Andrews AFB: Lt. Combs chases glowing object
USAF Reserve pilot Lt. Henry G. Combs encountered a glowing object over Andrews AFB while flying a T-6 trainer. The object evaded pursuit with tight maneuvers and high speeds for 10 minutes, corroborated by ground witnesses.
Background
Sighting and Pursuit
On November 18, 1948 at 22:00, Lt. Henry G. Combs, a USAF reserve pilot, observed an object with a continuous white light flying from west to east over Andrews AFB, Maryland. He was flying a T-6 Texan trainer and attempted to check on it, whereupon the object began evasive manoeuvres. It made tight turns and accelerated to over 500 mph.
Witnesses and Maneuvers
S/Sgt. John Kushner and further ground witnesses confirmed the sighting and stated that it did not appear to be an aircraft. Lt. Kenwood Jackson and Lt. Glen L. Stalker, Combs's fellow pilots, reported that the object climbed vertically, then fell back and circled the site. Combs duelled with it for 10 minutes; it showed variable speeds and precise control.
Description and Departure
The object appeared as a dark, oval form, smaller than the T-6, with a glowing sheen. It performed spiralling descents and tight turns that the aircraft could not match, before disappearing to the northeast.