Declassified UFO / UAP Document
PROJECT 10073 RECORD: Sighting Report - Ilion, New York, 8 July 1966
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AI-Generated Summary
A sighting report of unusual lights in Ilion, New York, on July 8, 1966, was investigated by Project 10073. The phenomena were attributed to B-52 refueling operations occurring on nearby military flight tracks.
This document contains a sighting report filed by John A. May, SA USNR, regarding a series of unusual aerial observations made in Ilion, New York, on the night of July 8, 1966. The witness, accompanied by a friend, observed multiple lights in the sky between 00:00Z and 01:25Z. The objects were described as red-orange, luminescent, and capable of high-speed, erratic maneuvers, including abrupt turns and direct reversals of course. The witness noted that the objects appeared to travel through the Big Dipper and were observed at high altitudes with no audible sound. The report includes two hand-drawn sketches illustrating the flight paths of the objects. Following the report, an investigation was conducted into military activity in the area. Records from the 99th Bomb Wing at Westover AFB and the 416th Bomb Wing at Griffis AFB confirmed that B-52 aircraft were conducting refueling operations on the 'Water Clock' and 'Camelm Train' tracks during the night of the sighting. The official conclusion of the Project 10073 record suggests that the observed lights were likely related to these refueling missions.
Possible (AIRCRAFT) (REFUELING MISSION). There are two refueling tracks over the area of the sighting, which could have attributed to the cause of the sighting.
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Official Assessment
Possible (AIRCRAFT) (REFUELING MISSION). There are two refueling tracks over the area of the sighting, which could have attributed to the cause of the sighting.
The sighting occurred near active air refueling tracks (Water Clock and Camelm Train). Military records confirmed B-52 refueling operations in the vicinity during the timeframe of the observations.
Witnesses
- John A. MaySA USNR