Misawa AFB, Japan, January 1953January 1953

Insufficient Data

Summary

On January 9, 1953, at Misawa Air Base in Japan, an Air Force pilot observed a light that continuously changed color from red to white to green. No aerodynamic features or means of propulsion were noted. The object appeared on radar as a weak fuzzy stationary blip for about 2 minutes. The radar set showed unusual behavior throughout the mission, with the object and radar return appearing to coincide. The plane overhead seemed to be rising about 50 minutes after a Misawa balloon launch. The Air Force concluded the object was a weather balloon launched by the U.S. Army.

Reported location

Misawa AFB, Japan, January 1953

Date of incident

January 1953

State / country

? / XX

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 17

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

1. DATE - TIME GROUP
9 Jan 53 9/0950Z

2. LOCATION
Misawa AFB, Japan

3. SOURCE
AF Pilot & Radar Obs.

4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
One

5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION
2 min.

6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
Air-Visual

7. COURSE
Reported Stationary

8. PHOTOS
[] Yes
[X] No

9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
[] Yes
[X] No

10. CONCLUSION
POSSIBLY BALLOON

11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
Visual: Stationary light which continuously changed color from red to white to green. No aerodynamic features were observed. Observed by AF pilot of F-84 a/c at altitude of 35,000' as a band of one instant. Radar: Object appeared on radar scope of F-94 a/c as a weak fuzzy stationary spot for a period of 2 minutes.

COMMENTS: 1. Radar set had unusual behavior throughout mission at object and radar return seem to coincide. 2. Plane overhead object - object seemed to be rising: 50 minutes after Misawa balloon land.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28952567