Unidentified Flying Objects (Restricted) — Keflavik Airport, Iceland, 3 February 1953

This report, dated 4 February 1953, details an investigation into unidentified radar plots observed on 3 February 1953 by the 932nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron at Keflavik Airport, Iceland. Three distinct radar plots were recorded at 1825Z, 1836Z, and 1849Z. The first plot was observed at a bearing of 345° and a range of 90 nautical miles, remaining motionless for two full minutes before fading. The second plot appeared at 1836Z at a bearing of 341° and a range of 112 nautical miles, while the third was recorded at 1849Z at a bearing of 348° and a range of 115 nautical miles. An aircraft controller estimated the altitude of the objects to be approximately 7,000 feet. The report notes that an investigation of all possible sources indicated no military or civilian aircraft were operating in the area at the time. While the Icelandic CAA reported a C-47 in route to Reykjavik at 1840Z, the Movements Identification Section of the 932nd Squadron was unable to identify the plots as this aircraft. Weather conditions in the area included a small amount of frontal activity, with winds at 5,000 feet from 270° at 30 knots and at 10,000 feet from 310° to 320° at 40 to 45 knots. Additionally, large flocks of geese were observed in the vicinity of the airport earlier that day at 0900Z, flying at 1,000 feet. The report concludes that the plots remain unidentified, noting that the possibility of unknown civilian aircraft exists, but the lack of motion observed during the initial two-minute period remains unexplained. The document includes coordinates for the plots and a map of the area, which is described as mountainous.