Incident 336: Unknown (Aerial Phenomena) - 16 May 1949

This document is a formal Report of Investigation (File No. 24-8) concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighted on 16 May 1949 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. The primary witness, a Pfc in the 43rd Motor Vehicle Squadron, reported observing a solid, round, black, flat object, approximately three to four feet in diameter, while lying on his bed in his barracks (Building 1531) and looking out a west-facing window. The witness estimated the object was at an altitude of 5,000 feet, traveling from east to west at a speed of 800 to 1,000 miles per hour. The observation lasted approximately eight to ten seconds before the object disappeared behind an aircraft hangar (Building 1540). The witness noted that the object appeared to flutter as it disappeared, and he explicitly stated there was no exhaust, no sound, and no visible projections or lights. The investigation, conducted by Special Agent Jose Q. Rodriguez of the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), included interviews with the witness and a check of local flight schedules, weather records, and other potential sources. The report notes that the witness was considered sincere and of above-average intelligence. Despite a thorough check of all agencies in the vicinity, no other witnesses were found, and no other testing devices or aircraft were identified as being in the area at the time. The final conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 record form is 'Astro METEOR'. The document includes a detailed statement from the witness, a map (Exhibit A) showing the flight path, and administrative correspondence between the 17th District OSI at Kirtland Air Force Base and the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The report is marked as unclassified and includes instructions for downgrading and declassification.