Buzz
Reports of UFO sightings occur frequently across the globe. Depending on individual perspectives, accounts of UFO encounters can range from fascinating and unsettling to outright strange or simply unbelievable. Among these, incidents reported near numerous Air Force bases in the United States stand out as some of the most compelling and mysterious on record.
Unidentified and potentially intelligently controlled aircraft that can approach military installations without detection pose a significant threat to national security. Below are ten of the most notable and intriguing UFO incidents documented near various Air Force facilities across the United States.
10. 18 Silver Discs Observed Above Nellis AFB October 1951
In October 1951, within a restricted area of the Nevada desert designated for nuclear testing, known as Yucca Flat, multiple military personnel observed 18 “silvery, rotating discs” hovering overhead for approximately 15 minutes. Since the event was not disclosed until 13 years later in 1964, some specifics of the incident remain unclear.
For instance, the incident occurred between October 22 and October 30, with the sighting taking place around 6:00 to 7:00 AM. A nuclear test was scheduled for later that morning. However, about 15 minutes before the test was set to begin, a triangular formation of shimmering objects appeared in the sky.
Additionally, one of the primary witnesses, a 19-year-old referred to as “Mr. M,” reported seeing several “unusual creatures” in the vicinity during the sighting, which vanished just as suddenly. The hovering objects maintained a tight formation throughout the event, emitting no sound before disappearing in seconds.
Nellis Air Force Base has experienced numerous other sightings over the years, some occurring more recently. However, one particular incident stands out, occurring just over a decade after the Yucca Flat event.
9. UFO Crash Near Nellis AFB April 1962
According to contemporary newspaper accounts and subsequent investigations by UFO researchers, an otherworldly craft reportedly crashed on the evening of April 18, 1962, within the confines of Nellis Air Force Base. Years later, investigators connected multiple “separate” UFO sightings, which turned out to be the same object that ultimately crash-landed.
The object was detected and tracked by various Air Force radars as it traveled from the Atlantic over New York, moving westward. Confirmed sightings occurred over Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona before the craft abruptly ended its flight. The Las Vegas Sun covered the event, citing numerous local witnesses who described a “strange unidentified object” that caused a “bright red explosion.”
When UFO researchers began analyzing these reports and declassified documents, particularly Project Blue Book files, they uncovered evidence suggesting a potential cover-up. For instance, an unidentified radar report was later reclassified as having “insufficient data,” with no explanation provided for the change. Additionally, records falsely claimed there were “no visual” sightings, contradicting witness testimonies.
As rumors emerged of the Air Force scrambling jets to intercept and engage the mysterious craft, the incident gained an aura of intrigue, solidifying its place as one of the most fascinating alleged UFO encounters in history.
8. UFO Disables Nuclear Weapons at Malmstrom AFB March 1967
Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the Malmstrom UFO incident is the theoretical realization that the intelligence behind the mysterious craft had the capability to neutralize the United States' most powerful weapons—potentially leaving the nation defenseless against a hostile force. While this may seem far-fetched to many today, it was a genuine concern for Americans during the Cold War era, caught between geopolitical tensions and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors.
On the morning of March 16, 1967, Captain Robert Salas received reports of a glowing, red, saucer-shaped object hovering above the Montana base. The object remained stationary for several minutes, observed by multiple military personnel. As Salas watched, the ten nuclear missiles under his supervision went offline one by one. The object then disappeared, but the missiles remained inoperable for several hours before returning to normal function.
Many UFO researchers argue that this event demonstrated the superiority of the unidentified intelligence over the military’s nuclear weapons, highlighting their ineffectiveness against such advanced technology. The incident remains unresolved to this day.
7. Luminous Object Observed Above Loring AFB October 1975
A similar event occurred on the evening of October 27, 1975, over the weapons storage facility at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. Around 7:45 PM, on-duty personnel first noticed the glowing object. Notably, the storage units were camouflaged and concealed, yet the aerial anomaly appeared to “know” the weapons were there, suggesting a level of technical sophistication that remains unexplained.
One witness, Danny Lewis, later described the object as having a single red light and a distinct white strobe light on its underside. The craft circled the base multiple times before positioning itself above the weapons unit. It remained visible for approximately 40 minutes before departing and disappearing into the night sky.
The next evening, the mysterious object returned at nearly the same time as the previous night. Again, it circled the base, seemingly conducting a survey, before hovering over the weapons storage area.
The base remained on high alert for several weeks after the incident, with additional sightings reported during that time. Then, as abruptly as they began, the sightings ceased.
6. UFO ‘Cat and Mouse’ Pursuit Over Cannon AFB January 1976
The event over Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on January 21, 1976, extended into a second night and was coincidentally witnessed by a student journalist identified only as “Bruce.”
On the night in question, Bruce, who worked for a local radio station, was conducting tests on their transmitters. While stationed at a transmitter overlooking Cannon Air Force Base, he observed a strange phenomenon. Initially, he noticed lights resembling “light bulbs on a string.”
Upon viewing them through binoculars, the lights appeared distinctly “saucer-shaped,” with a red glow visible beneath them. While one craft remained stationary, the other two abruptly descended toward the ground. The objects then moved over a nearby town. Bruce noted that, from his vantage point, he could see streetlights dimming sequentially as the UFOs passed above.
The next evening, Bruce intentionally returned to the area, accompanied by several fellow journalists. They positioned themselves on buildings overlooking the military base, where the strange events had occurred the previous night. Just before 1:00 AM, the glowing objects reappeared, this time numbering four. Within minutes, several military jets arrived and began pursuing the unidentified craft. Despite their efforts, the intruders consistently evaded the jets. This chase lasted about 45 minutes before the objects vanished vertically in seconds.
Freedom of Information Act documents later revealed that several F-111s were scrambled from Cannon AFB that night. More concerning, Bruce reported receiving alarming warnings after he publicly discussed the incident.
5. Crimson Object Observed Above Ellsworth AFB August 1953
On the evening of August 5, 1953, numerous residents of Blackhawk, South Dakota, observed and reported a luminous red craft moving through the sky, apparently heading toward Ellsworth Air Force Base. Given the Cold War context, many of these witnesses were trained observers affiliated with the Ground Observer Corps.
The initial report came from a volunteer observer, Mrs. Kellian, who contacted radar operators at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The object appeared on their radar screens, prompting personnel to step outside and visually confirm its presence, which they successfully did.
A military aircraft already on patrol was redirected to intercept the object. However, as with many similar cases, the UFO swiftly evaded the jet as it approached. After a brief pursuit, the jet returned to base. A second jet was scrambled but also failed to intercept the object.
The U.S. Air Force officially classified the object as “unknown,” though no further investigations were conducted. The incident remains unresolved.
4. Extraterrestrial Encounter Over McChord AFB October 1972
The alleged events near Tacoma, Washington, in the skies surrounding McChord Air Force Base remained hidden for nearly 30 years until Robert Collins, a former government agent, disclosed the account in 2001.
According to Collins, on the afternoon of October 14, 1972, two U.S. airmen, Steven Briggs and Dennis Hillsgeck, were stationed at the Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) facility near McChord AFB. While on duty, they heard a high-pitched whining noise outside. Upon investigating, they saw a “saucer-shaped object” hovering above. Moments later, the gleaming craft began descending toward the ground.
Shortly after, two humanoid creatures emerged from the craft and appeared to approach the building. The airmen urgently called for backup, reporting that “intruders” were attempting to breach the facility. It took over 15 minutes for additional units to arrive, finding the two airmen disoriented and in a state of mild shock.
Soon after, Sergeant Darren Alexander, a security police officer, was patrolling the area with a dog. He not only saw the saucer-shaped craft but also one of the humanoid figures on the ground. Drawing his revolver, he noticed a strange device in the creature’s hand and fired all six shots at close range. In the ensuing chaos, the creature seemingly vanished, leaving Sergeant Alexander bewildered.
This account remains highly divisive within the UFO community, with many understandably skeptical of its validity.
3. UFO Encounter Over Minot AFB October 1968
Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota has a history of unusual UFO activity. One of the most notable incidents occurred shortly after 2:00 AM on October 24, 1968. A small military unit, providing “aboveground security” for an underground operation, observed a “large glowing object” hovering in the sky. Reports of the object soon came in from multiple locations around the base, continuing throughout the night until dawn.
Around 3:30 AM, a B-52 bomber crew witnessed the UFO from above. Declassified documents later revealed that the crew described the craft as resembling a “miniature sun placed on the ground.”
Although Project Blue Book investigated the incident, by this point, the program’s commitment to genuine inquiry had significantly waned. Unsurprisingly, the event remains unexplained and largely unacknowledged.
Interestingly, two years prior, a similar incident reportedly occurred over Minot Air Force Base, according to whistle-blower David Schindele. Like the Malmstrom incident in March 1967, all nuclear weapons at the base were reportedly deactivated. While the Air Force denied the event, local newspapers frequently documented UFO sightings in the area during that time.
2. UFO Encounter Over Larson AFB December 1952
On the evening of December 22, 1952, an off-duty technician was driving back to Larson Air Force Base in Washington state when he noticed a peculiar, hat-shaped object hovering above the base. He reported the sighting to his superiors and continued toward the base. However, as the object became more visible through his windshield, he pulled over to get a clearer and steadier view of the strange craft.
The object executed astonishing maneuvers, glowing more intensely as it accelerated through the air. At times, the witness claimed the craft appeared to “roll,” revealing an underside that emitted a red glow.
After several minutes of these extraordinary aerial displays, the UFO came to a halt and hovered for about 15 minutes. Convinced nothing further would happen, the witness returned to his vehicle and resumed his journey to the base.
1. Abductee Crash-Lands at Edwards AFB Summer 1971
If tales of alien abductions are already hard for some to believe, a story involving a UFO crash-landing at a military base might seem even more far-fetched. Yet, on a summer evening in 1971, this allegedly happened to a young woman later identified as Lorraine Dvorak Cordini.
Witnesses reported that the peaceful California night was abruptly disrupted by an otherworldly roar, culminating in a loud crash. As residents rushed outside, they saw a large cloud and flames near Edwards Air Force Base. Stranger still, several people claimed to spot “three grey humanoids” and a human woman wearing a tight pink suit among the wreckage of a crashed vehicle.
Before anyone could fully grasp the situation, military vehicles arrived and swiftly cordoned off the area. They removed the wreckage and any evidence, along with the humanoids and the woman, presumably taking them to Edwards AFB.
The military later stated that the crashed object was a military aircraft. However, UFO researcher Albert Rosales located the woman, identifying her as Lorraine. She agreed to undergo hypnotic regression to uncover the details of that night.
Lorraine recounted being abducted from her home, dressed in the pink outfit, and transported to a larger spacecraft orbiting Earth, where she underwent an examination. She was then placed in a smaller craft—the one that ultimately crashed—and returned to Earth alongside several of the unusual beings. She claimed to wake up in a military hangar, where she observed military personnel and large-headed creatures distinct from those who had abducted her, according to her hypnosis sessions.
Unsurprisingly, many remain skeptical of the incident.
