Brief

2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter

The claims the writer was given for 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, in the order they were given.

Claims 405

Checked by a person 403 confirmed as belonging here, -623 not yet read , 5 read and judged not to belong

1
The very first case investigated by the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program was the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP incident.
“The very first case investigated by AAWSAP was the Tic Tac incident from 2004.”
Statement to Congress char:11018-11091 administrative first hand
2
There was no recording made of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter because it is not routine for the E-2C Hawkeye to have any kind of recording engaged unless pre-coordinated.
“Unfortunately in the E-2C, it is not routine to have any kind of recording engaged unless it is pre coordinated which is typically only used during airborne testing of new capabilities, etc... There was no recording of this event.”
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG-11) AAV Incident Report 2004-11-14 char:10579-10803 administrative
3
The Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232) also provided a statement regarding the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Additionally the statement provided by the Commanding Officer (CO) of VMFA-232.”
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG-11) AAV Incident Report 2004-11-14 char:12740-12815 administrative
4
In August 2017 the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) released a video of a whitish oval object, about the size of a commercial plane, chased by two Navy F/A-18F fighter jets from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off the coast of San Diego in 2004.
“including one released in August of a whitish oval object, about the size of a commercial plane, chased by two Navy F/A-18F fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Nimitz off the coast of San Diego in 2004.”
Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program 2017-12-16 char:2946-3146 observation
5
One of the three released Navy videos was taken in November 2004.
“one taken in November 2004”
Statement by the Department of Defense on the Release of Historical Navy Videos 2020-04-27 char:218-240 administrative first hand
6
David Fravor personally saw and chased an unidentified flying object (UFO) in 2004.
“he's also famously one of the people who with his own eyes saw and chased a UFO, an identified flying object in 2004”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 00:00:15.3-00:00:25.4 testimony second hand
7
The 2004 UFO encounter is referred to as the Tic Tac and more formally as the USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“that is referred to as the Tic Tac and the incident more formally referred to as the USS Nimitz UFO incident”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 00:00:26.9-00:00:33.7 administrative
8
Lex Fridman considers David Fravor's account of the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, corroborated by several other pilots, the most credible sighting of a UFO in history that he is aware of.
“His story corroborated by several other pilots from my perspective as a curious scientist and an open-minded human being is the most credible sighting of a UFO in history, at least that I'm aware of.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 00:00:35.1-00:00:48.1 opinion first hand
9
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor had approximately 16 years of flying experience.
“it's kinda like when I talk about when we were chasing the Tic Tac... i've been doing this for, at the time, 16 years.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:03:16.3-01:03:22.8 testimony first hand
10
On 2004-11-10, the USS Princeton began detecting a few objects flying at approximately 8,500 metres altitude at a speed of approximately 190 kilometres per hour off the coast of California.
“they started noticing on November 10th that there is a few objects flying around at 28,000 feet with speed of what I guess is considered a low speed of 120 miles an hour... on the coast of California.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:12:10.8-01:12:26.3 testimony
11
The USS Princeton detected the unidentified objects intermittently for about a week before David Fravor's encounter on 2004-11-14.
“they kept detecting these objects for just about a week. Then comes in like your part of the story, which is on November 14th”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:12:28.2-01:12:38.1 testimony
12
On 2004-11-14, flying from the USS Nimitz, David Fravor witnessed a white object shaped like a Tic Tac, approximately 12 metres long, with no wings, manoeuvring in ways he had never thought possible.
“I guess it's from the USS Nimitz, you flew and witnessed a 40 foot long white tic-tac shaped object with no wings, flying in ways you've never thought possible”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:12:41.2-01:12:55.2 testimony
13
In a prior interview, David Fravor said the object he encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident was "not from this world."
“in some interview somewhere you said, I think it was not from this world.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:12:57.3-01:13:00.9 hearsay second hand
14
Chad Underwood recorded the forward-looking infrared (FLIR) video of the object involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“Chad Underwood recorded that video.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:13:27.6-01:13:28.9 testimony
15
Very few people have spoken publicly about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“even in your situation, very few people have spoken about it.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:14:13.4-01:14:16.3 opinion
16
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor and three other crew members flew two F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, two people in each jet, when their training mission was cancelled.
“So originally it was the four of us. There's two jets, two people in each jet. They're F-18Fs.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:15:07.6-01:15:11.9 testimony first hand
17
There is no video recording of the initial sighting during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“There is no video from our event.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:15:15.2-01:15:17.2 testimony first hand
18
Chad Underwood recorded video of the object after he and his pilot subsequently took off, following David Fravor's account of the initial sighting during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“when Chad and his pilot took off, that's when Chad got the video of it.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:15:21.6-01:15:24.9 testimony second hand
19
Before the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, a controller aboard the USS Princeton asked David Fravor's flight what ordnance they had on board.
“we're talking to one controller um who is like hey sir first you ask what ordinance we have on board”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:15:40.4-01:15:48.0 testimony first hand
20
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor's aircraft carried a CATM-9 training missile, an inert missile fitted with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile infrared seeker.
“So we had what's called a CATM-9, which is really just a blue tube with the AIM-9 seeker on the front of it, which is an IR missile.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:15:58.0-01:16:03.5 testimony first hand
21
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the USS Princeton informed David Fravor's flight that they had real-world tasking instead of continuing their training mission.
“So they said, hey, well, we have real-world tasking.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:16:21.2-01:16:23.3 testimony first hand
22
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the USS Princeton gave David Fravor's flight bearing, range, and altitude calls indicating an unidentified radar contact at ranges of approximately 80, 64, and 48 kilometres.
“they're calling ranges, they're called BRA calls, bearing range and altitude. And they're telling us, hey, it's at 40 miles or 50 miles and 40 miles and 30 miles.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:16:37.3-01:16:44.7 measurement first hand
23
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, USS Princeton radar operators had a radar contact on their scopes that they could not identify, appearing only as a blip.
“They're telling us they have a contact on their radar. They don't know what it is. They just have a blip.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:17:06.7-01:17:09.6 testimony second hand
24
USS Princeton radar operators had been tracking the unidentified radar contacts for about two weeks before the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“I said, sir, we've been tracking these things for about two weeks. That's we had been at sea for two weeks.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:17:15.4-01:17:18.2 testimony second hand
25
The 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident marked the first time the USS Princeton had aircraft airborne specifically to investigate the previously tracked unidentified radar contacts.
“He goes, this is the first time we've had planes airborne. We want you to go see what these are.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:17:18.7-01:17:22.4 testimony second hand
26
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the USS Princeton was too far from the object, approximately 97 kilometres, for its radar to detect something near the ocean surface.
“the ship is like probably 60 miles away, so it can't see the surface.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:18:22.5-01:18:25.8 measurement first hand
27
The 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident occurred on a clear day with unrestricted visibility, no clouds, and calm seas.
“this is a it's a clear day there's no clouds and there's no white caps it's just a calm... It's 50, it's unrestricted visibility.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:18:45.5-01:18:55.7 observation first hand
28
The 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident took place off the coast of San Diego, California, near Mexico.
“If you look at a map and you go San Diego and then inside of Mexico, we're kind of in between that”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:19:13.8-01:19:18.5 observation first hand
29
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the crew did not see any object beneath the ocean surface, only the white water disturbance itself.
“We don't see an object because there's all kinds of, oh, they saw another craft below the wave. We didn't see anything below the water. We just saw whitewater.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:21:09.8-01:21:17.1 observation first hand
30
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor and the other crew members first noticed white water on the ocean surface, in a cross-like shape approximately the size of a Boeing 737, appearing to be caused by something roughly 5 to 6 metres below the surface.
“the white water and i like to shape it you can say it was a cross i say it's about the size of a 737 so it looks like if you took a 737 put it about 15 20 feet below the water”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:21:18.2-01:21:27.2 observation first hand
31
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, Jim, the weapon systems operator in the other aircraft, was the first to draw attention to the white water on the ocean surface below.
“the back seater in the other airplane, Jim, says, this is that talking in parcels again. He says, hey, Skipper, do you?”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:21:36.7-01:21:42.9 observation first hand
32
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor observed a small white Tic Tac-shaped object below his aircraft while flying approximately 6,100 metres above it.
“then we see this little white tic-tac, because we're about 20,000 feet above it.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:21:56.7-01:22:00.9 observation first hand
33
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the Tic Tac-shaped object moved abruptly between directions with no gradual deceleration, unlike a helicopter's motion.
“It's very abrupt. So it's not like a helicopter... This thing's not. It's like left, right, left, right, with no...”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:22:05.7-01:22:12.8 observation first hand
34
David Fravor ruled out the Tic Tac-shaped object being a helicopter during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident because it produced no visible rotor wash on the water surface.
“So you see it and you go, well, there's no rotor wash. What is that thing?”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:22:53.3-01:22:57.0 observation first hand
35
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor descended toward the Tic Tac-shaped object while his wingman remained at higher altitude to observe from a different perspective.
“So she's up here and I'm down here as I'm descending. She can watch because right now all I'm watching is the Tic Tac. She can watch me and the Tic Tac.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:23:35.3-01:23:44.4 testimony first hand
36
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, all four crew members in both aircraft lost sight of the Tic Tac-shaped object at the same time.
“We all lost it at the same time.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:24:05.6-01:24:06.8 observation first hand
37
David Fravor descended toward the Tic Tac-shaped object at an airspeed of approximately 556 kilometres per hour during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“I'm doing about 300 knots, which is a really good airspeed for the airplane for maneuvering”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:24:11.1-01:24:15.1 measurement first hand
38
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the Tic Tac-shaped object appeared to react to David Fravor's approach, turning to point west and beginning to ascend.
“as the Tic Tac's doing this, it literally, it's like it's aware of us and it just goes bloop and it kind of points out towards the West and starts coming up.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:24:22.2-01:24:28.9 observation first hand
39
The 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident sighting, from first noticing the white water to the object's disappearance, lasted approximately five minutes.
“this whole thing is like, this is like five minutes. This is not like a, we saw it and it was gone.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:24:37.7-01:24:41.0 observation first hand
40
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor's aircraft descended to approximately 4,600 metres while his wingman's aircraft remained at approximately 6,100 metres.
“I'm probably at about 15K... So they're still about 20,000 feet.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:24:57.0-01:24:59.9 measurement first hand
41
David Fravor approached the Tic Tac-shaped object to within approximately 0.8 kilometres during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“I'm probably about a half mile away, which you think, well, a half mile is pretty far.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:25:44.9-01:25:47.4 measurement first hand
42
The acceleration and disappearance of the Tic Tac-shaped object during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident occurred at an altitude of approximately 3,700 metres, roughly 2,400 metres below the other aircraft.
“this happens at around estimating about 12,000 feet. So they're at 20. So they've got about 8,000 foot of altitude above us when this happens.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:26:09.2-01:26:14.9 measurement first hand
43
After the Tic Tac-shaped object disappeared during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the white water on the ocean surface also disappeared, leaving no visible trace.
“we're looking for the whitewater and we can't even, the whitewater's gone. There's nothing. It's literally all blue.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:26:36.0-01:26:40.9 observation first hand
44
David Fravor considers the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident unlike anything else he encountered in his flying career.
“I'm pretty weirded out because this is, I mean, you know, I had at the time like 30-some hundred hours of flying.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:26:46.9-01:26:52.3 opinion first hand
45
After the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, USS Princeton radar operators reported that the Tic Tac-shaped object had reappeared at David Fravor's flight's combat air patrol point, approximately 97 kilometres away.
“hey, sir, you're not going to believe this, but that thing is at your cap. it showed back up it just popped up you know this is like 60 miles away it just reappears”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:28:33.9-01:28:40.4 testimony second hand
46
After being told the Tic Tac-shaped object had reappeared at their combat air patrol point, David Fravor's flight searched for it using radar but never saw it again.
“we get out there we never see it we never see it again”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:28:45.0-01:28:46.8 testimony first hand
47
David Fravor does not know how the Tic Tac-shaped object appeared at his flight's combat air patrol point, since the location was not broadcast, though he speculates it may have known because the same point was used daily.
“We don't tell it. We don't broadcast it. We have a waypoint in the system. But I don't know, maybe it knew where we were going, because we used the same one day after day after day.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:30:20.9-01:30:29.7 opinion first hand
48
Chad Underwood recorded the FLIR video during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“Chad, when he took off, when he got the video, we landed, we told them, hey, look, we just chased this thing.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:30:34.9-01:30:40.2 testimony first hand
49
Only the FLIR targeting-pod tape from the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident has been publicly released; other recorded data from the incident has not.
“When you look at his video and this is the stuff that isn't out that they don't see because not all the all you see is the FLIR tape.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:30:54.0-01:30:59.3 observation first hand
50
The targeting pod used during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident is the forward-looking infrared (FLIR) receiver.
“That's the targeting pod, the forward looking infrared receiver.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:30:59.6-01:31:02.0 observation first hand
51
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the aircraft radar provided two displays: one showing azimuth and range, the other showing azimuth and elevation.
“He has azimuth and range on the right one, and he has azimuth and elevation on the left one.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:31:12.4-01:31:16.6 observation first hand
52
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, active jamming of another platform's radar occurred.
“When you actively jam another platform, yes, it's technically an act of war.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:32:55.3-01:32:57.9 observation first hand
53
When the targeting pod is switched to track the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac object, the tracking becomes passive infrared tracking, receiving infrared energy from the object rather than emitting radar energy at it.
“He's just receiving IR energy from the tic-tac, and then the system itself will track the pixels and the contrast differences.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:33:47.5-01:33:54.5 observation first hand
54
The targeting pod tracking system used during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident is vision-based, tracking pixels and contrast differences.
“It's doing some vision-based tracking. / That's exactly what it is.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:33:59.6-01:34:02.8 observation first hand
55
The TV mode of the targeting pod used during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident has better zoom capability in narrow mode than infrared mode does.
“the cool thing with the tv mode is narrow ir mode is only medium tv mode so you can actually get closer with narrow tv mode it's got a better zoom capability when you go into tv mode”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:34:18.4-01:34:30.2 observation first hand
56
David Fravor told Matt the story of the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident while out to dinner.
“so i'm out to dinner with matt um and i'm telling him this story and he's like get out of here”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:36:51.7-01:36:56.9 testimony first hand
57
Matt subsequently told Paco about David Fravor's encounter during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“so he goes back and he tells our friend paco”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:36:57.7-01:36:59.6 testimony first hand
58
Paco called David Fravor while hosting a dinner party and put the call on speakerphone at the dinner table so his guests could hear the story of the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“i'm having a dinner party you got to tell the story so he's literally having a dinner party with his cell phone in the middle of the table as i tell a tic tac story”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:37:34.2-01:37:40.9 testimony first hand
59
Before David Fravor spoke about it publicly, his wife did not fully know the story of the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“My wife didn't even really know the whole story.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:38:37.1-01:38:38.4 testimony first hand
60
For about two days after the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the Air Wing's flight schedule featured joke comics on its back page referencing the encounter, styled after Men in Black and naming David Fravor and Chad Underwood as protecting the Nimitz battle group.
“For about two days, they played the Goofy movies. There's a comic on the back of the Air Wing schedule... the second one was me and the guy in my back seat, and it was men in black, but it had our names, you know, protecting the world, protecting the Nimitz battle group type stuff.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:38:46.8-01:39:00.5 testimony first hand
61
David Fravor did not consider the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident to be a big deal at the time it occurred.
“So to me, it wasn't that big of a deal.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:39:03.7-01:39:06.0 opinion first hand
62
No government officials arrived in person, whether by helicopter, by airplane, or in suits, to speak with David Fravor about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“No one ever came out in suits to talk to us... No, no one came out on a helicopter. No one came out on an airplane.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:39:15.4-01:39:25.4 testimony first hand
63
David Fravor denied a rumour that unidentified personnel arrived by helicopter aboard the USS Nimitz and USS Princeton after the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident to confiscate recorded data related to it.
“there's a story that both on the Nimitz and the Princeton, folks in a helicopter landed, they showed up, they took the data... No, no one came out on a helicopter.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:39:50.2-01:40:00.6 testimony first hand
64
The tapes used to record the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident were classified secret because of the data recorded on them.
“the tapes are actually classified secret because of the data that's on them”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:40:47.1-01:40:49.7 testimony first hand
65
Intelligence officers from the Carrier Intelligence Center (CVIC) aboard the USS Nimitz came to collect the tapes related to the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident from David Fravor's squadron.
“the secure the intelligence guys the intel officers came down from what's called civic cvic which is carrier intel center came down and said, hey, we need the tapes.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:40:53.0-01:41:03.2 testimony first hand
66
A person claiming to know that the intelligence officers who requested the tapes related to the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident were playing a joke on David Fravor.
“someone came to me and said, you know, they're messing with you, they're playing a joke.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:41:16.8-01:41:19.7 hearsay second hand
67
David Fravor personally went to the Carrier Intelligence Center aboard the USS Nimitz to retrieve the tapes related to the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, threatening to "start tearing this place apart" if the tapes were not returned to him within 30 seconds.
“you have about 30 seconds to get me my tapes before I start tearing this place apart. That's literally what I told him.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:41:40.6-01:41:45.9 testimony first hand
68
The tapes related to the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident were stored in an unlocked filing cabinet at the Carrier Intelligence Center, not a safe.
“then he literally walked right over to a filing cabinet opened it up they weren't a safe he opened up a filing cabinet and pulled him out and handed him to me”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:41:54.8-01:41:59.8 observation first hand
69
The publicly released FLIR video of the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident does not include the aircraft's radar display, because that footage would reveal a higher classification level about how the radar behaved while being jammed.
“the other thing that people didn't see is they didn't see the the radar display uh which that that really raises a classification level especially to see what the radar does when it's being jammed”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:45:01.7-01:45:10.5 testimony first hand
70
Around 2009, approximately five years after the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, a government employee called David Fravor to tell him they were going to investigate the incident.
“i'd gotten a call on my cell phone from a guy who government employee and said, hey, he told me who he was. He's still in the government. I'm friends with him. And he said, hey, we're gonna investigate your Tic Tac thing. This is literally five years later.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:45:21.1-01:45:37.3 testimony first hand
71
The government investigation into the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident around 2009 produced a document that David Fravor calls the Unofficial Official Report on the Nimitz Tic Tac incident, because it was never made formally official.
“I call it the unofficial official report because It was really never official.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:45:42.3-01:45:47.5 testimony first hand
72
Jim has spoken publicly in the past about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident but is now unreachable and does not speak to anyone about it.
“So Jim has talked, but he's off the grid. He doesn't talk to anyone now.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:46:13.2-01:46:16.4 testimony first hand
73
The female pilot involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident has spoken publicly about it without her name being officially released, although some people have begun identifying her.
“The pilot of his airplane, she has come out unidentified, but they don't release her name, although people are starting to do it.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:46:17.4-01:46:23.1 testimony first hand
74
The female pilot involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident has experienced strange occurrences at her home since coming forward, and she has children.
“And she's had weird shit happen around her house. She's got kids.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:46:23.2-01:46:25.4 testimony first hand
75
The pilot of the aircraft carrying Chad Underwood during the recording of the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident does not have a vivid recollection of the event and did not consider it a big deal at the time.
“the pilot of the airplane that took the video that chad was in if you talk to that individual they really don't have the recollection they were just out flying that day and it wasn't a big deal”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:46:45.0-01:46:56.0 testimony first hand
76
David Fravor estimated he has spoken to approximately 23 people in total about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, including journalists.
“I think you're about the 23rd person that I've talked to total. And that includes the newspapers and stuff.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:47:06.2-01:47:13.1 testimony first hand
77
David Fravor declined a request from Russian television to be interviewed about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“I mean, I turned down Russian TV.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:47:15.0-01:47:18.0 testimony first hand
78
The Russian television reporter who contacted David Fravor about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident also called his wife, daughter, son, and son-in-law.
“She not only called me, she called my wife, she called my daughter, she called my son, and she called my son-in-law.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:47:21.6-01:47:25.8 testimony first hand
79
Shortly before an article about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident appeared in The New York Times, a Navy commander called David Fravor regarding a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for material about the incident.
“I actually got called by the Navy. I had a commander in a Navy call me about right before the article came out in the New York Times. This was starting to come back, and she had called me because there was a FOIA request for stuff about the Nimitz incident.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:55:21.7-01:55:35.0 testimony first hand
80
The unidentified object David Fravor observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident was smooth and white in appearance.
“No. Smooth, white, tic-tac”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:00:37.1-02:00:40.2 observation first hand
81
The unidentified object David Fravor observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident had no visible windows.
“there's no no wings no visible propulsion no windows no probes that we could see”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:00:42.6-02:00:50.2 observation first hand
82
The unidentified object David Fravor observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident had no visible propulsion.
“there's no no wings no visible propulsion no windows no probes that we could see”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:00:42.6-02:00:50.2 observation first hand
83
The unidentified object David Fravor observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident had no visible wings.
“there's no no wings no visible propulsion no windows no probes that we could see”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:00:42.6-02:00:50.2 observation first hand
84
The unidentified object David Fravor observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident had no visible probes.
“there's no no wings no visible propulsion no windows no probes that we could see”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:00:42.6-02:00:50.2 observation first hand
85
Small surface details on the unidentified object filmed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident are only visible when zoomed in on the video footage in TV mode, and are typically not visible in the versions circulated on YouTube.
“we don't see the little things on the bottom of it until we see the video in the tv mode when it's zoomed in right before it's shortly you kind of seem zoom in you don't see it typically on the youtube stuff that's out there”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:00:51.8-02:01:03.1 observation first hand
86
The original tape of the video footage from the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident has basically no video degradation, unlike the copies circulated online.
“But remember, we're looking at the original tape, so there's basically no degradation.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:01:05.3-02:01:09.5 observation first hand
87
David Fravor saw no appendages on the object during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident when he observed it directly with his own eyes.
“But when you saw with your eyes, there's no kind of appendages. No, none.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:01:10.2-02:01:13.1 observation first hand
88
David Fravor did not feel any aerodynamic wake despite flying close to the unidentified object during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“you chased it, so you flew close to it, relatively speaking. Did you feel any wake? Did you feel it in any way in terms of your interaction, like aerodynamically? No. Nothing.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:01:22.9-02:01:37.2 observation first hand
89
David Fravor believed the unidentified object during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident became aware of his aircraft's presence when it arrived, comparing it to a deer noticing a person approaching in a field.
“so one i think it i think it knew we were there when we showed up it's just it's me uh it's kind of like an animal if you've ever been around deer in a field”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:02:20.2-02:02:29.2 opinion first hand
90
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, once David Fravor's aircraft began to descend, the unidentified object reoriented its longitudinal axis and began mirroring the ascent of Fravor's aircraft.
“once we started to descend and it actually reoriented its longitudinal axis and it started mirroring us coming up”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:03:12.4-02:03:17.6 observation first hand
91
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor's aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 6,100 metres while the unidentified object ascended to approximately 3,700 metres.
“you figure I'm at 20 and it's coming up and it ends up getting up to 12.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:03:20.6-02:03:23.9 measurement first hand
92
David Fravor described part of the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident as a two-circle fight, a term used for a manoeuvre when fighting another aircraft.
“uh where i cut across a circle i think it was very aware that we were there because it interacted we call it a two circle fight when you're fighting another airplane”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:03:25.3-02:03:32.2 observation first hand
93
David Fravor felt curiosity rather than fear during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“was it was were we afraid i don't think so i mean and to me it was more curious curiosity overcomes any fear that you would have”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:03:37.0-02:03:44.9 opinion first hand
94
David Fravor felt totally comfortable and safe inside his aircraft during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“i felt totally it was like a safe zone i mean i felt totally comfortable inside the airplane”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:03:54.5-02:04:00.0 opinion first hand
95
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the unidentified object was able to climb from the surface and accelerate rapidly as if it were no significant effort.
“and then you get something that you know, can climb from the surface up and then accelerate like it did, like it was like no big deal.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:04:21.8-02:04:27.9 observation first hand
96
An aircraft flying at approximately 185 kilometres per hour cannot instantly begin a climb, requiring the pilot to first lower the nose and accelerate, unlike the object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, which appeared to climb instantly.
“just get me at 100 knots. above the water and for me to you can't just start a climb i'd have to lower the nose i'd have to accelerate and then i'd have to start coming up and this thing just like just did it like it was like no big deal”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:04:32.3-02:04:45.1 observation first hand
97
David Fravor believes the object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident was a real physical object rather than a light projection.
“I don't think it was a projection. I think it was a real object.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:05:31.7-02:05:33.5 opinion first hand
98
David Fravor believes all four pilots involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident would confirm that the object was a physical object rather than a light projection.
“I think all four of us will tell you the same thing. It wasn't, it wasn't, this was not because you go, okay, let's just go on. It's a light projection.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:05:39.2-02:05:45.4 opinion first hand
99
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, there was an altitude difference of approximately 2,400 metres between David Fravor's aircraft and the other observing aircraft, ruling out the possibility that both crews were viewing a light projection from the same angle.
“And I go, OK, there's the in theory you can have that. But with an 8000 foot altitude difference flying, you know, and there, you know, she's probably not directly above me.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:05:51.4-02:05:59.6 observation first hand
100
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the bright white object was seen against a deep blue ocean, providing high contrast, before it disappeared.
“you got a bright white object over a deep blue ocean you got pretty high contrast and for this thing just to disappear”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:06:15.7-02:06:21.7 observation first hand
101
The pilots involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident share the same general recollection of what happened, though some details differ due to the amount of time that has passed.
“We all have the same recollection of what happened. There's some details because it's so long ago, but for the most part, we know what we saw, and we all came back and looked at each other like, what the hell was that?”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:06:29.8-02:06:40.1 testimony first hand
102
David Fravor does not think the object he encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident was an ice cloud, because ice clouds do not fly around and react to an observer.
“it's definitely, I don't think it's an ice cloud, because ice clouds don't fly around and react to you”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:08:41.3-02:08:45.8 opinion first hand
103
David Fravor does not think the object he encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident was a light or plasma phenomenon, based on how it appeared and behaved when he watched it.
“Do I think it was a light? I'd say no, because of the aspects and what we looked and watched it do, I'd say no... Like a light ball... I don't think so.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:08:47.4-02:08:55.1 opinion first hand
104
David Fravor considers the object he encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident to have been a hard, solid object rather than a phenomenon or illusion, based on his experience at the time.
“it looked, from all my experience, and I had quite a bit of it when this happened, no, I think it was a hard object”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:09:17.5-02:09:26.0 opinion first hand
105
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the object appeared aware that David Fravor's aircraft was present.
“It was aware that we were there.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:09:26.8-02:09:28.1 observation first hand
106
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the object reacted the way another aircraft would if it had to respond to David Fravor's approach, effectively mirroring his movements.
“It reacted exactly like if I was another airplane and I had to come up and do something, exactly what I would do. You know, it mirrored me.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:09:28.6-02:09:35.8 observation first hand
107
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the object was never aggressive or offensive toward David Fravor's aircraft.
“It wasn't aggressive... It was never offensive on us. It never did that. It just mirrored us.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:09:36.2-02:09:41.4 observation first hand
108
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, when David Fravor approached too closely, the object departed abruptly, performing a manoeuvre he had never seen before.
“when i got too close to it you know it decided i'm out of here and then it it did something that we've never seen”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:10:16.3-02:10:21.6 observation first hand
109
David Fravor's aircraft had a helmet-mounted camera during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, but it was not switched on because the footage it produced was normally too nauseating to watch.
“we have a camera in our helmet in the joint helmet there's a little camera but we never use it because it's nauseating to watch”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:10:31.0-02:10:35.6 observation first hand
110
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor was unable to lock the object on radar despite trying.
“because I tried to lock it up because I can move the radar with my head, but I couldn't, it wouldn't lock. The radar wouldn't lock.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:10:51.6-02:10:56.8 observation first hand
111
As of the interview, approximately 16 years had passed since the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“so we're coming up on 16 years ago”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:11:26.0-02:11:27.8 observation first hand
112
David Fravor believes the object involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident did not have a conventional propulsion system.
“let's assume that it didn't have a conventional propulsion system in it, because I don't think it did”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:11:34.2-02:11:37.9 opinion first hand
113
During the encounters that produced the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, objects were observed descending from altitudes above approximately 24,000 metres.
“these things were coming down when the cruiser tractor from above 80,000 feet, which is space”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:12:19.8-02:12:23.3 observation first hand
114
During the encounters that produced the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, objects descending from high altitude would come straight down and then hover at approximately 6,100 metres.
“they would come down and they would come straight down. They'd hang out at like 20,000 feet.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:12:24.3-02:12:27.3 observation first hand
115
During the encounters that produced the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, objects that descended and hovered would go back up after three or four hours.
“three or four hours later, they'd go back up”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:12:28.4-02:12:29.8 observation first hand
116
The objects observed during the encounters that produced the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident held a stationary position while hovering, rather than drifting with the wind as a balloon would.
“they're not drifting like a balloon. They're just sitting there.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:12:36.6-02:12:38.6 observation first hand
117
An air traffic controller told David Fravor that up to ten of the objects associated with the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident had been tracked.
“When I talked to the controller, he's like, we've seen up to 10 of these things.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:12:42.2-02:12:45.2 testimony second hand
118
David Fravor does not believe humans have developed the technology behind the object involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“I don't think we've developed it.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:15:40.2-02:15:41.2 opinion first hand
119
Mick West is known for offering skeptical, debunking explanations of unidentified aerial phenomena videos and accounts, including alternative explanations for what David Fravor witnessed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“Mick West, I've just recently started to pay attention... Mick West is one of the better known people who kind of makes a out of trying to debunk... He has some explanations of the things that you've seen with the Tic Tac”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:30:30.8-02:30:49.0 administrative
120
Mick West has suggested that David Fravor may have miscalculated the size and distance of the object he observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“He has some explanations of the things that you've seen with the Tic Tac, like with your own eyes. Like he says that it's possible that you miscalculated the size and the distance of the thing”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:31:21.0-02:31:35.7 hearsay second hand
121
David Fravor judged the size of the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident (the Tic Tac) to be about 12 metres long, based on 16 years of experience flying against other airplanes and comparing it to the size of an F/A-18 Hornet.
“How did you know it was about 40 feet long? I go, okay, so 16 years flying against other airplanes, know what stuff looks like... so that's that's why i said 40 feet because it's about hornet size”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:31:43.9-02:31:55.9 observation first hand
122
David Fravor was at approximately 6,000 metres altitude when he saw the object referred to as the Tic Tac (the object involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident).
“I know when we saw the Tic Tac, I was at 20,000 feet-ish, right around there.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:31:56.6-02:32:01.1 observation first hand
123
David Fravor considers pure experience and professional observer training relevant to the reliability of his account of the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“so i would argue the fact of, you know, pure experience there's, you know, professional observers, which is what we're actually trained to do.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:32:23.5-02:32:31.4 opinion first hand
124
Everyone who observed the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident came back with a consistent estimate that it was about the size of an F/A-18 Hornet.
“no, it was, and everyone came back with the same thing. They're like, yeah, it was about the size of a hornet.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:32:35.5-02:32:39.2 testimony first hand
125
When David Fravor observed the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, he was cross-checking his heads-up display, which showed his own aircraft's status, against his visual observation of the object.
“You know, when I'm flying the airplane, even as I'm looking at the Tic Tac, I've got a heads up display that tells me what my airplane's doing.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:34:36.2-02:34:41.2 observation first hand
126
David Fravor estimates he is 99.9% confident that his eyes were not deceived when he observed the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“I am 99.9%. So 0.1% my eyes deceive me.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:39:36.8-02:39:40.0 opinion first hand
127
David Fravor reasons that for his visual account of the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident to be wrong, the observation would also have had to deceive the other four people who witnessed it with him, making the combined probability of misperception lower still.
“But remember, if it deceived me, it had to deceive the other four people. So the percentage is even lower.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:39:40.2-02:39:45.0 opinion first hand
128
Mick West has argued that in the 2004 USS Nimitz FLIR video, the object appears to fly rapidly off the left side of the screen because the vision-based tracking system used to film it simply lost track of the object, allowing it to float out of frame.
“he looks at the FLIR video, and he says that one of the most amazing parts of the FLIR video... is at the end of it, the Tic Tac flies, or appears to fly very quickly to the left. Off the screen... The way to explain that is the tracking system, like we said, it's vision-based tracking, simply loses the object.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:41:09.4-02:41:43.1 hearsay second hand
129
David Fravor disputes Mick West's tracking-loss explanation for why the object appears to fly off screen at the end of the 2004 USS Nimitz FLIR video, based on repeated review of the original tapes.
“looking at your face you do not so can you maybe comment to that uh to that debunking... i can't tell you how many times i watched it off the original tapes”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:42:04.4-02:42:17.7 opinion first hand
130
When the object filmed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident began to move, the tracking gate (bars on the FLIR display) started to open up, which is visible when reviewing the original footage closely.
“It actually, when the vehicle starts to move, the bars, the tracking gate starts to open up”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:43:02.6-02:43:07.2 observation first hand
131
David Fravor states that Raytheon built the targeting pod used to film the object during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“the people at Raytheon could probably add to this because they built the pod.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:43:07.5-02:43:09.7 testimony first hand
132
David Fravor states that the targeting pod used to film the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident has physical gimbal rate limits on how fast it can move, and could not move fast enough to keep tracking the object as it left the frame so quickly.
“But the thing, when it leaves so fast off the screen, the pod can't move fast enough. It has gimbal rates on how fast that thing can move around.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:43:13.3-02:43:19.6 opinion first hand
133
David Fravor considers it implausible that the object encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident was a secret government test, because such tests are not conducted with unwitting pilots in operational areas.
“Well, secret government things typically just don't come out and test to where there's gonna be- Unknowing pilots, we can't control a lot of things.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:50:16.8-02:50:23.8 opinion first hand
134
David Fravor believes that if the object encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident had displayed a Russian or Chinese flag, it would have received significant attention from the US military and government.
“If you would have put a Chinese flag on the side of it or a Russian flag on the side of it, and I said, yeah, it had a big Russian flag on the side of it, dude, then it would have got a lot of attention. It would have went high order.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:51:56.4-02:52:05.7 opinion first hand
135
The deployment during which the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident occurred was a two-month joint workup at sea, longer than the typical one-month deployment cycle.
“Normally, we go out for a month, go come back, do stuff, go out for a month. This was a two-month at sea period where we actually had to beg for them to let us when the ship pulled in at Thanksgiving so we could run home up to the Central Valley, have Thanksgiving with our family, and then run back down and do this”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:52:21.4-02:52:33.1 testimony first hand
136
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, David Fravor had commanded his squadron for only one month and was the most junior commanding officer for an O5 command in the United States Navy at the time.
“I had just taken over. I had had the squadron for a month, right? So I'm a brand new CO. I'm the most junior guy as far as a commanding officer goes... And actually at the time, I think it was the most junior CO for 05 Command in the Navy, right?”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:52:37.2-02:52:53.5 testimony first hand
137
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident deployment, David Fravor was responsible for 17 aircrew and 300 sailors in his squadron.
“I have 17 air crew and 300 sailors that I'm responsible for.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:53:07.2-02:53:11.3 testimony first hand
138
Following the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, neither the captain of the ship, the admiral, nor their staff ever discussed the incident with David Fravor.
“the captain of the ship never said anything to me the admiral never saying to me the people on his staff that i was friends with never saying to me the other co's that i talked to on a daily basis never said anything to me and no one ever came and talked to me and i'm the guy that chased it”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:54:34.3-02:54:45.4 testimony first hand
139
David Fravor was paid to travel to Los Angeles for a five-minute talk about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“I got paid to go out and spend 21 hours of my day going to LA and do a five-minute talk for someone.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:54:53.3-02:54:57.7 testimony first hand
140
The McMinnville UFO Festival was the only occasion on which David Fravor spoke publicly in front of a large audience about the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident.
“it's the only time I've ever spoken publicly in front of a large audience about this because it was fun and I got asked”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:55:10.8-02:55:16.5 testimony first hand
141
Luis Elizondo asked David Fravor what he thought the unidentified craft encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident were doing there.
“Lou asked me this when we were talking to Lou Elizondo, and he said, what do you think they were here for?”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:58:58.5-02:59:01.6 testimony first hand
142
Luis Elizondo suggested to David Fravor that the objects observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident could have been prepping the battlefield by observing to figure out what the US military does.
“he goes what if they were prepping the battlefield what if they were observing to figure out what we do”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:59:06.5-02:59:10.4 opinion second hand
143
The United States government has publicly stated it does not know what the object encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident was.
“our tic-tac is one of them that, you know, they basically, the government has come out and said, we don't know what that was.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 03:00:55.9-03:00:59.3 testimony second hand
144
Of the six people involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, four personally saw the object, while the other two were in a separate aircraft that filmed video footage of it.
“the four of us that actually saw it plus the other two that were in the airplane that shot the video, none of us are UFO obsessed people.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 03:27:45.7-03:27:52.2 testimony first hand
145
David Fravor considers that none of the six people involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident were people who were obsessed with UFOs.
“none of us are UFO obsessed people.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 03:27:50.8-03:27:52.2 opinion first hand
146
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident, the Tic Tac-shaped object accelerated and disappeared from view in less than half a second as David Fravor closed in to intercept it.
“it goes, it just accelerates and disappears... it accelerates in literally in less than, you know, probably less than a half second. It just goes, and it's gone.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 221-226 observation first hand
147
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the incident off Southern California was documented by radar, camera, and four naval aviators.
“an incident off Southern California in 2004, which was documented by radar, by camera, and four naval aviators”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:06:32.3-00:06:39.9 administrative
148
David Fravor was the commander of the F/A-18 squadron aboard the USS Nimitz during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“commander of the F-18 squadron on the USS Nimitz”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:06:46.6-00:06:49.9 administrative
149
Alex Dietrich flew at David Fravor's wing during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter and had never spoken publicly about it before this interview.
“flying at his wing, Lieutenant Alex Dietrich, who has never spoken publicly about the encounter”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:06:50.6-00:06:56.2 administrative
150
Alex Dietrich feels a responsibility to share her account of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter because she was in a government aircraft, was on duty, and the material is unclassified.
“Because I was in a government aircraft, because I was on the clock, and so I feel a responsibility to share what I can, and it is unclassified.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:07:02.7-00:07:11.2 testimony first hand
151
In November 2004, the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was training approximately 160 kilometres southwest of San Diego, California.
“It was November 2004, and the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was training about 100 miles southwest of San Diego.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:07:14.4-00:07:22.2 administrative
152
For a week before November 14, 2004, the radar on the USS Princeton detected multiple anomalous aerial vehicles (AAV) appearing over the horizon.
“For a week, the advanced new radar on a nearby ship, the USS Princeton, had detected what operators called multiple anomalous aerial vehicles over the horizon”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:07:23.2-00:07:33.6 observation second hand
153
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the anomalous aerial vehicles (AAV) detected by the USS Princeton's radar descended approximately 24,000 metres in less than a second.
“descending 80,000 feet in less than a second”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:07:34.2-00:07:37.0 measurement second hand
154
On 2004-11-14, David Fravor and Alex Dietrich, each with a weapons systems officer in the back seat, were diverted to investigate the USS Princeton's radar contacts.
“On November 14, Fravor and Dietrich, each with a weapons system officer in the backseat, were diverted to investigate.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:07:39.4-00:07:46.0 administrative
155
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the pilots found an area of roiling white water approximately the size of a Boeing 737 in an otherwise calm sea.
“They found an area of roiling white water the size of a 737 in an otherwise calm blue sea.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:07:47.8-00:07:54.8 observation second hand
156
David Fravor observed a small white tic-tac-shaped object moving above the area of white water during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“And we saw this little white tic-tac-looking object. And it's just kind of moving above the whitewater area.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:08:06.3-00:08:11.6 testimony first hand
157
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, Alex Dietrich circled above while David Fravor descended for a closer look at the unidentified object.
“As Dietrich circled above, Fravor went in for a closer look.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:08:12.3-00:08:16.3 testimony
158
David Fravor observed the unidentified object pointing north-south, then turning abruptly and beginning to mirror his aircraft's movements as he descended.
“The tic-tac's still pointing north-south. It goes and just turns abruptly and starts mirroring me. So as I'm coming down, it starts coming up.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:08:18.6-00:08:26.6 testimony first hand
159
David Fravor believed the unidentified object was aware of his aircraft's presence during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Yeah, it was aware we were there.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:08:28.9-00:08:29.8 opinion first hand
160
David Fravor observed that the unidentified object encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was about the size of his F/A-18, with no markings, no wings, and no exhaust plumes.
“He said it was about the size of his F-18, with no markings, no wings, no exhaust plumes.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:08:30.6-00:08:36.6 observation first hand
161
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the unidentified object disappeared abruptly when David Fravor approached it closely.
“And when it gets right in front of me, it just disappears... It had sped off.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:08:41.0-00:08:48.8 observation first hand
162
Alex Dietrich initially tried to categorise the unidentified object encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter as possibly a helicopter or a drone.
“I'm going to categorize this as maybe a helicopter or maybe a drone.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:08:53.0-00:08:57.0 opinion first hand
163
The weapons systems officers in the back seats of Fravor's and Dietrich's aircraft also saw the unidentified object during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Did your back seaters see this too? Yeah.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:09:01.0-00:09:03.3 testimony second hand
164
Four aviators watched the unidentified object for approximately five minutes during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“There was four of us in the airplanes literally watching this thing for roughly about five minutes.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:09:04.2-00:09:08.2 testimony first hand
165
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, seconds after the unidentified object disappeared, the USS Princeton's radar reacquired the target approximately 110 kilometres away.
“Seconds later, the Princeton reacquired the target, 60 miles away.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:09:09.0-00:09:13.5 measurement
166
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, another aircrew briefly locked onto the unidentified object with a targeting camera before it moved away again.
“Another crew managed to briefly lock onto it with a targeting camera before it zipped off again.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:09:14.4-00:09:20.1 observation
167
Alex Dietrich said that if she had witnessed the unidentified object alone during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, she might not have reported it because of how implausible it would sound.
“if I saw this solo, I don't know that I would have come back and said anything because it sounds so crazy when I say it”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:09:23.5-00:09:30.3 opinion first hand
168
David Fravor said other people have told him that recounting the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter makes him sound crazy.
“I've had some people tell me, you know, when you say that, you can sound crazy.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:09:34.0-00:09:36.5 testimony first hand
169
David Fravor believes something was present during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter with capabilities better than his own aircraft.
“there's something out there that was better than our airplane”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:09:52.3-00:09:55.7 opinion first hand
170
The 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was not officially addressed for five years until Luis Elizondo investigated it.
“Nothing was said or done officially for five years until Lou Elizondo came across the story and investigated.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:10:04.3-00:10:11.8 administrative
171
Alex Dietrich felt vulnerable during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter because they had nothing with which to defend themselves.
“I felt the vulnerability of not having anything to defend ourselves.”
Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs 2021-05-17 00:13:37.4-00:13:40.8 testimony first hand
172
David Fravor saw a white oblong object resembling a tic-tac zigzagging over the surface of the water during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“He saw this white oblong object, which he said looked like a tic-tac, kind of zigzagging around over the surface of the water.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:12:34.1-00:12:40.2 testimony second hand
173
On 2004-11-14, the USS Nimitz was performing drills off the Southern Californian coastline ahead of deployment to the Persian Gulf.
“On the day in question, November 14, 2004, The USS Nimitz was performing drills off the Southern Californian coastline ahead of deployment to the Persian Gulf.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:13:56.8-00:14:12.6 administrative
174
The USS Princeton was another ship involved in the exercise with the USS Nimitz during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Another ship involved in the exercise was the USS Princeton.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:14:14.7-00:14:18.6 administrative
175
Kevin Day was manning the radar on board the USS Princeton during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Manning the radar on board the Princeton was Kevin Day.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:14:20.4-00:14:23.8 administrative
176
David Fravor was airborne at the time of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter and was ordered to intercept and visually identify the unidentified objects.
“And Commander Fravor happened to be airborne. Intercepting VID, visually ID it.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:15:21.6-00:15:23.2 administrative
177
As David Fravor closed the gap toward it during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the object identified as a tic-tac appeared to recognise and react to his movements.
“And as he began to close the gap, the Tic Tac recognized and began to react to his movements.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:15:28.4-00:15:32.8 observation
178
Luis Elizondo considers the object encountered during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter to have responded intelligently to David Fravor's actions.
“It is absolutely intelligent responding to his actions.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:15:53.9-00:15:56.1 opinion first hand
179
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the object took evasive manoeuvres to maintain distance from David Fravor's closing F/A-18 Super Hornet, showing no difficulty keeping pace with the aircraft.
“and it began to take evasive maneuvers to counter and maintain distance between his aircraft that was closing in, by the way, an F-18 at the time, Super Hornet, one of the most premier aircraft on the planet at the time, and this thing had no problem keeping pace.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:16:02.8-00:16:16.3 observation
180
Kevin Day tracked the unidentified object on radar during David Fravor's intercept in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Yeah, I'm seeing it on radar. I'm seeing him do the intercept, and as soon as he's at the merge plot, that object went...”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:16:21.5-00:16:26.0 observation first hand
181
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the object descended from approximately 8,500 metres to the surface of the ocean in 0.78 seconds.
“It went from 28,000 feet to the surface of the ocean in 0.78 seconds.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:16:27.3-00:16:29.5 measurement first hand
182
Luis Elizondo said the object involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter disappeared instantaneously, and five seconds later a radar operator reported it was waiting at the aircraft's cap point.
“and then all of a sudden, bam, it's gone. Bing, disappears instantaneously. Five seconds later, you can do the math, one of the radar operators radios into the F-18 and says, sir, you're not gonna believe this, but the object is now waiting for you at your cap point.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:16:34.0-00:16:52.4 testimony first hand
183
The cap point in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was an aerial rendezvous point approximately 97 kilometres away, known only to a handful of Navy personnel and pilots.
“The cap point was an aerial rendezvous point 60 miles away, known only to a handful of Navy personnel and pilots.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:16:53.9-00:17:03.3 measurement
184
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the object identified as a tic-tac was already waiting at the classified cap point when the pilots arrived, despite the location being known only within the USS Nimitz briefing room.
“They go to their cap point. It's a secret. Nobody's meant to know this outside of the briefing room of the USS Nimitz. They get to the cap point, and what's there waiting for them? The tic-tac. It's there. It's waiting for them. It knows they're coming.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:17:04.6-00:17:21.4 observation
185
An unnamed retired US Navy commander described the accelerations observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter as sufficient to destroy any aircraft that can be designed or built today, five to ten times over, and noted there was no visible propulsion system.
“The accelerations that were observed would destroy five or ten times over any craft that we can design or build today. No visible propulsion system.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:18:15.3-00:18:24.3 opinion
186
Luis Elizondo observed that the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter had no visible propulsion, no obvious signs of lift, no wings, no rudders, no control surfaces, no ailerons, no elevators, no cockpit, and no rivets.
“No visible propulsion. No obvious signs of lift. No wings. No rudders. No control surfaces. No ailerons. No elevators. No cockpit. No rivets.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:18:24.8-00:18:32.2 observation first hand
187
The 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter involved radical manoeuvres considered impossible for humans to perform or conceive of.
“There were radical maneuvers that just are impossible for us to perform and to conceive of. I mean, we just don't know how anybody can do that. We just don't understand it.”
The UFO Phenomenon | Full Documentary 2021 | 7NEWS Spotlight 2021-09-06 00:18:39.9-00:18:51.2 opinion
188
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter training exercise, the Red Air role was flown by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232).
“The Red Air was being flown by our Marine F/A-18 squadron VMFA-232.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:1280-1343 testimony first hand
189
The Combat Air Patrol (CAP) point during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was located roughly 64 kilometres south of the ship.
“The CAP point is where we would hold prior to commencing our training runs, roughly 40 miles South of the ship.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:1627-1733 measurement first hand
190
When David Fravor's flight arrived at approximately 6,000 metres altitude during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the controller called Merge Plot, indicating their radar blip was in the same radar resolution cell as the contact.
“When we arrived at the location at 20,000 ft, the controller called Merge Plot, which means that our radar blip was now in the same radar resolution cell as the contact.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:2183-2344 testimony first hand
191
David Fravor's flight noticed white water in the ocean off their right side during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“As we looked around, we noticed some white water off our right side.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:2353-2416 observation first hand
192
The weather during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was clear with light winds and calm seas with no whitecaps, making the white water stand out against the ocean.
“The weather on the day of the incident was as close to a perfect day as you could ask, clear skies, light winds, calm seas (no whitecaps from the waves) so the white water stood out in the large blue ocean.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:2422-2622 observation first hand
193
The Tic Tac object travelled approximately 97 kilometres in less than a minute during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“This Tic Tac Object had just traveled 60 miles in a very short period of time (less than a minute)”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:4019-4110 measurement first hand
194
The crew that David Fravor briefed after the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter took the approximately 90-second FLIR1 video that was released by the United States government in 2017.
“It was that crew that took the now famous approximately 90 second video that was released by the USG in 2017.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:4407-4511 administrative first hand
195
The radar tape from the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, which is not seen in the released footage, showed jamming of the AN/APG-73 radar in David Fravor's aircraft.
“What is not seen is the Radar tape that showed the jamming of the APG-73 radar in the aircraft”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:4517-4603 observation first hand
196
The 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was never officially investigated, none of David Fravor's crew were ever questioned, and tapes were never taken.
“What is shocking is that the incident was never investigated, none of my crew were ever questioned, tapes were never taken, and after a couple of days, it turned into a great story to tell friends.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:4763-4952 testimony first hand
197
Not until 2009 did Jay Stratton contact David Fravor to investigate what he had observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Not until 2009 did Jay Stratton contact me to investigate what we observed.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:4961-5027 testimony first hand
198
Alex Dietrich told David Fravor that she had been invited to the Pentagon multiple times to discuss the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter and to view other videos of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).
“Alex stated that she had been invited to the Pentagon multiple times to discuss the event and view other videos of UAPs.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:5526-5641 testimony second hand
199
At the time of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the carrier group had been at sea for roughly two weeks and David Fravor was scheduled to lead a two-versus-two air-to-air training exercise.
“We had been at sea for roughly 2 weeks, and I was scheduled to lead a 2 V 2 Air to Air training exercise.”
David Fravor Statement for the House Oversight Committee 2023-07-26 char:929-1025 testimony first hand
200
The Tic Tac craft observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter moved erratically, flitting around just above the sea.
“It was moving erratically, flitting around just above the sea.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:10018-10076 observation first hand
201
As David Fravor descended toward the Tic Tac craft during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, the object began mirroring his movement and ascended, tracking his FA-18 as if on the opposite hand of a clockface.
“As Fravor descended to take a closer look, the UAP then began mirroring his movement. The Tic Tac ascended, tracking Fravor's FA-18 as if it was on the opposite hand on a clockface.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:10254-10425 observation first hand
202
The 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter of 2004-11-14 is probably the most well-verified unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) event in history.
“The morning of 14 November 2004 marks probably the most well-verified UAP event in history”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:103-186 opinion first hand
203
During the encounter, everyone in the USS Princeton's Combat Information Centre was tense, listening to David Fravor's and his wingman's increasingly stressed radio communications, while five radar operators tracked the event in real time using the Princeton's multiple sensor systems.
“Back on board the USS Princeton in the Combat Information Centre everyone in the room was tense, listening to both fighter pilots' increasingly stressed communications over the speaker system. Five radar operators were each tracking the event in real time, imagery from the Princeton's multiple sensor systems displayed on their screens in front of them.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:10599-10952 observation
204
David Fravor yelled 'Oh God, I'm engaged, I'm engaged, oh shit' as he realised the Tic Tac craft was ascending to close with his fighter jet during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“As Fravor realised the object was actually ascending to close with his fighter jet, he yelled: 'Oh God. I'm engaged. I'm engaged. Oh shit!'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:10959-11092 observation first hand
205
At the same moment David Fravor yelled that he was engaged, the 14 other unidentified targets on the USS Princeton's radar screen were also tracked plummeting from above approximately 24,000 metres towards the ocean.
“Right at that very moment the 14 other unidentified targets on the Princeton's radar screen were also tracked plummeting from above 80,000 feet towards the ocean.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:11101-11259 observation
206
Kevin Day recalls that pilots and everyone on the radio were screaming during the peak moment of the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“'Pilots are screaming and everyone on the radio is screaming,' Kevin Day recalls.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:11269-11341 observation first hand
207
Jim Slaight, the weapons systems officer in David Fravor's wingman's jet, also saw the giant Tic Tac craft from above during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“From above, Fravor's colleague, Lieutenant Commander Jim Slaight, the weapons systems officer in the second jet, also saw the giant Tic Tac.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:11352-11488 observation first hand
208
Jim Slaight watched the Tic Tac craft complete a tight circle around David Fravor's plane during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, then stop, hover for a couple of seconds, and shoot off.
“He also watched as the object completed a tight circle around Fravor's plane. It stopped and, after hovering for a couple of seconds, it shot off.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:11801-11943 observation first hand
209
Jim Slaight said the Tic Tac craft rifled out of sight in a split second as if shot out of a rifle, with no gradual acceleration or spooling-up period, and that no human could have withstood that kind of acceleration.
“'It was there . . . then it rifled out of sight in a split second,' Slaight remembers. 'It was as if the object was shot out of a rifle. There was no gradual acceleration or spooling up period, it just shot out of sight immediately. I have never seen anything like it before or since. No human could have withstood that kind of acceleration.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:11950-12277 opinion first hand
210
David Fravor twice tried to lock his jet's radar onto the Tic Tac craft target during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, but his system would not lock.
“Twice, Fravor tried to lock his jet's radar onto the Tic Tac target but his system would not lock.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:12292-12385 observation first hand
211
David Fravor described the Tic Tac craft rapidly accelerating to the south in about two seconds and disappearing well above supersonic speed, from a position about 610 metres below him, after he had cut across a circle to approach it.
“And I cut across the circle and as I get within about a half mile of it, it rapidly accelerates to the south in about two seconds and disappears . . . well above supersonic. Like a bullet out of a gun, it took off,' Fravor said.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:12797-13020 observation first hand
212
David Fravor and his wingman were told by the USS Princeton to fly to a prearranged rendezvous point approximately 100 kilometres distant, known as the 'cap point', during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“Fravor and his wingman were told by the Princeton to fly to a prearranged rendezvous point 100 kilometres distant, which was known as the 'cap point'.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:13143-13288 administrative
213
In the four days before 2004-11-14, Kevin Day and his team became increasingly concerned by anomalous radar tracks detected on their screens aboard the USS Princeton.
“Over the previous four days, the Princeton's Operations Specialist Senior Chief Kevin Day...was increasingly concerned by anomalous radar tracks he and his team detected on their screens.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:1322-1553 observation first hand
214
The 'cap point' latitude and longitude reference used by David Fravor during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter had not been transmitted to the jets on an open channel by the USS Princeton at any stage.
“This was an assigned latitude and longitude reference that Fravor had used earlier as an rendezvous position, but it was not a specific grid reference that the USS Princeton at any stage had transmitted to the jets on an open channel.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:13296-13524 administrative
215
As David Fravor and his wingman were en route to the cap point during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, the USS Princeton radioed that the Tic Tac craft was at their cap point.
“It would have been unsettling when, as they were en route, the USS Princeton radioed, 'You're not going to believe this. It's at your cap.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:13603-13739 observation
216
One of the unidentified objects during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter was tracked on the AEGIS radar hovering at approximately 7,300 metres, right at the spot where David Fravor and his wingman were headed.
“One of the UAPs was clearly tracked on the AEGIS radar hovering at 24,000 feet, right at the very spot where Fravor and his wingman were headed.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:13747-13911 observation
217
The Tic Tac craft's presence at the cap point during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter suggested it knew a lot more about the US Navy than the navy knew about it.
“No one knows how the UAP knew where the cap point was, but it suggests the UAP knew a lot more about the US Navy than the navy knew about it.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:14012-14150 opinion first hand
218
For decades, military pilots rarely spoke publicly about UAP sightings such as the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“He knew that, for decades, military pilots rarely spoke about sightings like this.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:14442-14519 opinion first hand
219
David Fravor believes that he and the other personnel on the flight, when they visually saw the Tic Tac craft, concluded it was something not from this world.
“'I believe,' David Fravor says, 'as do the other folks that were on the flight that, we – when we visually saw it, that it was something not from this world.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:14752-14902 opinion first hand
220
Once David Fravor and his wingman returned to the USS Nimitz, the swarm of unidentified objects that had descended towards the ocean during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter shot back above approximately 24,000 metres in a fraction of a second.
“Inside the USS Princeton's Combat Information Centre astonished operators watched as, once Fravor and his wingman returned to the USS Nimitz, in a fraction of a second, the swarm of other objects that had descended towards the ocean shot back above 80,000 feet.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:15562-15822 observation
221
The unidentified objects during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter resumed tracking south at a gentle speed of approximately 185 kilometres per hour as if nothing had happened, following the dogfight with David Fravor.
“They resumed tracking south at a gentle 100 knots as if nothing had happened, as if a dogfight with the US Navy was a minor distraction to their high-altitude afternoon cruise.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:15828-16024 observation
222
From 2004-11-10, Kevin Day tracked numerous unidentified aerial objects with no transponder return, closely clustering in groups of five to ten at a time, at an altitude far above normal commercial or military aviation traffic.
“Since 10 November he had tracked numerous unidentified aerial objects with no transponder return, closely clustering in groups of five to ten at a time at an altitude far above normal commercial or military aviation traffic.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:1596-1812 observation first hand
223
Kevin Day believes some of the unidentified objects during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter were underwater just before they zoomed back up to approximately 24,000 metres, possibly even higher, because it was above the scan volume of the USS Princeton's radar at the time.
“Kevin Day believes some of the objects were underwater just before they zoomed back up to 80,000 feet, the upper atmosphere, 'maybe even higher because it was above the scan volume of our radar at the time'.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:16032-16233 opinion first hand
224
David Fravor stated that any craft flying above approximately 24,380 metres is considered on its way to space, because that altitude is where the curvature of the Earth can be seen.
“As Commander Fravor later pointed out, any craft flying above 80,000 feet (24,380 metres) is on its way to space: 'Just think of the physics – 80,000 feet is where you can start to see the curvature of the Earth. It's considered space; they're coming from above that.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:16242-16504 opinion first hand
225
The 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter was captured on multiple independent sensor systems, including video, which clinched the evidence for the sighting.
“What clinched the evidence for the 2004 Tic Tac UAP sighting was that it was captured on multiple independent sensor systems, including video.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:16514-16650 opinion first hand
226
As David Fravor and his wingman returned to the USS Nimitz on the afternoon of 2004-11-14, a third pair of aircraft headed out, one piloted by Lieutenant Chad Underwood, whose jet was fitted with an ATFLIR pod.
“As Commander Fravor and his wingman returned to the USS Nimitz from their Tic Tac encounter that 14 November afternoon, a third pair of aircraft headed out. One of the pilots, Lieutenant Chad Underwood, had what is called an ATFLIR pod on his jet.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:16657-16902 administrative
227
En route, Chad Underwood's weapons systems officer checked the cap point where David Fravor and his wingman had last seen the Tic Tac craft, and it was waiting for them there.
“En route, Underwood's weapons systems officer checked the cap point where the previous pilots Dave Fravor and his female pilot wingman last saw the UAP and, sure enough, there it was waiting for them.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:17174-17369 observation
228
David Fravor said that when the US Navy jet flown by Chad Underwood tried to lock onto the Tic Tac craft with its radar during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, there were clear indications of deliberate jamming, which could be perceived as a hostile act, technically an act of war.
“Disturbingly, as the US Navy jet tried to lock on to the object with its radar, there were clear indications of deliberate jamming, which Commander Fravor says could be perceived as a hostile act, as technically an act of war'.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:17375-17597 opinion first hand
229
The weapons systems officer sitting behind Chad Underwood was eventually able to lock onto the Tic Tac craft using the ATFLIR pod's infra-red mode, showing it as a white object against a black background.
“The weapons systems officer sitting behind Underwood was eventually able to lock on to the object using the pod's infra-red mode, meaning it showed up on his screen as a white object in a black background.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:17606-17800 observation
230
The ATFLIR infra-red footage of the Tic Tac craft showed no sign of any jet exhaust or of any gases blasting from the object, as would be expected from a conventional propulsion system.
“There was no sign of any jet exhaust or of any gases at all blasting from the UAP, as you would expect to see from any conventional propulsion system.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:17899-18069 observation
231
The FLIR1 video of the 2004 Nimitz Tic Tac encounter showed the Tic Tac craft eventually shooting off screen with a sudden dart to the left.
“The video showed the object eventually shooting off screen with a sudden dart to the left.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:18129-18214 observation
232
Kevin Day is very sure the objects he tracked on the USS Princeton's radar during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter were real, solid objects.
“'I am very sure these things were real; they were solid objects,' Day tells me from his home in a beautiful part of high-country Oregon in a phone interview.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:1985-2131 opinion first hand
233
A UAP captured in radar/video footage during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter made a manoeuvre as if chasing an aircraft head-on, then abruptly stopped and vanished instantly.
“It made a manoeuvre like they were chasing it straight on, it was going with them, then this thing stopped turning, just gone. In an instant.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:20067-20200 testimony second hand
234
Petty Officer Gary Voorhis saw a much clearer video of the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter that was eight to ten minutes long.
“System technician Petty Officer Gary Voorhis testified that he saw a much clearer video that was eight to ten minutes long.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:20313-20431 testimony first hand
235
It took 13 years for the story of the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter to become widely known.
“it would take 13 more years for the story to become widely known”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:204-263 administrative
236
Kevin Day considers the full video of the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter would have to be at least ten minutes long, based on it being standard for him to order 'tapes on' onboard the aircraft before an intercept begins.
“Kevin Day explains to me that it is standard in such an intercept for him to order 'tapes on' onboard the aircraft before the intercept begins; he estimates the full Tic Tac video would have to be at least ten minutes long.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:20437-20655 opinion first hand
237
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, dozens of UAPs tracked on radar continued to drift slowly southwards at approximately 185 kilometres per hour after the dogfight encounter, and fleet commanders made no effort to follow them.
“Fleet commanders made no effort to follow the dozens of UAPs that were tracked on radar continuing to drift slowly southwards at 100 knots after the dogfight encounter.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:20935-21093 observation
238
Kevin Day's captain on the USS Princeton told him, when Kevin Day asked what he thought the object was after the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, that he thought the objects were spontaneously forming ice falling from space.
“Kevin Day recalls asking his captain on the *Princeton* afterwards what he thought the object was. 'He told me, "I think the objects were spontaneously forming ice falling from space".'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:21104-21281 testimony second hand
239
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, unidentified aerial objects were first spotted at an altitude of over approximately 24,000 metres, tracking south towards the carrier fleet from around San Clemente Island off San Diego.
“The UAPs were first spotted somewhere above 80,000 feet (24,383 metres) tracking south towards the carrier fleet from around San Clemente Island (off San Diego)”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:2144-2298 measurement
240
No further jets from the USS Nimitz were sent up to engage the craft during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“No further jets from the USS *Nimitz* were sent up to engage the craft.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:21453-21518 observation
241
Chad Underwood, the pilot who filmed the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, answered a few questions in a phone call with someone from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) soon after landing.
“The pilot who videoed the encounter, Chad Underwood, says that soon after landing, he answered a few questions in a phone call with someone from NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defence Command”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:21525-21714 testimony first hand
242
No pilots involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter were formally debriefed at the time about what occurred.
“but no pilots were formally debriefed at the time about what occurred.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:21725-21786 observation
243
The returning pilots from the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter received a good-natured ribbing about their 'flying saucer' sighting from the USS Nimitz's deck crew, some of whom wore tin-foil hats in jest.
“What the returning pilots did get was a good-natured ribbing about their 'flying saucer' sighting from the USS *Nimitz*'s deck crew, some of whom were wearing tin-foil hats in jest.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:21796-21972 observation
244
The 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP video mysteriously surfaced in 2007 on a German website, prompting someone to begin investigating.
“Curiously, it was only after the Tic Tac video mysteriously surfaced in 2007 on a German website that someone began investigating.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:21979-22122 observation
245
David Fravor was first questioned about the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter in 2009 by a government investigator whose identity or affiliation he did not disclose.
“Commander Fravor did not disclose who the government investigator was, or where they were from, but he said he was first questioned about the Tic Tac incident in 2009.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:22137-22299 testimony first hand
246
The US Navy took the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter extremely seriously behind the scenes.
“It was very clear that, behind the scenes, the US Navy took the Tic Tac encounter extremely seriously indeed.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:22307-22409 opinion
247
The morning after the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP dogfight, Kevin Day went to the USS Princeton's communications room to get a copy of the radio communications from the previous day in order to write an after-action report.
“The morning after the dogfight, Senior Chief Kevin Day went to the USS *Princeton*'s communications room to get a copy of the radio communications from the previous day so that he could get the data he needed to write up an after-action report.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:22767-23004 testimony first hand
248
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, the objects were tracking at an unusually slow speed of approximately 185 kilometres per hour for their altitude.
“at an unusually slow speed for that altitude of 100 knots”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:2305-2357 measurement
249
Kevin Day discovered that the radio communications data for the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter had been erased from the USS Princeton's optical disk, even though the date and time stamps for the recordings remained.
“But he was shocked to learn that the data for the Tic Tac encounter had been wiped. 'As it turns out, all of our comms had been erased. Now, every time you key a mic on the ship, it stamps the optical disk with a date and time stamp. All the date and time stamps were there but the actual comms were all missing.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:23092-23396 testimony first hand
250
Immediately after the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, two unknown individuals, presumably serving military, arrived by navy helicopter on board the USS Nimitz.
“Immediately after the incident, two unknown individuals, presumably serving military, arrived by navy helicopter on board the *Nimitz*.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:23537-23664 observation
251
Aside from a weather balloon, only a handful of terrestrial aviation vehicles in history can fly above approximately 24,000 metres, and none fit the cluster of objects seen by the USS Princeton's sensors during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“Aside from a weather balloon, only a handful of terrestrial aviation vehicles in history can fly that high; none fit the cluster of objects that the Princeton's sensors saw.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:2365-2536 opinion first hand
252
Petty Officer Patrick Hughes, whose job included securing the hard drives from the airborne early-warning E2 Hawkeye aircraft, was ordered to hand the 'data bricks' to two air force personnel after the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“Petty Officer Patrick Hughes, whose job included securing the hard drives from the airborne early-warning E2 Hawkeye aircraft, was ordered to hand the 'data bricks', as they are called, to two air force guys.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:23673-23876 testimony first hand
253
On board the USS Princeton, Gary Voorhis was ordered to turn over the data tapes from the ship's Combat Engagement Centre after the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“On board the *Princeton*, Gary Voorhis was also ordered to turn over the data tapes from the ship's Combat Engagement Centre”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:23885-24003 testimony first hand
254
In defiance of normal procedure, Gary Voorhis was ordered to erase everything including blank tapes as part of the data seizure following the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“and, in defiance of normal procedure, he was also ordered to erase everything including blank tapes.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:24010-24104 testimony first hand
255
Tyler Rogoway considers that the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter proved that exotic technology widely thought of as the domain of science fiction actually exists and is real.
“the *Nimitz* encounter with the Tic Tac *proved* that exotic technology that is widely thought of as the domain of science fiction actually exists. *It is real*.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:24623-24778 opinion first hand
256
Tyler Rogoway considers that the technology observed in the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter was not the result of altered perception, someone's lucid dream, a stray weather balloon, or swamp gas.
“It isn't the result of altered perception, someone's lucid dream, a stray weather balloon, or swamp gas.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:24785-24885 opinion first hand
257
Tyler Rogoway considers that whoever or whatever produced the technology observed in the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter has crossed the technological Rubicon and obtained what some would call the Holy Grail of aerospace engineering.
“Someone or something has crossed the technological Rubicon and has obtained what some would call the Holy Grail of aerospace engineering.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:24890-25015 opinion first hand
258
USS Princeton Petty Officer Gary Voorhis checked the USS Princeton's radar system for false returns during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, and the system was recalibrated with no problems detected.
“USS Princeton Petty Officer Gary Voorhis checked the radar system for false returns. It was recalibrated and no problems were detected.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:2541-2669 observation first hand
259
Gary Voorhis physically confirmed the objects tracked during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter were where the USS Princeton's sensors indicated they were, by taking a relative bearing and scanning the sky with binoculars.
“Voorhis also physically confirmed the objects were where the sensors were telling them they were. After taking a relative bearing of the objects seen on screen, he also scanned the sky through a pair of powerful binoculars.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:2679-2891 observation first hand
260
The 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter occurred in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean, about 100 kilometres off the coast at a mid-point between San Diego, California and Ensenada, Mexico.
“On a clear day in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean, about 100 kilometres off the coast at a mid-point between the US city of San Diego and the coastal town of Ensenada in Mexico”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:270-440 observation
261
Gary Voorhis saw something luminescing and hovering in the distance through binoculars during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, but could not make out any detail.
“He saw something there, luminescing and hovering in the distance. 'I couldn't make out any detail at all. They were hovering there, then in an instant, they'd dart off to another direction and stop again,' Voorhis tells me by phone from the US.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:2903-3144 observation first hand
262
Gary Voorhis also observed the unidentified objects at night during the period of the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, noting they emitted a phosphorus glow that was easier to see than during the day.
“'I also saw them at night; they'd emit a phosphorus glow and you can see them much easier than in the day.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:3150-3251 observation first hand
263
Late on the morning of 2004-11-14, in the USS Princeton's Combat Information Centre, Kevin Day again saw a cluster of 14 unidentified objects on his radar screen.
“Late on that 14 November morning, in the Princeton's Combat Information Centre, Senior Chief Day again saw a cluster of 14 unidentified objects on his screen”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:3258-3438 observation first hand
264
Kevin Day confirmed that the USS Nimitz's radar was tracking the same cluster of 14 unidentified objects as the USS Princeton's radar on 2004-11-14.
“this time, he confirmed the Nimitz's radar was seeing the same thing”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:3446-3511 observation first hand
265
The USS Nimitz sent up an E2 Hawkeye airborne early-warning aircraft during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, which detected the closest unidentified object on its own radar.
“The aircraft carrier also sent up one of its airborne early-warning aircraft – an E2 Hawkeye – and it detected the closest object on its radar.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:3518-3655 observation
266
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, the cluster of unidentified objects on Kevin Day's radar screen was at one moment at approximately 24,000 metres or higher, with some lower at approximately 8,500 metres.
“the cluster of UAPs was at one moment somewhere about 80,000 feet or higher, some were lower at 28,000 feet”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:3906-4009 observation first hand
267
Kevin Day gave a quote to a UFO conference in 2019-03 describing the objects during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter as 'raining UFOs' making a repeated sound down to the surface of the water.
“Day gave a memorable quote to a UFO conference in March 2019: 'It's raining UFOs. It was going choo, choo, choo, choo, choo down to the surface of the water,' he recalled.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:4229-4391 observation first hand
268
Kevin Day learned from crewmen who worked in the anti-ballistic missile defence area of the USS Princeton that they tracked some of the objects seen during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter from orbit.
“In our interview, Day tells me he learned from crewmen who worked in the anti-ballistic missile defence area of the Princeton that they actually tracked some of these objects that day from orbit.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:4402-4593 hearsay second hand
269
On 2004-11-14, the USS Nimitz supercarrier was undergoing preparatory training with other vessels in its carrier strike group before deploying to the Middle East.
“the behemoth aircraft supercarrier USS Nimitz was undergoing preparatory training with other vessels in its carrier strike group before deploying to the Middle East”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:448-610 administrative
270
Kevin Day believes some of the objects observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter came from space, though he did not see them directly on his own radar.
“'Some of these things came from space,' he tells me. 'I didn't see them directly on my radar, but I know some came from orbit. We aren't alone, Ross.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:4601-4744 opinion first hand
271
The 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter had a profound effect on Kevin Day, rocking his world view.
“It is quite clear this whole event has had a profound effect on Kevin Day, that what he saw that day has rocked his world view.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:4752-4874 opinion first hand
272
One study estimated the unidentified objects tracked during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter were moving at approximately 168,812 kilometres per hour at the midway point.
“One study has estimated that the objects were moving at 104,895 miles an hour (168,812 km/h) at the midway point”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:5018-5125 measurement second hand
273
One study estimated the unidentified objects tracked during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter underwent an acceleration of 12,250 g-forces.
“a ridiculous acceleration of 12,250 g-forces”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:5136-5174 measurement second hand
274
The Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies calculated that, if the objects tracked during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter truly disappeared from a stationary position within a second, their peak velocity would have been approximately 453,062 kilometres per hour.
“the maths done by the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies suggests an even faster peak velocity of 281,520 mph (453,062 km/h)”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:5313-5437 measurement second hand
275
Nearly two decades after the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, there is still nothing known to be capable of flying anywhere near the estimated speeds of the objects tracked that day.
“Nearly two decades later, there is still nothing known to be capable of flying anywhere near that fast anywhere on Earth.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:5503-5618 opinion first hand
276
The g-forces caused by the acceleration Kevin Day observed on his radar screen during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter would make human survival impossible.
“Moreover, the g-forces caused by the acceleration that Day saw on his screen make human survival impossible.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:5626-5723 opinion first hand
277
An estimated 12,250 g-force acceleration, as pulled by the objects during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter to move from approximately 24,000 metres altitude to hovering just above the ocean, would reduce any human body to a bloody soup.
“The estimated 12,250-G pulled by these UAPs to zoom from 80,000 feet to hovering just above the ocean would reduce any human body to a bloody soup.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:5888-6030 opinion first hand
278
Within a few hours of the initial radar sightings on 2004-11-14, the USS Nimitz planned to launch as many as 30 aircraft, with more scheduled to join the carrier group exercise from San Diego.
“Within a few hours of this sighting, the USS Nimitz planned to launch as many as 30 aircraft and more were scheduled to be joining the carrier group exercise from San Diego.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:6036-6205 administrative
279
A huge stretch of ocean and sky was closed for the USS Nimitz carrier strike group exercise on 2004-11-14.
“A huge swathe of ocean and sky was closed for the exercise.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:616-666 administrative
280
Kevin Day decided that the unidentified objects tracked during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter posed a serious threat to air navigation.
“Kevin Day decided that these strange UAPs posed a serious threat to air navigation.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:6212-6284 opinion first hand
281
Kevin Day recommended to USS Nimitz Captain James Smith that aircraft be sent to investigate the swarm of unidentified objects during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, and Captain Smith concurred.
“Day recommended to the Nimitz's Captain James Smith that they send out aircraft to take a look, and the captain concurred.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:6428-6542 administrative
282
At about 2 pm on 2004-11-14, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Kurth, piloting an FA-18 Super Hornet, was directed by the USS Princeton to the closest unidentified object on their radar screen.
“About 2 pm that afternoon the pilot of an FA-18 Hornet, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Kurth, was directed by the Princeton to the closest UAP on their radar screen.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:7049-7205 observation first hand
283
Douglas Kurth arrived at the intercept point approximately 100 kilometres south-west of the USS Nimitz during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, but saw only a circular disturbance on the ocean surface, 50-100 metres in size.
“Somewhere about 100 kilometres south-west of the Nimitz, Kurth arrived at the intercept point, but all he saw was a circular disturbance on the surface of the ocean, 50–100 metres in size.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:7213-7398 observation first hand
284
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, it was the accompanying Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton, not the USS Nimitz itself, that was providing air defence protection using its then brand-new SPY-1 Aegis radar system.
“it was actually the accompanying Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton that was providing air defence protection with its then brand-new SPY-1 Aegis radar system”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:740-914 administrative
285
Douglas Kurth told journalist Paco Chierici that the white water disturbance he saw during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter reminded him of a sinking ship.
“He later told an old fighter jet buddy turned journalist, Paco Chierici (who was the first to tell this now-legendary story), that the white water reminded him of a sinking ship.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:7404-7604 observation second hand
286
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, Strike Fighter Squadron 41 ('The Black Aces') commanding officer David Fravor was flying an FA-18F Super Hornet, with his wingman, a serving female pilot who wishes to remain anonymous, in another Super Hornet.
“Strikefighter Squadron 41 ('The Black Aces') commanding officer David Fravor was in one FA-18F Super Hornet and his wingman, a serving female pilot who wishes to stay anonymous, was in another.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:7704-7889 administrative
287
Both David Fravor and his wingman had a weapons systems officer in the backseats of their jets during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“Both pilots also had a weapons systems officer in their jets' backseats.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:7898-7960 administrative
288
All four witnesses in the two FA-18F Super Hornets later told much the same story of the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, which has become one of the most compelling UAP encounters in history.
“All four witnesses later told much the same story of what has become one of the most compelling UAP encounters in history.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:7971-8085 opinion first hand
289
Thirty minutes into what David Fravor and his wingman expected to be a routine exercise on 2004-11-14, both fighters were redirected to a 'real world situation' and given a heading to intercept an object at approximately 6,100 metres altitude.
“Thirty minutes into what they expected to be a routine exercise, both fighters were told they were being redirected to a 'real world situation'; they were given a heading and told to intercept an object at 20,000 feet.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:8095-8308 observation first hand
290
David Fravor and his wingman were asked if they were carrying any ordnance before being directed to intercept the unidentified object during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, and they had none.
“The pilots were asked if they were carrying any ordnance (live weapons or munitions such as missiles). They had none.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:8314-8426 administrative
291
At the 'merge plot' target point at approximately 6,100 metres altitude, David Fravor saw white water on the ocean surface below during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“When he reached the target point – the 'merge plot', where his radar signature matched the same position that the UAP was detected – and stared down from his FA-18 cockpit at 20,000 feet, Commander Fravor saw white water on the ocean surface below.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:8555-8797 observation first hand
292
David Fravor worried that a commercial airliner might have crashed into the sea because the white water disturbance he saw was roughly the size of a Boeing 737.
“Because the disturbance was roughly the size of a 737, he was worried that a commercial airliner might have crashed into the sea.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:8804-8929 observation first hand
293
Weapons systems officer Jim Slaight and his pilot initially thought the ocean disturbance during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter might be a submarine that was part of the exercise, but this was later ruled out by the USS Nimitz's intelligence officer in a post-flight debriefing.
“Remaining above, weapons systems officer Lieutenant Commander Slaight and his pilot thought it might be a submarine that was part of the exercise, but this was later ruled out by the Nimitz's intelligence officer in a post-flight debriefing.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:8969-9201 observation first hand
294
USS Princeton Petty Officer Gary Voorhis's sensors showed an underwater object during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter moving at an incredible speed of approximately 930 kilometres per hour.
“USS Princeton Petty Officer Gary Voorhis says his sensors showed an underwater object, moving at an incredible 500 knots.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:9274-9391 measurement first hand
295
The underwater object detected during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter was not a craft officially acknowledged as within any country's known technological capabilities.
“Whatever this strange underwater object was, it was most definitely not a craft officially acknowledged as within any country's known technological capabilities.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:9399-9547 opinion first hand
296
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter, David Fravor descended and discerned a featureless giant white 'Tic Tac'-candy shaped object with what looked like two appendages below its belly, hovering just above the ocean surface over the water disturbance.
“Descending, Commander Fravor was then shocked to discern what he can only describe as a featureless giant white 'Tic Tac'-candy shaped object with what looked like two appendages below its belly; it was hovering just above the surface of the ocean over the disturbance in the water.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:9589-9865 observation first hand
297
The Tic Tac craft observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter was roughly the length of an FA-18 jet, had no windows, no visible engines, no wings, no exhaust or smoke, and no discernible markings.
“The Tic Tac, roughly the length of his FA-18 jet, had no windows, no visible engines, no wings, no exhaust or smoke, and no discernible markings.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch16:9872-10008 observation first hand
298
Eric Davis's team was responsible for the covert investigation into the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP incident.
“Former Bigelow NIDS scientist Dr Eric Davis has admitted that his team was responsible for the covert investigation into the 2004 Tic Tac USS Nimitz incident and they too reached a dramatic conclusion as to who or what was behind it.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:11975-12207 testimony first hand
299
Douglas Kurth was the first witness to the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter as an FA-18 jet pilot.
“One of Bigelow's first hires in 2007 was former USS Nimitz FA-18 jet pilot Marine Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Kurth, the first witness to the Tic Tac UAP in November 2004.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:7530-7697 administrative
300
Ross Coulthart suggests the Tic Tac UAP encountered by the USS Nimitz in 2004, which comprehensively outperformed the best fighter attack jets in the US Air Force, was clearly a potential threat worthy of intense investigation.
“Nor was any explanation given for why these strange UAPs might be seen as a 'threat' but perhaps one explanation was that the Tic Tac, which so comprehensively outperformed the best fighter attack jets in the US Air Force, was clearly a potential threat worthy of intense investigation.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:9672-9944 opinion first hand
301
The FLIR1 video is a 76-second recording depicting the Tic Tac craft, an egg- or oblong-shaped unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) filmed by a USS Nimitz pilot in 2004.
“One of those videos was the 76-second so-called FLIR1 video, depicting the Tic Tac, the egg- or oblong-shaped UAP filmed by the USS Nimitz pilot in 2004.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch21:21129-21279 observation
302
Christopher Mellon considers the object encountered by the USS Nimitz in the 2004 Tic Tac craft encounter not to be an experimental US aircraft.
“'Clearly this is not an experimental US aircraft but whose is it?' Mellon asked.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch21:3329-3394 opinion first hand
303
Christopher Mellon states that the events involving the USS Nimitz on 2004-11-14 can be verified by the US government itself.
“Better yet the US government itself can verify the events involving the USS *Nimitz* on November 14th, 2004.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch21:3553-3656 opinion first hand
304
In October 2019, researcher Christian Lambright made a Freedom of Information Act request to the US Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) seeking records relating to the USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“In October 2019, researcher Christian Lambright made a Freedom of Information Act request to the US Navy’s Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), seeking records relating to the USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:19078-19280 administrative
305
Paco Chierici's account of viewing a classified Office of Naval Intelligence report confirmed that the ONI had conducted its own investigation into the USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“This confirmed ONI had conducted its own investigation and he asked for those records.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:19525-19603 administrative second hand
306
Christian Lambright received a reply to his Freedom of Information Act request in December 2019 in which the US Navy admitted it holds briefing slides classified top secret relating to the USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter.
“The reply he received in December 2019 was intriguing; the navy admitted it does hold briefing slides that are classified top secret, stating, ‘the release of these materials would cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security of the United States’.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:19612-19892 administrative second hand
307
The US Navy stated that release of the classified briefing slides relating to the USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter would cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security of the United States.
“‘the release of these materials would cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security of the United States’.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:19756-19892 administrative second hand
308
Like the object in the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac encounter, the object in the Gimbal video had no visible flight surfaces, no visible propulsion, and no heat signature.
“Just like the 2004 Tic Tac, the Gimbal had no visible flight surfaces, no visible propulsion, and no heat signature.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:5565-5671 observation
309
Unlike the F/A-18 fighters involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac encounter, the F/A-18 jets in the 2014-2015 USS Theodore Roosevelt encounters had new advanced APG-79 electronic beam scanning radar systems.
“unlike those on the USS Nimitz ten years earlier, they had new advanced APG-79 electronic beam scanning radar systems”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:652-764 measurement
310
Salvatore Pais's spacecraft patent application was filed in April 2016, 12 years after the USS Nimitz and its pilots tracked and videoed the Tic Tac unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) off the west coast.
“it means the US Navy officially claims to be developing an anti-gravity craft, a patent applied for in April 2016, 12 years after the USS Nimitz and its pilots tracked and videoed the Tic Tac UAP off the west coast.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch28:3496-3707 administrative
311
The Office of Naval Intelligence admitted to holding "Top Secret" records and a "Secret" video relating to the USS Nimitz Tic Tac UFO incident, as reported on 2020-01-08.
“Paul Dean, 'Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) Admits to "Top Secret" Records and "Secret" Video from USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" UFO Incident', UFOs – Documenting The Evidence Blog, 8 January 2020.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch34:48917-49107 administrative second hand
312
The story of the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP encounter forced the US Navy to admit that UAPs are real.
“The story that forced the US Navy to admit that UAPs are real”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch37:8006-8063 opinion
313
Kevin Day, a retired US Navy chief petty officer and radar specialist who served as a TOPGUN air intercept controller, monitored the Tic Tac craft videoed and tracked by US Navy pilots in 2004.
“retired US Navy chief petty officer and radar specialist Kevin Day, who, as a TOPGUN air intercept controller, monitored the strange Tic-Tac craft videoed and tracked by US Navy pilots in 2004.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch37:8069-8257 observation first hand
314
The egg-shaped Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) form seen at Socorro in 1964 recurs in reports over the following decades, most famously in the 2004 sightings by naval aviators off the coast of San Diego, California.
“This "egg" shape pops up in reports over the decades, arguably most famously in the 2004 case of sightings by naval aviators off the coast of San Diego.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch12:23962-24108 observation
315
Five vessels began travelling together in US waters off the coast of San Diego, California, forming a carrier strike group, ahead of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Five vessels had begun traveling together in US waters off the coast of San Diego in what is known as a carrier strike group.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1129-1248 observation
316
The purpose of the November 2004 USS Nimitz carrier strike group deployment was to conduct "workups", or training exercises, prior to the group's deployment to the Arabian Sea.
“The purpose of this deployment was to conduct “workups,” or training exercises, prior to the carrier strike group’s deployment to the Arabian Sea.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1255-1397 administrative
317
Very little follow-up investigation had been conducted after the pilots returned to the USS Nimitz following the November 2004 UAP encounter.
“Back in 2004, very little follow-up had been conducted when the pilots returned to the *Nimitz*.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:13506-13594 observation
318
Several pilots involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter later told Jay Stratton that they had been debriefed by intelligence officers but saw no evidence of a subsequent investigation, and their story died after being kicked up the chain of command.
“Several of the pilots later told Jay that they had been debriefed by intelligence officers. They saw no evidence of a subsequent investigation. Kicked up the chain of command, their story died.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:13603-13791 hearsay third hand
319
The senior master of arms aboard the USS Princeton told Lue Elizondo that during a routine situation report (SITREP) with senior brass, the ship's captain dismissed the Tic Tac incident, saying "Well, you had your fun with this. Let's get back to work now."
“The senior master of arms on board the USS *Princeton* later told me that during a routine SITREP (“situation report”) with senior brass aboard the ship, the captain dismissed the entire incident, saying, “Well, you had your fun with this. Let’s get back to work now.””
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:13798-14061 hearsay second hand
320
The lead vessel of the carrier strike group involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was the USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
“The lead vessel was the USS *Nimitz*, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1402-1467 administrative
321
Many crewmen aboard the USS Nimitz and the USS Princeton shared the Tic Tac video via the government's classified email system following the 2004 encounter.
“By then, many crewmen aboard the *Nimitz* and the *Princeton* had shared the video via the government’s classified email system.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:14067-14188 observation
322
A North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) investigator put a few questions to Chad Underwood following the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, and no other internal agency investigated the encounter.
“Beyond a few questions a NORAD investigator put to Underwood, I was told no other internal agency investigated the encounter.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:14675-14790 hearsay second hand
323
On its most recent training exercises before the 2004 UAP encounter, the USS Nimitz carrier strike group included the destroyers USS Higgins and USS Chafee.
“On its most recent training exercises, it had shared the waters with two destroyers, the USS *Higgins* and the USS *Chafee*”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1476-1592 administrative
324
The USS Princeton was a state-of-the-art SPY-1 radar-equipped missile cruiser that took part in the November 2004 USS Nimitz carrier strike group deployment.
“a state-of-the-art SPY-1 radar-equipped missile cruiser called the USS *Princeton*”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1601-1699 administrative
325
The USS Louisville, a nuclear-powered submarine, took part in the November 2004 USS Nimitz carrier strike group deployment.
“and a nuclear-powered submarine, the USS *Louisville*.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1711-1753 administrative
326
At the time of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the USS Nimitz and the USS Princeton were travelling close together while the other vessels of the carrier strike group were otherwise occupied.
“At the time the incident took place, the *Nimitz* and the *Princeton* traveled close together. The other vessels were otherwise occupied.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1766-1894 observation
327
For nearly two weeks leading up to the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, radar operators aboard the USS Princeton regularly logged over one hundred UAP in the air surrounding the vessels.
“For nearly two weeks leading up to the incident, the radar operators aboard the *Princeton* had regularly logged UAP activity in the air surrounding the vessels. Over one hundred UAP.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:1905-2084 observation
328
The UAP tracked by radar operators aboard the USS Princeton in the weeks before the 2004 encounter performed acrobatics that would challenge any aircraft the operators had ever seen.
“They performed acrobatics that would challenge any aircraft the radar operators had ever seen.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:2090-2179 observation
329
UAP tracked before the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter appeared on radar at approximately 24,000 metres altitude, above the normal envelope of aircraft except for a few exceptions such as the U-2, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the alleged Aurora aircraft.
“They even popped up on the radar at 80,000 feet, where you begin to get into space, well above the normal envelope of aircraft, even military aircraft, with only a few notable exceptions, which include the U-2, the Blackbird, and the alleged Aurora.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:2185-2427 measurement
330
UAP tracked before the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter would drop from approximately 24,000 metres to approximately 15 metres altitude in a fraction of a second, then return to altitude.
“What’s more perplexing was that the objects would drop from 80,000 to 50 feet in a fraction of a second, then go right back up.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:2435-2559 measurement
331
There is no aircraft made by humans that can drop from approximately 24,000 metres to approximately 15 metres altitude in a fraction of a second and return to altitude, as UAP tracked before the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter were observed to do.
“There is no aircraft made by humans that can do that.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:2563-2611 opinion first hand
332
The Tic Tac object encountered by the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in 2004 exhibited propulsive performance characteristics implying a propulsion system power generation/output of 1.1 trillion watts.
“The Tic Tac encountered by the *Nimitz* Carrier Strike Group exhibited propulsive performance characteristics that imply a propulsion system power generation/output of 1.1 trillion watts.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:2618-2799 measurement
333
The estimated 1.1 trillion watt power output implied by the Tic Tac's performance during the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter is more than 100 times the daily electrical utility power generation in the United States.
“That is more than 100 times the daily electrical utility power generation in the US.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:2806-2887 measurement
334
Jay Stratton investigated the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter before Lue Elizondo joined the Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Application Program/Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AAWSAP/AATIP) team.
“Jay Stratton investigated the incident before I joined the team.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:301-360 administrative first hand
335
Operators in the vicinity of the Tic Tac during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter detected no sonic boom or acoustic signature despite the object's apparent speed.
“Operators in the vicinity detected no such boom. There was no acoustic signature, as we tend to say.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:3080-3176 observation
336
Before pilots got eyes on the Tic Tac in November 2004, the USS Nimitz carrier strike group had relied solely on electromagnetic systems to track the UAP in the area.
“The carrier strike group had relied solely on electromagnetic systems to track these things. Until then, no one had gotten eyes on the objects.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:3237-3372 observation
337
On the November 2004 morning of the encounter, radio operators spotted a fleet of fourteen UAP near a training area designated for military manoeuvres.
“On this particular November morning, the radio operators spotted what looked like a fleet of UAP—fourteen of them, to be precise—in the vicinity of a training area designated for military maneuvers.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:3411-3599 observation
338
Two US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets conducting training exercises were asked to go get eyes on the UAP fleet spotted during the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter.
“Two US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets were conducting training exercises when they were asked to go get their eyes on the UAP.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:3610-3727 observation
339
Jay Stratton wrote a detailed Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Application Program/Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AAWSAP/AATIP) report on the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“He had written a detailed AAWSAP/AATIP report on the event, which is how I first learned about it.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:366-461 administrative first hand
340
Dave Fravor was the senior pilot in the air during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter and was considered one of the best Navy pilots.
“The senior pilot in the air that day was Commander Dave Fravor, who was considered one of the best Navy pilots.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:3904-4034 administrative
341
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter mission, Dave Fravor's aircraft used the call sign FASTEAGLE 01.
“On this particular mission, Fravor’s aircraft call sign was FASTEAGLE 01.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:4401-4471 administrative
342
Jim Slaight, call sign "Clean", was the Weapon Systems Officer in Dave Fravor's back seat during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“In his back seat was Commander Jim Slaight, call sign “Clean.””
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:4475-4530 administrative
343
Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Dietrich piloted the other US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Making up the other half of the team was another US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet piloted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Dietrich”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:4687-4804 administrative
344
Alex Dietrich's Weapon Systems Officer during the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter was known by the call sign "Noodle", and together they made up FASTEAGLE 02.
“Accompanying Dietrich as her WSO was another aviator known by the call sign “Noodle.” Together, New Girl and Noodle made up FASTEAGLE 02.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:5214-5348 administrative
345
Dave Fravor and Alex Dietrich were flying their aircraft at approximately 6,100 metres altitude during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter when they looked down and saw the sea below churning and roiled in one spot in the Pacific Ocean, with whitecaps and a giant patch of bubbles rising from the water.
“Fravor and Dietrich were flying their aircraft at approximately 20,000 feet when they both looked down into the sea. It was a gorgeous day, the sea calm. In this one spot in the Pacific, the water churned and roiled. It looked the way the surface of the water would look if a ship or some other vessel had sunk. There were whitecaps floating on the water and a giant patch of bubbles rising from them.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:5353-5749 observation second hand
346
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, all four pilots noticed a bizarre object darting back and forth over the whitecaps, about 15 metres above the water.
“At this moment, all four pilots noticed something even stranger. A bizarre object darted back and forth over the whitecaps, about 50 feet above the water.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:5756-5904 observation second hand
347
The Tic Tac object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was about 14 metres long, roughly the length of a semitruck, and shaped like an elongated oval or cigar.
“The object was about 46 feet long—about the length of a semitruck—and shaped like an elongated oval or cigar.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:5911-6014 observation second hand
348
The pilots who observed the Tic Tac during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter recalled the object's gleaming whiteness, as if its exterior were covered with a white, candy-coated shell, which inspired the object's nickname.
“The pilots would later recall the object’s gleaming whiteness, as if its exterior were covered with a white, candy-coated shell. That description would later inspire the UAP’s nickname.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:6021-6197 observation second hand
349
As Dave Fravor closed in on the Tic Tac during the 2004 encounter, the object trained itself on his fast-approaching aircraft and gained altitude as if intending to meet him, but mirrored his manoeuvre in a way that never let him get closer.
“As Fravor closed in, the Tic Tac instantly trained itself on Fravor’s fast-approaching aircraft. The Tic Tac gained altitude as if intending to meet Fravor and Slaight somewhere in the middle, but the Tic Tac mirrored Fravor’s maneuver in a way that never permitted him to get any closer.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:6355-6636 observation second hand
350
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, three separate sensor types were trained on the target: multiple radar systems (airborne and shipborne), forward-looking infrared (FLIR) images from externally mounted targeting pods, and eyewitness testimony from fighter pilots.
“We had multiple radar systems, both airborne and aboard a ship. We had FLIR (forward-looking infrared) images from the targeting pod externally mounted to our fighter jets, and we had eyewitness testimony from trained fighter pilots, who all reported the same thing, at the same time, at the same place.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:649-946 observation first hand
351
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, Dave Fravor aggressively headed directly for the Tic Tac.
“Top Gun instincts kicking in, Commander Fravor aggressively headed directly for the Tic Tac.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:6645-6733 observation second hand
352
As Dave Fravor and Jim Slaight approached the Tic Tac during the 2004 encounter, the object disappeared over the horizon in a split second, a type of performance neither pilot had encountered before.
“As Fravor and Slaight approached the Tic Tac—“poof”—it disappeared over the horizon in a split second. Never before had Fravor or Slaight encountered anything like this type of performance.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:6739-6916 observation second hand
353
Whatever technology the Tic Tac used during the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter was faster and more capable than anything in the US inventory by several orders of magnitude.
“Whatever this technology was, it was faster and more capable than anything we had in our inventory by an order of several magnitudes.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:6970-7092 opinion first hand
354
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, an operator aboard the USS Princeton radioed Dave Fravor that the Tic Tac had reappeared at his combat air patrol (CAP) point.
““You’re not gonna believe this, Commander,” the operator told Fravor. “Whatever that thing is, it’s at your CAP point!””
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:7175-7286 observation second hand
355
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the Tic Tac somehow knew the intended combat air patrol meeting point of the two F/A-18 Hornets, despite the point being sixty miles away, and reached that location within seconds after leaving Dave Fravor and Jim Slaight.
“Yet the Tic Tac somehow knew the intended meeting point of the two Hornets, though it was sixty miles away. Not only did the Tic Tac have secret information, but it managed to scramble to that location within seconds after leaving Fravor and Slaight in the dust.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:7616-7873 observation
356
Low on fuel, Dave Fravor decided to end the exercise during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, and both F/A-18 jets returned to the carrier.
“Low on fuel, Fravor wisely decided to end the exercise. Both jets zipped back to the carrier.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:7880-7965 observation second hand
357
After hearing about the initial Tic Tac encounter, another pilot offered to go find the Tic Tac and successfully located it on radar and then with the naked eye.
“Upon hearing about this incident, another pilot eagerly offered to go find the Tic Tac. To everyone’s surprise, he found it. Seeing it on radar, and then with the naked eye, the pilot attempted to gain a lock on the Tic Tac.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:7975-8195 observation second hand
358
The pilot who located the Tic Tac after the initial encounter found it difficult to obtain a radar lock on the object while cycling through various aircraft radar modes.
“Cycling through various modes on his aircraft radar, he found it difficult to obtain one.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:8200-8285 observation second hand
359
Navy fighter pilot Lieutenant Chad Underwood captured video footage of the Tic Tac UAP using Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared Radar (ATFLIR).
“Navy fighter pilot Lieutenant Chad Underwood managed to capture some video footage of the UAP, using Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared Radar (ATFLIR or FLIR for short).”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:8325-8496 administrative
360
Both Chad Underwood and Dave Fravor/Jim Slaight reported the Tic Tac's instant disappearance over the horizon during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Both Underwood and Fravor/Slaight reported the UAP disappearing over the horizon in an instant.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:8985-9072 observation second hand
361
No known aircraft could go as fast as the Tic Tac performed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“We simply don’t know of any aircraft that can go that fast. Nowhere near it.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:9105-9178 opinion first hand
362
The 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, nicknamed the "Tic Tac" incident, became one of the most important UAP encounters in recent history and is considered a "gold standard" due to how the investigation was handled and the fidelity of information collected.
“The “Tic Tac” UAP encounter would become one of the most important in recent history and considered a “gold standard,” due to the way the investigation was handled and the fidelity of information collected.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch15:94-290 opinion first hand
363
Alex Dietrich described the 2004 USS Nimitz Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Tic Tac object as manoeuvring in a "playful" manner.
“Navy fighter pilot Alex Dietrich described the 2004 Tic Tac as maneuvering in a "playful" manner.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch17:11594-11684 testimony second hand
364
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the Tic Tac craft seemed to anticipate what actions the human pilots planned to take before they took them.
“The Tic Tac encountered by the Nimitz pilots seemed to anticipate what actions the human pilots planned to take before actually taking them.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch18:8353-8490 opinion first hand
365
The 1977 Council Bluffs Iowa UAP incident is considered a blue-chip legacy case, fitting the profile of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter as a model for deeper study.
“It was a blue-chip legacy case. Like our *Nimitz* encounter, this civilian event fit the profile of a case that could serve as a model for deeper study.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch22:6559-6705 opinion first hand
366
The 2015 USS Roosevelt UAP incursions shared characteristics with the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, as both the USS Nimitz and the USS Roosevelt were nuclear-powered vessels involved in incidents near water.
“The situation had all the hallmarks of the Nimitz/Princeton case back in 2004. Like the Nimitz, the Roosevelt was a nuclear-powered vessel. Two of the boxes were ticked: water and nukes.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch23:2114-2300 opinion first hand
367
Pilots and radar operators aboard the USS Roosevelt reported that the observed UAP displayed the same abilities that had astonished the USS Nimitz and USS Princeton crews a decade earlier in 2004.
“The crew reported the UAP displayed the same abilities that dazzled the Nimitz and Princeton crews a decade earlier.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch23:2553-2665 testimony second hand
368
Lue Elizondo recalled the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter as involving a Tic Tac-shaped object darting around a roiling, bubbling circle of water in the Pacific Ocean.
“I thought of that Tic Tac darting around a roiling, bubbling circle of the Pacific Ocean in 2004”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch24:22008-22100 observation first hand
369
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) encounter, Dave Fravor flew an F/A-18 Hornet and circled down to confront a Tic Tac-shaped object off the coast of San Diego, California.
“Think back to Commander Dave Fravor flying that F/A-18 Hornet as he circled down to confront the Tic Tac off the coast of San Diego.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch24:7582-7708 observation
370
During the 2004 USS Nimitz Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) encounter, the Tic Tac object glided over the top of the F/A-18 Hornet's nose and disappeared.
“The Tic Tac glided over the top of the Hornet’s nose and disappeared. A near miss!”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch24:7715-7792 observation
371
Lue Elizondo selected the GoFast video, the GIMBAL video, and the FLIR1 video (also known as the 2004 Tic Tac video) as the three UAP videos he chose to submit for declassification, because their low resolution would hasten the approval process.
“I anticipated that their low resolution would be an asset and hasten the approval process. I chose the FLIR video (aka Tic Tac from 2004), and the GoFast and GIMBAL videos from 2015.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch27:3984-4161 administrative first hand
372
The version of recent Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) incidents that the Department of Defense (DoD) provided to the United States Congress began with the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“what they provided to Congress was a watered-down version of recent incidents, beginning with the 2004 Nimitz case”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch31:22586-22698 administrative
373
All the cases in the Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena report went back only about a year and a half, with the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter being the stated exception.
“All the cases in the report went back only a year and a half, with the Nimitz being the stated exception.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch31:22882-22979 administrative second hand
374
The Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Application Program (AAWSAP) produced a thorough report on the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“the most notable and useful information developed by the Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Application Program (AAWSAP) was their thorough report on the *Nimitz* case.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:18521-18683 administrative
375
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the USS Princeton detected a large number of maneuvering objects that appeared to be descending from low earth orbit.
“the USS *Princeton*, an Aegis-class guided missile cruiser, escorting the mighty aircraft carrier the USS *Nimitz*, detected a large number of maneuvering objects that appeared to be descending from low earth orbit.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:7637-7846 observation
376
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the objects dropped vertically from extreme altitudes at fantastic speeds to approximately 6,100 metres, hovered briefly, then accelerated instantaneously, sometimes to extreme speeds.
“They were dropping vertically from extreme altitudes at fantastic speeds to around 20,000 feet, hovering briefly, then instantaneously accelerating, sometimes to extreme speeds.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:7853-8023 observation
377
Two US Navy F/A-18s from the USS Nimitz intercepted one of the objects at close quarters in conditions of perfect visibility during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“two US Navy F/A-18s from the *Nimitz* managed to intercept one of these strange craft at close quarters in conditions of perfect visibility.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:8066-8195 observation
378
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, Dave Fravor observed a wingless white craft approximately 14.6 metres long from the cockpit of his F/A-18.
“the 48-feet-long, wingless white craft he observed from the cockpit of his F/A-18...”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:8239-8318 observation second hand
379
Dave Fravor said the craft he observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was "not from this world."
“it seemed clear to this high-ranking officer and his fellow pilots that it was “. . . not from this world.””
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:8412-8512 opinion second hand
380
The object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was seen by six naval aviators.
“this amazing, noiseless, almost egg-shaped vehicle was seen by six naval aviators...”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:8545-8618 observation
381
The object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was tracked by multiple radars on multiple platforms.
“tracked by multiple radars on multiple platforms...”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:8628-8667 observation
382
The object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was videotaped by an advanced military infrared targeting system.
“videotaped by an advanced military infrared targeting system.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:8682-8736 observation
383
As Jay Stratton interviewed witnesses to the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, some people did not want to talk, including some who had retired and entered civilian life, and even those who spoke asked Jay Stratton not to reveal their identities.
“As Jay interviewed these witnesses, he encountered instances where people just didn’t want to talk. ... Even those who had retired and entered civilian life still chose not to go on the record. If they did, they asked Jay not to reveal their identities.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 p78-79 observation second hand
384
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, an object was recorded on the pilots' cameras and on the radar of the USS Princeton, and the event has been confirmed as anomalous by the United States Navy.
“During the 2004 encounter between pilots and personnel of the US aircraft carrier Nimitz, recorded both on the pilot’s cameras and on the radar of one of the carrier’s support ships, the Princeton, and which has been confirmed as anomalous by the US Navy”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch21:10431-10681 observation second hand
385
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the object was seen to drop from an altitude of approximately 24,000 metres to sea level in 0.078 of a second.
“the object was seen to drop from an altitude of 80,000 feet to sea level in .078 of a second”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch21:10687-10773 measurement
386
The descent speed of the object recorded during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter has been calculated at approximately 113,000 kilometres per hour.
“This would be approximately 70,000 miles an hour.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch21:10781-10825 measurement first hand
387
Whitley Strieber notes that at approximately 113,000 kilometres per hour it would take over 9,000 years to travel a single light year, but given the distance covered in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the movement was effectively instantaneous.
“Although it would admittedly take over 9,000 years to travel a single light year at 70,000 miles an hour, given the distance covered, it was effectively instantaneous.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch21:10831-10984 opinion first hand
388
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the USS Nimitz was operating off the coast of San Diego, California, escorted by the USS Princeton.
“Envision the Nimitz operating off the coast of San Diego on a brilliant sunny day, escorted by the USS Princeton”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:13:41.9-00:13:48.0 testimony second hand
389
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, an unidentified aircraft with a small radar cross-section appeared on the USS Princeton's radar heading directly toward the battle group.
“Imagine these ships engaging in a routine training exercise when an unidentified aircraft with a small radar cross-section appears on the Princeton's radar heading directly towards the battle group.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:13:56.6-00:14:07.3 observation second hand
390
The unidentified aircraft observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter had no transponder and did not respond to radio calls.
“The aircraft has no transponder, does not respond to radio calls.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:08.6-00:14:11.8 observation second hand
391
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the USS Princeton contacted two F/A-18s already airborne to intercept the unidentified object.
“The Princeton hurriedly contacts two F-18s already aloft to intercept the target.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:13.2-00:14:17.0 observation second hand
392
The four aviators involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter observed that the object had no wings or exhaust.
“As the two F-18s approach, the four aviators see that the object has no wings or exhaust.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:18.4-00:14:22.5 observation second hand
393
The object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was approximately 3.7 metres thick.
“It is white, oblong, some 40 feet long and perhaps 12 feet thick.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:23.5-00:14:27.8 measurement second hand
394
The object observed during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter was white, oblong, approximately 12 metres long.
“It is white, oblong, some 40 feet long and perhaps 12 feet thick.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:23.5-00:14:27.8 measurement second hand
395
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the object suddenly reoriented itself toward the approaching F/A-18 and performed a series of discrete tumbling manoeuvres that appeared to defy the laws of physics, taking a position directly behind the aircraft.
“the object suddenly reorient itself toward the approaching F-18. In a series of discrete tumbling maneuvers that seem to defy the laws of physics, the object takes a position directly behind the approaching F-18.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:34.8-00:14:48.8 observation second hand
396
The pilots involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter captured gun camera footage and infrared imagery of the object.
“The pilots capture gun camera footage and infrared imagery of the object, but are outmatched by a technology they've never seen.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:50.9-00:14:57.4 observation second hand
397
Both F/A-18s returned to the USS Nimitz due to safety concerns and low fuel during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter.
“Fearful for their safety and running low on fuel, both F-18s return to the Nimitz.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:14:58.9-00:15:02.4 observation second hand
398
The unidentified object remained in the vicinity of the USS Nimitz for hours, monitored by the USS Princeton and radar aboard a Navy E-2 Hawkeye aircraft.
“Yet the strange object remains in the vicinity of the Nimitz for hours, monitored by the USS Princeton and radar aboard a Navy E-2 Hawkeye aircraft.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:15:03.6-00:15:12.8 observation second hand
399
During the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter, the object ascended to approximately 24,000 metres, hovered, then dropped at supersonic speed to a full stop approximately 15 metres above the ocean where it resumed hovering.
“At one point, the object soars to 80,000 feet, hovers, then drops at supersonic speeds, coming to a full stop a mere 50 feet above the ocean where it resumes hovering.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:15:14.5-00:15:26.3 measurement second hand
400
Additional F/A-18s were dispatched during the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter but achieved similarly unsuccessful results against the object.
“More F-18s are dispatched, but with similar results. As before, the engagement occurs in broad daylight and the secret machine easily evades the F-18s.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:15:27.7-00:15:37.6 observation second hand
401
Chris Mellon met with one of the pilots involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter and confirmed the account.
“I've met with one of the pilots and confirmed the account, as have other members of the To The Stars Academy team”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:16:15.0-00:16:21.0 testimony first hand
402
The 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter occurred on 2004-11-14 and can be verified by the US government.
“Better yet, the US government itself can verify the events involving the USS Nimitz on November 14, 2004.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:16:37.7-00:16:43.8 opinion first hand
403
Chris Mellon considers that the chairman of the United States House Armed Services Committee and other congressional oversight committees can request a briefing to confirm the veracity of the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter and other similar events.
“The chairman of the Armed Services Committee and his counterparts and other congressional oversight committees can easily request a briefing to confirm the veracity of this story and the existence of other events of a similar nature.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:16:57.0-00:17:10.0 opinion first hand
404
Chris Mellon considers that the United States Congress has the right to review documents generated by the 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter and request briefings from the military personnel involved.
“Congress has every right to review the documents generated by this event and request briefings by the military personnel involved.”
Tom DeLonge's 'Sekret Machines' FULL Documentary #ufo #uap 2026-03-04 00:17:11.4-00:17:17.9 opinion first hand
405
Skywatcher identified nine separate classes of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP): Tetra, 2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter-type, Blob, Beam, Manta Ray, Bright Star, Jellyfish, Hornet, and Egg.
“the Tetra, the Tic Tac, the Blob, the Beam, the Manta Ray, the Bright Star, the Jellyfish, the Hornet, and the Egg.”
Ross Coulthart Q&A: Skywatcher didn't disappear — it went government | Reality Check 2026-08-09 00:02:25.6-00:02:40.7 observation first hand

2004 USS Nimitz UAP encounter

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