Project 10073 Record Card and Incoming Message — Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, September 1959

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and a series of incoming military messages detailing a UFO sighting event at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, on September 14, 1959. The incident occurred during a period of severe weather associated with Typhoon Sarah. Between 1600Z and 2200Z, multiple radar contacts were observed on the AN/CPN-18 search radar, and a single visual sighting was reported by three Air Force personnel on duty at the Kadena Approach Control Facility. The visual object was described as an elongated, silver-colored strip of material, appearing similar to a piece of window or chaff, and was only visible when illuminated by the rotating beacon of the air base tower. The object appeared to move in a straight path away from the observers at a relatively slow speed, consistent with the prevailing surface winds. Radar operators noted that the contacts appeared brighter than standard T-33 aircraft returns and were egg-shaped or oblong. The report includes detailed weather data, noting a temperature inversion between 4200 and 5300 feet and the presence of Typhoon Sarah in the vicinity. After an official inquiry, it was confirmed that no military aircraft were airborne in the area at the time, as all had been evacuated or grounded due to the typhoon. The investigating officer, Captain C. A. Barchiesi, concluded that the visual sighting was likely a piece of debris, such as chaff, and that the radar contacts were likely caused by the temperature inversion and poor weather conditions prevalent in the area. The report emphasizes that no physical evidence was available and that the observers, while serious, could not provide a definitive identification of the objects.