Project Blue Book Case #1298. On June 17, 1952, an unidentified object was observed at McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma, Washington — six days before the base would report a second unknown (Case #1332 on June 23). The two McChord cases within a single week made the base one of Blue Book's most concentrated repeat-sighting locations.
McChord's dual mission — air transport and air defense — meant the base was busy with both cargo aircraft and fighter interceptors. The interceptor squadron's mission was specifically to identify and, if necessary, engage any unidentified aircraft entering the Puget Sound defense zone. Their inability to identify the objects seen on June 17 and 23 was professionally uncomfortable.
The Puget Sound region's military significance was immense. The Bremerton Naval Shipyard, the Bangor submarine base (later home to Trident missile submarines), and the Boeing aircraft production complex in Seattle all fell within McChord's defensive responsibility.
June 1952's accelerating wave of sightings was producing more cases each week. McChord's two unknowns within six days were part of this nationwide escalation that would peak in July.
The case was classified "Unknown."