Project 10073 Record Card — Wake Island, 13 June 1957

On 13 June 1957, at 0423Z, a control tower operator named Albers and his wife observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon while walking along the beach on the south edge of Wake Island, near the wreckage of the Suva Maru. The witness, who possessed over 11 years of experience as a control tower operator and was familiar with jet aircraft, reported hearing a buzzing sound overhead. The sound was described as similar to that of a twin-engine jet, though less loud and lower in pitch. Although no physical object was observed, the witness reported seeing two distinct bluish-white vapor trails. These trails were estimated to be approximately 200 feet long with a 50-foot break between them, and were roughly 12 to 14 inches in diameter. The trails formed at an altitude of approximately 600 feet, moved on a heading of 255 degrees, and dissipated rapidly after about two seconds. The witness estimated the speed of the formation at 600 mph. A MATS R7V aircraft (BUNO 31641) had landed on the runway shortly before the incident, but the pilots reported no unusual observations. The incident was documented via military cables and a Project 10073 record card. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) was that the phenomenon consisted of contrails.