UAP Reported at Sandia Base, 1948-1950

This U.S. Department of War release compiles 1949 records tied to Sandia Base, New Mexico. It includes a Sandia Base security inspection reply and a W. D. Crozier letter to Lincoln LaPaz. It also contains Crozier and Seely's report on collecting airborne copper particles after the July 24, 1949 fireball near Socorro, which they judged negative or inconclusive. LaPaz's sixth report on green fireballs disputes parts of that finding, and a Fourth Army report describes unusual lights around the Q Area at Camp Hood, Texas, in March 1949.

From the source:Release of 2026-05-22 Incident: 1948-1950, New Mexico. This file contains 116 pages of documentation from the Armed Forces Special Weapons Program (AFSWP) – the direct, post-World War II successor to the Manhattan Project – and from the U.S. Air Force – relating to a series of sightings and investigations in Sandia, New Mexico, from 1948-1950. This file contains 209 sightings of “green orbs,” “discs,” and “fireballs” reported near the military base. Witnesses reported unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) maneuvering, flying out of sight, disappearing, or exploding. The documents also include the results of contemporary investigations into residual copper powder found in some areas where sightings were reported. A few of these investigations became the basis for Project Grudge, which collected reports of unidentified flying objects from various other military installations – also included in this collection.

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S/I, Office of the AO of S, G-2, Headquarters Fourth Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 16 March 1949, subj, "Unusual Lights"

without the fence. The Security Officer of Site Baker is investigating. He stated the light was not carried by any of the AFSHP personnel.

Investigation continues in an effort to determine cause of the "lights." Last information is that 32 trip flares have been put into the general area by the 2nd Armored Division and that some may have been set off by wild animals. Subsequent summary will be rendered when more exact evidence on flares is obtained. It is presently known, however, that these flares explode on the ground and do not shoot into the air.

No conclusion is drawn from the data on attached overlay other than to note that the "lights" form a rough circle about the "Q" Area. Copy of surface weather observations for Camp Hood on the 6, 7, and 8 March 1949 are attached as a possible aid in analysis. This report covers only day hours since the USAF weather service at Camp Hood closes at 1700 hours and opens at 0750 hours.

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EXHIBIT I - Overlay, Tank Destroyer Center, Camp Hood, Texas

EXHIBIT II - Weather Report, 6 March 1949, Camp Hood, Texas

EXHIBIT III - Weather Report, 7 March 1949, Camp Hood, Texas

EXHIBIT IV - Weather Report, 8 March 1949, Camp Hood, Texas