Minot Air Force Base UFO Incident

The Minot Air Force Base incident of 1968 is one of the most thoroughly documented military UFO cases. A B-52 crew, ground observers, and radar operators all tracked an unknown object that appeared near nuclear missile facilities, landed or hovered near the ground, and demonstrated capabilities beyond any known aircraft.

October 24, 1968

The incident began in the early morning hours at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota - a Strategic Air Command base housing nuclear-armed B-52 bombers and Minuteman missile silos.

Initial Report: At approximately 2:30 AM, maintenance crews at the missile sites reported unusual lights in the sky.

Radar Contact: The base’s radar began tracking an unknown target.

B-52 Involvement: A B-52 bomber on a training mission was diverted to investigate.

The B-52 Encounter

The B-52H, call sign JAG 31, was piloted by Captain Don Cagle with co-pilot Captain Bradford Runyon:

Radar Contact: The B-52’s radar acquired a target that tracked alongside the aircraft.

Visual Observation: Crew members observed a large, bright object at their altitude.

Close Approach: The object appeared to approach within one mile of the B-52.

Duration: The encounter lasted approximately 20 minutes.

The Ground Observations

Simultaneously, ground personnel observed unusual activity:

Missile Sites: Security teams at the Oscar and November missile sites reported bright lights.

Object on Ground: Multiple witnesses reported a large, illuminated object that appeared to have landed or hovered very close to the ground.

Size: Ground observers estimated the object as several hundred feet in length.

Illumination: The object was described as brilliantly lit, illuminating the surrounding terrain.

The Radar Data

Multiple radar systems tracked the unknown:

Ground Radar: Minot’s ground radar tracked an unknown target in the area where visual observations occurred.

B-52 Radar: The aircraft’s onboard radar acquired a target that paced the bomber.

Consistent Position: The radar returns correlated with visual observations.

The Blue Book Investigation

Project Blue Book investigated the incident:

Case File: The Minot case was given extensive documentation in Blue Book files.

Interviews: Numerous military personnel were interviewed.

Radar Analysis: Radar data was examined.

Conclusion: Blue Book initially had difficulty explaining the case, eventually suggesting plasma or ball lightning - an explanation criticized as inadequate.

Key Witnesses

Multiple credible witnesses observed the phenomenon:

B-52 Crew: Captain Runyon and other crew members observed the object visually and on radar.

Ground Security: Armed security personnel at missile sites observed the object from close range.

Maintenance Crews: Personnel working at missile facilities reported the sightings.

Tower Personnel: Air traffic control observed radar returns.

All were trained military observers.

The Nuclear Connection

The proximity to nuclear weapons was noted:

Missile Silos: The object was observed near Minuteman missile sites.

Pattern: This fit a pattern of UFO activity at nuclear facilities.

Malmstrom Parallel: Similar to the 1967 Malmstrom incidents where UFOs appeared near nuclear missiles.

Security Implications: The ability of unknown objects to approach nuclear weapons raised serious questions.

Dr. Roy Craig’s Investigation

Dr. Roy Craig, representing the Condon Committee, investigated:

On-Site Visit: Craig visited Minot AFB and interviewed witnesses.

Documentation: His notes documented the multiple observation types.

Conclusion: Craig found the case difficult to explain conventionally.

Official Report: The Condon Report mentioned the case but did not resolve it.

What Was Observed

Combining all accounts:

The Object: A large, brightly illuminated craft-like object.

Behavior: Capable of pacing a B-52, approaching nuclear missile sites, and hovering near ground level.

Radar Visibility: Tracked on both ground and airborne radar.

Size: Estimated at several hundred feet based on ground observations.

No Sound: Despite apparent proximity, little or no sound was reported.

Skeptical Analysis

Explanations proposed include:

Plasma/Ball Lightning: Blue Book’s suggestion, but plasma doesn’t explain the size, duration, and radar tracking.

Stars/Planets: Celestial objects don’t appear on radar or approach B-52s.

Conventional Aircraft: No known aircraft matches the descriptions.

Weather Phenomenon: Doesn’t explain the coordinated ground and air observations.

Recently Released Documents

Additional documents have emerged:

Witness Statements: Detailed statements from B-52 crew and ground personnel.

Radar Analysis: Technical analysis of the radar returns.

Official Communications: Base communications during the incident.

These documents confirm the complexity and reality of the incident.

Significance

The Minot case is important because:

• Multiple independent observation types (visual, radar from ground and air)
• Multiple credible military witnesses
• Documentation in official Air Force files
• Proximity to nuclear weapons facilities
• Extended duration allowing careful observation
• Never adequately explained

Legacy

The Minot incident remains one of the most compelling military UFO cases:

• Official documentation survives
• Witnesses have spoken publicly over the years
• The case defied Project Blue Book’s debunking attempts
• It demonstrated apparent interest in nuclear facilities

Whatever approached Minot Air Force Base that October night was tracked on radar, observed from ground and air, and came close to America’s nuclear deterrent. It has never been identified.

Sources

• Project Blue Book case files
• Witness testimonies
• Condon Committee documentation
• Declassified Air Force documents