Presque Isle, MaineOctober 1953

On October 16-17, 1953, radar operators at Presque Isle Air Force Base in Maine detected approximately 25 unidentified objects on their radar screens. The objects first appeared on the radar scope around 2:22 a.m. on October 16 and continued to be tracked until 4:45 a.m. on October 17, a total observation period of about two and a half hours.

The radar operators described the objects as resembling conventional aircraft targets on their radar displays. The objects were elongated or banana-shaped in appearance when compared to the radar signature of an F-86 fighter jet at roughly the same distance. The radar showed no distinctive features, trails, or exhaust patterns. The objects appeared in groups of three to eight at irregular intervals and all traveled in roughly the same direction at an estimated speed of 60 to 100 miles per hour. They traveled without deviating from their paths and eventually disappeared into ground clutter on the radar scope (the radar's inability to distinguish objects close to the ground). The radar operators made numerous attempts to hear any sound associated with the objects, but heard nothing.

When the sightings were reported, an F-89 fighter jet was scrambled from nearby Caswell Air Force Base to attempt to locate and identify the objects. The pilot flew at about 12,753 feet and traveled to the area, even using landing lights at certain intervals to try to attract attention or illuminate the objects. However, the pilot saw no definite targets in the area and was unable to make contact with the unidentified objects.

Weather conditions at the time were clear, with temperatures around 39 degrees Fahrenheit and winds aloft ranging from 320 degrees at 40 knots at 6,000 feet to 270 degrees at 100 knots at 45,000 feet. No further sightings were reported after October 17. The Air Force file does not state a final conclusion about what the objects were.

The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives, comprising 10 scanned pages.