Dogfights and UFO

The term “dogfight” generally evokes images of military aircraft engaged in close-quarters combat. However, the annals of aviation and military history also include a more enigmatic category: reported dogfights between conventional aircraft and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). These unusual encounters often involve highly trained military pilots and advanced radar systems, adding a layer of credibility to the incidents. While the bulk of these reports describe interactions between known aircraft and UFOs, a subset of stories ventures into the realm of “UFO versus UFO” encounters. These accounts describe unidentified objects seemingly in conflict or competition with one another, making these already mysterious phenomena even more puzzling.

Tehran UFO Incident, 1976

In one of the most widely reported cases, Iranian fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an unidentified flying object over Tehran in 1976. According to the official accounts, the pilots experienced various avionic malfunctions when approaching the UFO, which seemed to evade capture with ease. At one point, the pilots attempted to engage the UFO but were outmaneuvered. This incident caught the attention of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and was documented in various reports. Although not a “dogfight” in the traditional sense, the account does involve military aircraft attempting to engage an unidentified object.

The Gorman Dogfight, 1948

Just a year after the famous Roswell incident, another intriguing event took place over the skies of Fargo, North Dakota. George F. Gorman, a former World War II fighter pilot and then a member of the North Dakota Air National Guard, reported a 27-minute-long encounter with a UFO. According to Gorman, the object made a series of erratic movements that defied the laws of physics. At some points, he got close enough to make out its shape but could not identify it as any known aircraft. The case remains unexplained, but it is often cited as an early instance of what could be described as a “dogfight” between an aircraft and a UFO.

1952 Washington, D.C. UFO Incident

In July 1952, radar operators at Washington National Airport and Andrews Air Force Base tracked multiple unidentified flying objects over Washington, D.C. Fighter jets were scrambled on multiple nights to intercept these objects. While not a dogfight in the traditional sense, pilots did report visual contact and attempted to approach the objects, which appeared to flee at speeds far greater than any known aircraft could achieve at the time. The event led to a press conference by the U.S. Air Force and remains one of the most highly publicized UFO incidents in history.

Belgian UFO Wave, 1989-1990

From November 1989 to April 1990, Belgium experienced a wave of UFO sightings that were witnessed by thousands of people. Most notably, on the night of March 30-31, 1990, two Belgian Air Force F-16s were scrambled to investigate mysterious radar contacts. Over the course of an hour, the F-16s attempted multiple intercepts. Each time they locked onto the targets, the objects dramatically changed altitude and speed, breaking the lock. The incident is notable for the involvement of military aircraft trying to engage unidentified flying objects, although no shots were fired.

Nimitz UFO Encounter, 2004

In this well-documented case, U.S. Navy pilots flying F/A-18 Super Hornets off the USS Nimitz reported encountering a Tic Tac-shaped UFO during training exercises off the coast of California. Pilots who engaged the object found that it displayed extraordinary aerodynamic capabilities, seemingly defying known laws of physics. Like other cases, this didn’t involve a “dogfight” per se, but there was an attempted intercept that proved unsuccessful.

While these examples are often cited as evidence of unknown aerial phenomena, it’s crucial to note that none of them have led to definitive conclusions about the nature of the objects involved. Nonetheless, they represent some of the most discussed and analyzed alleged interactions between military aircraft and unidentified flying objects.

The Mantell Incident, 1948

Captain Thomas F. Mantell, a Kentucky Air National Guard pilot, died in a crash during an attempt to intercept a UFO. Mantell’s P-51 Mustang was one of the aircraft ordered to approach a large, metallic object seen hovering near Godman Air Force Base. During the ascent, Mantell reportedly passed out due to lack of oxygen, leading to the crash. While it was later suggested that the object was likely a Skyhook weather balloon, the case is often cited in discussions about military encounters with UFOs.

Westall UFO, 1966

Although not involving a dogfight, the Westall UFO incident in Australia included an account of aircraft attempting to intercept a UFO. A class of students and teachers at Westall High School in Melbourne observed a UFO descend into a nearby field. Five unidentified planes were seen circling around the object. The event remains one of Australia’s most famous UFO sightings, and while no dogfight occurred, the appearance of the planes indicates an attempted interception of the object.

Kaikoura Lights, 1978

In New Zealand, a series of unexplained lights were seen and filmed by a cargo plane. The New Zealand Air Force sent planes to investigate, and the pilots confirmed the sightings but were unable to determine what the lights were. Although not a dogfight in the traditional sense, the military planes did try to get close to the unidentified lights for identification, without success.

The Coyne Incident, 1973

A U.S. Army Reserve helicopter crew of four men encountered a gray, metallic-looking, cigar-shaped object, with unusual lights and maneuvers, as they were airborne between Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. This incident involved a near-collision, with the object reportedly hovering above the helicopter for a brief period before ascending rapidly. The incident is often cited as one of the more credible military encounters with a UFO, even though a traditional dogfight did not occur.

UFO versus UFO dogfights

Military or civilian pilots often describe high-speed chases and evasive maneuvers that they associate with attempts to engage or intercept an unknown craft. However, a less commonly reported but equally intriguing phenomenon are accounts of “UFO versus UFO” dogfights. Witnesses in these rarer cases claim to have seen multiple unidentified objects apparently engaged in aerial combat or complex maneuvers, as if challenging each other.

1953 Kingman, Arizona Incident Claims

There are claims from individuals like Harry Drew who suggest that multiple UFOs were seen in what appeared to be aerial maneuvers or dogfights, particularly associated with the 1953 Kingman, Arizona, events. As many as 8 eight unidentified flying objects could have been engaged with each other.

The reports of dogfights between conventional aircraft and UFOs, as well as those describing “UFO versus UFO” encounters, challenge our understanding of aerial phenomena and technology. While none of these cases offer conclusive evidence about the nature of the unidentified objects, they each contribute to the growing body of data on aerial encounters that defy easy explanation.