28967950.pdf

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

|  1. DATE | 2. LOCATION | 13. CONCLUSIONS  |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  18 October 1958 | Wheolus AB, Libya | ☐ Was Balloon ☐ Probably Balloon ☐ Possibly Balloon  |
|  3. DATE-TIME GROUP Local GMT 17/2217Z | 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION ☐ Ground-Visual ☐ Air-Visual ☐ Ground-Radar ☐ Air-Intercept Radar | ☐ Was Aircraft ☐ Probably Aircraft ☐ Possibly Aircraft  |
|  5. PHOTOS ☐ Yes ☐ No | 6. SOURCE Military | ☐ Was Astronomical ☐ Probably Astronomical ☐ Possibly Astronomical  |
|  7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION | 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS two | 9. COURSE varied  |
|  10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF S…

UNCLASSIFIED
4E4g

SECRET
Country: Libya
Subject: UFOB's Detected Near Wheelus AB on 17/18 October, 1956
Source: 633d AC&W Squadron and 431st Fighter Interceptor Squadron
Set 1/1, Card 1/5

ATIC #: 303680
AF #: 1043041
Rpt. #: IR-1-56
Agency: 7272d Air Base Wing Combat Operations Center
D.R.: October 29, 1956
D.I.: October 17-18, 1956
Eval: B-2

On 17/18 October 1956 within a three (3) hour period, commencing at 17/2217Z, two (2) different tracks of unidentified slow flying objects were carried by the 633d AC&W Squadron, Wheelus Air Base Libya. F-86D aircraft made radar contact with th…

UNCLASSIFIED
Set 1/1, Card 2/5
Libya
ATIC #: 303680
Rpt. #: IR-1-56

2. Description of course of objects:
d. Flight description and maneuvers:
(1) The first object was picked up on the ground radar scope at 17/2217Z October, 1956, at NJPD 5047. The object maintained an approximate altitude of 9,000 feet and held a heading of 210° until 2303Z at which time, and at NJPD 2805, the heading was changed to 170°. Ground radar contact was lost once just prior to the change of heading and final contact was lost at 2303Z.
(2) The second object was picked up on the ground radar scope at 17/2317Z October …

UNCLASSIFIED

Set 1/1, Card 3/5 Libya ATIC #: 303680 Rpt. #: IR-1-56

proceeded through to Splash with no visual contact at anytime. When the unknown object made its heading change to 170, ground radar contact was lost momentarily.

b. Two (2) F-86D aircraft were diverted to the second object. At 2357Z F/Blue 1, flying at 5,000 feet, made radar contact on a heading of 050°. F/Blue 1 was two (2) nautical miles from the target at the time of the initial contact. At 2358Z F/Blue 1 got a Judy on a heading of 050° one mile from target. At 2359Z F/Blue 1 got a Splash. At this time the object and fig…

UNCLASSIFIED

Set 1/1, Card 4/5 Libya ATIC #: 303680
Rpt. #: IR-1-56

ground radar 035° at 30 nautical miles). F/Blue 2 got a contact two (2) miles from
the target on a bearing of 090° (bearing from ground radar 029° at 28 nautical miles)
and a Splash at 0048Z (bearing from ground radar 035° at 30 nautical miles). This
Splash was the last radar contact with the object by any type radar. The altitude
of both fighters on these two (2) passes was 3,800 feet. Neither fighter achieved
a Tally-ho. Due to low fuel conditions both aircraft were released for landing.
(4) F/Blue 1 stated that just befor…

UNCLASSIFIED

Set 1/1, Card 5/5 Libya ATIC #: 303680
Rpt. #: IR-1-56

through to a Splash signal on a target of this nature is considered improbable.
b. Because of speed of movement and weather conditions a temperature
inversion is not considered probable cause of indications.

Extract of a 5 page document. BW/maf
February 6, 1957

DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS:
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS
DOD DIR 5200.10

UNCLASSIFIED

HEADQUARTERS
FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO

REPLY TO
ATTN OF: TDEED

SUBJECT: Wheelus AB, Libya, 18 Oct 56 11 Feb 65

TO: TDEW/Sgt Moody

The fact that the visibility was 10 miles and the pilot saw nothing (visually) when he had closed to less than a mile is an indication that there was no material target; it seems most likely that some sudden change in the atmospheric characteristics - not necessarily temperature inversion as such - may have caused the return. Birds can give radar returns, but we concur that…