Air Intelligence Information Report: Sighting of Unidentified Aerial Object, Mather AFB, 30 June 1953

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AF Form 112) regarding a sighting of an unidentified aerial object near Mather Air Force Base, California, on June 30, 1953. At approximately 2130 PST, three control tower operators—T/Sgt Rudolph D. Hesko, A/2C Ronald W. Hill, and A/2C Arthur E. Gray, Jr.—observed a stationary red light at an estimated altitude of 10,000 feet. The object was described as round, approximately three feet in diameter, and displayed no aero features, exhaust, or sound. The observers monitored the object for fifteen minutes using field glasses. The Sacramento Tower (CAA) was contacted and confirmed the sighting, while two aircraft in the area reported seeing nothing when queried. The object disappeared at 2144 PST when the observers turned their heads. The weather was clear with visibility over fifteen miles, and base weather confirmed no balloons were in the area. The report notes that a video camera was available in the tower but was not used because training on its operation was incomplete. The initial report was delayed due to being submitted through incorrect AACS channels on July 2, 1953. The final conclusion provided in the document identifies the object as the star Regulus, noting that other planets like Venus, Mars, and Jupiter were below the horizon at the time. The document includes individual statements from the three witnesses, all of whom were considered reliable with one to four years of experience in control tower operations.