Military pilot tells of encounter with mysterious object: almost collided with plane

A US Air Force pilot known by the call sign "Troy 21" encountered a startling and disturbing phenomenon while on a secret mission over California. The pilot reported seeing a "dark gray cylindrical object" flying close to the wing of his plane, traveling at what was believed to be faster than the speed of sound.

A recording of the pilot's conversation with a Los Angeles air traffic controller, in which he expressed bewilderment at the proximity of an unidentified aircraft, became the basis for further research.

"This may sound strange, but I just had something fly right under my wing - probably the size of a football," the pilot reported in surprise. Pointing to the typical sounds and reactions of the controller, he asked the operator to detect the object with cameras, but was unable to clearly identify it.

The pilot later stressed that the UFO was seen at a distance of 100 kilometers from the first sighting. In this case, one of the representatives of the air traffic control added: "There were reports of UFOs here, but now everything is fine, so do not worry about it."

Former FBI agent Ben Hansen suggested that the sightings of the object could indicate that it was traveling at about Mach 2 (roughly 2,448 kilometers per hour), making conventional aerodynamics explanations, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, impossible.

Based on the analysis of the events, it is believed that the pilot and his crew were on missions related to the fight against drug trafficking for the US Department of Homeland Security. From their aircraft - known for its advanced radar and ability to track suspicious activity on the ground - they spotted the UFO on approximately a clear day when visibility was at its peak.

According to Hansen, “They had a very good look at this cylindrical object flying directly under their wing.” The sighting raises serious questions about airspace safety, especially when the pilot and his crew were not warned of any traffic in their area. Hansen also suggested that the incident is an example of the importance of sharing information about such events among pilots and ground crews.

Research shows that while military and some autonomous drones can fly at altitudes of up to 6,000 kilometers, no commercial drones were recorded there this time. The object was found near a “military zone,” which also raises questions about how drone regulations are being discussed to ensure safety in such situations.

The U.S. military said the incident underscored the public's continuing interest in UFOs, particularly in light of other recent incidents such as sightings at Turkey's Gaziantep airport, where flights were grounded due to an unidentified object at an altitude of about 3,000 kilometers.

"Cases like the one in California act as a catalyst for open dialogue about safety and possible alien visits," skeptics explain.

Discussions among UFO enthusiasts on social media show widespread interest in such cases. One participant shared his experience, claiming to have seen a bright object in the sky over San Francisco, moving at an astonishing speed near the airport. Many users speculate that this could be a harbinger of impending contact with alien civilizations.

"Open contact will definitely happen before 2027," one participant opined, highlighting the growing belief in the likelihood of encountering other life forms.