UFO spotted at McChord AFB in 1957

Summary

In June 1957, an object was detected on radar at McChord Air Base in Washington. The radar picked up a "normal pip" that disappeared into ground clutter after 35 minutes of observation. Officials suspected it might be a deflated weather balloon, given the descent rate of 2,000 feet per minute. Although there was no visual confirmation, the event was recorded as part of the investigations of the time. The US Coast Guard also intervened to investigate the area where the object might have landed.

The air base diverted a T-33 to investigate, but there was no visual sighting. Weather data and the object's trajectory supported the theory of a weather balloon. Despite the lack of photos or visual testimony, the report was filed as part of the surveillance records of the 635th Air Defense Squadron. This case reflects how observers tried to explain unknown aerial phenomena with the tools available in the 1950s.