PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - Sighting of 2 June 1961, Tampa, Florida

This document details a series of reports concerning an Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) observed in the vicinity of Tampa, Florida, beginning on June 2, 1961. The initial sighting involved a star-like object, described as bluish-red and changing to white, which was observed on a 140-degree course. Two civilian witnesses, including a retired US Navy Commander, reported the object, noting it appeared very high and was sighted nightly on a similar flight path. On June 3, 1961, at 0106Z, the 660th Radar Station tracked a target at 34,000 feet with a bearing of 055 degrees. The target exhibited movement, appearing to move up and down while maintaining a relative position. On June 5, 1961, an F-102 interceptor was scrambled to investigate the radar target. The pilot reported contact but was unable to complete the intercept due to electronic countermeasures (ECM) and jamming, and was unable to visually identify the target. Additional reports were received from tower operators of the 1928th AACS Detachment at MacDill AFB, who observed a bluish-red light east of the base near Davis Island. An airman from the 660th AC&W Squadron also reported the object, and a radar station at Cross City, Florida, corroborated the target at 34,000 feet. Air Force intelligence (AFCIN-4E) subsequently requested that all information be reported in accordance with AFR 200-2 and that local agencies attempt to determine a cause. By July 1961, officials noted that the information provided was too general to allow for a definitive evaluation, specifically questioning whether the visual sighting and the radar contact were the same object. The case was ultimately classified as having insufficient data for evaluation.