AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT - IR-1-53

This Air Intelligence Information Report, dated April 9, 1953, details an aerial sighting reported by 1st Lt. Delphan J. Pichon of the 68th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. On April 8, 1953, at approximately 1955 hours, while flying an F-94B aircraft at 30,000 feet on a heading of 155 degrees, Lt. Pichon observed a dark object in his peripheral vision. The object subsequently emitted a bright blue flame. The pilot estimated the object was 4,000 to 5,000 feet above his aircraft and approximately 20 degrees to the right of his nose. The object moved from right to left in front of the aircraft, then turned back to cross from left to right, maintaining a parallel course to the aircraft at an altitude of 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the observer. The total duration of the sighting was approximately 45 seconds. Lt. Pichon initially suspected the object might be the afterburner of another F-94, but noted it lacked the characteristic orange glow of an afterburner. The pilot attempted to track the object visually and via radar, but the radar observer was unable to establish contact, despite the equipment functioning properly. A check with the GCI controller confirmed there was no other air traffic in the area above 16,000 feet. Another pilot, Lt. H.L. Skinner, attempted to climb and head toward the position, but the object vanished before further contact could be made. The report includes a statement from Lt. Pichon and a sketch of the flight path. The D/I FEAF comment notes that while rawinsonde balloons are released daily from Itazuke Air Force Base, they do not carry lights, and no other information was available to account for the sighting.