Bermuda, July 1954July 1954

On July 3, 1954, a B-36 bomber flying over the Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda picked up an unusual radar return. The crew observed seven objects, and occasionally eight, arranged in a clear circular formation on their radar scope. The radar operator, who had eleven years of service, reported that this was the most peculiar radar return he had encountered in his entire career. The crew took photographs of the radar display showing the distinct formation.

The aircraft's crew noted that no visual confirmation of the objects was made from the plane itself. They checked with other ships and aircraft in the area but found no corroborating reports. Because of the unusual nature of the contact, the radar operator consulted with the navigator, and the aircraft commander was informed of the sighting.

The Air Force launched an investigation to determine what had been tracked. Engineers examined the radar equipment to ensure it was functioning properly. They compared the radar signatures to known sources of spurious radar returns, which can suddenly appear and disappear. The technical checks and general inspections showed that the radar sets aboard the aircraft were valid and working correctly.

The mystery was solved when the Air Force made an inquiry to the U.S. Navy. The Navy confirmed that the seven objects observed on radar were actually the USS Mindora, an aircraft carrier, traveling in company with six destroyers and one submarine. The naval task force was en route from Naples to Norfolk. What the radar operator had detected as separate blips in a circular formation was the naval formation itself, tracked on the aircraft's radar system.

The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives across 29 pages.