Case #21 Sighting Report — Misawa AFB, Japan, 9 January 1953

On January 9, 1953, at 1850Z, an unidentified aerial object was observed near Misawa AFB, Japan. The sighting involved a single object described as a light that continuously changed color from red to white to green. The object displayed no aerodynamic features, propulsion, exhaust, or trails. It was reported as stationary, and its size and shape could not be determined. The observation lasted for approximately two minutes. The object was sighted visually by an Air Force pilot flying an F-94 aircraft at an altitude of 35,000 feet with a speed of 220 knots. The pilot initially made radar contact at a range of 24,000 yards. As the aircraft approached, the radar locked on at 5,000 yards, but contact was eventually broken at 200 yards. The radar observer reported unusual interference on the set throughout the mission, though the equipment appeared functional before and after the contact. Weather conditions included an overcast layer between 6,500 and 12,000 feet, with unlimited visibility above. The pilot and radar observer, members of a Transient Unit, were unable to provide a reliability estimate for the sighting. The ATIC concluded that the object was likely a weather balloon launched from Misawa, noting that the object appeared to be rising 50 minutes after a balloon launch and that the radar return coincided with the object's position.