Air Intelligence Information Report — Lake Charles, Louisiana, 28 September 1953

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-49-53) dated 29 September 1953, concerning a UFO sighting reported by three civilians in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on the evening of 28 September 1953. The observers reported two round objects, described as ranging in size from a star to a basketball, with colors including red, green, blue, and silver. The objects were observed for approximately one hour, during which they were seen to hover and move back and forth. One observer noted that one object appeared to shoot sparks at the other, causing it to light up. The report includes a formal conclusion by the Air Force, which identifies the objects as the star Capella, noting its position in the northeast at 15 degrees elevation at the time of the sighting. The report also mentions that a weather balloon was released from Lake Charles Air Force Base at 2100 hours, and that winds at 3000 feet were moving in a northwesterly direction, which would have placed the balloon in the general area of the reported sighting. The report notes that there was no radar contact, no physical evidence, and no optical or electronic equipment used by the witnesses. The reliability of the primary observer was assessed as below average. The document includes a map of the area and is marked as unclassified, with instructions for downgrading after three years and declassification after twelve years.