Keesler AFB, Miss., August 1952August 1952

On August 10, 1952, at approximately 0210 (2:10 a.m.) Central Standard Time, two men stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi spotted something unusual in the sky. One observer was a radar instructor at the base. The other was an optical worker. Both were experienced military personnel familiar with aircraft.

The two men saw two oval-shaped objects west of their location. The observer described them as grayish-orange in color. The witness called them orange. To the eye, each object appeared about the size of a penny held at arm's length. The witness estimated the objects were at an altitude of roughly two thousand feet, though no certain distance could be determined. Both men estimated the objects were traveling at approximately two hundred miles per hour, though the witness suggested they might have been moving between two and three hundred miles per hour.

The objects moved with sharp, precise turns to both the left and right. They showed no vertical movement. No sound was heard. No exhaust trails or visible means of propulsion were observed. The sighting lasted between five and ten seconds. The objects were first spotted at an azimuth of approximately 315 degrees (northwest) and were traveling generally north-northeast. As the men watched, the objects made a turn toward the northeast and disappeared behind a nearby building at approximately 15 degrees azimuth (northeast).

The file notes that the observer appeared alert and serious about his statements. The witness was described as intelligent and aware of the significance of what he had reported. Neither man had training in aircraft identification, though both had radar experience. Weather conditions at the time were not recorded as unusual. The Air Force evaluation in the case file is listed as unknown.

The full 37-page case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives.