PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - Waco, Texas and James Connally AFB, Texas

On May 15, 1961, at approximately 0115 hours, a sighting of an unidentified aerial object occurred near James Connally AFB in Waco, Texas. Two witnesses, an electronic technician and an Airman First Class (A1C) from the base's weather group, observed a bright white, pinhead-sized object for a duration of 8 to 10 minutes. The object was described as moving in a generally erratic manner, traveling from North to South, with periods of stopping and starting. It did not maintain a straight course. The object appeared at an elevation of 30 degrees North and disappeared at 10 degrees South. The weather conditions were reported as clear with calm surface winds. The second witness, A1C Grady Knight, utilized 15A binoculars to observe the object and his report corroborated that of the first witness. The investigation, conducted by Robert T. Lawton of the Wing Operation at James Connally AFB, concluded that the object was likely an aircraft. The analysis noted that an aircraft flying at an altitude of 8 miles, appearing and disappearing at the reported elevation angles, would require a ground speed of approximately 375 knots, with a true airspeed of 400 knots, to match the observed movement. The report states that the description provided by the witnesses is consistent with the appearance of aircraft lights. No physical evidence was recovered, and no radar contact was reported.