Project 10073 Record: Sighting Report 24 August 1965, Roswell, New Mexico

This document contains the official Air Force record and correspondence regarding an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sighting reported by TSgt James F. Hansel on 24 August 1965, near Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. TSgt Hansel, an aircraft controller, observed a pale white, oval-shaped object, described as slightly larger than a basketball, moving horizontally across the sky. The object was in sight for approximately three seconds, traversing 30 degrees of an arc before disappearing behind trees. The witness noted the object had no tail and lacked significant brightness. Following the report, the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) evaluated the sighting. They concluded that the object was likely a bird. The FTD reasoned that the dimness of the object, its horizontal flight path, and its shape—likened to a parachute or a hornet's nest—were consistent with a bird observed at night. The report suggests that the bird was at a distance where light could reflect off its wings and body, creating an unusual appearance that led to misidentification. The Air Force noted that while such reports are rare, they receive approximately three or four similar reports annually. The documentation includes the original Project 10073 record, incoming staff messages, and formal correspondence from the Office of Information and the FTD to the witness, confirming the evaluation.