Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting of 5 December 1960, Randolph AFB, Texas
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AI-Generated Summary
Two airmen at Randolph AFB reported a glowing, tailed object on 5 December 1960. Official investigation concluded the object was likely a meteor or potentially a satellite reentry.
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (Report No. 60-1) dated 13 December 1960, concerning an Unidentified Flying Object sighting reported by two airmen at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. On 5 December 1960, at approximately 0527 local time, A2C Ronald W. Mattison and A3C Billy J. Carpenter, both assigned to Detachment 26 of the 8th Weather Group, observed an object while on duty at the weather observation tower atop the Base Operations building. The witnesses described the object as round, glowing bright white or orange, and possessing a tail. Witness #1 estimated the duration of the sighting at 15 seconds, while Witness #2 estimated it at 3-5 seconds. The object was observed traveling from west to east, with an initial elevation of 15 degrees and a final elevation of 10 degrees before fading out. The report notes that the observers had been briefed on a previous message regarding a potential satellite reentry. Official conclusions suggest that the object was likely a meteor, noting that the earth was passing through meteor showers at the time, or possibly the reentry of Satellite Zeta II. The report confirms that no radar contact was made, no photos were taken, and there was no physical evidence. Investigations with the San Antonio Weather Bureau confirmed that a weather balloon was released 11 minutes after the sighting, and inquiries with the Director of Operations at the Lackland AFB GCI site yielded negative results for any unusual activity. The report was prepared by Captain Laurence H. Hebert, the UFO Officer for the 3510th Flying Training Wing.
Short duration and short flight path which was fairly level is more indicative of a meteor, which was probably what was seen.
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Official Assessment
Satellite Zeta II reentered on this date, but where or the time of reentry is unknown. Short duration and short flight path which was fairly level is more indicative of a meteor, which was probably what was seen. During this time of year the earth is passing through several meteor showers. The object observed by the two witnesses was probably a meteor.
The sighting was likely a meteor, possibly associated with meteor showers occurring at that time of year, or potentially the reentry of Satellite Zeta II.
Witnesses
- Ronald W. MattisonA2CDet 26, 8th Wea Gp, Randolph AFB
- Billy J. CarpenterA3CDet 26, 8th Wea Gp, Randolph AFB
Key Persons
- Robert J. FriendMajor, USAF
- Philip G. EvansColonel, USAF, Deputy for Science and Components
- WebbSan Antonio Weather Bureau employee