Unidentified Flying Object Sighted at Madrid, Spain, 1443 hours, 22 August 1955

This field report documents a sighting of an unidentified flying object by Major William A. Burdick, a senior pilot and celestial navigator, on August 22, 1955, in Madrid, Spain. At 1443 hours, while near the Generalisimo Building, Major Burdick heard the sound of a jet aircraft and observed a white, spherical object overhead. He initially suspected it was a weather balloon. As he watched, the object appeared to change color to silver and shifted its shape from a sphere to a disc. The object remained relatively stationary for approximately 15 seconds before moving slowly toward the southeast, hovering briefly, and then rapidly gaining altitude until it vanished from sight. The total duration of the observation was between 75 and 90 seconds. Major Burdick noted that the weather conditions were ideal, with unlimited visibility and a cloudless sky. Following the report, the Office of Special Investigations conducted an inquiry. M/Sgt James S. Underwood of the 29-36 Weather Detachment confirmed that the U.S. Air Force station at Getafe did not release balloons. However, Manuel Castans, a Spanish weather forecaster at the Madrid-Barajas Airport, reported that his office had released a red, one-meter pilot balloon at 1400 hours for wind measurement. This balloon was tracked until 1423 hours and could have drifted over the area of the sighting. Additionally, it was confirmed that two USAF F-86 aircraft were operating in the Madrid area during the time of the incident. The report concludes that the sighting was likely the Spanish weather balloon, and no further action was deemed necessary by the 10th District Office.