Project 10073 Record Card — Ladd AFB, Alaska, 1 December 1958

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype report concerning an aerial sighting observed on December 1, 1958, at Ladd Air Force Base, Alaska. The witness, 1st Lieutenant Henry J. Mehserle of the 449th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, reported observing a single object at 011705Z. The object was described as being the size of a pinhead with a white trail, appearing fluorescent for one second before evaporating instantly. The observation occurred in the morning sky, with the object moving from west to east at an extremely high altitude, approximately 30 degrees above the horizon. Weather conditions at the time were clear, with 30-mile visibility. The report was processed by the 11th Air Division and forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) and other commands. Major Milton J. Karell, the Division Intelligence Officer, evaluated the report and concluded that the object was a meteor. This determination was made by comparing the sighting against the characteristics of a 58-Delta-1 aircraft; the object's speed, short duration, and high altitude were inconsistent with the expected flight path and performance of the Delta aircraft. The report explicitly notes that no radar contact was made and no photographs were taken.