UFO Report — KC-135 Sighting, 8 November 1966

On November 8, 1966, the crew of a KC-135 aircraft, call sign BALMY-57, observed two unidentified objects while in flight to Eielson AFB, Alaska. The observation lasted approximately one hour, beginning at 0130Z at coordinates 74.26N 118.20W and ending at 0230Z at 69.30N 137.00W. The crew, including Aircraft Commander Captain Charles W. Bond, Co-pilot Captain Robert L. Saucier, Navigator 1st Lt Gerald M. Week, and Boom Operator SSgt Frank G. Harvy, reported that the objects were not discernible in shape due to darkness but appeared as flashing white and blue lights, similar in size to standard aircraft position lights. The lead object displayed a white position light and a blue flashing beacon, while the second object displayed a single white position light. The objects maneuvered alongside the KC-135 twice before dropping back into a trail formation. The aircraft commander reported that he attempted to signal the objects by flashing his own lights, but received no response. No trail, exhaust, or sound was noted from the objects. The FAA confirmed there were no scheduled flights in the area at the time. In subsequent correspondence dated March 18, 1967, Captain Bond clarified that he had informed the debriefing officer of his belief that the objects were two small aircraft in formation. He further noted that he was initially told he was filing an 'unusual Incident Report' and was unaware that it had been processed as a 'UFO report' until receiving correspondence from Lt Colonel George P. Freeman, Jr. The official conclusion recorded in the project documents identifies the objects as aircraft.