PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — Yuma, Arizona, 3 September 1957

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and associated teletype communications regarding an aerial sighting reported on 3 September 1957 near Yuma, Arizona. A civilian witness reported observing 12 to 15 objects for a duration of 11 minutes. The objects were initially described as spiral-shaped, later becoming elongated with ragged edges. The color was reported as white, transitioning to white on the ends with a brown middle. The objects were estimated to be approximately one foot long and produced no sound before eventually exploding. The military investigation, conducted by the 751st ACWRON and involving 1st Lieutenant Edward J. Repen of the 4750th Air Defense Squadron, determined that the sighting was not an unidentified aerial phenomenon but rather the result of target sleeves used in the area. The report notes that a target aircraft had been releasing its 'rag' (target sleeve) in the area between 1904Z and 1915Z, and another target aircraft had lost its sleeve in the same area at 1910Z. The conclusion reached by the military authorities was that the objects observed were these target sleeves, which were in a 'bedraggled' condition after being repeatedly fired upon during training exercises.