PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - Chitose AB, Japan - 26 May 1955

On May 26, 1955, at 0018Z, two air traffic control tower operators at Chitose Air Base, Japan, observed an unidentified aerial object. The witnesses, identified as Stanley A. Schnell and Dewey D. Smith of the 1226 AACS Squadron, described a round, white object traveling toward the control tower at an estimated altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 feet. The object was observed for approximately two to three minutes. According to the report, the object was accompanied by a smoke trail with sparks or flames, though no sound was heard. The witnesses noted that the object appeared to be attempting a landing at the base, with lights that flashed on and off like a signal. The object eventually descended slowly in level flight and disappeared without any explosion being observed. Weather conditions at the time included light rain showers and overcast skies. The official evaluation of the incident suggested that the object was likely an aircraft and that the observed smoke, sparks, and flames were an optical illusion caused by the poor, rainy weather conditions. The report concludes that the object was possibly a jet aircraft. The documentation includes a Project 10073 record card and a supplementary report detailing the observations of the two tower operators, who were noted as being highly reliable.