What did the declassified documents reveal?

COLD OPEN. This is a declassified record titled “1960 12 8601845 Kettering Ohio,” issued by the United States Air Force. The document dates from December nineteen sixty and appears in the The Black Vault archive as a technical information sheet concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed near Kettering, Ohio. PROVENANCE. The file was uploaded to the public archive at documents2.theblackvault.com on an unspecified date. The entry lists the source as a scanned copy of the original Air Force form, with no FOIA case number provided. The declassification authority is noted as the United States Air Force, which released the material for public access through the archive. THE DOCUMENT. Project one zero zero seven three, record card two. Logation: Sm four. Type of observation: “2 Ground‑Visual …” Yaw –s lo –al – SS … Air Visual … Air‑Intercept … Photos: al UU … Course = seven … Length of observation nineteen, number of objects nine … ATIC form three two seven nine (REY two forty‑six RNP fifty‑two). Conclusions: C) “V‑Wias Malloon” probably “A‑cloggn” or possibly “Belloon.” Was aircraft? Possibly “Alreralt.” Was astronomical? Probably “Astronomico!” Possibly “Astronomical.” Other. 1) Insufficient data for evaluation. 2) Link unknown. Brief summary of sighting eleven. Comments: “Gray and smoky like fog. Moved very slow. …” U.S. Air Force Technical Information Sheet. This questionnaire has been prepared so that you can give the United States Air Force as much information as possible concerning the unidentified aerial phenomenon that you have observed. Your name will not be used in connection with any statements, conclusions, or publications without your permission. Questionnaire excerpt (selected items): 1. Where were you when you saw the object? Far. 2. How was the time of sight determined? Certain; not very sure. 3. Did the object appear as a light, shiny, dark, or unknown? Circle one: a. Light, b. Shiny, c. Dark, d. Don’t remember. 4. Was the object brighter than the brightest stars? Circle one: Yes, No, Don’t know. 5. Did the object appear to stand still at any time? Yes, No, Don’t know. 6. Did the object suddenly speed up and rush away? Yes, No, Don’t know. 7. Did the object break up into parts or expand? Yes, No, Don’t know. 8. Did the object give off smoke? Yes, No, Don’t know. 9. Did the object change brightness? Yes, No, Don’t know. 10. Did the object change shape? Yes, No, Don’t know. 11. Did the object flash or flicker? Yes, No, Don’t know. 12. Did the object disappear and reappear? Yes, No, Don’t know. 13. Did the object move behind a cloud? Yes, No, Don’t know. 14. Did the object appear in front of a cloud? Yes, No, Don’t know. 15. Was the object solid, transparent, vapor, or unknown? Circle one: Solid, Transparent, Vapor, Don’t know. 16. Did you observe the object through any of the following? Eyeglasses – Yes, No; Binoculars – Yes, No; Sun – Yes, No; Telescope – Yes, No; Windshield – Yes, No; Theodolite – Yes, No; Window glass –…

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 “1960 12 8601845 Kettering Ohio,” issued by the United States Air Force. The document dates from December nineteen sixty and appears in the The Black Vault archive as a technical information sheet concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed near Kettering, Ohio.

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 “1960 12 8601845 Kettering Ohio,” issued by the United States Air Force. The document dates from December nineteen sixty and appears in the The Black Vault archive as a technical information sheet concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed near Kettering, Ohio.
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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