Report on Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) — Tyndall AFB, 9 May 1961

On 9 May 1961, at approximately 1945 hours, Master Sergeant Henry J. Lacour of the Tyndall Air Force Base Training Section observed two unidentified objects while at Capehart Housing. The objects were described as slightly elliptical, grapefruit-sized, and similar in color to a star. They appeared to be traveling in an oblique formation. Sergeant Lacour contacted T/Sgt Joseph P. Terlesky and Captain Allan E. Aaronson to observe the phenomena. Lacour believed he was observing the satellite Echo. According to the report, one object broke away from the other, with the first object (identified as Echo) heading on a 25-degree azimuth and the second object heading on a 215-degree azimuth. The objects were visible for 5 to 20 minutes before fading out. The weather was reported as fair and clear. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating authorities was that the sighting was likely a high-flying aircraft. The report includes a note regarding the witness, stating that past reports from him indicate he becomes very excited when the subject of UFOs is involved, suggesting this excitement may have contributed to the misidentification of the objects. The document package includes a record card, an analysis sheet, a formal report letter, a detailed description of the sighting, a map of the Tyndall AFB Marksmanship Center water impact areas, and a list of previous sightings recorded by the witness from September 1960 through May 1961.