DOW-UAP-D161, Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953

Department of War · 10/6/53 · Alaska · Document

DOW-UAP-D161, Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953 is indexed as a Department of War record with incident date 10/6/53 and location Alaska. 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 an October 6, 1953, incident on Little Diomede, Alaska, in which a resident of the island reported observing a light on the southern tip of Big Diomede, U.S.S.R. The report states that the light lasted for several seconds and appeared as though it came from a large flashlight or spotlight. It further describes the light as about the size of a nickel coin held at arm s length and about the same color as a burning match or dim flashlight. 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. AARO Comment: The Diomede Islands are situated in the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia and constitute the nearest point of territorial proximity between the United States and the former Soviet Union.

Notable / anomalous element

• of Little Diomede Village looking in the general direction of Big Diomede for about fifteen minutes prior to the sighting. (native PDF text, page 2)
• Source observed the light when it appeared and watched it until it disappeared. (native PDF text, page 2)
• COMMENTS OF THE PREPARI NG OFFICER: The location of the light is considered somewhat unusual because people have never been observed on that part of Big Diomede Island and because of the difficulty in reaching the location, particularly at night. (native PDF text, page 2)
• The light appeared as though it oame from a large flashlight or spotlight and lasted for a period of several seconds. (native PDF text, page 1)

Details

• The light appeared as though it oame from a large flashlight or spotlight and lasted for a period of several seconds. (native PDF text, page 1)
• The sighting is unusual because persons have not been seen previously in that location and because i t is believed to be a difficult place to reach, par ticularly at night.. (native PDF text, page 1)
• sighting is unusual because persons have not been seen previously in that location and because i t is believed to be a difficult place to reach, par ticularly at night.. (native PDF text, page 1)
• By other than united states air force agencies. (native PDF text, page 1)
• DE.SCRIPTIOU OF SOURCE: N'AME: Raleigh Iyapanna AGE: 14 Years OCCUPATION: Elementary Student and Hunter PLACE OF BIRTH: Little Diomede Island II. (native PDF text, page 2)
• RELIABUITY OF SOURCE: This report was made on 6 October 1953 by, Raleigh Iyapanna, an Eskimo of Little Diomede Island. (native PDF text, page 2)
• Every night during the week preceding the report he had maintained a watch on Big Diomede on his own initiative. (native PDF text, page 2)
• FOWLER states he believes the source to be fairly reliable and that the sighting of the light is possibly true. (native PDF text, page 2)

Tags: War Department, Alaska, Air Force, AARO, Lights, Soviet Union