PROJECT 10073 RECORD - Pocatello, Idaho - 22 Jul 49

This document, dated July 27, 1949, details a sighting report filed by the District Intelligence Officer of the 13th Naval District regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed in Pocatello, Idaho, on July 22, 1949. At approximately 1500 hours, three men, one of whom was identified as a civilian pilot, observed a circular object in the sky. The witnesses reported that the object was silver or white in color, approximately two feet in diameter, and traveled at an estimated speed of 2,000 miles per hour. The object was observed for roughly 30 seconds, during which time it moved in a straight line before transitioning into a zig-zagging, weaving motion. The observers noted that they had to move their heads rapidly to keep the object in sight. The witnesses explicitly stated their belief that the object was neither a bird nor an aircraft, citing its extreme speed and altitude, which was estimated to be 30,000 feet or higher. The report was forwarded to the Director of Naval Intelligence by Lt. (jg) Blaine E. Gasser. Despite the detailed observations provided by the witnesses, the official conclusion recorded in the Project 10073 record identifies the object as an 'Astro (METEOR)'. The document includes standard declassification markings indicating it was downgraded at three-year intervals and declassified after 12 years under DOD Directive 5200.10.