Sighting of Unidentified Objects, 17 December 1953

On December 17, 1953, at 1740Z, a United States Air Force WB29 aircraft (number 4169) was conducting a flight in the Pacific region at 22 degrees 30 minutes North, 158 degrees West. During this mission, the crew detected five unidentified objects on their APQ13 radar screen. The objects were not observed visually by the crew. The radar contact lasted for a period of four minutes. According to the report, the objects entered the radar screen from the northwest quadrant and proceeded on a flight path from west to east. The estimated speed of the objects was 2,000 knots, and their altitude was recorded as being between 1,500 and 2,500 feet. The objects were described as having an elliptical shape and were estimated to be the same size as the WB29 aircraft. Notably, the objects left a trail, which gave them a comet-like appearance. At the time of the sighting, the weather conditions were reported as cloudy with high alto stratus clouds, a wind of 230 degrees at 12 knots, and good visibility. The sighting was made by the navigator, Captain Paul Coscarelli. The official conclusion provided in the military report is that the objects were a 'possible A/C' (aircraft). The document was issued by the Commander of the 57th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Territory of Hawaii, and was addressed to various military commands, including the Air Defense Command and the Air Technical Intelligence Center.