Project 10073 Record Card and Incoming Staff Messages — Kadena AB, Okinawa, 29 October 1961

This document collection comprises a Project 10073 record card and several incoming staff messages detailing a UFO sighting that occurred on October 29, 1961, near Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. At approximately 1920Z, a witness, identified as a captain in the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, observed a round, white object with a white tail moving from west to east. The object, described as appearing the size of a pea at arm's length, was seen for approximately two to four seconds before it split into parts and disappeared to the southeast. The observer reported no sound, trail, or exhaust associated with the object. A second witness, separated by about 11 miles, provided a similar description. The weather conditions at the time were reported as having scattered clouds with good visibility. The 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing conducted an investigation, checking all possible sources for the object with negative results. Despite the official conclusion on the record card suggesting the object was likely a bolide, the intelligence staff officer involved in the report emphasized that the primary observer was highly qualified to distinguish between meteor activity and unusual sightings, and that it was his professional opinion the object was not a meteor or meteorite. The report notes that no physical evidence or photography was available, and no radar contact was made. Subsequent amendments were issued to correct the time and coordinates of the sighting.