TIMOTHY Radar and F-86D Airborne Interception, June 1954

1954-06-22·Georef LE 1604, vicinity of TIMOTHY radar control site·USAF·unresolved

Multiple radar blips were detected on TIMOTHY radar scope over a ten-minute period on 22 June 1954. Two F-86D fighter interceptors (Pronto Blue #1 and #2) were vectored to intercept; Blue #2 tracked a target descending from 25,000 to 6,000 feet at speeds up to 0.9 Mach before the blip separated into two distinct returns and disappeared from scope.

“An unknown blip or target was picked up on TIMOTHY radar control scope in Georef LE 1604, estimated 200 knot speed, estimated altitude 15 angles, originally at 0314Z and intermittently thereafter for a total of three (3) sightings by TIMOTHY within a ten (10) minute period after which time blip or target remained off. Pronto Blue #2 obtained an airborne reader pickup lower left portion scope, approximately twenty-eight (28) miles from blip or target which separated into two "clear distinct" blips at 04352; altitude 25,000 feet. Blue #2 attempted to close on 30 degree port heading in attempt to center blip, descending from 25,000 feet to 6,000 feet and to within estimated six (6) miles with speed increasing from .85 to .9 Mach.”
Verbatim from FBI-UAP-D013.pdf · View original on war.gov

Case details

Date: 1954-06-22
Date exactness: Known to the day
Location: Georef LE 1604, vicinity of TIMOTHY radar control site
Country: United States
Region: Washington
Branch: USAF
Unit: 20th District Office of Special Investigations, McChord Air Force Base; 25th Air Division; 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
Sensors: radar, eyewitness
Altitude: 25000 ft

Resolution

Malfunction of radar was ruled out by site Tech Representative. Weather balloons, boats, ships, and aircraft were excluded through checks with weather stations, Seattle AMIS, Navy, Coast Guard, and 5 ADDC. One Navy P2V found flying over 100 miles away.