Incident Report: Unidentified Aerial Object Sightings by Mr. Donald H. Lee, Great Falls, Montana

This document collection details a series of unidentified aerial object sightings reported in the vicinity of Great Falls, Montana, during February and March 1953. The primary observer was a civilian named Donald H. Lee, whose reports were subsequently investigated by the 1701st Air Transport Wing. On the night of 25 February 1953, Lieutenant Peter Marquez, S/Sgt Roney M. Mayer, and A/1C Ramsey, while returning to the base, observed a bright, flickering, whitish light in the sky approximately 15 miles northeast of Great Falls Air Force Base. The object, described as resembling burning magnesium, descended at high speed, burst into a flash, and then decelerated before disappearing. Similar sightings were reported by Mr. Lee on 5 March and 6 March 1953. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) expressed concern regarding the reports and requested that the 1701st Air Transport Wing conduct a thorough investigation. This included obtaining specific azimuth and elevation data, checking local radar records, and consulting with local astronomers to rule out astronomical phenomena such as the planet Venus. The military authorities were also instructed to assess the credibility of Mr. Lee to ensure the reports were not the result of a 'crackpot' observer. Despite these efforts, the official conclusion reached by the intelligence officers was that there was insufficient data to evaluate the sightings. The documents include correspondence between the 1701st Air Transport Wing and ATIC, as well as formal intelligence reports (IR-214-53) summarizing the incidents. The files emphasize the need for standardized reporting using USAF Technical Information Sheets and AF Form 112 to facilitate proper analysis by Project Blue Book. The military personnel involved were clearly disturbed by the recurring nature of the sightings, which were also causing alarm among local citizens in the Great Falls area.