Project 10073 Record Card — Ketchikan, Alaska, 13 Dec 60

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and associated Naval Messages detailing a UFO sighting report from the vicinity of Ketchikan, Alaska, on December 13, 1960. The report describes two objects observed by witnesses, including personnel from the Coast Guard Station (CGRADSTA) Ketchikan and the fishing vessel Betty B. The first object was described as a brilliant, star-like, scintillating light, roughly the size of a dime, which appeared to be at an elevation of 2000 feet. The second object was described as a dull red light, also at an elevation of 2000 feet, which rose vertically approximately 100 yards before returning to the horizon. The observation lasted for approximately 29 minutes. The report notes that the objects were observed near the Cleveland Peninsula. Following an investigation by the Coast Guard, it was determined that the first object was likely the planet Venus, which was visible in that area at the time. The second object was attributed to the use of searchlights by two tug boats, the Vega and the Amak, which were operating in the vicinity of the sighting. The vessels themselves reported that they did not see any UFOs and believed their own searchlight activity was the cause of the reports. The investigation concluded that the sighting was not of an anomalous nature, but rather a misidentification of celestial and man-made light sources. The documentation includes internal military communications, including a naval message from the Alaskan Air Command (AAC) to the Air Defense Command (ADC) at Ent AFB, confirming the details of the investigation and the final assessment.