Air Intelligence Information Report IR-2-53

This Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-2-53) documents a sighting of five unidentified aerial objects by a Technical Sergeant from the Fifteenth Air Force on January 28, 1953. The witness, who possessed a background in aeronautical engineering and combat flight experience from World War II, observed the objects while driving on California State Highway 13, approximately five miles southwest of Corona, California. The observation lasted for approximately 12 minutes, beginning at 1805 hours. The witness described the objects as ball-shaped, approximately 25 feet in diameter, and outlined in green illumination. Initially, the objects were in a loose V-formation, but they transitioned into an in-line formation. During this maneuver, the two end objects were observed to glow red. The witness estimated the objects were traveling at approximately 150 mph at an altitude of 2,000 feet above the terrain. The objects moved from the southeast to the northwest across the highway. The witness stopped his vehicle to observe the objects as they passed overhead. The atmosphere was reported as very clear, though dark, with a slight wind. The report explicitly states that no physical evidence was offered and that there was no activity identified at the time that could account for the sighting. The final conclusion provided in the report is 'UNKNOWN (UNIDENTIFIED)'. The document was prepared by Captain Bertram R. Cowan of the Anti-Aircraft & Missiles Section and was evaluated by the Air Technical Intelligence Center.