Summary of Information: Objects Sighted Over Oak Ridge, Tennessee

This document is a collection of reports and correspondence regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed over the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, controlled area on December 18, 1950. The primary incident involved several employees of the NEPA Division, Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation, who were traveling in vehicles on the Turnpike near the White Wing entrance and Y-12 plant. Between 0820 and 0830 hours, these witnesses observed a bright, circular, white light that appeared to be at an elevation of 15 to 30 degrees above the horizon. The object, which appeared to have a metallic surface, was traveling in a northwesterly direction and seemed to diminish in size over a 30-second observation period. Some witnesses described the object as having an intensity greater than a bright moon, while others perceived it as a reflection of the sun.

Concurrent with the visual sighting, radar stations at McGhee Tyson Airport reported activity. At 0832 hours, the Atomic Energy Commission reported an aircraft over the Northeast end of the area, though no radar 'paint' was initially recorded. At 0839 hours, a small radar return was detected near the Southeast corner of the area on a 190-degree bearing. Contact was lost at 0845 hours, and a fighter interception attempt yielded negative results.

Official evaluations of the incident, specifically from the Air Materiel Command, concluded that the radar data was insufficient to establish a track. The report notes that the radar returns were only detected after visual reports were made, suggesting that radar operators may have been influenced by the visual sightings or that the signal strength was too weak for reliable tracking. The observers themselves were not in agreement regarding whether the object was moving at a high velocity or if the perceived change in size was due to a darkening effect on the object's surface. The document also includes a separate, earlier report from December 5, 1950, involving a similar sighting by civilians in the same area, which was also investigated by the Inspector General of the USAF. The final action taken was to maintain contact with NEPA and radar officials to monitor for further occurrences, with no further investigative action deemed necessary at the time.