Project 10073 Record Card and Related Correspondence — Alexandria, Louisiana, June 1959

This document collection details a UFO sighting reported on June 21, 1959, near Alexandria, Louisiana. A witness, identified as a 35-year-old painter, along with four other individuals, observed an oblong, orange-white object at approximately 2015 local time. The object was described as being very bright with a glow, appearing to have a ring of light around it, and was estimated to be five to six feet in size. The witnesses initially reported that the object moved straight up, but upon re-interrogation, clarified that it appeared to be northwest of their position and moved instantaneously to the west. The duration of the sighting was approximately five minutes. The Air Force, specifically the 653rd ACWRON at England AFB, investigated the report. The official conclusion reached by the Air Force was that the object was likely a balloon. Investigators noted that the color was typical of a balloon at dusk, and the reported ring of light was likely an optical effect caused by the slight haze conditions present at the time. The report also addressed a potential discrepancy regarding the departure of two F-100 aircraft from England AFB, noting that the 23-minute difference between the sighting and the aircraft departure could be attributed to inaccuracies in reporting time. The Air Force requested further interrogation of the witnesses and a check with other agencies to rule out other possibilities, ultimately concluding that there were no reports of balloons or other objects in the area at the time, but maintaining the balloon explanation based on the visual characteristics described.