Project 10073 Record: Sighting Report - San Bernardino, California, 12 September 1966

This document contains a Project 10073 record regarding a UFO sighting reported by a 17-year-old civilian in San Bernardino, California, on September 12, 1966. The witness, who expressed a strong interest in aerospace and an intention to join the Air Force Academy, reported observing two objects at approximately 8:35 P.M. The primary object was described as a white light moving horizontally at a speed faster than a jet aircraft but slower than a meteor. The witness noted that a small flare occurred behind the object, followed by a smaller red object that emerged from the front of the main white light before both were lost in background lighting. The witness explicitly stated there was no sound and no visible trail. The Air Force, under the auspices of Project Blue Book, initially requested more information via a letter from Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., dated September 21, 1966, noting that the initial report was insufficient for evaluation. The final conclusion recorded on the project form suggests that the sighting was likely a special exercise, such as the firing of an air-borne missile.