Project 10073 Record: Sighting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, 18 February 1950

This report details an investigation into an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighted on 18 February 1950 by Major William J. Haynor, M/Sgt William E. Royal, and M/Sgt Rayburn F. Gotzinger. The witnesses, all affiliated with Holloman Air Force Base, observed the object while traveling from the base toward Oscura, New Mexico. The sighting lasted for 44 minutes, beginning at 0510 hours MST. The witnesses described the object as initially round, white, and orange, appearing to ascend in a straight line to an angular elevation of 45 degrees. They noted that the lower portion of the object exhibited a pendulum-like swinging motion and occasionally reflected sunlight. As the object ascended, it reportedly changed shape to resemble an ice-cream cone. The witnesses maintained that the object was not a star, noting that it remained visible even after sunrise. The investigation, conducted by Special Agent Robert R. Johns of the 17th District Office of Special Investigations, included checks with the Base Weather Squadron and the White Sands Proving Ground Research Branch. These checks confirmed that no radar was in operation at the time and no testing devices had been released that would account for the sighting. Furthermore, it was determined that no civilian or official military flights were in the area. Despite the detailed observations provided by the witnesses, who were deemed highly reliable, the official conclusion reached by the Air Force was that the object was the star Vega. The report was submitted in compliance with AFCSI Letter No. 85, which mandated the reporting of all unidentified flying objects.