UFOB Report - Red Bluff, California, 22 September 1964

This document is a declassified UFOB report dated 24 September 1964, detailing a sighting that occurred on 22 September 1964 at the Red Bluff School House in Red Bluff, California. The report documents an observation made by a teacher, two other teachers, and 25 school children. The witnesses reported seeing a single, silver, cigar-shaped object measuring approximately 3 feet by 1 foot. The object, which had no discernible features, sound, or trail, was observed rising from the ground to a 30-degree elevation. It followed a straight and level flight path for 200 yards before striking a tree and falling to the ground. Civil defense authorities conducted an investigation at the site but were unable to locate any physical evidence of the object. The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with good visibility. Major Arthur F. Shiflett of the Portland Air Defense Sector noted that weather balloons are periodically released by the weather detachment at the Chico Municipal Airport, located approximately 40 miles from Red Bluff, and suggested that the sighting could potentially be attributed to such a balloon. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating agency was that there was insufficient data for a firm conclusion, noting the possibility of debris in the wind.