90 mi N Sweetwater, TX: B-25s track maneuvering object
Crews of two USAF B-25 bombers spotted a round white object performing rapid maneuvers 90 miles north of Sweetwater, Texas. It interfered with radio compass and followed the planes before departing swiftly.
Background
Incident
On January 16, 1957 at 20:00, two US Air Force B-25 crews were flying about 90 miles north of Sweetwater, Texas when they noticed a round white object making rapid movements. Lt. Col. Howard T. Wright reported that his radio compass suddenly pointed at the object and tracked its movements, instead of remaining aligned with the homing signal from Reese AFB (today Reese Technology Center) in Lubbock, Texas.
Observations
The object blinked on and off, followed the aircraft for an hour, and closed as they reached the Lubbock area. It hung motionless for 5 seconds ahead of the aircraft, then flew off in a straight line within about 12 seconds. One B-25 was refuelled and searched the area for 4 hours without success.
Significance
This military incident shows electromagnetic interference and controlled manoeuvres, documented through pilot reports. Sources cite the official witnesses in support of its credibility.