What did the declassified documents reveal?

COLD OPEN. This episode presents the United States Air Force incident report titled “xxxx xx 9078547 Mesa Arizona.” The document is catalogued in the public archive of the Black Vault and is notable for its detailed description of an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on a summer evening in Mesa, Arizona. PROVENANCE. The report was made publicly available through the Black Vault archive entry at archive dot org slash download slash xxxx‑xx‑9078547‑Mesa‑Arizona slash xxxx‑xx‑9078547‑Mesa‑Arizonadjvu.txt. The release was issued under a Freedom of Information Act request; the specific case number is not listed, and the declassification authority is recorded as the United States Air Force Historical Division. The document was posted to the public archive on an unspecified date. THE DOCUMENT. Project “..073 RECCIO” – location five one zero three zero two, Mesa, Arizona. Observation – of gas illumination. Brief summary and analysis: Object appeared to be kind of blimped and in a formation. The object had a steady fluorescent gloss, straight course. Objects disappeared behind roof line of observer’s house. Observer had just laid down, head to the north. His house is to the west. Objects were only visible momentarily. Observer stated his initial impression was that the objects were a flight of geese, about the size of ducks at a shotgun range, but later reflected that the objects were “disk shaped.” Sketch of an individual object could be described as kidney shaped. Message from Air Force staff, message branch, reference number three five nine seven three, date eight June six? Action: PJ3C‑4. Into: XDP‑1, XOPX‑2, SAPOS‑?, DIA‑1 (twelve). Location of observer: forty‑four point three east main, Mesa, Arizona; thirty‑three point zero nine five north latitude, one eleven degrees east longitude. Observer identification: high school graduate, reliability good. Weather: clear overcast, clouds around horizon. Wind direction and velocity: surface six zero degrees at four knots; six thousand feet one ninety degrees at fourteen knots; ten thousand feet two hundred degrees at twenty‑five knots; sixteen thousand feet two hundred degrees at forty‑four knots; twenty thousand feet two ten degrees at forty‑one knots; thirty thousand feet two thirty degrees at seventy‑three knots. Ceiling seven thousand feet scattered, twelve thousand feet broken. Amount of cloud cover six‑tenths, thunder observed. Vertical temperature: thirty‑one degrees at surface, plus twelve to thirty degrees aloft. Unusual weather conditions: none. Investigating officer statements: “Mr. stated that he was having trouble sleeping. The light shaver had just fallen, and he had taken notice. He had raced the cot between his car and the house. He had just laid down with his head to the north when he noticed the objects appear above the hood line of his house. The objects were only visible momentarily as they disappeared behind the roof line of Mr. Birt’s house.” The observer’s initial impression…

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. ” The document is catalogued in the public archive of the Black Vault and is notable for its detailed description of an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on a summer evening in Mesa, Arizona. PROVENANCE. txt.

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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Episode notes

COLD OPEN. This episode presents the United States Air Force incident report titled “xxxx xx 9078547 Mesa Arizona.” The document is catalogued in the public archive of the Black Vault and is notable for its detailed description of an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on a summer evening in…

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Questions about this case

What was Declassified Case File about?: COLD OPEN. ” The document is catalogued in the public archive of the Black Vault and is notable for its detailed description of an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on a summer evening in Mesa, Arizona. PROVENANCE. txt.
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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