Ground Observer’s View: 2:30 five miles north of November-7
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A1C Robert O’Connor, and A1C Lloyd Isley
Five miles north of November-7 LF at 2:30 am, 24 Oct. 1968
N 48° 41’ 40.69” / W 101° 36’ 13.78”
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A1C Robert Michael O’CONNOR, (Field Maintenance Chief, 91st MIMS).
In his AF-117, O’Connor noted his initial sighting at 0230, while in a vehicle driving five miles north of the November-7 Launch Facility. At one point they stopped the vehicle to observe the object which, “seemed to be observing us. When we stopped the object seemed to hover or stop when we turned out our headlights.” He observed the phenomenon through “side window of vehicle” and “first spotted” the object to his left (east). His attention was drawn to the phenomenon by “The fact that it was bigger than the two farmer’s yard lights which appeared at a distance.” In addition: “When the object was first [sighted] it appeared to be in between two farmer’s yard lights which were a little smaller, then the object grew brighter moving S.E.” Regarding conditions, he notes that the night was partly cloudy with nimbus clouds and a few stars were visible.
A1C Lloyd M. ISLEY, (Maintenance Technician, 91st MIMS).
In his AF-117, Isley noted his initial sighting at 0030 [more likely 0230], while in a vehicle “Traveling south from N-1 (LCF) to N-7 (LF) on a gravel road about five miles north of N-7.” He notes their attention was drawn when “We saw the light in the sky.” At one point they stopped the truck and “also observed the object from outside the vehicle.” He indicates the initial observation was in the east at 50° altitude. “We first saw the object to the east of us while we were traveling toward the site. It started moving south. We arrived at the site and then started observing the object from outside the truck. It was moving in a large circular area to the south of us.” Regarding conditions, he notes that the night was clear and a few stars were visible.
[O’Connor and Isley’s location at 0230 was nearly 14 miles due east of the Oscar-6 LF. Smith’s location at Oscar-1 LCF was nearly 9 miles north of O-6. Smith also reported his initial sighting at 0230 in the south at an estimated distance of 10 miles, which provides a triangulation of the object’s location near O-6.]