Chuck Sorrells

Chuck Sorrells is a figure known primarily within the UFO community for his testimony regarding unidentified flying objects, often referred to as UFOs or UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). His claims stem from his time in the U.S. Air Force, where he witnessed multiple unidentified objects in the airspace during his service. This incident is also known as the 1965 Edwards Air Force Base Encounter.

In 1965, Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in southern California’s high desert was a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force’s endeavors in flight testing and aerospace research. Covering a staggering 301,000 acres, its vast expanse, highlighted by a 44-square-mile dry lakebed, provided an optimal setting for a plethora of flight tests, especially with the lakebed acting as a safety net for emergency landings.

Edwards AFB was populated not only by military personnel but also civilians and contractors, forming a diverse community of pilots, engineers, scientists, and various support staff. The base’s heartbeat was the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), pivotal in the development and testing of iconic aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird and the U-2 Dragon Lady. Furthermore, NASA’s significant footprint at Edwards was evident with their Flight Research Center, notably involved in the X-15 rocket plane program’s remarkable feats. The Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (RPL) at Edwards played a crucial role, laying foundational work for future space shuttle engines. The base also proudly hosted the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, an institution dedicated to training elite pilots to test and refine new aircraft.

Amid the Cold War tension of 1965, aerospace advancements became synonymous with national security, elevating the importance of Edwards AFB. Positioned at the technological vanguard, the base’s pivotal contributions would catalyze myriad aerospace milestones in subsequent years. Given its status in aerospace exploration, Edwards became a focal point for both standard and unusual aerial observations, making incidents like the one involving Chuck Sorrells, with claims of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), both intriguing and highly scrutinized.

As with many military personnel of his time, Chuck Sorrells would have undergone specialized training related to his role in the Air Force, particularly in areas related to air traffic control and other related skills.

Chuck Sorrells served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1974. He held the rank of Tech Sergeant. A significant portion of his career was spent as an Air Traffic Controller. Sorrells mentioned his service at various locations, including Edwards Air Force Base in California, Japan, Thailand, Alaska, and other stateside placements.

During his tenure at Edwards Air Force Base, Sorrells became a significant witness to a prominent UFO event on October 7th, 1965. On this occasion, multiple UFOs were observed both visually and on radar, displaying aerial maneuvers beyond the capabilities of known human-made aircraft at the time. This event lasted for several hours and involved the scrambling of a jet to intercept these objects.

1. Duration of the event: The UFO event that Sorrells testified about spanned several hours, with the unidentified objects displaying advanced aerial capabilities. (Source: Testimony of Chuck Sorrells, as presented in the Project Disclosure interviews conducted by Dr. Steven Greer).
2. Official Response: During the event, multiple radar sites confirmed radar returns on the objects. This wasn’t just a singular witness account but was corroborated by various other personnel and electronic equipment. Furthermore, an interceptor aircraft was scrambled to investigate the phenomena. (Source: Transcript of the audiotape of the event, as referenced by Sorrells during his testimony).
3. Number of Objects: Sorrells personally witnessed up to seven objects at once, but subsequent reviews of the tape suggested that as many as 11 unidentified objects might have been in the vicinity during the incident. (Source: Testimony of Chuck Sorrells).

While on duty at the Main Base Tower at Edwards AFB, Sorrells, along with other control tower personnel, observed a series of unidentified flying objects displaying non-conventional flight characteristics. This wasn’t a solitary observation; multiple radar installations at the base, including the secondary radar systems, confirmed the unidentified aerial presence. What made this incident particularly compelling wasn’t just Sorrells’ testimony, but the collaborative evidence from different quarters. Conversations between air traffic controllers discussing the UFOs were recorded, with specific names often protected for privacy reasons. Furthermore, at least one pilot, directed to approach the mysterious objects, affirmed visual contact, adding another layer of validation to Sorrells’ account. The Edwards AFB incident, backed by multiple layers of evidence and testimonies from trained military personnel like Sorrells, remains one of the more compelling UFO cases in military history.