UFO sighted near Kalispell in 1959

Summary

A witness in Kalispell, Montana, reported seeing a long, dark object with a white light at the front. The object appeared to be moving north and, according to the observer, seemed to go into the ground. Although no photos were taken, the sighting occurred around 23:15 on December 1, 1959. The source of the report was a civilian whose personal details and reliability were not provided.

The official investigation concluded that it was likely an aerial refueling operation in progress. A KC-135 from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and a B-52 from Fairchild AFB, Washington, were in the area conducting a refueling mission heading northeast. According to investigators, the white light could have been the refueling drogue light, and the long object might have been the silhouette of the two aircraft connected. However, there was no radar confirmation or additional testimony, leaving open the possibility that it was an unidentified phenomenon.