Project 10073 Record Card and Associated Staff Messages — 11 May 1961

On May 11, 1961, a significant aerial sighting occurred near Indian Springs and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The event began at approximately 1828Z when a weather observer at Indian Springs AFB noticed a silver, crescent-shaped object while performing a theodolite observation. The object was tracked by the 25th Weather Squadron's Detachment 31 and later by the 865th Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) Squadron at Angels Peak. Over the course of four hours, observers reported a total of 57 separate objects with variable speeds and flight paths, maintaining an estimated altitude between 75,000 and 100,000 feet. The sighting was observed during daylight and dusk hours under clear, albeit dusty, weather conditions. Military personnel, including Major John Jarrett and Major Anthony J. Busalachi, were involved in the tracking and reporting process. The 865th AC&W site utilized radar to track the objects and captured scope photographs. Despite the high number of objects and the duration of the sighting, official inquiries with the FAA and the US Weather Bureau at McCarran Airport yielded no information regarding high-altitude operations or balloon releases. Major Busalachi, the Director of Intelligence for the 4520th Combat Crew Training Wing, hypothesized that the objects were part of a 'mother balloon' device that periodically launched smaller flying objects. This assessment was later reviewed by the Aerospace Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) at Wright-Patterson AFB. In a memorandum dated June 6, 1961, Roy L. James, Acting Chief of AFCIN-4E1, stated that the provided report lacked sufficient radar data for a comprehensive analysis but concurred with Major Busalachi's conclusion regarding the balloon-based nature of the objects. The documentation includes various staff messages, a Project 10073 record card, and internal intelligence correspondence regarding the radar analysis.