DOW-UAP-D156, Air Intelligence Information Report, Guam, 1956

Department of War · 12/31/56 · Guam · Document

DOW-UAP-D156, Air Intelligence Information Report, Guam, 1956 is indexed as a Department of War record with incident date 12/31/56 and location Guam. This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a December 31, 1956, incident in the vicinity of Guam in which the pilot of a U.S. Air Force F-86D aircraft reported observing an unidentified aerial blinking light. The report notes that a lighted weather balloon had been launched before the sighting and states that, if the balloon had malfunctioned and remained at a relatively low altitude, it could possibly explain the reported object. It also indicates that the preparing officer did not regard the balloon explanation as sufficient unless that condition applied. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.

Notable / anomalous element

• Unless the ligb.ted balloon which was launched prior to the sighting mal functioned and remained at a relatively low altitude, the Unidentified Flying Object can not be readily explained. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Pilot turned with th object and descended so az:imuth and elevation was no discern:ible. (native PDF text, page 2)
• If the weather balloon had ascended no ally, it would have been much higher tha!l the altitude of the reported sighting. (native PDF text, page 4)
• Furth er investigation determined that a lighted weather balloon had been launched one hour and thirtyeight minutes (1:,38) prior to the sighting. (native PDF text, page 1)

Details

• This report forwards infonnat ion received by message from Comm1nder,?th Air Force (Ad need) Guam,. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Furth er investigation determined that. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Furth er investigation determined that a lighted weather balloon had been launched one hour and thirtyeight minutes (1:,38) prior to the sighting. (native PDF text, page 1)
• The balloon was loot from the vie-w of the ground station one hour and ten minutea (1:10) prior to the incident. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Unless the ligb.ted balloon which was launched prior to the sighting mal functioned and remained at a relatively low altitude, the Unidentified Flying Object can not be readily explained. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Guam tiote: this document contains information affecting the national. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Following is a copy of the unclassified message forwarded from Commander, 7th Air Force (Adv.&nced), Guar:i, Marianas Isl.ands, as a result of the sighting: 11 The following report submitted in accordance with para.graph 7, AFR 2002, dated 12 Aug 1954 and F lF Supplement 1 dated 30 March 1956, This mess'lge in 12. (native PDF text, page 2)
• Blink:inwhite light (remained constant for approx:imately four (4) seconds then blinked off and on quickly remaining constant agein for the sn:rr.e amount of time). (native PDF text, page 2)

Tags: War Department, Guam, Air Force, Unidentified object, Lights, Aerial phenomena, Aircraft