Hanford 1944–45 Unidentified Overflights.
documentednuclear_strategicAtomic Energy Commission / ERDA (DOE progenitors)
The Hanford plutonium works drew unexplained aerial intrusions before the public UFO era. From late December 1944 through February 1945, radar operators at Pasco Naval Air Station (~60 mi NW)…
The Hanford plutonium works drew unexplained aerial intrusions before the public UFO era. From late December 1944 through February 1945, radar operators at Pasco Naval Air Station (~60 mi NW) detected blips that 'appeared out of nowhere,' tracking NW to SE at roughly Piper-Cub speed. Following Fourth Air Force HQ orders, Pasco employed radar and fighters to intercept: an armed F6F was scrambled twice without contact, and Cmdr R.W. Hendershot personally flew an SNJ against a 'very high' target — two radar blips appeared during the flight but he sighted nothing, while staying 'convinced there was something there.' Authorities declared Hanford airspace a 'Danger Area,' authorizing fire on unidentified intruders, without revealing the plant's secret mission.