Project 10073 Record — Utica, New York, 8 August 1966

This document collection details a UFO sighting reported on August 8, 1966, in Utica, New York. An 18-year-old civilian witness observed a white, round object traveling in an eastward direction for approximately 30 seconds. The witness described the object's movement as 'zig zag'. Following the report, the 2856th Air Base Group at Griffiss Air Force Base conducted an investigation, contacting the Griffiss AFB Control Tower, Oneida County Airport Control Tower, FAA RAPCON, and the Utica Police. None of these agencies reported any sightings or received other calls regarding the object. The initial report submitted by Major William H. Carrington was criticized by the Foreign Technology Division (TDEW/UFO) at Wright-Patterson AFB for being too vague and failing to comply with the reporting guidelines established in AFR 200-2. Colonel Warren S. Wheeler noted that incomplete reports caused embarrassment to the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Information (SAFOI) when responding to media inquiries, as New York publications were actively pursuing UFO information. Consequently, the 2856th Air Base Group was ordered to resubmit the report. The final evaluation concluded that the sighting was likely an aircraft, a reflection from a searchlight, or fireworks, noting that there were numerous celebrations in the area and that several major airways converged over Utica. The weather conditions at the time were reported as having visible stars.