Greenland, February 1953February 1953

Insufficient Data

Summary

On February 26, 1953, at 0550 (use of the Z time group), an unidentified radar target was reported at a Greenland air base. This was a ground radar sighting by a Ground Control Approach team. The crew chief was S/Sgt George Smith and the operator was S/Sgt Lucas.

While tracking a landing MATS C-124 transport, the operator saw a strong blip come out of the normal clutter about four to five miles from the station. The target was tracked for about three miles before it faded at about seven miles. Its speed was estimated at about 120 knots or more. Its altitude could not be set, but it stayed under about 6,000 feet, the scope limit.

Later questioning of the operators found several differences in their accounts of time, speed, and altitude limits. Weather analysis showed a strong temperature inversion. The Air Force concluded the radar target was caused by weather effects, listing the conclusion as other, weather phenomena.

Reported location

Greenland, February 1953

Date of incident

February 1953

State / country

? / XX

Page count

5 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 17

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 5

View transcribed text

4
PROJECT 10073 RECORD
EE ee
| 11. UATE - TIME GROUP 2. LOCATION ) |
| 26 Feb 53 Greenland
3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSIOCNTDHER: WEATHER PHENOMENA
Comments:
militar; . x
J Upon the interrogatin of the GCA operators, several discrepac-
4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS cles were found. It is believed that the radar target was
ow caused by meteorological conditions or weather effects on
5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION [1]. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
3 mins Prominent blip emerged from normal clutter area of scone
: Th “ miles SW from the station. Tracked for a distance of 3
6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION miles before it faded from the scope at a distance of 7
miles. Remained at comatant altitudeunder 6,000 feet.
ground radar Lod
7. COURSE
SW
8. PHOTOS
0 Yas
Neo |
9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
0 Yes
3 Ne
FORM
FTD sep 43 0-329 (TDE) Previous *1itione of (his form may be used,
ETE EEN FY JT EE "

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28953650