Project 10073 Record Card and Incoming Message — Kalispell, Montana, December 1959

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and a subsequent Air Force staff message regarding a UFO sighting reported on December 1, 1959, near Kalispell, Montana. A civilian witness, whose identity remains redacted, reported observing a long, dark object with a white light on its nose that appeared to descend into the ground. The sighting occurred at approximately 2315Z. The report was initially relayed through the local Sheriff and Missoula Radio before reaching the 29th Air Division. Military intelligence conducted an investigation, which included checking ground radar data from the 801st and 681st ACWRONs. The investigation determined that a KC-type refueler from Mountain Home AFB and a B-52 from Fairchild AFB were conducting a refueling mission in the area at the time of the sighting. The Director of Intelligence concluded that the reported 'long object' was likely the result of the two aircraft being coupled together during the refueling operation, which would present a longer profile when viewed from the ground at an angle. The white light observed on the 'nose' of the object was identified as the light on the end of the refueling drogue, intended to assist the receiver pilot. The report notes that it is unknown if such a light would be visible from the ground, but suggests that the aircraft's wings at dusk would not necessarily be discernible, further contributing to the observer's perception of a single, long object.