Project 10073 Record Card and CIRVIS Reports — 20 December 1961

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated incoming Air Force staff messages regarding a sighting on December 20, 1961. The report details an observation of a luminous, conical object with a blue-white glow, described as having a shallow, high-G reentry trajectory. The object was visible for approximately 5 to 8 seconds before it appeared to disintegrate. The witness, V. E. Howard of the 115th ATS, reported the event while flying a C-124A aircraft. The report notes that the object was observed at an altitude of over 100,000 feet. The military investigation noted that the object's behavior was inconsistent with standard reentry patterns, specifically citing the color and duration of the sighting. However, the final conclusion on the record card classifies the object as a fireball class of meteor. The documentation also mentions that five ships were contacted by radar and visual means in the vicinity of the sighting, though the object eventually disappeared. Weather conditions were reported as clear with scattered status. The report was transmitted via CIRVIS channels to various Air Force commands, including PACAF and HQ USAF.