Releases / 7 / DOW-UAP-D161

Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953

File

DOW-UAP-D161

Type

Document, 4 pages

Agency

Department of War

Date

10/6/53

Place

Alaska

Released

Release 7, October 23, 2026

Open the original on war.gov

The government's description

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 an October 6, 1953, incident on Little Diomede, Alaska, in which a resident of the island reported observing a light on the southern tip of Big Diomede, U.S.S.R. The report states that the light lasted for several seconds and appeared as though it came from a large flashlight or spotlight. It further describes the light as about the size of a nickel coin held at arm’s length and about the same color as a burning match or dim flashlight.

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 Diomede Islands are situated in the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia and constitute the nearest point of territorial proximity between the United States and the former Soviet Union.

,
•
AF FORM 112 •
(CLASSIFICATION) •
APPROVED I JUNE 1M8
It I R f'.lllM fiivf ,J
REPORT NO,
COUNTRY
IR 5004-40-53
ALASKA,-
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECT
I
Sifhting of Light on Big Diomede, Island, USSR
oN
FROM
iomede, USSR
<Agm•r>5004th Air Intel Sv Sq
I
.A.PO 942, o/o PM, Seattle, Wash.
DATE OF INFORMATION
I
F
M BROWN Ma·or
8 Ootober 1953
0-3
SOURCE
I
USAF
REFERENCES ( CM>lrol numb,r, dlrtcllte, prft>I""' "f>Orl, el<,, a, applleoble)
SUMMARY: (Er!Ur fOndlt ,um111ar, ofreporl.
EVALUATION
Oltle llgnljlccma 111 jl1lal qae-,entrnce paragraph.
Ralei
anna
Lut lnclorurt1 at lower left, Begin ttrt of report on AF Form I /~Fart 11.)
At approximately 081015Z, Raleigh Iyapanna, an Eskimo on Little Diomede
(168°ss•w- 65°44'N)& observed a light on the southern tip of Big Diomede Island,
USSR (169°03'W - 65 47'N). The light appeared as though it oame from a large
flashlight or spotlight and lasted for a period of several seconds. The in­
£orme.tion was reported by I~panna to ROY N. FOWLER member of the 5004th AISS
stationed on Little Diomede Island.
The sighting is unusual because persons have not been seen previously in
that location and because it is believed to be a difficult place to reach, par­
ticularly at night.
o.
I
• LOO
Major, USAF
Commander
53
653
LH3RA'RY SUBJECT & AREA CODES
Authority:
NND 57597
1/
_ _ _ _ 1NCL5.
Sketch of Observation
DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR
Comdr, AAC, ATTN: OI
CINCAL, ATTN: J-2 (2 cys)
Comdr, USARAL, ATTN: G-2
SI
COMALSEAFRON, ATTN: D/NI Comdr, 10th Air Div, ATTN:D/
Comdr, 11th Air Div, ATTN:D/
Comdr, FEAF, ATTN: A-2
Condr in Chief, USPacFlt
Comdr, NEAC, ATTN: D I
omdr ADC ATTN: D I
IIDTE; THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING TI-lE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT. SOU. S.C.31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
I NTELLIGENCE. USAF.
ee,-r, f) EkJTIA L
(CLASSIFICATION)
16-6656~
U. I, QOYUNHflfT PIUITING Of'PICI

,.
AF FORM 112....:PART II
5>"e
APPROVED 1 JUNE 19'8
vNlfrJ/i//J;O~tJ,t/
Lf
AIR INTELUGEN~==ORMATION REPORT
FROM (.Aqencv)
REPORT HO.
5004th Air Intel Sv Sq
APO 942, c/o PM. Seattle. Wash.
I.
PAGE
2
OF
3
PAGES
DE.SCRIPTIOU OF SOURCE:
N'AME:
Raleigh Iyapanna
AGE:
14 Years
OCCUPATION:
Elementary Student and Hunter
PLACE OF BIRTH :
II.
IR 5004- 40-5.3
Little Diomede Island
RELIABUITY OF SOURCE:
This report was made on 6 October 1953 by, Raleigh Iyapanna, an Eskimo of
Little Diomede Island. Every night during the week preceding the report he had
maintained a watch on Big Diomede on his own initiative. ROY N. FOWLER states
he believes the source to be fairly reliable and that the sighting of the light
is possibly true . Source is in good health and has excellent eyesight.
III.
REPORT OF SIGHTING:
At approximately 0810252, the source observed a light on the southern
tip of Big Diomede Island at an estimated height of 95 feet above sea level. He
had been standing in the center of Little Diomede Village looking in the general
direction of Big Diomede for about fifteen minutes prior to the sighting. Source
observed the light when it appeared and watched it until it disappeared. The
duration of the observation was estimated as lasting for several seconds. The
light was described as being the size of a nickel coin held at arms length and about
the same color as a burning match or dim flashlight. It was the sources opinion
that the light came f~om a large flashlight or spotlight. Innnediately after the
light disappeared, the source ran to his house, about 25 yards away, and checked the
time which was 103oz. After checking the time he went back to his original position
and continued to watch the area the light came from, however, the light did not
reappear. For location of the light see Incl #1.
IV.
WEATHER:
The night was dark but with no overcast, stars were clearly visible.
Big Diomede Island was plainly outlined against the sky. Wind was from the north
and estimated at about 5 MPH.
COMMENTS OF THE PREPARI NG OFFICER:
The location of the light is considered somewhat unusual because people
have never been observed on that part of Big Diomede Island and because of the
difficulty in reaching the location, particularly at night. If persons on Bi g
Diomede wanted to signal to the Alaskan ma.inland, it could best be done from the
southern tip of the island. From that point, the Alaskan coast from Wales
NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTI NG THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT. 50 U. S. C.31 AND 32. AS AMENDED. I1S TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
E;ht Pf
• 1 JCZJ
1/J '!!j~·r,
? ~>l
(CLASSIFICATION)
10-68670-J
*
U. I. HVHNIUNl PRl,itlN~Of'FICI.

AF FORM 112-PART II
APPROVED I JUNE 19'18
1
•
(~IFICATION)
..:S@ece,..a.1,; r,sa,€1~•-·
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
FROM (.AQtnCII)
lREPORT NO.
SOO(th Air Intel Sv Sq
APO 94.2. o/o PM. Seattle. Wash IR 5004-40-53
PAGE
3
OF
3
PAGES
(1 6S0 O5 ' W - 65°37' ll) to approxim.a.tely Tin City (l67°68' W - 66°33' N) could be seen
when visibility was good. This stated only to mention the possibility however
slight it ma.y be . There is no evidenoe to support a conclusion that this was the
purpose of -tha light.
~~irJ;~UIIU
Major, USAF
Preparing Officer
N0TE:THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECT'ING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U. S. C.-
31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
I N1ELLIGENCE. USAF.
CvcnMvmc
(CLASSIFICATION)

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AF FORM 112-PART II
<::
APPROVED I JUNE 1948
(CUSS!FICATION)
vA'lUk)) ►
J.>Qfobk)PIJII SOit'
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
FROM (Agrnq)
5004th Air Intel Sv Sq
APO 942, c/o PM, Seat tle, Wash.
REPORT NO.
Incl #1
I R 5004-40-53
PAGE
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NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT. 50 U. S. C.31 AND 32. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
t''D> ♦ Psae.,,
(CLASSIFICATION)
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