1965 · Philippine Sea, about 20°N 135°E
USS Hassayampa: four radar targets circle the ship
From the accounts: the crew of the USS Hassayampa watched four fast targets form a circle overhead in the Philippine Sea on 6 May 1965. · Illustration for uaptrail.com
When5–6 May 1965
WherePhilippine Sea, about 20°N 135°E
Backing1 independent
Evidenceofficial records
On 6 May 1965 the U.S. Navy oiler Hassayampa in the Philippine Sea picked up four fast targets on its air-search radar. The captain, bridge crew and many hands on deck watched them form a circle directly overhead for about three minutes, matching the radar, before leaving at over 3,000 knots. The ship's message went to the Joint Chiefs, CIA and DIA. Blue Book filed it without investigating.
Evidence, in date order (1)
- May 1965U.S. Navyofficialofficial message on radar-visual contact, copied to the JCS, CIA and DIA; the DIA asked for an evaluation Blue Book FTD 0-329
How plausible · High
A naval message records radar and visual contact by the captain and bridge crew, sent to the JCS, CIA and DIA.
- ●●Access Captain and radar.
- ●●No gain sought Official.
- ●●Character record Ship's captain.
- ●●Independent convergence Radar and bridge crew; two days.
- ●●Checkable details check out Naval message.
- ●●Physical traces or official reaction Radar.
Plausibility weighs how well an account fits where secrecy hides the documents by design, so missing records never count against it. Strength measures what is documented. Assessed 2026-10-23.
Claims
Four moving targets on the SPS-6C air-search radar at up to 22 miles; the objects formed a circle directly overhead for about 3 minutes, seen visually and on radar, tracked 'IN EXCESS OF THREE THOUSAND KNOTS'; IFF unanswered. 'Above evolution observed by C.O., all bridge personnel and numerous hands topside.'firsthandOn the recordUSS Hassayampa naval message to COMSEVENTHFLT and 13 AF (distribution JCS, CIA, DIA)
The day before, two first-magnitude objects passed east to west 'at extremely high speeds' in close formation, and came back 35 minutes later.firsthandOn the recordsame message
Blue Book did not try to get more data, and the Condon Committee never examined it.Blue BookanalysisSourced, unconfirmedJ. Allen Hynek, 'The UFO Experience', case RV-5
Where
Philippine Sea, about 20°N 135°E
20.0°N 135.0°E
In The picture
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