Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Johnson Air Base, 1 February 1951

On 1 February 1951, at approximately 1710Z, an F-82 aircraft from the 339th Fighter (AW) Squadron, operating out of Johnson Air Base in Japan, encountered an unidentified aerial object. The pilot and radar observer reported seeing an amber light that appeared larger than a wing tip, positioned off the aircraft's wing. During the encounter, the F-82 performed three 360-degree turns, during which the light maintained its relative position. Subsequently, the object moved to an 'upper right' position, then appeared directly ahead of the aircraft. The object then reversed its course and headed toward the F-82, rising slowly until it became too small to see. The aircraft was at an altitude of 6,000 to 8,000 feet during the maneuvers, with an indicated airspeed of 200 knots. The weather was clear with no moon. The Tactical Control Center, which maintained radar contact with the F-82, reported no other blips on their scope. The Meteorological Section of the 64th AAA Gun Battalion confirmed that a weather balloon had been released from Johnson Air Base at 1315Z that day, which reached an altitude of 11,000 feet. However, personnel observing the balloon did not see the F-82 in the area. The intelligence report suggests that the light might have been an internal reflection or a bright star, but ultimately classifies the event as an 'UNIDENTIFIED Object.' The report includes a sketch of the sighting and concludes that the pilot and radar observer maintained complete control of their aircraft throughout the incident.