Report of Investigation: Unknown Aerial Phenomena, Holloman AFB, 6 January 1950

This document is a formal Report of Investigation from the 17th District Office of Special Investigations, dated 18 January 1950, concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighted on 6 January 1950. The report was authored by Special Agent Russell O. Womack, Jr., who personally observed the object at 2230 hours from his location at 1607 Hawaii Ave., Alamogordo, New Mexico. The object was described as star-like in appearance, slightly larger than the planet Venus, and predominately white-bright, though it changed erratically to green and red. During the 45-minute observation period, the object maintained a generally level path from East to West, while simultaneously moving erratically up, down, and to the sides. The weather was noted as an extremely clear moonlight night with no clouds. Agent Womack attempted to obtain a 'fix' on the object using a theodolite at the Holloman Air Force Base weather station, but was unsuccessful due to an obstruction. Additionally, a Q-13 type radar set was employed to track the object, but this also yielded negative results. The investigation included inquiries with the Operations and Projects Division at Holloman AFB and the Research Section of White Sands Proving Ground, both of which confirmed that no testing devices were aloft in the vicinity that could account for the sighting. The report concludes that the event remains unexplained. The document includes a list of six witnesses, all described as reliable airmen, and is signed by Lt. Col. Doyle Rees. Handwritten annotations on the document suggest a potential identification of the object as the star Canopus.