Project 10073 Record Card — NAS Key West, Florida, 3 December 1956

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype report detailing an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighting that occurred on December 3, 1956, at the Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida. The sighting was reported by a civilian observer located in the NAS Key West control tower at 040019Z. The observer reported seeing a single, bright flash of white light. The object was described as having no sound and leaving no trail. It was observed at an angle of one degree above the horizon at an azimuth of 90 degrees from the station. The duration of the event was described as lasting only a few seconds, during which the object exhibited no movement. The weather conditions at the time were clear with 15 miles of visibility. Following the report, the 1296th AACS Squadron Flight Service at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, conducted an investigation. They contacted military bases throughout Southern Florida to determine if the flash could be attributed to a flare drop or any other authorized mission. The Coast Guard, USAF Air Rescue, and the 35th Air Division all provided negative reports regarding any activity that would explain the sighting. Due to the lack of further information, the official conclusion recorded on the project card is 'Insufficient Data.' The document includes technical details regarding weather and winds aloft at various altitudes, as well as the formal communication routing between the 7296 AACS Flight Service Squadron and various Air Force commands, including the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson AFB.