Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Report of Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) — Los Angeles, California, 11 February 1963
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AI-Generated Summary
A civilian reported a stationary vapor trail over Los Angeles on February 11, 1963. The Air Force concluded the sighting was a contrail from a missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range.
On February 11, 1963, a civilian observer in Los Angeles, California, reported a sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The witness, located at the corner of Beverly and Vermont, observed a 'wierd vapor trail' for approximately six minutes between 1749 and 1755 local time. The object was described as stationary and appeared to be inclined vertically, positioned roughly 50 miles west-southwest of the observer. The weather conditions were noted as clear with unlimited visibility. The report was formally documented by the 6592d Support Group (AFSC) of the United States Air Force and forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) at Wright-Patterson AFB. Military authorities investigated the report and determined that a missile had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range at 1645 P that same day. Although the launch was not monitored by the local headquarters, the preparing officer, Lieutenant Colonel Howard E. Short, concluded that the observed vapor trail was undoubtedly the result of this missile launch.
Origin of the vapor trail was undoubtedly the missile listed in paragraph 2j above.
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Official Assessment
Missile launched from Pacific missile range prior to sighting. Sighting believed to be contrails from this missile.
The observed vapor trail was identified as being caused by a missile launch from the Pacific Missile Range at 1645 P.
Witnesses
Key Persons
- HOWARD E. SHORTDeputy Commander, 6592d Support Group (AFSC)