Project 10073 Record Card and UFO Report — Hickam AFB, Hawaii, 28 October 1960

This document is a formal UFO sighting report filed under Project 10073, documenting an event that occurred on October 28, 1960, at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. The report was generated by Headquarters PACAF and addressed to the Commander of the Air Defense Command, with copies to ATIC and other relevant offices. The primary witnesses were Colonel Leonard J. Barrow and Lieutenant Colonel Richard D. Riddle, both of HQ PACAF, who were identified as reliable observers. The sighting took place at 0617Z while the witnesses were attending an outdoor movie. They observed a bluish-white object with a bright, steady-burning tail, estimated to be one-third the size of the moon. The object moved in a descending arc from SSW to SSE over a duration of approximately five seconds. The witnesses reported that the object appeared like a comet, increased sharply in size and intensity, and produced a flash effect before burning out rather than fading. One observer noted that the burning appearance was similar to the ablative effect observed on missile nose cones. Weather conditions at the time were reported as having scattered clouds with good visibility. The official conclusion provided in the record card and the accompanying report suggests that the phenomenon was typical of a meteor, with a secondary note suggesting it was a probable decaying satellite. The report confirms that no radar contact was made, no photos were taken, and the observers were not available for further interview at the time of the report's filing.