CODEX Entry 7110: Minot AFB, North Dakota, 24 October 1968¹
Air Base of 5th Bombardment Wing with 15 B52s and Missile Bases for the 91st Strategic Missile Wing responsible for 150 Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Silos over an area of 13,000 km².
Ground Eyewitnesses Staff Sgt. William Smith; Donald Bajier (AIC); Vennedall (A1C)
Staff Sgt. James Bond; Gregory Adams (AIC); Joseph Jablonski (A1C)
Staff Sgt. Wagla; Allis (A1C); Derr (A1C)
Lloyd Isley (A1C); Robert O’Connor (A1C); Halko (A1C); Jenkins (A1C); Richardson (A1C)
Airborne Eyewitnesses – Major James Partin, Captain Bradford Runyon
Radar Witnesses – Intelligence Officer SSgt. Richard Clark, Radar Navigator Major Chuck Richey, Navigation Captain Patrick McCaslin.
At 2:15 a.m Sgt. Smith observed a bright object sinking below the tree line near the missile depots fence. At 2:30 a.m two guards observed a bright light moving parallel to their jeep, then circling the south side of the depot. RAPCON, Radar Approach Control, were informed. At the same time Launch Security Controllers were reporting sightings to Launch Control Facilities. These sightings were occurring over an area of 2,400 km², between four separate missile silos. Three separate observers confirmed seeing the object splitting into two parts, and going in separate directions, passing under each other on completing a circuit of the bases. The colour of the objects was shifting between white, orange, and green. They could hover stationary, accelerate quickly, and change direction immediately.
At 3 a.m, a B52H returning from a training mission approached the base. 70km northwest of the airfield the crew were asked to look out for these objects. Nothing was observed. At 3:52 weather radar picked up the object. With this accurate positional data, the B52H crew were able to pick up the object 5km away on their own radar. The object’s position on the radar then moved in one sweep, or three seconds, 3.2km, requiring an average speed of 3850km/h to a new stationary position. The B52H two UHF radio systems then ceased operation completely on all frequencies. The object was visible 30km off the left wing of the aircraft. The objects movements were recorded by the radarscope camera. The object was circling repeatedly around the aircraft. Radio communication then returned to normal. Crew were ordered to fly to a stationary object 25km north-north east of the base and attempt to photograph it. Crew confirmed seeing a round very bright object on or near the ground. Radio once again did not function while close to the object. The aircraft landed at 4:40 a.m.
Alarms then went off at Launch Facility Oscar-7 at 4:49 a.m. A gate and missile latch door were found open. At 5:30 am the object to the west of the missile base disappeared.
Reference:
¹ Thomas Tulien, minotb52ufo.com