Project 10073 Record Card and Electronics Data Sheet — Forland, Missouri, 26 August 1955

This document details a radar sighting incident that occurred on 26 August 1955 at Fordland Air Force Station, Missouri. At approximately 0156Z, personnel from the 797th ACW Squadron observed an unidentified radar target. The target was initially picked up at 075 degrees and 236 nautical miles. Over the course of the observation, the target exhibited unusual behavior, including fading and reappearing in different locations, and failing to show movement despite appearing to paint strongly on the radar scope. A fighter aircraft, designated 'Dropkick 17', was scrambled to intercept the target. The pilot of the interceptor reported that the target would 'pop up' about 20 miles away, but whenever the fighter headed toward it, the target would fade. The pilot reported no visual contact and noted that the weather was absolutely clear. The target never took any form other than that of an aircraft target. The 4602D AISS evaluated the report and concluded that the sighting was likely caused by a temperature inversion, which was known to cause anomalous propagation and extend ground clutter at the site. The report notes that the information was insufficient to definitively identify the source of the reflections, though ground targets were considered the most logical explanation. The document includes a Project 10073 record card, an electronics data sheet, and a memo routing slip from A/1C Ronald DeRudder of the 4602D AISS, which confirms that the UFOB Index Card would not be initiated for this report, as it was being forwarded for further analysis.