28930402.pdf

Incident #104

ATIC NO. ---

AF NO. ---

PERMIT NO. ---

DATE OF REPORT ---

TIME OF RECEIPT --- 2055 est

TRAN. oval

DATE ---

CORREL. WNS away from Smyrna

NO. IN GRADE 1

FIRE ---

GRADE --- SENTENCE 1

DEADLINE ATIC Form 529
(10 Jan 58)

DATE OF REPORT 7 Mar 48

SOMETIMES Smyrna, Tenn.

SOURCE USAF Officers

DATE IN TO ATIC ---

COLOR yellow orange

SPEED very slow

AIRPLANE 5° above horizon

LENGTH OF TIME OBSERVED 45 minutes

TYPE OF OBSERVATION ground

RADIOGRADE faded away

Rob Venas

RESTRICTED
UNCLASSIFIED

Incident #104 -- Smyrna, Tennessee -- 7 March 1948

The object sighted here was undoubtedly the planet Venus. The stated position checks exactly (within allowable observational error) with the computed position of Venus. Description of color, speed, and setting time also all check closely.

RESTRICTED

HEADQUARTERS
AIR MATERIEL COMMAND
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Dayton, Ohio

MCIAXO-3/MWS/rm
Jan 5 1949

MCIAXO

SUBJECT: Project "SIGN"

TO: Chief, Air Weather Service,
Andrews Air Force Base,
Washington 25, D. C.
ATTN: DSS

1. Project "SIGN" is responsible for the collection, investigation and interpretation of data relative to sighting of unidentified flying objects. Attached Incident Summaries 1 thru 172 from the files of Project "SIGN" are forwarded for study and recommendations as to which of the incidents may be eliminated as balloons released on routine synoptic ascents by the Air W…

Hq AMC, Chief, Air Weather Service, Washington 25, D. C.
Subj: Project "SIGN"

4. The form used in interrogating witnesses to sightings is inclosed as a matter of interest. Comment as to possible improvement of the "Essential Elements of Information" in regard to routine synoptic balloon flights is invited.

5. It is requested that correspondence be forwarded to the Commanding General, Headquarters, Air Materiel Command, attention MCIAXO-3.

FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:

2 Incls:
Summaries 1-172 incl
"EEI"

/s/ W. R. Clingerman, Col, USAF
for H. M. McCoy
Colonel, USAF
Chief, Intelligence Dept

…

CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

Incident # 104

1. Date 7 Mar 48
2. Time 2055 G
3. Location Smyrna, Tenn.
4. Name of observer Frank L. Fenn, Maj, USAF, GS, Smyrna AF Base
Col Richard G. Fettingill & Pvt Frank C. Johnson.
5. Occupation of object as CO of Smyrna & radio and tower operators
AAGS Station
6. Address of observer Smyrna AAF, Camp Smyrna, Tenn
7. Place of observation Smyrna AAF = 6 miles from (ground)
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer 6 miles
10. Time in sight 45 minutes
11. Altitude About 5° above horizon
12. Speed very slow
13. Direction of…

UNCLASSIFIED
OOO.92
8 March 1948
SUBJECT: Sighting of So-Called "Flying Discs"
TO: Commanding General
Air Material Command
Wright-Patterson AF Base
Dayton, Ohio.
Attn: MCI

1. In compliance with letter Hq. Tactical Air Command, subject "Reporting of Information on Flying Discs" dated 16 February 1948, the following information is submitted:

a. Object sighted 7 March 1948 at 20550, situated between west and northwest, at an estimated six miles distance.

b. Weather clear, visibility ten miles.

c. Witnesses: Frank L. Fenn, Major, USAF, Commanding Officer, Smyrna AF Base, Cpl. Richard C. Pettin…

UNCLASSIFIED RESTRICTED

B/L Hq, Smyrna AFB, 3 Mar 48, Subj "Nighting of So-Called Flying Dises" (contd)

(2) Sound: None heard.
(10) Exhaust trail: No exhaust seen.

g. General Remarks: Object had appearance of a flare, moving directly away from this station and fading out in the distance, hovering just above horizon.

FRANK L. FENE,
Major, USAF,
Commanding.

UNCLASSIFIED
2

A yellow-orange object which had the appearance of a flare was observed some six miles from Smyrna AAF between the west and northwest just above the horizon and moving directly away from Smyrna. The speed was estimated as slow since the object remained visible some forty-five minutes. It gradually faded away disappearing into the horizon. No exhaust trail was seen and no sound was heard.