Project 10073 Record Card and Related Correspondence — Osan, Korea, August 1961

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and a subsequent teletype report regarding an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sighting that occurred on August 27, 1961, near Osan Air Base, Korea. Two separate reports were filed regarding the incident, which involved a round, white object that appeared to change color to red. Witnesses described the object as being larger than stars and exhibiting irregular flight patterns, including sharp vertical and side-to-side movements, as well as hovering. The object was observed for approximately 15 minutes. The 314th Air Division conducted an investigation, interviewing witnesses separately and concluding that they were reliable and logical individuals. Despite the witnesses' claims that the object's maneuvers were beyond the capabilities of known aircraft, the official military assessment suggested the sighting was likely caused by an F-102 aircraft operating in the area with afterburners, or possibly a weather balloon, although the balloon theory was largely discounted due to the object's speed and altitude. The report notes that no unknown objects were tracked on GCI radar during the time of the sighting, and no missile firings or aerial tests were occurring in the vicinity. The investigators ultimately attributed the reported high speed and unusual maneuvers to observer error, noting that the changing color could have been caused by smoke and haze in the area.