Point Mugu, CaliforniaJanuary 1953

On January 28, 1953, a civilian observer stationed at Point Mugu, California, spotted a white disk-shaped object traveling at high speed over the Pacific coast. The observer, who was monitoring a drone (drone aircraft) launch, saw the object pass overhead in an easterly direction. It moved so fast that it quickly overtook a jet aircraft, which the observer estimated was flying at 150 to 200 knots. The object was described as flat, white, and roughly eighteen to twenty inches in diameter, with a shimmering outline similar to viewing the moon on a bright sunny day. No markings or dark features were visible on it. The observer called the Erskine VFT (visual flight training) center at 1300 hours to report the sighting but was told services were no longer needed and they should return to port.

The Air Force investigation that followed included a statement from the observer and an Office of Special Investigations report. The three men who witnessed the event concluded the object was definitely not a conventional aircraft. They based this judgment on their experience observing drone and missile flights at Point Mugu since 1949. The observers estimated the object's altitude as higher than the adjacent mountains but could not determine it precisely. The object disappeared heading in the general direction of Santa Monica.

The Air Force found no conventional explanation for the sighting. No weather balloons or other known aircraft matched the description or behavior reported. The file notes only that observation of the event was made and that the witnesses drew their conclusion based on professional experience with aircraft and missiles in the area. The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives, 47 pages.