Air Intelligence Information Report IR-1334-57: UFO Sighting at Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-1334-57) detailing the investigation of a radar sighting that occurred on 22 October 1957 at Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany. The sighting involved a single radar target detected by an AN/TPS1D surveillance radar at approximately 1300Z. The target was described as being two to three times larger than a normal aircraft blip on the PPI scope. It remained on a constant azimuth, closed to a range of 45-50 nautical miles, and then reversed direction without turning, eventually disappearing at the same azimuth and range where it was first sighted. The event lasted for five to six minutes. Two observers, SP3 Richard L. Gutshall and SP3 Wayao L. Coates of the 8th AAA Battalion, reported the sighting and were deemed competent and reliable. Although the observers initially suspected radar interference—which they referred to as 'Rabbit'—their electronics officer and subsequent investigations by the 12th Air Force and the 18th Weather Squadron concluded that the phenomenon was caused by anomalous propagation. Major C. O. Seaman of the 18th Weather Squadron provided meteorological data indicating a complete low-altitude overcast with a layer of dry air above it, which created conditions conducive to anomalous radar propagation. Captain Ralph F. Hoover of the 12th Air Force Electronics Branch confirmed that all radar stations in the area were checked and reported negative results, further supporting the conclusion that the blip was not caused by external interference. The report was approved by Colonel George R. Hundt of the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and formally classified the incident as anomalous propagation.