Sighting Report: Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon near Thule Air Base, 9 November 1953

This document consists of a series of military communications regarding an unidentified aerial sighting that occurred on 9 November 1953 near Thule Air Base, Greenland. The primary report, identified by reference number ETHOP17627, details an encounter by First Lieutenant James N. Hendon, a pilot with the 3318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, and his radar operator, First Lieutenant Walter O. Rich. While flying an F-94 aircraft, the crew observed a glowing green light, described as having the appearance of an aircraft navigation light, at an altitude of 2,500 feet. The object was traveling at approximately 200 knots on a heading from east-south-east to west-north-west. The pilot observed the object for 5 to 7 seconds, while the radar operator tracked it for 2 seconds before the light extinguished abruptly without fading. The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with unlimited visibility. The report notes that there was no correlation with local flight plans. Although some internal communications initially suggested an astronomical phenomenon, the final intelligence assessment from the Group Intelligence Officer, Captain Harold R. Miller, explicitly stated that weather experts advised the sighting was likely not caused by weather or astronomical phenomena. The documents include various routing cables and administrative markings, indicating the report was disseminated to multiple commands, including the Air Defense Command and the Director of Intelligence at Headquarters USAF. The records are marked as unclassified and were subject to standard downgrading procedures under DOD Directive 5200.10.