Project 10073 Record Card — Chanute AFB, Illinois, 16 September 1952

On the evening of 16 September 1952, three control tower operators at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon for approximately 45 minutes. The primary witness, 1st Lt Alan R. Hogan, an aircraft controller and former pilot with 65 combat missions, reported seeing a bluish-white, irregularly round object. Using eight-power uncalibrated binoculars, the observers noted that the object appeared to have two smaller 'satellites' positioned to its left-above and right-below. The object was initially spotted at approximately 50 degrees compass heading and 15 degrees above the horizon. It moved in a straight path to a 35-degree heading before ascending to 60 degrees above the horizon. During the observation, the object disappeared and reappeared three times. The weather conditions at the time included thunderstorms to the west and a light layer of stratus clouds to the east, which were noted to pass between the object and the observers. A B-25 aircraft was scrambled to attempt an interception; however, the pilot was unable to see the object clearly and concluded that the sighting was likely a reflection of a star on the clouds. The report includes detailed sketches of the object's appearance and its flight path, as well as a formal Air Intelligence Information Report signed by 1st Lt John F. Albrecht. The document is classified as 'RESTRICTED' and serves as a record of the investigation conducted by the Wing Intelligence Section at Chanute AFB.