DOW-UAP-D160: Morocco radar-return investigation
A December 1953 Air Force report describes changing radar returns near northern Morocco that remained comparatively stationary before fading. Division electronics personnel proposed anomalous propagation, ship-borne radar interference or birds. The height finder was unavailable, and the file records no photographs or physical evidence; its V, W and M shapes describe radar displays, not visually identified craft.
- File
- Document · Release 07
- Date
- 1953-12-16
- Location
- Morocco
- Extent
- 3 pages
Search This File
Probed Assessment
The report documents unexplained radar returns and specific conventional possibilities, with no visual confirmation or measured altitude.
Key takeaways
- Shape labels refer to radar presentation.
- An unavailable height finder limited the observation.
- Electronics personnel proposed propagation, jamming or birds.
Why it matters
The file makes sensor limitations and alternative explanations explicit.
Corroboration
Three personnel are named within a single radar report; no independent visual or physical evidence is supplied.
Open questions
- • Which proposed mechanism, if any, caused the returns?
- • Do radar logs or contemporaneous propagation measurements survive?
Probed separates this editorial assessment from the source claims below. It summarizes what the released artifact supports; it is not independent verification.
Official Description from War.gov
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a December 16, 1953, incident in northern French Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea area in which personnel of Detachment 2, 737th AC&W Squadron reported an unidentified radar return. The report states that the return varied in shape between “V,” “W,” and “M” configurations and faded after several minutes of observation. It further states that electronics personnel in the 316th Air Division believed the return might have been caused by anomalous propagation, ship-borne radar jamming, or geese or storks in flight, and concludes that one of those possibilities was the most likely explanation for the return. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics. AARO Comment: The 737th AC&W Squadron was a U.S. Air Force radar unit stationed in Saidia, Morocco, where it supported airborne early warning and air defense surveillance in coordination with French military forces.
Preserved verbatim as source metadata. This wording is separate from Probed’s file-specific description and assessment.
File Context
Related entities
Tracker findings
V, W and M described radar returns, not object shapes
The report describes radar returns that changed among V, W and M shapes and faded after several minutes; it does not supply a visual craft outline.
Operators reported up to twelve returns
The number of returns reportedly varied from one to twelve between sweeps, along a roughly 25-degree bearing and 20-to-40-mile range.
Broken height-finding equipment limited the record
The height finder was out of service, so elevation information was unavailable.
Kay, White and Baker supplied operator accounts
The report names operator V. A. Kay, detachment commander T. S. White and controller V. Baker.
Propagation, interference and birds remained possible explanations
Division electronics personnel proposed anomalous propagation, ship-borne jamming or geese or storks; the report does not choose or demonstrate one explanation.
Release provenance
- Release
- Release 07
- Official ID
- release-07-file-013-dow-uap-d160-air-intelligence-information-report-morocco-1953
- Cleared
- Oct 23, 2026
Referenced Timeline
Radar operators report changing returns
The report places the TPS-1D observation at 1754Z near northern Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea.
Division report evaluates radar returns
Wittmer’s report lists three possible causes without identifying one conclusively.
Source Claims
Claims are attributed to the released source and remain distinct from Probed’s assessment and tracker findings.
Edward O. Wittmer’s December 23 report concerns radar observations made by Detachment 2 of the 737th AC&W Squadron on December 16, 1953.
Date of report: 23 December 1953. Date of information: 16 December 1953.
The report describes radar returns that changed among V, W and M shapes and faded after several minutes; it does not supply a visual craft outline.
The return varied in shape from a V shape to W shape to M shape. It faded after several minutes of observation.
The number of returns reportedly varied from one to twelve between sweeps, along a roughly 25-degree bearing and 20-to-40-mile range.
Number - Varied with sweep from one (1) to twelve (12).
The report lists the returns as comparatively stationary rather than describing a measured high-speed track.
Comparatively stationary.
The height finder was out of service, so elevation information was unavailable.
Height finder was out so information concerning angle of elevation was not available.
The equipment is identified as TPS-1D radar, and the recorded sighting time is December 16 at 1754Z.
Observed by radar TPS-1D.
The report names operator V. A. Kay, detachment commander T. S. White and controller V. Baker.
A/3C V. A. Kay, Air Surveillance Operator, Detachment 2, 737th AC&W Squadron. Capt T. S. White, Detachment Commander. Lt V. Baker, Controller.
The file records no physical evidence, including photographs.
Existence of physical evidence of sighting, such as photography. Negative.
Division electronics personnel proposed anomalous propagation, ship-borne jamming or geese or storks; the report does not choose or demonstrate one explanation.
a. Anomalous propagation. b. Ship-borne radar jamming Detachment 2 radar. c. Geese or storks in flight.
The preparing officer distinguishes site maintenance personnel, who offered no cause, from division electronics personnel, who proposed explanations.
radar maintenance personnel at the site of observation have offered no possible cause for the sighting
Source Material & Evidence
Research Map
Lines appear only when two entities share a row-level source claim or dated timeline event. Unconnected nodes remain visible without implying a relationship.