Perrin AFB, TexasJuly 1953

On the night of July 25, 1953, multiple witnesses at Perrin Air Force Base in Texas and nearby civilians in Denison spotted seven unidentified objects in the sky. The sighting began at approximately 2139 hours (9:39 p.m.) and lasted about sixteen minutes. The objects appeared as bright red lights hovering at an estimated altitude of five thousand to eight thousand feet. Tower personnel photographed the objects, though the pictures provided limited detail since observers could not determine the objects' exact distance or size.

The objects maintained a loose formation that shifted several times during the observation. Witnesses described them moving from a nearly straight line into a triangular arrangement, then into a pattern resembling the Great Dipper, and finally into a formation of triangles before stretching back into a line. One light separated from the group and climbed steadily upward while the others followed in a similar vertical ascent. The objects then faded from sight one by one, appearing to switch off like a light being turned off rather than dimming gradually. Throughout the observation, the lights showed no sound, exhaust, or erratic movement. One observer noted the lights resembled aircraft port wing lights but lacked the expected flash pattern and navigation lights a normal aircraft would display.

The Air Force investigated using several methods. An attempt to make radio contact with the objects failed. Radar operators at Perrin attempted to track the objects but obtained negative results. Shortly after the objects disappeared, an unidentified aircraft was detected by radar approximately five miles east of the base. The Air Force noted that a plane from the Texas Central Airport near Ardmore, Oklahoma was in the area at that time.

The case file contains remarks from an intelligence analyst noting that the Ferrin sighting held "possible interest from the standpoint of maneuvers and the fact they were observed from the Control Tower and by civilians." However, the analyst concluded there was insufficient information to pursue further investigation.

The full case file of 23 pages is reproduced below as held by the National Archives.