Unidentified Flying Object Sighting Report — Eglin AFB, Florida, 23 November 1958

This Air Intelligence Information Report, dated 26 November 1958, details an unidentified flying object sighting that occurred on 23 November 1958 at approximately 0315Z near Eglin AFB, Florida. The report documents observations from two sources: a ground observer located 12 miles west of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and a pilot flying a T-33 aircraft from George AFB, California. The ground observer, an electrical work leader with 10 years of experience at the base, described the object as a white streak composed of discernible particles that originated as a blue point and disappeared instantly after approximately one-half second. The pilot reported seeing a falling blue light with sparks trailing, which appeared to be a large falling flare. The object was observed at a 45-degree elevation and 220-degree azimuth, traveling at an extremely high speed toward the earth west of Eglin Auxiliary Base #3. Weather conditions were reported as clear with stars visible. The preparing officer, Captain Fred W. Snyder, noted that the ground observer was considered reliable and had ruled out any natural phenomena familiar to him. Despite this, the official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 record card is that the object was determined to be a meteor. The report includes a diagram (Figure 1) illustrating the path of the object and confirms that no technical facilities at Eglin AFB provided corroborative information regarding the sighting.