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

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COUNTRY REPORT NO, AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT Sifhting of Light on Big Diomede, IslanId, USSR oN FROM IDATE OF INFORMATION EVALUATION SUMMARY: (Er!Ur fOndlt ,um111ar, ofreporl. Oltle llgnljlccma 111 jl1lal qae-,entrnce paragraph. Lut lnclorurt1 at lower left, Begin ttrt of report on AF Form I /~Fart 11.) At approximately 081015Z, Raleigh Iyapanna, an Eskimo on Little Diomede (168°ss•w- 65°44'N)& observed a light on the southern tip of Big Diomede Island, USSR (169°03'W - 65 47'N). The light appeared as though it oame from a large flashlight or spotlight and lasted for a period of several seconds. The in­ £orme.tion was reported by I~panna to ROY N. FOWLER member of the 5004th AISS stationed on Little Diomede Island. 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 ticularly at night. Major, USAF LH3RA'RY SUBJECT & AREA CODES Sketch of Observation DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR Comdr, AAC, ATTN: OI COMALSEAFRON, ATTN: D/NI Comdr, 10th Air Div, ATTN:D/ CINCAL, ATTN: J-2 (2 cys) Comdr, FEAF, ATTN: A-2 Comdr, 11th Air Div, ATTN:D/ Comdr, USARAL, ATTN: G-2 Comdr, NEAC, ATTN: D I Condr in Chief, USPacFlt SI omdr ADC ATTN: D I IIDTE; THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING TI-lE NATIONAL DEFENSE OFTHE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT. SOU. 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. ee,-r,

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AF FORM 112....:PART II Lf AIR INTELUGEN~==ORMATION REPORT FROM (.Aqencv) REPORT HO. PAGE OF PAGES N'AME: Raleigh Iyapanna AGE: 14 Years OCCUPATION: Elementary Student and Hunter PLACE OF BIRTH: Little Diomede Island II. RELIABUITY 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 0810252, 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 f~om a large flashlight or spotlight. Innnediately after the light disappeared, the source ran to his house, about 25 yards away, and checked the time which was 103oz. 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 ma.inland, 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. 50 U. S. C.- 31 AND 32. AS AMENDED. I1S 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.

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AF FORM 112-PART II AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (.AQtnCII) lREPORT NO. when visibility was good. This stated only to mention the possibility however slight it ma.y be. There is no evidenoe to support a conclusion that this was the purpose of -tha light. Major, USAF Preparing Officer N0TE:THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECT'ING 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

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AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FROM (Agrnq) REPORT NO. PAGE OF P.I.GES 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.