Project 10073 Record — Sighting between Cloudcroft and Artesia, New Mexico, December 19, 1967

This document contains a record of a UFO sighting reported by a civilian on December 19, 1967. The witness was driving east on Route 82 from Cloudcroft toward Artesia, New Mexico, when they observed a large amber light to the right of the highway at approximately 7:30 P.M. The witness, who had ten years of experience traveling in West Texas and New Mexico, described the object as appearing to be 150 to 200 feet wide and moving on a straight course. They observed the object through 7x50 binoculars and noted that it did not flash or disappear despite the hilly terrain. The object remained in view until the witness reached the outskirts of Artesia around 8:30 P.M., at which point the object gained altitude and passed near a radio tower. The witness reported taking 8mm movie footage of the object. The Air Force responded to the witness on January 12, 1968, via a letter from Lt. Colonel David L. Stiles, requesting the return of a Form 117 and the submitted film for evaluation. The official conclusion recorded in the project file is 'INSUFFICIENT DATA FOR EVALUATION' because the witness failed to return the form or provide the film.