NUFORC Sighting 171341

Occurred: 2022-08-18 03:20 Local
Reported: 2022-08-23 10:57 Pacific
Duration: 20 minutes
No of observers: 4

Location: , CA, USA
Location details: approximately 100 off the coast of California

Shape: Unknown
Characteristics: Lights on object, Emitted other objects

First 2 then 5 total UAP well above FL470

I’m a 52-year-old retired F/A-18 pilot and tactical jet instructor for the US Navy/Marines. My current position is chief pilot for a corporate flight department out of Palomar CA “KCRQ”. I hold Airline Transport Ratings in single engine, multi engine and helicopters. I’m also a CFI/II/MEI as well as Helicopter CFI/II. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as well as US Navy/Marine Corps aircraft accident investigations / accident investigator for the US Marine Corps.

On Aug 18, 2022, at approximately 03:20 while in our Gulfstream G650, call sign TWY670, in route from Miami “KOPF” to Maui “PHOG” at FL470 off the coast of CA, I witnessed 2 AUP’s high above our aircraft in a circular formation. Me being a retired Marine F/A-18 pilot who has conducted many aircraft intercepts throughout my career, immediately reported it to LA center.

LA Center informed us that they had no known or unknown primary or secondary RADAR contacts in or around us or in their airspace period. I then turned our Traffic Collision Avoidance System “TCAS” to ABOVE mode also to receive no active aircraft activity as well.

As I was continuing my reporting with LA center when another 2 UAP’s joined the formation. I then saw what I believed was a shooting star, but it stopped descending and joined the other 4 UAP’s in their circular orbit. I took my iPhone out and attempted to record the UAP’s as they moved over our aircraft.

I lost sight of them and continued to discuss the encounter with ATC. Another aircraft also reported the incident, and LA center reported it to the FAA Presidential Aerial Security Administration in Washington DC.
I received a phone call from LA center and also talked to the FAA Presidential Aerial Security office in Washington DC. Both agencies were very interested in the encounter. I was informed other aircraft had reported seeing the UAP’s over the phone but declined to acknowledge it over the radio.





Posted 2022-09-09

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