Tillanook, OregonJune 1960

On the evening of June 20, 1960, multiple witnesses near Tillamook, Oregon reported seeing unusual lights in the sky. Between 21:52 and 22:09 hours (9:52 p.m. and 10:09 p.m.), five separate sightings were recorded by observers at Portland International Airport's control tower, a sentry post at Portland Air Base, and a civilian in a car near Oregon City.

The witnesses gave varied but consistent descriptions. Control tower operators reported two rectangular objects connected side by side, larger than pencil lead and bluish white in color. They traveled in level flight on a northwest-to-southeast path, gradually dimming until they vanished from sight. Other witnesses described the objects as bright lights about three feet apart, with some observers noting the lights reflected in a millpond. Most witnesses reported the objects moving in a straight line before disappearing to the southwest, with durations ranging from six to nineteen seconds. One observer near the flight line described cylindrical shapes with landing light-like features, and another witness noted rotating lights with a greenish-fluorescent hue.

The investigating officer from the 337th Fighter Group noted that the night was calm and clear at the time of the sightings, with excellent visibility and no unusual weather conditions. The report ruled out known aircraft and balloon releases. The same officer later suggested that a B-52 bomber flying at 36,000 feet in the area or light reflecting off clouds might explain some of the sightings, though this accounted for only some of the observations.

The Air Force's final evaluation, recorded in the case summary, was that the objects were "probably a meteor," with a note that a meteor shower appeared to have been occurring in the region at that time, making a meteor more likely than a satellite.

The full case file, consisting of 13 pages, is reproduced below as held by the National Archives.