Report of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena - Quantico, Virginia, January 1954

This document collection details a series of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings reported by military and civilian personnel at the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia between late December 1953 and early January 1954. The reports describe a dome-shaped, flashing red light, often compared to the size of a grapefruit at arm's length, which appeared in the night sky. Witnesses, including sentries at the Tank Park in the Guadalcanal Area, reported the object hovering or moving in straight, level paths. The sightings generated significant concern, leading to the deployment of military personnel, the use of high-powered binoculars, and the scrambling of an aircraft to intercept the phenomenon.

Major C. R. Glasebrook of the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) was dispatched to investigate the reports under Project 60006. Upon his arrival at Quantico, he and Major Ferguson observed the phenomenon themselves. During this observation, they identified the light as a Grimes Beacon, a high-powered anti-collision light recently installed on commercial airliners. Major Glasebrook confirmed that the object was a commercial aircraft, as he was able to distinguish the Grimes Beacon alongside the standard wing-tip identification lights. The investigation concluded that the sightings were misidentifications of these new aviation safety lights. The findings were relayed to the press, and the incident was officially closed as explained. The document includes various military communications, internal disposition forms, and press clippings from 'The Evening Star' that document the public and military reaction to the events.