Radar Siting of UFOs off Azores from Aboard USS Albany GC10 in Early Fall 1965
Submitted by a friend on behalf of ((initials deleted)).
UFO sighting aboard USS Albany GC10, United States Ship, Guided Missile Cruiser 10, commissioned in August 1963.
Date of Incident: 1965. Estimated late summer to early fall, it wasn’t cold. Weather decks were open (nice weather, calm water).
Location: East of the Azores
((initials deleted--witness)) was an Electronic Technician ET3R (Radar). BR did maintenance on all radar on the Albany including SPS30, SPS43, SPS39, SPS10, TACAN, and airborne early warning (AEW). The Albany is a heavy cruiser, not an air craft carrier, but it do air traffic control (hence the TACAN).
It was after dark, after 10:00pm "lights out." Not sure if it was 8pm to Midnight or Midnight to 4am watch.
Russian Bear aircraft had recently been seen in the area and the 6th fleet was on lookout for maneuvers involving Russian aircraft and trawlers (electronic spy boats disguised as fishing boats).
((initials deleted--witness)) and air traffic controllers were watching 3 bogies on radar, but had no visual contact. Bogies did not respond to any communication. They were following fleet at distance of 40-50 miles for over an hour at approximately the speed of the fleet.
Decision was made to scramble three jets, possibly F4 phantoms (BR is not sure). Jet pilots radioed back jet speed on the order of 1350 KTS. Jet pilots did not get visual on bogies. ((initials deleted)) could see bogies on SPS30 in height finding radar.
It was not normal to have air traffic controllers in CIC (Combat Information Center) at night. They were officers and would normally be asleep, but controllers did arrive due to unusual occurrence this night.
The Albany used SPA33 Plan Position Indicator display units for multiple radar systems on the Albany but this system did not link into other ships in the fleet. The important point being that a malfunction of the Albany’s radar system would not affect other ships.
The task force mission was to protect the air craft carrier. They were protecting from sub attacks.
((initials deleted--witness)) does not remember the aircraft carrier name.
The aircraft carrier also reported three bogies on their independent on-board radar.
Albany’s radars were set on sector scan to focus on bogies.
The jets reported over the radio that they had radar contact with bogies.
Jets never got closer than 20 miles (thus no visual?).
Jets move about 1/4 inch per radar sweep at 1350 knots. The bogies began to move away in approximately 3/4 inch jumps per sweep. Bogies maintained triangular formation. Bogies disappeared from radar within 7 sweeps. Jets were still visible on radar.
Officer of the watch was present talking the Albany’s air traffic controllers.
Jets still in flight broke off pursuit and turned back to the air craft carrier.
Radar went back to full 360 scan. Radar operators were to keep a lookout for similar aircraft/bogies.
The two air controllers (lieutenant two bars) smiled at each other and one turned to BR and said, "this incident never happened."
((initials deleted--witness)) suspects the air controllers were acting under an order not to discuss the incident but was never personally ordered not to discuss the incident.
((NUFORC Note: Witness indicates that the date of the incident is approximate. PD))
Submitted by a friend on behalf of ((initials deleted)).
UFO sighting aboard USS Albany GC10, United States Ship, Guided Missile Cruiser 10, commissioned in August 1963.
Date of Incident: 1965. Estimated late summer to early fall, it wasn’t cold. Weather decks were open (nice weather, calm water).
Location: East of the Azores
((initials deleted--witness)) was an Electronic Technician ET3R (Radar). BR did maintenance on all radar on the Albany including SPS30, SPS43, SPS39, SPS10, TACAN, and airborne early warning (AEW). The Albany is a heavy cruiser, not an air craft carrier, but it do air traffic control (hence the TACAN).
It was after dark, after 10:00pm "lights out." Not sure if it was 8pm to Midnight or Midnight to 4am watch.
Russian Bear aircraft had recently been seen in the area and the 6th fleet was on lookout for maneuvers involving Russian aircraft and trawlers (electronic spy boats disguised as fishing boats).
((initials deleted--witness)) and air traffic controllers were watching 3 bogies on radar, but had no visual contact. Bogies did not respond to any communication. They were following fleet at distance of 40-50 miles for over an hour at approximately the speed of the fleet.
Decision was made to scramble three jets, possibly F4 phantoms (BR is not sure). Jet pilots radioed back jet speed on the order of 1350 KTS. Jet pilots did not get visual on bogies. ((initials deleted)) could see bogies on SPS30 in height finding radar.
It was not normal to have air traffic controllers in CIC (Combat Information Center) at night. They were officers and would normally be asleep, but controllers did arrive due to unusual occurrence this night.
The Albany used SPA33 Plan Position Indicator display units for multiple radar systems on the Albany but this system did not link into other ships in the fleet. The important point being that a malfunction of the Albany’s radar system would not affect other ships.
The task force mission was to protect the air craft carrier. They were protecting from sub attacks.
((initials deleted--witness)) does not remember the aircraft carrier name.
The aircraft carrier also reported three bogies on their independent on-board radar.
Albany’s radars were set on sector scan to focus on bogies.
The jets reported over the radio that they had radar contact with bogies.
Jets never got closer than 20 miles (thus no visual?).
Jets move about 1/4 inch per radar sweep at 1350 knots. The bogies began to move away in approximately 3/4 inch jumps per sweep. Bogies maintained triangular formation. Bogies disappeared from radar within 7 sweeps. Jets were still visible on radar.
Officer of the watch was present talking the Albany’s air traffic controllers.
Jets still in flight broke off pursuit and turned back to the air craft carrier.
Radar went back to full 360 scan. Radar operators were to keep a lookout for similar aircraft/bogies.
The two air controllers (lieutenant two bars) smiled at each other and one turned to BR and said, "this incident never happened."
((initials deleted--witness)) suspects the air controllers were acting under an order not to discuss the incident but was never personally ordered not to discuss the incident.
((NUFORC Note: Witness indicates that the date of the incident is approximate. PD))
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Off
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Azores (aboard USS Albany)
Azores
2 Hours
2 Hours
circle
Occurred : 9/1/1965 00:00 (Entered as : 09/01/65 0:00) Reported: 2/15/2007 10:49:58 PM 22:49 Posted: 2/24/2007 Location: Azores (aboard USS Albany), Shape: Circle Duration: 2 Hours Characteristics: There were aircraft in the vicinity or aircraft chasing the object
Radar Siting of UFOs off Azores from Aboard USS Albany GC10 in Early Fall 1965