Air Intelligence Information Reports: Sightings of Unidentified Light, February 1953

This document contains a series of Air Intelligence Information Reports regarding sightings of an unidentified light in the vicinity of Easton and Westfield, Maine, on the nights of February 23 and 24, 1953. The reports detail observations made by local civilians, including a former technician with the 217th Mobile AAA Battalion. The witnesses described a circular, milky-white object that changed color to pink and dark red, appearing significantly larger than the surrounding stars. The object was observed moving in a generally North-West direction before fading from view. The reports include statements from the observers, who were familiar with the area and the local geography, including the Presque Isle Air Force Base. The investigators, M/Sgt. Willis B. Minor and T/Sgt. Frank E. Wasowski, conducted interviews and verified that no local aircraft were in the area at the time of the sightings. Despite the detailed descriptions provided by the witnesses, the official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) was that the phenomenon was astronomical in nature, specifically identifying the object as the planet Venus. The document includes maps of the area, technical charts regarding aircraft performance in hot weather, and copies of the original teletype communications between the 4602d AISS and the Director of Intelligence at HQ USAF.