Project 10073 Record: Sighting at Honda Canyon Road, Calif., 5 Dec 1966

On December 5, 1966, at 0015Z, two witnesses driving on Honda Ridge Road near Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The witnesses, both motion picture photographers assigned to the 1369 Photo Squadron, reported seeing a red-orange, glowing, oval-shaped object hovering above a creek bed. The object appeared to be moving at approximately 15 MPH, following the creek before disappearing behind a hill. The observers, who were familiar with conventional aircraft, helicopters, blimps, and missiles, stated that the object did not resemble any of these. They reported no sound, no exhaust, and no trail. The sighting lasted between 7 and 10 seconds. Following the report, an investigation was conducted by Captain Cy L. Asta of the 4392d Aerospace Support Group. A helicopter survey of the area revealed a dirt road in the valley that ran parallel to the Honda Ridge Road. The official conclusion reached by the preparing officer was that the witnesses had observed a ground vehicle, such as a truck or camper, traveling up the dirt road. It was noted that the prevailing weather conditions, including haze and rain, combined with the local foliage, likely contributed to the misidentification of the ground vehicle as an aerial object. The observers were noted to be reluctant to report the incident due to a fear of ridicule.