MEDITERRANEAN AREA, December 1953December 1953

Insufficient Data

Summary

On December 16, 1953, at about 6:12 p.m. in the Mediterranean area, military radar operators reported returns. The detection was made by ground radar at an air control and warning unit. The targets were in sight for several minutes.

The radar returns were stationary and changed shape, appearing as a series of V, M, and W forms in a straight line. They were about 20 to 40 miles from the station at about 25 degrees azimuth. The height finder was not working, so the height was not known. The targets faded from the scope.

The Air Force record lists the conclusion as a radar analysis. Electronics personnel said the returns could have been caused by anomalous propagation, ship-borne radar jamming, or geese or storks in flight. The weather was overcast with limited visibility, about five miles, and light rain.

Reported location

MEDITERRANEAN AREA, December 1953

Date of incident

December 1953

State / country

? / XX

Page count

5 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 20

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 5

View transcribed text

§ LET rrr ——
HN :
1. DATE - TIME GROUP 2. LOCATION
16 pee 53 16/1754z MEDITERRANEAN AREA |
|
» 10. CONCLUSION RapAR ANALYSIS |
MILITARY |
1. Anomalous propagation 2. Ship-borne jamming
¢. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 3. Geese or storks in flight
one- twelve
5. LENGTH OF OSSERVATION |[11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
several mimites Radar returns, stationary, varying in shape as a series of
"vy", "M", and "WW". Formation in straight line. Range 20-40
6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION miles from station. Direction 25 deg az, height finder was
ground radar out. In sight several minutes. Disappzared by fading from
scope. Targets appeared to be stationary.
7. COURSE
STATIONARY
0 Yes
0XNe
9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
0 Yes
Q Ne
FORM Ext
FTD ser 63 0-329 (TDE) previous editions of this form may bo used. :
EE -

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28957095