The Second Weekend

On July 26-27, 1952, UFOs returned over Washington, D.C. for the second consecutive weekend. The incidents prompted the largest Air Force press conference since World War II and changed how the government handled the UFO phenomenon.

The Return

July 26, 1952:

• One week later
• Same pattern
• Multiple radar returns
• Visual sightings
• Capital invaded again

Radar Confirmation

Multiple stations:

• Washington National
• Andrews AFB
• Multiple operators
• Same targets
• Independent confirmation

The Objects

Tracked by radar:

• Multiple targets
• Changing speed
• Hovering ability
• Then rapid acceleration
• Not conventional

Pilot Sightings

That night:

• Commercial pilots
• Military pilots
• Saw the lights
• Confirmed radar
• Multiple witnesses

Jet Intercepts

F-94s scrambled:

• From Delaware
• Attempted intercept
• Objects vanished
• As jets approached
• Then reappeared

Captain Nash

Eastern Airlines pilot:

• Observed formation
• Red-orange discs
• In formation flight
• Detailed report
• Credible witness

Public Panic

Citizens concerned:

• Headlines nationwide
• What was happening
• Government demanded answers
• Pressure mounted
• Unprecedented

The Press Conference

July 29, 1952:

• Pentagon
• General Samford
• Intelligence Director
• Largest since WWII
• Attempted explanation

The Explanation

Samford claimed:

• Temperature inversions
• Caused radar returns
• Natural phenomena
• Nothing to worry about
• Case closed

Expert Disagreement

But radar operators:

• Knew inversions
• This was different
• Solid targets
• Not weather
• Experience mattered

CIA Involvement

Robertson Panel:

• Convened later
• January 1953
• Addressed “problem”
• Recommended debunking
• Changed policy

Policy Shift

After Washington:

• Government more secretive
• Debunking official policy
• Witnesses discouraged
• Information controlled
• Paradigm established

The Cold War Context

1952 concerns:

• Soviet capabilities
• Unknown aircraft
• National security
• Public fear
• Political pressure

Air Force Credibility

Press conference:

• Partially successful
• Some believed
• Others skeptical
• Questions remained
• Controversy continued

Long-term Impact

Washington 1952:

• Changed UFO policy
• Increased secrecy
• Shaped decades of response
• Historical turning point
• Foundational event

Significance

Washington flap significant for:

• Capital location
• Multiple confirmations
• Government response
• Policy changes
• Historical importance

Legacy

The 1952 Washington UFO incidents represent a turning point in how the U.S. government handled UFO reports. The visible intrusions over the nation’s capital demanded response—and the response was increased secrecy that lasted decades.