Project 10073 Record Card and Report on Unidentified Flying Objects

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and associated correspondence regarding an unidentified flying object sighting on July 2, 1958, at 2015 hours. The witness, a member of the Hq Co, USATC at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, reported observing a round, white object moving from East to West. The object, which was visible for approximately 5 to 8 seconds, exhibited a straight flight path and flickered three or four times before fading out. The observer described the object as having the appearance of a meteor. The report was forwarded by the 363D Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw Air Force Base to the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The military investigation noted that weather conditions at the time included scattered clouds at 3500 and 7500 feet, with high broken clouds and visibility between 10 and 15 miles. Winds were reported as East to Southeast at 10 knots, with thunderstorm activity occurring to the Southeast of the sighting location. Additionally, six RB-66 jet aircraft from the 363D Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were operating in the area at the time of the sighting. Despite these operations, the official conclusion reached by the military was that the object was 'probably meteor.' Handwritten annotations on the document indicate that the evaluating officers considered the sighting consistent with a meteor and suggested verifying the report with meteorological observers regarding potential meteor showers. No physical evidence or photographs were obtained, and no further action was deemed necessary by the reporting organization.