Air Intelligence Information Report: Unidentified Airborne Object, Tatum, New Mexico, 17 September 1950

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report dated 21 September 1950, concerning an unidentified aerial object sighting reported by a geologist employed by the Amerada Petroleum Corporation. The witness, who was also a member of the United States Army Reserves, reported observing an orange-red, oval-shaped object while driving a truck near Tatum, New Mexico, on 17 September 1950. The witness provided a detailed account of three distinct observations, describing the object as larger than a B-36 or B-29 aircraft, moving in a gliding manner, and appearing to change orientation and position. The witness noted that the weather was rainy and that the object appeared to have no distinct edges, with a 'fuzzed' appearance. Despite the witness's detailed description and excitement, no other personnel at the drilling rig observed the object. The report includes sketches provided by the witness illustrating the object's appearance and flight path. The investigating officer, Lt. Col. Aran S. Tootelian of the 509th Bomb Wing, noted that the witness had not been personally interviewed by his office. Furthermore, the officer suggested that the witness's perception might have been influenced by a recent article in a nationally distributed magazine. The document also references a separate sighting reported from Walker Air Force Base on the same date. The final assessment on the Project 10073 record card categorizes the event as an 'Astro' phenomenon, specifically 'refraction of setting sun'.