Air Intelligence Information Report: Unidentified Flying Object (FLYOBJS) — Harmon AFB, Newfoundland

This Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-24-53) details a sighting of an unidentified flying object on May 4, 1953, at Harmon AFB, Newfoundland. The report, authored by Captain Nathan J. Neynson, documents an incident involving two Canadian nationals—a male civilian and his female fiancee—who observed an object while seated on the steps of the Canadian Post Office building at the base. The witnesses reported seeing a dark, football-shaped object, approximately four to five feet long and 18 inches thick, traveling at high speed and low altitude. The object was described as having a light metallic or tin-like color and produced a whistling sound, which the witnesses compared to pieces of tin striking each other. The observation lasted approximately two to three seconds. The object was seen passing through a beam of light from a rotating beacon and remained visible briefly after the light beam had passed before disappearing behind an office building. The report includes a sketch of the object's shape and its trajectory relative to the observers and the post office building. Official analysis by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) concluded that the object was likely a bird, citing the brief duration, dimness, and low altitude as consistent with such an observation, and suggesting that the witnesses' estimates of size and speed were likely overestimations. The report notes that no weather balloons were released at the time, and a check of aircraft flight plans yielded negative results, making it unlikely that an aircraft accounted for the sighting. Despite the official conclusion of a bird, the report acknowledges that the estimated speed was comparable to that of a small aircraft, though the lack of flight plans led to the final evaluation.