Report of Unidentified Flying Object — Larson AFB, Washington, 8 January 1953

On 8 January 1953, at approximately 0715Z, an unidentified flying object was sighted over Larson Air Force Base in Washington. The sighting involved approximately sixty military and civilian personnel, including members of the 82nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. The witnesses described the object as a green, disc-shaped entity, roughly the size of a large weather balloon. The observation lasted for fifteen minutes, during which time the object was seen moving in a southwesterly direction, exhibiting a 'bobbing' vertical motion and lateral movement. Notably, the object appeared to move against the prevailing winds, which were blowing from 240 degrees at the altitude of the sighting. The object was estimated to be at an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet, situated below a broken cloud layer at 12,000 feet. There was no sound reported in connection with the object. Following the initial report, an F-94 aircraft was scrambled to investigate the area, but a thirty-minute search yielded negative results. A subsequent check of adjacent radar sites confirmed that there was no unusual radar activity or air traffic in the vicinity during the time of the sighting. The intelligence report, authored by Major Charles W. Finnegan, notes that all witnesses were considered reliable. Despite the thorough investigation and the number of observers, the nature of the object remained unknown. The document includes correspondence from the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) requesting further details, such as potential weather balloon launches from the base, which were confirmed to be non-existent during the reporting period. The incident remains classified as 'Unknown' in the official records of Project Blue Book.