Project 10073 Record Card and Related Correspondence — Alexandria, Louisiana, February 1960

This document collection details the investigation of a UFO sighting reported by M/Sgt Richard L. Callen on February 23, 1960, near Alexandria, Louisiana. M/Sgt Callen, an experienced radio operations supervisor, observed a round, disc-like object that changed to a pear shape and displayed flickering red, blue, and green lights. The object was observed for approximately three and a half hours, during which it appeared to climb and maintain a relative position to a faint, distant star. Callen captured the sighting on 8mm Kodachrome color film. The report was submitted to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) for evaluation.

Following the initial report, the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing provided supplemental information, including camera specifications (a De Jur, Eldorado II, 8mm camera) and the observer's location. The ATIC photoanalysis section reviewed the film but reported that they could not find any evidence of the object described by the witness. Instead, they suggested that the footage taken inside a barracks-type building showed only reflections from items such as lieutenant bars, windows, and desk objects, with circular red and yellow halations caused by a ceiling light bulb mirroring on the camera lens.

Subsequent analysis by intelligence officers, including Captain Aloysius A. Caffrey and Captain Bernard A. Campbell, concluded that the observations were likely the result of astronomical phenomena. Specifically, the investigators determined that the object was the star 'Spica'. They noted that the star was in the reported location at the time of the sighting and that the object maintained its position relative to other stars throughout the duration of the observation. The military investigation concluded that the sighting was not an unidentified aerial phenomenon but rather a misidentification of a celestial body, and the film provided no corroborating evidence of an anomalous object.