Report of Unidentified Flying Objects - Port Austin, Michigan, 17 February 1953

On 17 February 1953, at 2204 EST, personnel at the 754th AC&W Squadron in Port Austin, Michigan, observed an unusual light in the sky. The object was described as being larger and brighter than a star, appearing to glow bright red, then changing to pale white, and back to red again. The object was observed visually for five minutes while moving in a southerly direction. At 2208 EST, radar operators picked up an unidentified target on their AN/FPS-3 search radar. The target was tracked for 17 minutes on a 180-degree heading at a speed of 55 knots. The radar track was lost at 2225 EST when the target faded into ground clutter. The observers, including 2nd Lt. Harold S. Eagle and A 1C John T. Mandinec, were considered reliable and experienced. Weather conditions were reported as unlimited visibility and ceiling, with a temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit and moderate westerly winds. An investigation was conducted to determine if the object could have been a balloon or an aircraft, but no balloon launches or aircraft flight plans matched the sighting. The planet Venus was noted as being visible in the northwest, which might explain the visual sighting, though it would not account for the radar return. The report was forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) for further evaluation. The 30th Air Division Intelligence questioned the value of the report, but it was processed for further analysis. Subsequent correspondence between ATIC and the squadron investigated the possibility of helicopter activity in the area, which was ultimately ruled out by the squadron. The final conclusion of the report remained that the object was unknown.