Sightings of Unusual Objects - Spokane, Washington

This document compiles reports of three separate sightings of unusual aerial objects in the vicinity of Spokane, Washington, and Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) in September 1950. The primary report details an observation by Major Russell J. Gardinier on September 3, 1950, at 1400 hours. Major Gardinier observed three objects appearing from the northwest, which he initially mistook for cardboard or wrapping paper tumbling in a dust devil. Upon further observation, he noted they were flat, pancake-shaped, 20 to 30 feet across, and 2 to 6 feet deep. Using a 6x23 monocular, he observed them to be metallic bronze in color, capable of hovering, and moving with high, erratic speed. His wife and a neighbor, Mrs. Lowell Allen, also observed the objects. The objects orbited the northwest corner of Spokane for approximately five minutes before moving southwest toward FAFB. Two other sightings are summarized: one by Mrs. Fortney on September 3 at 2220 hours, involving a bluish-white light that increased in size and emitted sparks, and another by 1st Lt. Clifford L. Ponsness on September 8, 1950, involving a similar bluish-white light. The 57th Air Division, in forwarding these reports to the Fifteenth Air Force and the Air Technical Intelligence Center, stated that aircraft, landing lights, jet trails, and natural phenomena had been ruled out as explanations. The document emphasizes that the witnesses were considered competent and reliable, and it requests guidance on future reporting procedures for such incidents.