Dallas: B-47 Bomber Paced by Missile-Shaped Object

Incident Details On September 3, 1954, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Major Robert J. Waste commanded a nine-person B-47 bomber crew flying at 25,000 feet near Dallas, Texas, en route to Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. Carswell Air Force Base had alerted them to watch for unusual aerial phenomena.

The Object The crew encountered a metallic, missile-shaped craft positioned approximately 100 feet overhead. The object featured two rows of oval-shaped portholes along its fuselage and displayed an orange exhaust. Its underside appeared to emit a luminous glow. The craft was slightly larger and longer than the B-47 itself.

Encounter Sequence After an initial pacing maneuver, the object accelerated upward at extraordinary speed. Upon ground control's direction to pursue, the crew attempted interception but could not match its velocity. The craft then descended to within 300 feet and resumed engagement, executing figure-eight patterns and complex aerial maneuvers while maintaining proximity to the bomber for over one hour. Two additional B-47s in the squadron also witnessed the phenomenon.

Evidence and Aftermath Major Waste photographed the object using personal 35mm color film, capturing 32 frames. However, both his film and that of his copilot were confiscated during a three-day debriefing at Barksdale Air Force Base.