Sighting of an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) — St. Petersburg, Florida, 20 September 1965

This document is a formal report from the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, regarding a UFO sighting that occurred on 20 September 1965. The report details an observation made by two individuals, identified as Mr. Eldred and Mr. Elliot, who were using a 45XX Theodolite (Model # DKM2-AX) to observe the star Polaris. During their observation, they sighted an object that appeared 5 to 10 times larger than Polaris, with a blue-white color and a definite configuration. The object was described as slightly elongated and circular. It exhibited complex flight behavior, including an initial Easterly heading, a 90-degree turn to the North, a loop maneuver, and a final climb at a 40-degree angle of elevation. The witnesses estimated the object's speed to be 2 to 3 times that of the Echo Satellite. The report includes detailed meteorological data from MacDill AFB at the time of the sighting, noting clear conditions with high thin clouds and surface haze. The document also provides biographical information on the witnesses, noting their professional backgrounds in navigation and astronomy, which the reporting officer, Major Edward J. Schank, used to characterize them as stable and reliable. An additional account from a member of the University of South Florida's Physical Science staff was also included as an attachment. The official conclusion of the report suggests that the observation was likely related to astronomical phenomena, though it acknowledges the qualifications of the observers.