Air Intelligence Information Report: Flight 3-D, 4602d AISS — 3D-UFOB-2-56

This Air Intelligence Information Report details a sighting of an unidentified flying object that occurred on the night of March 5, 1956, near Bridgeport, New York. Two witnesses, a husband and wife, reported observing a round, yellow, solid-appearing object with fuzzy edges that exhibited a pendulum-like motion, swinging back and forth and moving up and down for approximately twenty-five minutes. The witnesses, who were familiar with aircraft, described the object as having a white center with a pinkish-yellow exterior, and noted that it appeared to increase in altitude during the observation. The sighting was reported to the Syracuse GOC Filter Center.

Investigative efforts conducted by 2nd Lt. James F. Barton of the 4602d AISS included checks with the 655th AC&W Squadron, which confirmed there was no radar contact of any aircraft in the area at the time. Weather data from the U.S. Weather Bureau at Syracuse and Niagara Falls indicated that prevailing winds could have carried weather balloons from stations west of Syracuse into the vicinity of the sighting. Mr. G. R. Wright of the Weather Bureau noted that while weather balloons typically burst at high altitudes, a faulty balloon might remain intact and be carried by air currents, remaining visible up to 10,000 feet on a clear night. Dr. Fredrickson of the Syracuse University Observatory confirmed that no unusual phenomena were observed during the period, and while the planet Jupiter was visible in the east, it did not match the movement or appearance described by the witnesses.

The final assessment by the Preparing Officer concluded that the sighting was likely caused by an illuminated weather balloon. This conclusion was based on the prevailing wind patterns, the consistency of the balloon hypothesis with the reported description, and the lack of radar contact. The report includes statements from both witnesses and memory sketches of the object, which they likened to a light bulb or a bright star. The report was reviewed and concurred with by Lt. Col. Ralph P. Slater, Deputy Commander.