Project 10073 Record — Van Buren, Indiana, 16 January 1966

On 16 January 1966, a civilian observer in Van Buren, Indiana, reported a sighting of an unidentified aerial object. The observer, identified as a housewife and Fisher Body employee, reported watching a round, grapefruit-sized object for two to three hours. The object was described as having white, green, orange, and red colors, and it was observed to blink while moving up, down, and from side to side. The observation was made using a 4x telescopic rifle sight. The object was initially seen at a 45-degree elevation in the southwest and was last observed at a 20-degree elevation in the southwest. Weather conditions were reported as clear locally with an overcast to the west. An interception attempt was made by a Navy aircraft (#48338) from NAS JAX, piloted by Lt. Commander T. W. Mills, but the pilot's report was negative. The local FAA representative indicated that no detailed air traffic records were available for the area. The official conclusion provided by Lt. W. R. Bromley of the 305th Bombardment Wing (SAC) at Bunker Hill A.F.B. stated that the explanation for the phenomenon remained undetermined at the time of the report. The document includes a formal letter of transmittal from Lt. Col. William W. Kommers to the AFSC(FTD) at Wright-Patterson AFB, confirming the report was submitted in accordance with AFR 200-2.