NUFORC Sighting 54291

Occurred: 2004-08-15 21:00 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2007-01-02 09:00 Pacific
Duration: 1 minute
No of observers: 1

Location: Al Asad (near Hit) (Iraq), , Iraq

Shape: Sphere
Characteristics: Aircraft nearby

Amber sphere in Iraq

My unit had recently deployed in country and we were in a transitory barracks. I had stepped out to get some fresh air by the "smoke pit" and looked towards the airfield (Approximately 1 mile) to see an amber sphere stationary between the airfield and myself. As I work on aircraft it caught my attention. I initially thought it was the moon but with a haze. However, the moon hadn't been rising till much later and was not in that area of the sky. I then considered a blimp, but it made little sense due to the proximity to the airfield and the types of aircraft that fly over that portion of the base. I had about a minute to speculate when it appeared to fold in on itself (like 3 evenly spaced dark petals. It was night after all) and silently disapeared. At no point did I hear any sound. Unfortunately, I didn't have another witness with me. It was a hand span above the horizon. It was as large as a full moon when on the horizon (when its size appears largest). The object was bright (but not glaring) and featureless.

If it hadn't been for the way it disappeared I'd have passed it off for my being unobservant of my surroundings. The following morning I looked to that region to see if I had missed some sot of tower or structure in that area but there was nothing to break the horizon. As for the way it folded; the "petals" were evenly spaced at 10,2, and 6 o'clock. Also note the petals were unseen until it actually occured. It seemed very odd for me to see it as a perfect sphere and the fold to be so even for it to be a local military related event that I just happened to witness. These observations made me want to share this.

Also, (since I marked aircraft were nearby) there are/ were aircraft taking off or landing on a 24 hour basis. I did not observe anything making inspection passes. This would prove difficult considering its proximity to the field and the period of time that I saw it. (pilots don't sit in the plane waiting for UFO intercepts, and the passing of a launch alerts takes 5 -10 min) I am late reporting this as I hadn't heard (or thought to try due to obvious distractions) of this site until a few days ago.

NUFORC Note:

Witness indicates that the date of the sighting is approximate. PD

Posted 2007-02-01