On November 14, 2004, the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group encountered something extraordinary off the coast of Southern California. Navy radar operators, pilots and crew witnessed an unidentified object that seemed to defy known physics. This event, often called the “Tic Tac” UFO case, remains one of the most credible military UFO encounters on record.
Radar Detections by USS Princeton
For several days before the incident, the USS Princeton’s advanced radar tracked mysterious objects dropping from 60,000 feet to sea level in seconds, hovering, then shooting away at extreme speeds. Gary Voorhis, a Princeton radar operator, confirmed the anomalous readings and said they were repeatedly cross-checked for accuracy. (Cbsnews.com)
Pilot Visual Encounters
Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich were scrambled to intercept. They reported seeing a smooth, white, oblong craft about 40 feet long, resembling a “Tic Tac” candy, with no wings, no exhaust and impossible maneuverability. As Fravor tried to close in, the object accelerated instantly and vanished. (National Geographic)
The FLIR1 Video and Evidence
Another jet later captured infrared footage of the same object, known as the “FLIR1” video, which shows a fast-moving, wingless craft locked on Navy sensors. This video, released officially by the Pentagon, is one of the most famous UFO clips ever made public. (Popularmechanics.com)
Data Loss and Controversy
Several Navy crew members testified that radar tapes and recordings from the event mysteriously vanished or were confiscated. While the Navy has acknowledged the authenticity of the videos, much of the data remains classified. This has fueled suspicions of a cover-up. (The Guardian)
Why the Tic Tac Case Stands Out
The Nimitz encounter is unique because it combines radar confirmation, pilot eyewitness accounts and official military video. To this day, no conventional explanation fits the data. Many experts believe it represents one of the strongest cases of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena ever documented by the U.S. military.