Project 10073 Record — Sighting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon, 7 January 1950

This document is a formal Report of Investigation concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighted by a Captain at Holloman Air Force Base on 7 January 1950. The report, dated 19 January 1950, was prepared by the 17th District Office of Special Investigations in compliance with AFCSI Letter No. 85. The witness, an Assistant Motor Maintenance Officer, observed the object while traveling in an automobile south of Corona, New Mexico, at 2215 hours. The witness described the object as a round, ball-shaped phenomenon that first appeared yellowish-white. As it descended at a 60-degree angle, it shifted to an orange color with a trail of flame, and upon leveling out, it turned a bright blue-green before disappearing behind a mountain range. The duration of the sighting was approximately 10 seconds. The witness, deemed reliable, noted that the object's speed was comparable to a fast jet fighter, though it appeared to slow down when leveling off. A secondary witness, Mr. Warren Ratliff, was also identified as reliable. The investigation included checks with the Electronics and Atmosphere Research Branch at Holloman AFB, which confirmed no radar was in operation at the time. Furthermore, the Base Weather Station reported no unusual weather conditions, and the Research Section of White Sands Proving Ground confirmed that no testing devices were aloft in the vicinity. Based on these findings, the official conclusion of the report was that the object was a meteor.