UFO Collision with F-16 in Arizona Sparks Surge in Sightings and Theories
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[Image: An F-16 Viper jet in flight | Caption: An F-16 Viper, similar to the jet struck by an unidentified object in Arizona in 2023.]
A U.S. F-16 Viper fighter jet was struck by an unidentified flying object over Arizona in January 2023, causing damage to its cockpit canopy and forcing the $63 million aircraft to land, according to FAA reports. The incident occurred in restricted airspace near Gila Bend during a training mission at the Barry Goldwater Range, a military site used for combat exercises. The object, described as an orange-white uncrewed aerial system (drone), hit the jet’s rear canopy, though no injuries were reported. The Air Force confirmed repairs were needed but did not disclose the extent of the damage.
This event was one of four UFO sightings reported within 24 hours over the Arizona-Mexico border region. The spike aligns with a broader trend: Arizona has become a hotspot for UFO activity, with over 22 military encounters involving unidentified objects logged between October 2022 and June 2023, according to a Department of Defense report.
[Image: Aerial view of a military base | Caption: Barry Goldwater Range, a key training site, has seen multiple UFO incidents in recent years.]
The Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), tasked with investigating UFOs (or UAPs—unidentified aerial phenomena), revealed that 757 global sightings were reported between May 2023 and June 2024, with 410 occurring in U.S. airspace. Only 49 cases were resolved, often attributed to drones, balloons, or birds. Notably, many incidents involved clusters of objects near military bases, including swarms of up to eight drones along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Officials suspect drug cartels may be deploying advanced drones for surveillance. “We’re seeing drones used to monitor Border Patrol operations,” said journalist Ali Bradley, citing concerns about cartels spying on military sites. Former border security official Bob Thompson shared never-before-seen footage of a “cigar-shaped” UAP, adding that over 100 agents have reported strange objects, including “portals” in the sky.
[Image: Drone flying over desert terrain | Caption: Suspected cartel drones, like this one, are increasingly linked to U.S. border incidents.]
While AARO’s investigations often attribute sightings to non-alien causes, the unresolved cases keep speculation alive. Luis Elizondo, a former Pentagon official, emphasized Arizona’s border region as a focal point: “A lot of reports are coming from there.”
The FAA and AARO continue to analyze radar and sensor data to address risks to air safety. As of mid-2024, 243 UAP cases remain open, underscoring the challenge of balancing national security with the mysteries of the skies.
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