The Phoenix Lights: UFO Extravaganza or Cosmic Coincidence?
By Sarah Norman | January 23, 2024
What Were The Phoenix Lights?
Get ready to embark on a journey into the unknown as we delve into the bizarre and mind-boggling phenomenon known as the Phoenix Lights! Imagine this: It's a clear night in March 1997, and you're gazing up at the starry Arizona sky when suddenly, a series of mysterious lights appear, defying all explanation and leaving you in awe. No, it's not a scene from a sci-fi movie, but a real-life event that had the whole world scratching their heads. UFO abductions and alien enthusiasts, hold onto your tin foil hats, because this story is about to take you on a ride you won't forget. So, grab your telescope, adjust your tinfoil antenna, and get ready to uncover the secrets of the "Lights Over Phoenix." Let's shed some light on the unknown!
Picture this: It was a wild evening between 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm MST when a dazzling cosmic spectacle unfolded across the vast Arizona sky, spanning approximately 300 miles (or 480 km for our metric friends). From the Nevada border, right through the heart of Phoenix, and all the way to the outskirts of Tucson, thousands of people couldn't believe their eyes. Among the curious witnesses, some gasped in amazement as they beheld a colossal UFO, reminiscent of a massive carpenter's square, adorned with five radiant spherical lights. But wait, there's more! This cosmic extravaganza featured not just one, but two astonishing acts: first, a mesmerizing triangular formation of lights gracefully glided across the state, and then, a series of enigmatic stationary lights decided to make themselves comfortable right in the heart of Phoenix.
Operation Snowbird
In this peculiar tale, both sightings seemed to have a rational explanation, or so they say. It all circled around Operation Snowbird, a somewhat secretive pilot training program hosted by the Air National Guard, stationed at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base down in sunny Tucson, Arizona. The first batch of lights, once shrouded in mystery, turned out to (allegedly) be no more than a squad of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, casually cruising over Phoenix on their way back home to Davis-Monthan.
Illumination Flares? Yes. Illumination Flares
Meanwhile, the second set of lights, which had everyone scratching their heads, were simply illumination flares gracefully descending from yet another squadron of A-10s. These fiery orbs were on a mission, putting on a fiery light show at the Barry Goldwater Range in the wilds of southwest Arizona. And just to spice things up, Fife Symington, Arizona's governor back then, added his own twist to the story, years later recalling the incident with a whimsical "otherworldly" touch.
The Sightings Had Every Day Solutions... Or So The Military Says
In the years 2007 and 2008, there were strikingly similar reports of mysterious lights in the Arizona skies. However, these intriguing sightings had rather down-to-earth explanations. The 2007 incident was traced back to military flares gracefully descending from fighter aircraft at Luke Air Force Base. Meanwhile, in 2008, it turned out that the captivating lights were simply flares attached to helium balloons, playfully released by a civilian enthusiast.
A Cluster Of Red Lights In 1997
On the intriguing evening of March 13, 1997, the cosmic curtain rose at 7:55 pm MST, as a keen observer in Henderson, Nevada, gazed upward and caught sight of an enormous V-shaped entity gracefully gliding southeastward. Meanwhile, at 8:15 pm, an enigmatic figure with a past in law enforcement, residing in Paulden, Arizona, reported witnessing a mesmerizing cluster of reddish-orange lights vanishing beyond the southern horizon. Moments later, the mysterious light show continued over Prescott Valley, Arizona, captivating onlookers. It was at that precise moment when Tim Ley, along with his wife Bobbi, his son Hal, and his grandson Damien Turnidge, embarked on their cosmic odyssey, spotting the enigmatic lights when they were approximately 65 miles (105 km) away from this otherworldly spectacle.
An Arc Of Lights In The Sky
Initially, the luminous display manifested itself as five distinct lights arranged in an arched formation, almost resembling ornaments atop a giant celestial balloon. Yet, as moments ticked by, the Ley family's astonishment grew when the lights exhibited a peculiar behavior – they seemed to be advancing toward their location. Over the course of the next ten minutes, the enigmatic lights not only drew nearer but also underwent a remarkable transformation. The space between them expanded, and they mysteriously rearranged themselves into the striking configuration of an inverted V. And as this cosmic spectacle approached within a couple of miles, the Ley family's amazement reached its zenith as they discerned a peculiar shape, akin to a 60-degree carpenter's square, adorned with those same five lights – one at the forefront, and two flanking each side. It was an encounter they would never forget.
Hello Sky Harbor
Before long, the enigmatic entity adorned with those captivating lights seemed to be inching closer to them, maintaining a mesmerizing altitude of approximately 100 to 150 feet (30 to 46 meters) above their heads. Its movement was so gradual that it created the illusion of a silent and suspended presence, almost as if it were effortlessly hovering in the night sky. This surreal phenomenon then gracefully glided overhead, navigating its way through a distinct V-shaped opening amidst the peaks of the surrounding mountain range. Its celestial journey led it in the direction of Piestewa Peak Mountain, ultimately heading toward the beacon of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, leaving the Ley family in awe of this otherworldly encounter.
Individual Objects In The Sky
As the clock ticked between 8:30 and 8:45 pm, the curious residents of Glendale, a charming suburb nestled to the northwest of Phoenix, were treated to an enthralling celestial spectacle. Above, the enigmatic light formation gracefully traversed the heavens, ascending to an altitude where it danced coyly with the thin veils of passing clouds, a mysterious waltz hidden from plain view. Meanwhile, in the enchanting realm of Scottsdale, Arizona, the amateur astronomer extraordinaire, Mitch Stanley, donned his cosmic detective hat. Peering through his trusty telescope, he bore witness to these high-flying enigmas, a formation of lights seemingly choreographed by the cosmos itself. Yet, as Stanley's keen eyes scrutinized the scene, he unveiled their terrestrial origins – these luminous performers were none other than individual airplanes, casting their own spellbinding story against the night canvas.
The Most Widely Witnessed UFO Event In History
Around the magical hour of 10:00 pm on that very same evening, a multitude of eager eyes across the Phoenix expanse bore witness to a mesmerizing spectacle. An extraordinary row of brilliant lights adorned the night sky, as if nature itself had decided to put on a breathtaking light show, or perhaps, a grand finale of stars slowly descending from their celestial thrones. The sheer wonder of the moment inspired many to capture it for posterity, with cameras and camcorders clicking and whirring in harmony. This visual feast was so captivating that acclaimed author Robert Sheaffer would later dub it "perhaps the most widely witnessed UFO event in history," cementing its place as a beacon in the annals of the unexplained.
An Expert Says That The Phoenix Lights Are Two Unrelated Events
In the enigmatic saga that we now fondly refer to as "the Phoenix Lights" incident of 1997, acclaimed author Robert Sheaffer unwrapped a cosmic conundrum with a twist. To him, it wasn't a singular riddle but a tantalizing duet of unrelated events, both orchestrations of a clandestine maestro known as Operation Snowbird. This mysterious symphony, conducted by the Air National Guard, found its stage at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in the sunny heart of Tucson, Arizona. Picture it: two separate acts, seemingly disconnected, yet secretly choreographed by the same hand. But don't let the intrigue end there! Enter Tucson's very own stargazing maestro and retired Air Force pilot, James McGaha. Armed with curiosity and a dash of skepticism, he embarked on an investigative odyssey that would lead him to unveil the true stars of this cosmic performance – the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, flying in celestial formation at the highest reaches of our earthly atmosphere. It was a tale of secrets unveiled, all under the watchful eyes of Arizona's desert skies.
UFOs Or A Formation Of A-10 Jets?
In the first act of our cosmic spectacle, which some witnesses would swear resembled a massive "flying triangle," the stage was set around 8:00 pm. In a twist that would baffle even the savviest of sky gazers, the protagonists weren't visitors from another world but five A-10 jets handpicked from Operation Snowbird's eclectic ensemble. Following their assigned aerial script with precision, these aircraft weaved through the celestial tapestry, abiding by their own set of rules. You see, the Federal Aviation Administration's rulebook, brimming with regulations for the civilian aviators, doesn't hold sway over these military mavericks. So, instead of the typical blinking collision lights that light up our night skies, these A-10 performers maintained a steady, unwavering formation, a testament to their unwavering discipline. Their celestial choreography took them on an otherworldly journey, soaring over Phoenix and continuing their celestial dance until they gracefully landed at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, marking the end of this first chapter around 8:45 pm.
The Second Event Was Explained As A Set Of "Illumination Flares"
In the captivating second sighting, the curtains rose around 10:00 pm, unveiling a breathtaking display. It wasn't an extraterrestrial light show but rather a dazzling performance crafted by a squadron of A-10 jets from the Maryland Air National Guard. These aerial artists had journeyed from afar to join Operation Snowbird's grand spectacle at Davis-Monthan AFB.
the night sky transformed into a canvas of brilliance as these skilled aviators embarked on a flare drop exercise. Like cosmic fireflies, the LUU-2B/B illumination flares descended gracefully from the heavens, trailing a shimmering tail of light. But there was a twist to this mesmerizing ballet. As the flares descended, the rising heat from their sustained glow created an enchanting "balloon" effect on their parachutes, defying gravity and slowing their descent.
The Balloon Effect
The flares were visible from Phoenix and seemed to hang in the air because the heat generated by the burning flares caused their parachutes to act like balloons, slowing their descent. As they descended behind the Sierra Estrella mountain range to the southwest of Phoenix, the lights gradually disappeared.
Blame The 104th Fighter Squadron
In March 2007, Lt. Col. Ed Jones, a pilot from the Maryland Air National Guard (ANG), confirmed that he had been part of the squadron responsible for dropping flares on the night in question. This squadron, known as the 104th Fighter Squadron, was conducting a training exercise at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base during the incident. As part of their training, they flew sorties to the Goldwater Air Force Range that night. The first reports attributing the incident to members of the Maryland ANG were published in The Arizona Republic in July 1997, and this information was also corroborated in a history of the Maryland ANG published in 2000.
EVERYONE Filmed The Phoenix Lights
In the Phoenix event, many people captured still photographs and videos that depicted a sequence of lights appearing at regular intervals, staying lit for a brief period, and then extinguishing. Further analysis revealed that these images were a consequence of obscured mountains, not visible in the dark, which partially blocked the view of aircraft flares from specific angles. This obstruction created the illusion of a series of lights forming an arc, each one appearing and vanishing in succession.
The Arizona Governor At The Time Was On Board With The Alien Theory
Not long after the 1997 incident, Arizona Governor Fife Symington III conducted a press conference in a lighthearted manner. He made a joke by suggesting that "they found who was responsible" and surprised the audience by unveiling an aide dressed in an alien costume. However, in 2007, Symington allegedly shared with a UFO investigator that he had a personal encounter with an alien spacecraft. He explained that he had kept this information quiet because he didn't want to cause alarm among the public.
Symington Believes That The Truth Has Yet To Be Uncovered
Arizona Governor Fife Symington III, who is also a pilot, stated that he had witnessed the phenomenon and found it larger than anything he had encountered in the skies. He expressed that the event remained a significant mystery and that credible individuals had also observed it. Symington expressed confusion regarding why some people would choose to ridicule the incident.
The Lights Returned In 2007
On February 6, 2007, lights were observed and captured on video by local Fox News. Military authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that these lights were, in fact, flares deployed during training exercises conducted by F-16 "Fighting Falcon" aircraft at Luke Air Force Base.
There Were Even More Lights In 2008
On April 21, 2008, residents of Phoenix reported the presence of lights in the sky. These lights were said to transform from a square to a triangular formation as time passed. According to a resident in the valley, three jets were observed heading west toward the lights shortly after they appeared. An official from Luke Air Force Base refuted any involvement of the U.S. Air Force in the area.
The 2008 Sighting Was Supposedly A Hoax
On April 22, 2008, a Phoenix resident informed a newspaper that the observed lights were simply the result of their neighbor releasing helium balloons equipped with flares. This explanation was verified by a police helicopter. The day after, another Phoenix resident, who chose to remain anonymous in news reports, admitted to affixing flares to helium balloons and releasing them from their backyard.
