Incident · 24 October 1968 · Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota
Minot B-52 radar and visual sightings (North Dakota, 1968)
Also known as Minot 1968, Minot B-52 UFO
Partly explained. Project Blue Book attributed the ground sightings to Sirius and the B-52, and only "possibly" to plasma for the radar contact and radio failure. (Project Blue Book case file: Minot AFB, North Dakota, October 1968)
In the early hours of 24 October 1968, maintenance and security personnel at Minuteman missile sites around Minot Air Force Base reported a bright light, and a B-52 bomber flying practice approaches northwest of the base tracked a radar target that raced alongside it before breaking away, while its radios failed. The crew photographed the radar scope.
Project Blue Book attributed the ground sightings to Sirius and the B-52, and suggested ball-lightning-like plasma for the radar contact and radio failure. The file includes a transcript of the B-52's radio exchanges with Minot.
Sources: Project Blue Book case file, Minot AFB 1968 (NARA ID 302580672)
Facts and claims
- documented A B-52 crew making practice penetrations northwest of Minot tracked an unidentified radar return that crossed in front of them at about 3,000 mph and then stayed off their left wing for about 20 miles. Both transmitters malfunctioned while the target was close, and they photographed the radar scope. Ground personnel at the missile sites reported a bright light. Source: Project Blue Book case file: Minot AFB, North Dakota, October 1968
- documented Project Blue Book concluded that the ground sightings were probably the star Sirius and the B-52 itself, and that the radar contact, the radio failure and the crew's visual sighting were "possible" plasma, similar to ball lightning, or the star Vega or a ground light. Source: Project Blue Book case file: Minot AFB, North Dakota, October 1968
Connected files
Books
- UAPs and the Nuclear Puzzle: Visitations, National Security, and the Need for Transparency (subject of)
Claims
- UAP show a recurring interest in nuclear weapons sites, at times interfering with the weapons (subject of)
Documents
Programs
- Project Blue Book (investigated by)
Mentioned in this file
- National Archives and Records Administration (Organization)