DOI 56-4974-C — 1956-09-18 — Within a 20-mile radius of Merced, California (Castle AFB ar

On 18 September 1956 at 0722Z, two 1st Lts piloting F-86Ds 928 and 951 from Castle AFB observed an oval flattened object emitting bright white light from its periphery at 11,000 feet altitude on heading 270 degrees. The object randomly dipped vertically while moving horizontally, then disappeared vertically into clouds. The initial sighting was instantaneous and a second sighting moments later lasted about 15 seconds. The staff intelligence officer's investigation found no known search lights operating but considered a slight possibility of searchlights as cause.

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