What did the declassified documents reveal?

COLD OPEN. This is a declassified record titled “1952‑04‑6313816‑Selfridge AFB‑Michigan,” issued by the United States Air Force, dated twenty‑seven April, nineteen‑fifty‑two. It is notable because it documents an unexplained aerial observation made by an air‑force officer at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, and it was released through The Black Vault archive. PROVENANCE. The document was made publicly available by The Black Vault, reference number 1952‑04‑6313816‑Selfridge AFB‑Michigan. The entry was posted on the archive website on an unspecified date, and the release appears to be the result of a Freedom of Information Act request, though a specific case number is not listed. The declassification authority is the Director of Intelligence, United States Air Force, as indicated on the document itself. THE DOCUMENT. Project one zero seven three record card, L‑W BATE two. Location: twenty‑one April twenty‑two, Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan. Date‑time group: twenty‑seven April, nineteen‑fifty‑two, approximately two thousand hours. Type of observation: ground visual, ground radar, air visual, air intercept radar. Source: Air Force Captain. Course: two. Number of objects: three to four seconds. Conclusions: balloon probably, balloon possibly, balloon unknown; aircraft probably, aircraft possibly, aircraft unknown; astronomical phenomenon probably, astronomical phenomenon possibly, astronomical phenomenon unknown; insufficient data for evaluation; unknown. Brief summary of sighting: Kelly green color. Ball shape. ATIC Form three two nine, revision twenty‑six September, nineteen‑fifty‑two, BOI three one nine point three. Transmit to: Chief Air Technics. In compliance with W‑O‑L two hundred Air Force Forms one twelve, paragraph one and two. Air Intelligence Information Report. From the 470th Defense Wing, Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan. On twenty‑seven April, nineteen‑fifty‑two, at approximately two thousand hours, the undersigned was walking in an easterly direction toward the officer’s barracks area at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, when I noticed in the sky at a one point five degree angle a large flash of green light which trailed to a point to the north. The light was Kelly green in color, persisted for three to four seconds, and then disappeared. I heard no noise, saw no object, though the light appeared to move in a horizontal plane. The night was dark and the light lit up the sky, bright enough to throw a reflection in a pool of water along the road. I cannot determine shape, size, altitude, or speed. Two other officers walking toward me stated, upon my inquiry, that they knew of a light behind them, but thought the light was from a beacon overhead and acknowledged that this was not the light that must have appeared. I have been at Selfridge Air Force Base for sixteen months and have never seen any similar lights or balls of green light. The night was clear; stars were clearly visible; no clouds in the sky. I have seen falling…

Why was this case declassified?

This material was released by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Declassified Case File

◆ BLUF — The short version

COLD OPEN. This is a declassified record titled “1952‑04‑6313816‑Selfridge AFB‑Michigan,” issued by the United States Air Force, dated twenty‑seven April, nineteen‑fifty‑two. It is notable because it documents an unexplained aerial observation made by an air‑force officer at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, and it was released through The Black Vault archive.

Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Date: JUL 18 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Declassified Case File about?: COLD OPEN. This is a declassified record titled “1952‑04‑6313816‑Selfridge AFB‑Michigan,” issued by the United States Air Force, dated twenty‑seven April, nineteen‑fifty‑two. It is notable because it documents an unexplained aerial observation made by an air‑force officer at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, and it was released through The Black Vault archive.
Why was this case declassified?: This material was released by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked in the case notes above so the citation chain is fully auditable.

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