Unidentified Flying Objects — Craig, Montana, 1 January 1953

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (OID 1-53) dated 7 January 1953, concerning an Unidentified Flying Object sighting that occurred on 1 January 1953, near Craig, Montana. The report details an incident involving three witnesses who were traveling on Highway 91 between Wolf Creek and Craig. The witnesses observed an aerial object at approximately 2100 hours MST. The object was described as being 25 to 40 feet long and 18 to 25 feet thick, with an appearance resembling two soup bowls placed face-to-face. It featured several lighted windows and a porthole on its side. The object initially appeared at an altitude of 10 to 15 feet, approximately 200 to 300 yards from the observers. It moved slowly before beginning a rapid climb at a high rate of speed, estimated at 3,600 mph. The object exhibited a silver color and a red glow emanating from its bottom, which intensified as it climbed. The weather conditions were reported as clear with bright moonlight and slight winds. The witnesses included a 36-year-old male sales manager who had experience as an aircraft spotter during World War II, a 35-year-old female, and a 13-year-old student. Their accounts were formalized in affidavits sworn before Captain Paul H. Millikin, USAF. The investigation conducted by the 29th Air Division (Defense) concluded that the witnesses were mature and reliable. Despite this, the official conclusion provided by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) suggested that the observers had likely sighted a known object or phenomenon that had been exaggerated in their minds. The report notes that no physical evidence, radar contact, or photographs were obtained. The document is part of the Project Blue Book files and was subsequently downgraded and declassified in accordance with DOD Directive 5200.10.