captain said sightings of
unusual lights are not infre-
quent and are usually easy to
explain. Three weeks ago we
were f flooded with calls about
(Turn to page 3-A)

1
I
Weu., Augusi 1933
Air Force
(Continued from page e1-A)
an unusual light. I went outside
and looked through my binocu-
lars and saw the light myself."
What was it? "A big sign
advertising a fried chicken res-
taurant."
Capt. Ector said he and his
NCO obtained a signed state-
ment on their visit here Tues-
day from Sgt. J. W. Gilbreth
Jr., 38, a six-year veteran of Jr., 38, a six-year veteran of
E the Fort Smith Police Depart- the Fort Smith Police Depart-
1 ment.
) Sgt. Gilbreth viewed the lights
above Fort Smith by eyesight
- and with the aid of binoculars.
1 His description went this way:
Four red lights, immobile "Four red lights, immobile
but seeming to rotate like a po- ng beacon.
lice patrol car warning beacon, spread out in the sky like
the were points on the corners of a
- square.
"One set of red and green
lights appeared, traveling in
straight lines from one of the
four red lights and then on to white light
others. A blinking and later a steady white light
proceeded in the same manner.
"What we saw were lights,"
Gilbreth said. "What they were
on, I can't say."
— The sergeant said he observ-
ed them for about an hour. He
also saw crowds of 60, 350 and
600 watching the same objects
during the night. One crowd,
listening to a newsman broad- listening of the
cast his description of cast his description
lights, was estimated to num-
ber about 1,500. Capt. Ector said he conduct- Capt. Ector said he conduct-
ed several other interviews dur- ed several other interviews dur-
ing the day but "they were lis.
tening type interviews." The captain also said: "The said:"The
The captain also saw some-
people apparently saw people apparently
thing over there last night, but
we don't know yet what it is."
He said that since Jan. 1,
1947, there have been 10,047 re-
ports of unidentified flying ob-
jects. The Air Force has ex-
plained all but 646 to its own
Isatisfaction.
.

-
1
AUDio-TAPES
A49. 15,1966
Obs: GiLbREth
FT. SMith, ARRANSAS
Fl # 100372 1003733 0034, 1003735, 003736 1003737, 1003738 1003737,1003738
In Custody oF AuDio-visuaL DivisiON In Custody oF AuDio-VisuaL DiVisiON
1925

. 1
CASE INCLUDES
6 0 Reels of Reels OF TAPE TAPE
in in soparate folders soparate folders
I
.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS B2STH STRATEGIC AEROSPACE DIVISION (SAC)
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS 72076
REPLY TO
ATTN OF: BDXI 7 September 1966
SUBJECT: UFO Sightings
TO: FTD
l. The following conforms to the basic reporting format shown in
AFR 200-2. However, because of the large number of people involved
and the number subject is not detailed.
2. Included are news clippings from local l newspapers describing the
events of 16 August. Recording tapes are being sent under a separate
/ 3.I Description of the object(s)
a. circular shape
b. size of a pea
c. red, green and white in color
h. three were in formation and the fourth out of formation(shape
of a triangle.)
Description of course of objects
a. attention was drawn to the blinking lights in the sky
b. seen to the northwest and moving south
c.r moved to the south
d. flight path was straight and no sharp maneuvers
e. bruptly rather than faded out
f. objects disappeared instanteously to the south objects?
objects were visible for three hours me same
g.
Manner of Observation Manner of Observation
a. objects were seen from the ground and with the aid of objects were seen
binoculars binoculars
b. b.
c.
Peace....is our Profession /

Time and Date of Sightings
a. Time of sightings were from 0300 hours zulu to 0600
hours zulu, 16 August 1966.
Location of Observer
All sightings were made in the Fort Smith, Arkansas area
Identifying Information on Observer(s)
a. Sergeant J. W. Gilbreth (Fort Smith Police I Department)
b. No military personnel were involved in the sightings
witness to the sightings. However, all were not interviewed.
Weather conditions
a. Clear night with no haze
b. No reading was taken on the wind direction
c. Apparently unlimited ceiling
d. No cloud cover
e. No storm areas
f.
arate - sheets we sending this
report.
5. We have included all information gleaned from the "more reliable" 5. We have included all information gleaned from the "more reliable"
sources. Because of the large number of people (approximately l, 500) sources. Because of the large number of people (approximately l, 500)
involved, we d involved, we d not attempt to fo
The descriptions given by these people coincided with that given by a The description given by these people coincided with that given by a
majority of the observers. majority of th bservers.
—

6. If you feel that any further information is necessary, you can
count on o l cooperation.
FOR T
.
JAMES . ECTOR, Captain, USAF
Director of Information.

.
MEMO FOR THE RECORD
16 August 66
Received a call from Col. Lemdley, Commander, Little Rock AFB,
Arkansas at O23 Arkansas at O 30 EST. He stated that objects had been seen in He stated that objects had been seen in
the sky over Fort Smith, Arkansas. Many people had witnessed
the phenomena the phenomena for the predeeding for the predeeding two hours. The objects looked two hours. The objects looked
as flashing red as flashing red and green and green lights at low to medium altitude.
Texarkana radar failed to pickup the objects. Colonel Lemdley
suggested that contact be made with the Fort Smith Police De-
partment (Sunset 3ll2l). Tape recordings were made by the Little
Rock AFB Conmand Post of reporting conversations. Rock AFB Conmand Post or reporting conversations. Following Following
notification of SSgt H.T. Jones, the Little Rock AFB Command notification of SSgt H.T. Jones, the Little Rock AFB Command
Post was informed that any further action from FTD would be forth-
coming after O715 ES T, 16 August 66.
Conversation with Lt. Dixon, Little Rock AFB. He will leave
en the afternoon of l6 August to investigate the alleged
sighting.
Sept. L966
ictur
Contact was made with Capt. ? of Little Rock AFB. He said
that Jerry Baines, FAA, Fort Smith Muni. Airport saw the alleged
UFO and reported to local news media that the object looked like
an aircraft. Capt. ? telephone number is Autovon 63l-l860
ex- 6974, 3311, 6211.
A weather officer also stated that the alleged UFo looked very
much like one of the aircraft that has been seeding the clouds
around the area. around the area.
13 Sept. 66
Called Lt. Dixon at Little Rock AFB. He will tell Capt. Ector that
Project Blue Book needs additional information Project Blue Book needs additional information of any aircraft that
were in t he area on the night. Capt, Ector is to forward our office were inthe area on the night. Capt, Ector is to forward our office
by of phone the necessary information regarding anyt aireraft in the by of phone the necessary information regarding angt aircraft in the
area. Memphis Center of the FAA told Capt. Ector that they had no area. Memphis Center of the FAA told d Capt. Ector that they had no
record of any aircraft in the area.
Contact was made with the 7Oth BW Clinton Sherman AFB, Okla. The
70th BW was refueling betweon O243-0343Z on th e refueling track
Ten Killer on 16 August 66.
.
.
N

13 Sept. 66
Contact with 7Oth BW, Clinton Sherman AFB, OKla. The 70 th BW
was using refueling track Ten Liller between O243-O343Z 16 August
1966. The 43rd BW was in the area between O055-Ol55z 16 August
1966.
43rd BW 0055-0155Z 16 Aug.66 25,000 going west
70th BW 0243-03432 70th BW 0243-03432 16 Aug. 66 27,000 going east 16 Aug. 66 27,000 going east

Jaucers, Planes or Stars?
Sky Gazers See Something
Saucers
Fort Smith squinted skyward he drove around the city. Ino fire, no smoke and no noise.
Monday night, searching for Fort Smith police contacted He said other witnesses told (Continued from page 1-A)
something - flying saucers -Little Rock Air Force Base him that when the lights disap- "Like a star. . .only one
unusual phenomena-unidenti- about the sightings. The base peared, they seemed to "just light is green and the other
fied flying objects? reported that it knew of no air- blink off, not gradually fade bright red."
Many saw something, they'll craft in the area. away." Car four, is that one straight
attest. "Apparently they saw some- Gilbreth did not see the lights
But just what was a mystery thing over there last night, but ahead of you?"
today. go out because he was talking "Ten-Four."
A deluge of we don't know what it is," a by telephone at the time with Crowds gathered on street
reports of un- base spokesman said. Air Force personnel at t Lit- corners. Citizens clad in slip-
identified objects sightings were Capt. James Ector, informa- tle Rock base. pers or barefoot scanned the
received between 9 p.m. and 10 tion officer at the base, said The following conversation skies with their searching eyes.
p.m. by the airport, law enforce- that from Jan. 1, 1947, to Dec. was monitored over the police Monte Lumpkin of Alma, who
ment officials and radio 31 of last year, 10,047 sightings radio: was traveling downI
stations. of unidentified flying objects Rogers
The more the stations broad- ."'Car eight to car four - did Avenue, said he saw two
cast the reports, the more who were reported and all but 646 you see that UFO?" white objects "traveling low
scanned the skies. were explained to the Air "Ten-four (transmission sig- over the city.
Force's satisfaction. nal that means yes or okay)." Youths with binoculars or
Ed Stacy, chief of the Feder- Gilbreth said the lights he What did it look like?" telescopes had a field day.
l Aviation Agency tower at the saw made no sharp maneuvers, (Turn to page 5-A) There were discrepancies in
Municipal Airport, said person- what was seen. One man said
nel observed nothing they could that it was two white lights
not identify.
He said there was nothing not traveling together. Another com-
visible on a clear night. mented that he saw only one
Stacy suggested there were light - "and it was red."
aircraft away up there, th eir Yet, there are many possible
lights on, their jet engine noise and logical" - explanations
not penetrating the thousands of or the phenomen, accord-
feet between sky and earth. ing to Jerry Bain, controller at
Reports of this nature occur the FAA tower.
fro
with the use of binoculars. cannot be accounted for," Bain
This is how he described said.
them: An ex-serviceman said that he
Four red lights, believed that "the lights came
stationary from two planes refueling over-
but seeming to rotate like a po- head."
lice patrol ear warning beacon, "I was watching it through
were spread out in the sky like highpowered binoculars," he
points on the poiits on. the corners corners of a of a said. "I could see the tanker.
square. The white lights were on the
One set of red and green set of red and green tanker and the red lights were
lightsa lights appeared, then a white on the jet. By listening closely
blinking light, then a steady blinking light, then a steady I could hear the engines' roar."
white beam of light, all moving The lights could also have
separately, in straight lines, come from a satellite passing
from one to another of the four above, Bain said.
red lights. The Associated Press said
"What we saw were lights, What we saw were lights, that at Pine Bluff, residents re-
Gilbreth said. "What they were ported sighting four red lights
on, I can't say." VIEW OFAN Many in the pre-dawn darkness to- in the pre-
Gilbreth said he observed A VIEW OF AN UFO - Many citizens time exposure shoy
them for about an hour. Others throughout the area spotted UFO's Monday ject." (Southwester day.
said the lights were visible for night over the city. This photograph is a The lights appeared be
about three hours. Gilbreth said very high, slowly moving north-
he saw crowds of about 60. 350 eastward, with three arranged
and 600 watching the lighis as in a triangle formation a n d the
fourth light, very dim, deserib-
ed as "seeming to be out of
formation."
The lights changed colors
. from red to silver to green to
blue and back to red, witnesses
said.
And at Paragould residents
reported seeing what looked
like a bright star traveling
across the sky in an erratic
pattern.
The light would zoom ahead.
then hover in cne spot, moved
up and down, and two smaller
lights would brenk off of it.
travel away, and return, wit-
nesses said.
Newsman Ken Bock of Radio
Station KDRS, Paragould, said
that he was asked to look at
the light and he