UFO Sighting Report — Waterloo, Iowa, 10 October 1966

This document contains the official Air Force record and correspondence regarding a UFO sighting reported in Waterloo, Iowa, on October 10, 1966. Two female witnesses, aged 27 and 32, observed three objects for a duration of four hours. The objects were described as round, pea-sized, and colored red, green, and white. The witnesses reported that two of the objects moved in a straight line while the third, a larger object, moved erratically. The larger object was observed to change from white to a flickering red color before stopping. The witnesses reported no sound, no exhaust, and no physical evidence. The Air Force investigation, led by Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., determined that the information provided was insufficient for a definitive evaluation. However, the intelligence officer from the 788 Radar Squadron in Waverly, Iowa, provided context regarding local air traffic during the time of the sighting. Reports from the local airport indicated that two small light aircraft were in the area, including one experiencing an engine fire that required an emergency landing, as well as a jet aircraft. The official conclusion stated that these numerous aircraft were the most likely explanation for the sighting, a sentiment echoed by the witnesses who admitted they were unsure if the objects were indeed aircraft.