Arizona: F-35 encounters three small unknowns
An F-35 from Luke AFB had three encounters with small unidentified objects during a training flight over Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona. Objects appeared at different altitudes and speeds in restricted airspace.
Background
Incident
On January 20, 2023, an F-35 of the 56th Fighter Wing from Luke AFB conducted a training flight in restricted airspace over the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range in Arizona. The pilot reported three separate detections of small unknown objects in military operating areas.
Encounters
First object: acquired at 20,000 feet in the northeastern part of the Sells Military Operations Area, moving east at 100 knots. Second object: at 33,000 feet, moving west at Mach 0.75. Third object: at 26,000 feet, moving east at about 100 knots. All the sightings occurred during the sortie.
Witnesses and Evidence
Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway reported on this in an article of August 2, 2023 on The Drive. The reports derive from official records of unusual activity in Arizona's training ranges. No visual confirmations beyond the radar detections are mentioned.
Significance
The incident reflects continuing UAP sightings in US military training areas, in line with other reports from 2023. It highlights security concerns in sensitive zones, with no explanation offered for the objects.