Air Intelligence Information Report: Unidentified Flying Objects - 8 February 1950

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report regarding an unidentified flying object sighting that occurred on the night of 8 February 1950 near Tampa, Florida. The report, issued by the Intelligence Section of the 307th Bomb Wing, details an incident involving a B-29 pilot, Major Holly W. Anderson, and crews from Eastern Airlines. Major Anderson, while flying a B-29 at 7,500 feet, observed an object approaching from the left side of his aircraft. He described the object as having the appearance of a rocket, traveling at a speed he estimated to be in excess of 2,000 mph. The object maintained a straight, level flight path on a westerly heading. Major Anderson noted that the object left a flame or exhaust trail estimated to be 300 feet long and 30 feet wide, which eventually faded into a dull glow. He explicitly stated in his written statement that he did not believe the object was a meteor. The sighting was also reported to Tampa Approach Control by pilots of Eastern Airlines Flight 509 and Flight 255. The Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center was also notified of the event. The report confirms that no photographs or sketches of the object were obtained. Weather conditions at the time were reported as scattered clouds at 6,000 feet with 15 miles visibility. The document includes a formal statement from Major Anderson, who was based at Castle AFB, California, at the time. The report was processed under Project 10073 and was eventually classified as 'Astro (Meteor)' by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). The document concludes that no further investigative action was taken at the 307th Bomb Wing level.