Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record — Lakewood, Arkansas, 25 July 1964
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AI-Generated Summary
A 1964 sighting of an egg-shaped object in Lakewood, Arkansas, was investigated by the USAF. The official conclusion identified the object as a meteorological balloon, with the reported maneuvers attributed to optical reflections.
This document is a formal report concerning a UFO sighting in Lakewood, Arkansas, on 25 July 1964. The witness, an engineer employed by Arkansas Power and Light, observed an object while watching a C-130 Hercules aircraft through seven-power binoculars. The witness described the object as an oval or egg-shaped, luminous entity, approximately one-quarter the size of the C-130, which appeared to be at an altitude of 20,000 feet. During the five-minute observation, the witness reported that the object appeared to break into two pieces, with one piece moving in a southeasterly direction before disappearing. The witness, who was in his backyard, used a compass to determine the object's position relative to his location. Lt. Colonel W. W. Deane of the 384th Bombardment Wing conducted an investigation into the incident. Following an interview with the witness, Deane initially concluded that the sighting was a meteorological balloon. He verified this by contacting the U.S. Weather Bureau in Little Rock, which confirmed that weather balloons are released daily at 2300 Zulu. Deane reasoned that the perceived 'break-up' of the object was an optical phenomenon caused by sunlight reflecting off the aircraft and the balloon at varying angles, creating multiple reflections. The report notes that the witness later claimed to have seen a similar object after his initial interview with the investigator.
It is believed that the object was, in fact, a meteorological balloon which had been released from Adams Field located SW of the observer's position.
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Official Assessment
It is believed that the object was, in fact, a meteorological balloon which had been released from Adams Field located SW of the observer's position. The winds would have drifted the balloon to the NE until reaching an extremely high altitude at which time it would have been blown toward the SW.
The sighting was determined to be a meteorological balloon. The observer's initial report of the object breaking apart was attributed to sunlight reflecting off the aircraft and the balloon at different angles, creating multiple reflections.
Witnesses
- [illegible]Industrial Sales for the Arkansas Power and Light Co.
Key Persons
- W. W. DeaneChief, Intelligence Division, 384th BWG