Air Intelligence Information Report: Sighting of Unidentified Flying Objects, Colorado

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-284-50) dated 29 September 1950, concerning a series of sightings of unidentified flying objects over Colorado on the night of 20 September 1950. The primary report details an encounter by three USAF officers—2nd Lt. Robert G. Holliday, 2nd Lt. John W. Clapper, and Capt. John F. Ebon—who were flying a B-25 aircraft at 8,000 feet near Akron, Colorado. They observed two objects that appeared as brilliant white lights, which changed to orange-red. The objects were described as moving slightly faster than an F-86 (estimated at 700 mph) and emitted a string of bright sparks that eventually 'burned out.' The witnesses noted the objects appeared to have 'going ahead' power and were capable of rapid acceleration. The report includes a compilation of other sightings received by the Lowry Flight Service Center on the same night, involving various civilian and military witnesses. These reports describe objects of different shapes and behaviors, including balls of fire, red lights, and objects that changed color. The document also references the American Meteoritics Society and their records of meteor activity, noting that 20 September 1950 was a significant day for meteor sightings across several states. The report was approved by Lt. Colonel William L. Travis of the Intelligence Division, Hqs., MATS. The file includes enclosures such as the signed statement from the B-25 crew, an annotated drawing of the sighting, and a report of other persons who observed similar phenomena. The document is marked as 'RESTRICTED' and contains instructions for declassification after 12 years.