USS Nimitz Tic Tac Incident

Military encounter that occurred November 14, 2004, approximately 100 miles southwest of San Diego when USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group personnel detected and visually observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon. Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich, flying F/A-18F Super Hornets, were directed to investigate radar contacts showing objects descending from 80,000 feet to sea level in seconds, demonstrating flight characteristics beyond known aircraft capabilities.

Fravor described encountering a white, oblong object approximately 40 feet long with no visible propulsion system, control surfaces, or exhaust plumes. The object demonstrated instantaneous acceleration, abrupt direction changes, and the ability to hover motionless before departing at extraordinary speeds. When Fravor attempted to approach, the object mirrored his maneuvers before accelerating beyond visual range. Radar operators aboard USS Princeton tracked the phenomenon throughout the engagement.

The incident remained classified until 2017 when the New York Times published cockpit video footage showing an unidentified object tracked by aircraft targeting systems. The Pentagon officially released three videos in 2020, confirming their authenticity while emphasizing that the phenomena remain unidentified. The case became a pivotal example in renewed government transparency regarding unidentified aerial phenomena, cited by intelligence officials as demonstrating encounters with technology of unknown origin.