Two silver spheres over Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha

Summary

On September 25, 1952, at approximately 10:15 a.m. Central Time, Airman First Class James O. Howell was leaving a building at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, headquarters of the Strategic Air Command, when the sound of an aircraft drew his attention upward. He spotted a small, spherical, silver-colored object at very high altitude that appeared stationary. After a few moments it moved eastward, where it was joined by a second similar object. Both moved off to the east and disappeared. Shortly after, one object reappeared heading west.

Howell summoned Staff Sergeant Robert S. Lewis from the same organization, and both men watched the objects for about five minutes. The objects reflected light, appeared roughly the size of a quarter, and produced no sound or trail. Eventually one climbed out of sight, followed by the second. Weather was clear with 12 miles visibility and thin cirrus clouds above 25,000 feet. A B-47 at high altitude leaving vapor trails and a T-11 at about 5,000 feet were also in the area. No interception was attempted. Offutt headquarters stated it was unable to evaluate the sighting. Project Blue Book classified the case as 'probably astronomical.'