Project 10073 Record Card: Radar Sighting 19 August 1959

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated correspondence regarding a series of radar sightings that occurred on 19 August 1959. Seven separate radar blips were observed by personnel at the 961st AEW and Control Squadron at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts. The sightings were recorded between 2037Z and 2057Z. The radar operators, including Tech Sgt Archibald Heller, Staff Sgt Joseph Willias, and Amn 2 Class Anthony Fellela, described the objects as radar blips approximately one inch in length and 1/16 inch in width, appearing to be two to three times the size of a C-124 aircraft. The estimated speeds of these objects ranged from 3,000 mph to 7,800 mph. The objects were observed at an altitude of 6,000 feet and exhibited various headings, with some appearing in trail. All blips disappeared instantaneously from the radar scope. The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with unlimited visibility, though some scattered undercast was noted. Border Control was notified of the tracks, but no identification was possible. The initial evaluation by the radar operators suggested that the blips were the result of weather interference. This assessment was supported by the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) and the preparing officer, First Lt Gerald Schmidt, who concluded that the sightings were likely caused by atmospheric conditions or possible IFF interference. The case was officially evaluated as anomalous propagation. The documentation includes the original record card, a teletype message (WOIN 73) summarizing the incident, and subsequent correspondence between the Air Technical Intelligence Center and AFCIN-4E1 confirming the evaluation. No scope pictures were available, but operator logs were maintained on file at the 961st AEW and Control Squadron.