Air Intelligence Information Report 52-276: Unidentified Aerial Object

On October 16, 1952, two USAF pilots, 1st Lt. William H. Hooper and 1st Lt. Thomas A. O'Neill, flying a T-6 aircraft on a combat mission over North Korea, observed an unidentified aerial object. The sighting occurred between 0650I and 0653I in the vicinity of the Punch Bowl. The pilots described the object as a metallic silver, circular craft, approximately 25 feet in diameter, with no visible aerodynamic features, protrusions, or propulsion systems. Initially, the object was observed traveling at 200 MPH, but it subsequently stopped and hovered before accelerating to an estimated 800 MPH in an East-North East direction toward the coast. The pilots observed the object for approximately three minutes. Both pilots were experienced, with 80 and 25 combat missions respectively, and were interviewed shortly after the incident. They reported the object appeared to be a 'ball bearing' and noted that it made no sound. The weather conditions were 4/10 cloud cover at 6,000 feet with 10 miles visibility. The pilots explicitly discounted the possibility of the object being a weather balloon due to its solid metallic appearance and circular shape. However, official intelligence assessments, specifically the D/I FEAF comment and reference to a previous report (IR-52-124), concluded that the object was likely a captive enemy balloon used in that vicinity. The report includes sketches of the object and its flight path, as well as individual statements from both pilots. The document was classified as Secret and processed by the 6004th Air Intelligence Service Squadron.