Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, August 1952

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-137-52) dated September 22, 1952, concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed near Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on the night of August 24, 1952. The report compiles statements from three witnesses: a Captain in the 608th Air Base Group, a 2nd Lieutenant in the 301st Air Refueling Squadron, and a civilian storekeeper for the 301st Bombardment Wing. The witnesses reported observing a bright, white, erratic light in the sky between 2000 and 2130 hours. The light was described as moving at high speeds, stopping, hovering, and performing circular or semicircular maneuvers. One witness compared the object to an 'unglobed electric light bulb' and noted it did not resemble an aircraft, as it lacked navigation lights and made no sound. The observation lasted between 45 minutes and an hour. The official conclusion provided by the intelligence report suggests that the sighting was likely caused by a weather balloon released from Barksdale AFB. The report notes that while the weather section has a scheduled release at 2100 hours, the timing can vary by as much as an hour, providing a potential explanation for the observed activity. The report includes a Project 10073 record card, weather data sheets, and individual statements from the witnesses, all of which were forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in accordance with Air Force Letter 200-5.