Project 10073 Record: Incident 351A - Hill AFB, Utah, 25 May 1949

This report details an investigation into an Unidentified Aerial Object sighting that occurred on 25 May 1949 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The investigation was initiated following a telephone report from a 1st Lieutenant (a pilot and Salvage Officer) who observed two objects while in the West Salvage Yard at approximately 1405 hours. The witness reported hearing the sound of an airplane and subsequently observing a dull silver, circular object traveling south/southeast at an estimated altitude of 9,000 to 10,000 feet. He noted that the object appeared to be traveling faster than an F-51 aircraft he was also observing. A second object, described as globular and dark blue on one side and silver on the other, was observed shortly thereafter by the same witness and another individual, Mr. O. V. Gordon, an Assistant Air Inspector.

The investigation, conducted by Special Agent Leo M. Christianson of the 16th District OSI, involved interviews with multiple personnel present at the scene, including Colonel Petersen and Mr. J. F. Shaughnessy, who were in the vicinity but did not observe the objects. Captain Floyd H. Hogan, an Engineering Officer who was piloting an F-51 in the area at the time, was also interviewed; he reported being vigilant but did not see any unidentified objects. The report includes data from the Base Weather Station, which confirmed that a weather balloon had been released at 1345 hours, but subsequent inquiries at Hinckley Field and the Salt Lake Municipal Airport provided conflicting or negative data regarding other balloon releases. The official conclusion of the report is that the objects were likely aircraft, as no data was presented to definitively prove otherwise. The document includes an amendment correcting a typographical error in the original report, changing a reference from an F-81 to an F-51.