Project 10073 Record Card and Spot Intelligence Report — San Diego, California, 17 December 1952

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and a subsequent Spot Intelligence Report regarding a sighting of unidentified flying objects on 17 December 1952 in San Diego, California. Four employees of the U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory—C. F. Althouse, H. W. Volberg, Nate Waddington, and A. J. Hopkins—observed two objects between 1515 and 1525 hours. The witnesses described the objects as cigar-shaped or disc-like, moving at a high rate of speed on a pulsating course. Estimates of the objects' speed ranged from that of contemporary jet aircraft to five times that speed, or approximately 1500 miles per hour. The objects were observed at an altitude of roughly 500 feet, moving in a generally northern direction over the western end of North Island. The witnesses noted that the objects emanated a bright, non-dazzling light and exhibited sudden, non-smooth alterations in direction. Weather conditions at the time were reported as mostly cloudy with rain squalls. The report highlights that while the observers were considered well-qualified, they were in disagreement regarding the performance of the objects, though they collectively agreed the objects were not conventional aircraft. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) handled the report, which was forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. By 25 February 1953, the OSI determined that no further investigative action was warranted and considered the case closed. A handwritten note on the record card indicates that the original witness statements were missing from the file, and the report itself notes a conflict with other jet aircraft activity in the area.