NUFORC Sighting 49279

Occurred: 1973-07-20 19:00 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2006-02-24 17:23 Pacific
Duration: 5 - 10 minutes
No of observers: 3

Location: Martinsburg, WV, USA

Shape: Disk
Characteristics: Aircraft nearby

floating disc, numerous quick course changes, shortly afterwards aircraft seeming to "grid" search area.

Approx. 1971/1974 early eve.6 - 7 pm & towards the end of summer.

Myself, sister & friend, were playing. As we exhausted ourselves with summer play, knowing in a very short time our mothers would call us in for the night. We lay on the front lawn giggling, and staring at the early evening sky.

We then noticed a large, typical disc shaped object, silvery in color. It made unusual movements, floated near and far within seconds, then would suddenly fly off into a direction, stop hover, and again change altitudes and direction like I have never seen since.

Within minutes several Air Force jets (?) along with a couple helicopters appeared which seemed to fly in a searching grid type pattern. Just prior to them showing up the disc moved westward toward the mountains.

I've never spoken of this & would like to research further, I.E. A more precise timeframe, newspaper articles, and or sightings by others, along with any cooberating info.

I know what I saw, I'm a professional, owning a business for 15 yrs.

This has haunted me for years.

NUFORC Note:

Witness indicates that the date of the event is approximate. PD

Posted 2006-03-11