DOW-UAP-D162, Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953

Department of War · 12/1/53 · Alaska · Document

DOW-UAP-D162, Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953 is indexed as a Department of War record with incident date 12/1/53 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 a December 1, 1953, incident near St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, in which an Alaska National Guard sergeant residing on the island reported observing a stationary light on the horizon west of Gambell for approximately five minutes. The report states that the light was observed at a true heading of 283 degrees, appeared similar in color to a flashlight, and disappeared as though it had been turned off. The preparing officer further noted that an unidentified ship may have been the source of the light, though no definite conclusion could be reached as to its nature or origin. 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

• Source observed the light without the aid of binocul ars. (native PDF text, page 2)
• true, thus removing the possibility of a land based light. (native PDF text, page 3)
• Source said he thought the light was about 10 inches in diameter. (native PDF text, page 2)
• Source stated the light was not bright. nor was it very dim. (native PDF text, page 2)

Details

• Lawrence Island, Alaska APO 2 co PM Seattle Wash. (native PDF text, page 1)
• WRIGHT Capt USAF Clifford Iknokinok REFERENCES (On Urol number; Jirmloe, pri.foiu rtport, ac, a, appllcabk) SU MMA RY: (11}nter amcile aummarv of report. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Gioe lignijicanu in fmal on Htnlenct paragraph. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Light was observed on a true heading of 283 from Gambell. (native PDF text, page 1)
• While no definite conclusion can be reached as to the or1g1n of the light, a possibility exists that it could have come from an unidentified ship operating in s. or near U. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Light was obser ved on a true heading of 283 from Gambell. (native PDF text, page 2)
• SOURCE: Name CLIWFORD IKNOKINOK Age 26 Race Eskimo Education 8th Grade Completed Military Service Member of Gambe l l Unit, Alaska National Guard for three ' - (3) years, 9 months, pr omoted to Sgt 1 Jan 1953. (native PDF text, page 2)
• Source presently Squad Leader with Gambell Guard Unit. (native PDF text, page 2)

Tags: War Department, Alaska, Air Force, Lights, USAF