Oak Ridge: Small UFO dogfights F-47 near AEC plant
On June 20, 1952, at 11:58 p.m., a spotter near Oak Ridge's AEC facility observed a small, slow-moving object. Radar tracked it briefly before an F-47 fighter engaged in a pursuit involving aggressive maneuvers by the object.
Background
Witnesses and Sighting
A member of the Ground Observer Corps spotted a small object about 15–20 cm across at 23:58 on June 20, 1952, moving slowly near the AEC facility at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Radar and Military Response
GCI radar registered the target, which then disappeared quickly. An F-47 (given as F-97 in the source, probably an F-86 or similar) on combat patrol engaged it and became involved in an air combat manoeuvre, during which the object made ramming passes at the aircraft.
Object Behavior
The object flashed repeatedly, made risky approaches, and eventually escaped at high speed. The altitude lay between 3,000 and 6,700 metres, possibly up to 6,700 m.
Significance
The case points to heightened UAP activity at sensitive nuclear facilities during the early Cold War. Sources: NICAP, Sparks (p. 144), Ruppelt (p. 43). Its relevance rests on radar and visual confirmation together with military involvement.