Tierra Amarillo, New MexicoMay 1952

On May 25, 1952, at 0958 (9:58 a.m.) local time, radar operators at the 767th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, detected an unusual target on their scope. Airman First Class Tracy L. Atherton and Airman First Class Roy P. Lein were monitoring radar scans when they picked up what appeared to be an ordinary radar blip at 145 degrees, 61 miles away. The target did not behave like normal aircraft. It would appear on the scope, fade, reappear at a new location, then fade again, moving in short jumps from 61 miles away to 51 miles, then to 41 miles from the station.

The operators notified their controller of the sighting because the target's speed seemed excessive. The radar indicated the object was traveling at 1800 miles per hour on a course of 325 degrees. The object's altitude was unknown. The target painted on two different radar sets and was observed for approximately 40 seconds before disappearing from the scope entirely. Weather conditions were clear at the time of the sighting.

Both airmen were described by their commanding officer, Captain Warren H. Kinser, as very reliable and trustworthy. Atherton had been stationed at the base for 23 months, and Lein for 15 months. Their reliability was considered excellent, and the information they provided was deemed accurate to the best of their ability.

In its official evaluation, the U.S. Air Force classified this sighting as "unidentified." Investigators noted the possibility that the radar blip might have resulted from interference from another radar or jamming (spoofing), though no definitive explanation was recorded in the case file. The full case file, containing 24 pages, is reproduced below as held by the National Archives.