Joint U.S.-Canadian Aviation Projects and UFO Sighting Reports, 1954-1955

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SECRET

AF HQ-50 (Rev 21 June 48)

HO1 10-5

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR STAFF SUMMARY SHEET

Oct 2-2-7 X

TO | ROUTE | DESIRED ACTION | INITIALS | OFFICE OF PREPARATION | GRADE - SURNAME | TEL.
AFOOP | 1 | Coordination | A G 10/55 N | AFOIN-2C4 | L/Col Whitman/bps | 52466
AFODC | 2 | Signature: J. E. EIGGS
Major General, USAF
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations | 8 AUG 1955 | DATE: JUL 28 1955 |  |
SUBJECT: (Secret) Request NEAC for Immediate Fighter Scramble Against Flying Objects
SUMMARY
1. On 6 July the crew of a KC-97 tanker reported the sighting of an unidentified airborne object in the Newfoundland area (4910N/5950W). At the time of the sighting a GCI radar in the same area obtained a radar return of an object which apparently was identical to the one the KC-97 crew had under visual observation. A committee, appointed by this Directorate to evaluate this sighting reviewed reports summarizing the incident by the Northeast Air Command. The committee tentatively attributed the sighting to electrical phenomenon and visual misinterpretation by aircrew members. At the same time, however, the committee discussed the possibility that the object might have been an high performance unconventional aircraft. This Directorate is of the opinion that the development of such an aircraft by an unfriendly nation would constitute a serious technological threat to the United States, and therefore every effort must be made to identify sightings in the future.
2. In its discussion of methods to be used to obtain identification of objects sighted in a similar fashion in the future, the committee concluded that the method possessing the most likelihood of success would be interception of the object by fighter aircraft and recommended that in the event of future incidents of this nature fighters within range be scrambled without delay.
3. Attached as Tab A is a proposed message to the Commander NEAC, directing the scramble of fighters as recommended by the committee.
RECOMMENDATION
4. Signature of attached message.
FRANK B. CHAPPELL
Colonel USAF
Directorate of Intelligence
1 Incl
Proposed Msg to
Cdr NEAC

AFOOP 41703

1907

1907

SECRET

AFODC CONTROL NO 55

50 12579

NW 91198 Dgld 134745775

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