Ernest Harmon AFB, Newfoundland, August 1950August 1950

On August 30, 1950, military radar operators and civilian witnesses across Newfoundland reported seeing unidentified objects in the sky and on radar screens. The sightings occurred at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base and in the surrounding region, and they remain unexplained.

At Ernest Harmon AFB, around 0545Z (1:45 a.m.), a radar operator on the ground-controlled approach scope (a radar system used to guide aircraft during landing) picked up a faint blip traveling at an estimated 40 to 60 miles per hour at a height of 4,000 to 6,000 feet. The object moved on a northwesterly course until it reached the 5-mile range ring, where it paused for 30 seconds. As it drew closer to the radar station, the blip became brighter and more distinct, resembling the radar return from a small aircraft. The radar operators confirmed that no aircraft were in the area at that time. No weather balloons had been released during the period.

Three civilian workers at the base, employees of the Water Transportation Section, observed an object directly with their eyes near Sandy Point, close to Indian Head in Newfoundland. The men described a round, dark object about the size of a barrel that resembled a large balloon. When first spotted near the water, the object began to rise to about 15 to 20 feet above the surface, then slowly descend nearly to the water again. This rising and descending cycle repeated three times over approximately 3 to 4 minutes, with each cycle lasting about 40 to 60 seconds. The object then ascended straight up and disappeared from view.

At roughly the same time, a report came in from Kippens, Newfoundland, about 3 miles offshore. Three fishermen observed an object about the size of a small fishing boat that looked like a target balloon with a pole or periscope extending to the water line. The object was estimated at 15 to 20 feet above the water and moving north-northeast at about 3 to 5 miles per hour. A helicopter dispatched from the base to investigate the area found nothing.

The Air Force investigated whether the sightings could be explained by weather balloons. Meteorologists noted that only one radiosonde balloon (a weather balloon used to measure conditions in the upper atmosphere) had been released that day at 1500Z (11 a.m.), and it was white and much smaller than the objects described. All balloons released that day had headed northeast and were tracked until they were lost from sight. The officers who interviewed the three civilian witnesses rated them as reliable and truthful. The case file notes that no clear conclusion was reached, though the initial evaluation suggested the radar contact might be atmospheric phenomena (particles or moisture in the air that can reflect radar signals).

The full case file of 20 pages is reproduced below as held by the National Archives.