Dayton, OhioJuly 1954

On July 3, 1954, a B-36H bomber was flying over the Atlantic Ocean between the Azores and Bermuda when its radar observer spotted something unusual on his scope. Captain Charles C. Spahn, monitoring weather conditions for thunderstorms, noticed seven circular objects arranged in a tight, symmetrical pattern about 20 nautical miles ahead of the aircraft. The objects formed a circle roughly five nautical miles across, with one large object in the center and six smaller ones positioned symmetrically around it. At times, an eighth object appeared trailing behind the formation.

Spahn tracked the objects for fourteen minutes using his APS-23 radar set. They remained completely stationary throughout his observation, not moving at all relative to the aircraft. He photographed the radar scope multiple times, capturing the objects at different ranges and angles. When he adjusted his antenna tilt, the objects faded slightly but remained visible, which suggested to him they were on or near the ocean surface. After the objects moved out of radar range, Spahn continued watching for five more minutes. The ship's navigator fixed the radar position at approximately 35 degrees 33 minutes north, 40 degrees 25 minutes west.

The Air Force investigated the sighting by interviewing both Spahn and Major Robert F. Nelson, the radar photo interpreter who reviewed the scope prints. Nelson noted that the objects displayed characteristics similar to a radar reflector or a convoy of ships, based on their symmetrical pattern and stability over time. However, he acknowledged that the return pattern was unlike anything he had encountered in his seven years of experience analyzing radar imagery. The Air Force also checked with naval authorities and confirmed that the USS Mindoro, an aircraft carrier, was in the vicinity at the time with six destroyers and one submarine en route from Naples to Norfolk. However, the documented coordinates and timing of that naval task force did not match the radar sighting position.

The file contains a photograph from the cover sheet showing the case was marked "unidentified" by the Air Force. Nineteen pages of original documents are reproduced below as held by the National Archives.