Project 10073 Record: Sighting Report - Tacoma, Washington, 4 April 1966

On April 4, 1966, at 04:0645Z, a civilian witness—identified as a switchboard operator at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington—observed an unidentified aerial object. The witness, who was using 7x35 binoculars, reported seeing a single object for a duration of 20 minutes. The object was described as being rounded and coming to a point at each end, similar in size to a silver dollar, and bright orange in color. The witness estimated the object's altitude at 5,000 feet, noting that it traveled from east to northeast in a straight line with an 'up and down' motion. The object appeared twice during the observation period and seemed to follow a circular course, with the witness observing it on the northeast leg each time. The weather conditions were reported as calm with a clear sky and moonlight. The official conclusion reached by the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was that the object was likely an aircraft or two separate aircraft, noting that while satellites were a possibility, the sighting was more consistent with aircraft activity. The report explicitly states there was no intercept action taken and no other air traffic was noted in the area.