Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan: KC-135 Tanker Chases Unknown Over Nuclear Weapons Storage at 1,000 Knots
On October 30, 1975, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan was intruded — nuclear weapons underground were the apparent target. Radar Approach Control tracked the object over the base and up to 35 miles over Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron). A KC-135 tanker was vectored to the intruder; a captain onboard described it accelerating to approximately 1,000 knots with no build-up. The captain was questioned by USAF OSI and cautioned not to discuss the incident.
Background
Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan was intruded. Its nuclear weapons underground were the apparent target. At 10:10 p.m., families noticed what they supposed was a low-flying helicopter without running lights. Guards inside the Weapons Storage Area reported an airborne vehicle low in the sky.
KC-135 Chase
Radar Approach Control tracked the object over the base and up to 35 miles away over Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron). A KC-135 tanker was vectored toward the intruder. A captain onboard recounted: 'I would estimate that the UFO sped away from us doing approximately 1,000 knots.... There was no build-up to this speed — it was constant from the second it started to move.'
The captain was questioned by the USAF Office of Special Investigations and cautioned not to discuss the incident.