Project 10073 Record — K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan, 15 October 1965

On 15 October 1965, at 0050Z, a tanker crew from the 46th Air Refueling Squadron, operating out of K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan, reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The crew, while holding in the K.I. Sawyer Tacan south holding pattern at 20,000 feet, observed a light that was initially white but changed to red and brilliant red upon acceleration. The object was described as a sharply outlined, solid colored light that appeared stationary before accelerating rapidly. The crew attempted to close in on the object, reaching speeds of 340 knots, but the object pulled away. The sighting lasted between 5 and 10 minutes. The object was not detected on ground or aircraft radar. The crew, who were experienced in refueling operations, noted that the object's performance exceeded that of any known aircraft. Following the incident, the report was forwarded to the Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB. The official conclusion reached by the investigation was that the object was the planet Venus, which was setting at the time, with its apparent motion attributed to atmospheric refraction. The report includes formal documentation, including a summary by the investigating officer, Major Rolf N. Erickson, and a cover letter from Lt. Colonel Allen T. Ballard.