DOW-UAP-D161, Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953

[PAGE 1] r / AF FORM 112 - iTS APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 ee a ee Te ALASKA. - TR 500h=10-53 a OS « SAG AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT SUBJECT ighting of Light on Big Diomede, Island, USSR AREA REPORTED ON FROM (Agenty) BOOA+th Air Intel Sv 8q Big Diomede, USSR APO 942, o/o PM, Seattle, Wash. DATE OF REPO! DATE OF INFORMATION | EVALUATION 24 November 1953 8 October 19535 | C=3 PREPARED BY (Officer) SOURCE FE M,. BROWN, Major, USAF Raleigh Iyapanna | REFERENCES (Control number, directite, previous report, etc., ay applicable) SUMMARY: (2onter concise summary of report. Give significance in sinal one-sentence paragraph. List inclosures at lower efi. Begin text of report on AF Form {1%—Pare If.) At approximately 081015Z, Raleigh Iyapanna, an Eskimo on Little Diomede (168°55'W- 65°44" N) 3 observed a light on the southern tip of Big Diomede Island, USSR (169°O3'W - 65°47'N). The light appeared as though it came from a large flashlight or spotlight and lasted for a period of several seconds, The in- formation was reported by Iyapama to ROY N. FOWLER member of the 5004th AISS stationed on Little Diomede Islend. The sighting is unusual because persons have not been seen previously in that location and because it is believed to be a difficult place to reach, par- ticulerly at night. (ded Scho T e LOO C ommander el ge LIBRARY SUBJECT & AREA CODES DECLASSIFIED Authority: \iohen NND 57597 1 INCLS, Sketch of Observation Cy DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR ; = Comdr, AAC, ATIN: OI COMALSEAFRON, ATTN: D/NI Comdr,~ 10th Air Div, mio CINCAL, ATTN: J=-2 (2 cys) Comdr, FEAF, ATTN: A-2 Comdr, llth Air Div, ATTN:D/ Comdr, USARAL, ATTN: G2 Gomdr, NEAC, ATTN: D/I Comir in Chief, USPacF1t OSI, AAC Comdr, ADC, ATTN: D/I NOTE THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U. S.C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW, IT MAY NCT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55569-2 0 U. #. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 2] ” oat AF FORM 112—PART 1 pam incireaieiarena “AIR INTELL E INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) ; REPORT NO. 5004th Air Intel Sv Sq APO 942, c/o PM, Seattle, Wash. | IR 5004-40-53 I, DESCRIPTION OF SOURCE: NAME: Raleigh Iyapanna AGE: 14 Years OCCUPATION: Elementary Student and Hunter PLACE OF BIRTH: Little Diomede Island II. RELIABILITY OF SOURCE: This report was made on 6 October 1953 by, Raleigh Iyapanna, an Eskimo of Little Diomede Island. Every night during the week preceding the report he had maintained a watch on Big Diomede on his own initiative. ROY N. FOWLER states he believes the source to be fairly reliable and that the sighting of the light is possibly true. Source is in good health and has excellent eyesight. III. REPORT OF SIGHTING: At approximately 081025Z, the source observed a light on the southern tip of Big Diomede Island at an estimated height of 95 feet above sea level. He had been standing in the center of Little Diomede Village looking in the general direction of Big Diomede for about fifteen minutes prior to the sighting. Source observed the light when it appeared and watched it until it disappeared. The duration of the observation was estimated as lasting for several seconds. The light was described as being the size of a nickel coin held at arms length and about the same color as a burning match or dim flashlight. It was the sources opinion that the light came from a large flashlight or spotlight. Immediately after the light disappeared, the source ran to his house, about 25 yards away, and checked the time which was 10302, After checking the time he went back to his original position and continued to watch the area the light came from, however, the light did not reappear. For location of the light see Incl #1. IV. WEATHER: The night was dark but with no overcast, stars were clearly visible, Big Diomede Island was plainly outlined against the sky. Wind was from the north and estimated at about 5 MPH, COMMENTS OF THE PREPARING OFFICER: The location of the light is considered somewhat unusual because people have never been observed on that part of Big Diomede Island and because of the difficulty in reaching the location, particularly at night. If persons on Big Diomede wanted to signal to the Alaskan mainland, it could best be done from the southern tip of the island. From that point, the Alaskan coast from Wales NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50U. $.C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. if MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. (CLASSIFICATION) 16—58570-1 «7 U. 8. GOVERNMENT PREKTING OFFICE [PAGE 3] AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 ~~ AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) REPORT NO. 5004th Air Intel Sv Sq APO 942, c/o PM, Seattle, Wash, IR 5004-10-53 ( FICATION) (168°os'w = 65°97'N) to approximately Tin City (1¢67°5e'w - 65°33'N) could be seen when visibility was good. This stated only to mention the possibility however slight it may bee There is no evidence to support a conclusion that this was the purpose of the lights awe |W. FOVoue FRANCIS M, BROWN Major, USAF Preparing Officer NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S. C.— 31 AND 32. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 FX Us 8. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 4] AF FORM 112—PART II APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agency) REPORT NO. 5004th Air Intel Sv Sq Incl #1 APO 942, c/o PM, Seattle, Wash. IR 5004-40-53 [Diagram: hand-drawn sketch map of Little Diomede and Big Diomede islands marking the point on Big Diomede where the light was observed.] Labels on the sketch: LITTLE DIOMEDE, LITTLE DIOMEDE VILLAGE, 25' ELEV., 2.5 MILES, 213° MAG., BIG DIOMEDE, APPROX. 95' ELEV., POINT WHERE LIGHT WAS OBSERVED, SEEN WITH THE NAKED EYE, N (north arrow). NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S, C.— 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF. (CLASSIFICATION) 16—55570-1 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE