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Declassified UFO / UAP Document

Project 10073 Record — Sighting in West Jefferson, Ohio, 3 July 1966

📅 3 July 66 📍 West Jefferson, Ohio 🏛 U.S. Air Force 📄 sighting_report
UFOUAPWest JeffersonOhioProject 100731966balloonfireworks

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AI-Generated Summary

TL;DR

A civilian in West Jefferson, Ohio, reported a bright, fire-like aerial object on July 3, 1966. The Air Force concluded the object was likely a balloon or unauthorized fireworks.

On July 3, 1966, at 0605Z, a civilian witness in West Jefferson, Ohio, observed a single, round, unidentified aerial object for a duration of four minutes. The witness described the object as a light that appeared to have fire all around it, noting that it was brighter than an airplane light. The object moved in an eastward direction along a straight flight path. The witness reported that the object made no sound and was observed through a window. The witness explicitly stated that the object moved in front of clouds. The official Air Force record for Project 10073 concludes that the object was likely a balloon, specifically a hot air balloon. An investigator's note appended to the file suggests that the sighting could not be associated with known air traffic and posits that the phenomenon was likely unannounced, unauthorized fireworks associated with the holiday weekend.

This sighting cannot be associated with any known air traffic or phenomena in this particular locale. I suspect probable unannounced, unauthorized fire works in conjunction with holiday weekend.

Official Assessment

Balloon (possible) (hot air balloon)

The observer reported a light that appeared to have fire around it, brighter than an airplane light. The official conclusion suggests it was a balloon, noting the sighting cannot be associated with known air traffic and suggesting unauthorized fireworks for the holiday weekend.

Witnesses

Organizations