UFO Report — Florence, Arizona, August 1965

On August 3, 1965, at 0453Z, a civilian test car driver for the Gates Rubber Company reported observing two unidentified objects while on the Canal Parkway, fourteen miles south of Florence, Arizona. The witness, described as a reliable individual, reported seeing the first object at an elevation of 60 to 65 degrees in the northwest, moving in a straight line toward the southeast. This object was described as round, white, and resembling a meteor or a satellite. It remained in sight for approximately two minutes before disappearing. About a minute later, a second object appeared in the same area. This object was described as orange with a double trail, and it was estimated to be four to five times the size of the first light. The second object also moved toward the southeast and disappeared behind a mountain. The witness observed these events through the branches of a tree. Air Force intelligence officers evaluated the report and concluded that the first object was likely a satellite, such as Pegasus II, or space junk, while the second object was likely an aircraft. The report notes that the observer's perception of the objects' speed and altitude may have been affected by the time of night and the fact that the sighting was made through tree branches. Despite no official flying activity being reported in the area by Luke AFB, Williams AFB, or local air defense, the investigating officer maintained that an aircraft could not be ruled out as the cause of the sighting.