The Nimitz “Tic Tac” UFO Revisited

The Nimitz encounter‘s changed everything about how military officials view unidentified aerial phenomena. When seasoned Navy pilots reported an object that defied physics in 2004, skeptics couldn’t easily dismiss their accounts. The “Tic Tac” didn’t just outmaneuver F/A-18 Super Hornets—it vanished and reappeared miles away in seconds. What the pilots saw that day off San Diego’s coast has sparked investigations that’ve uncovered something unexpected.

Introduction

When Navy pilots encountered an unidentified flying object off the coast of San Diego in November 2004, they couldn’t have predicted their experience would become one of the most significant UFO incidents in modern history. The object, nicknamed the “Tic Tac” for its distinctive white, oblong shape, displayed flight characteristics that defied conventional explanation. It moved without visible propulsion, accelerated instantaneously, and performed maneuvers impossible for known aircraft.

The encounter occurred during routine training exercises conducted by the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. Multiple witnesses, including highly trained fighter pilots and radar operators, observed the object. Their testimonies, combined with infrared video footage and radar data, transformed what might’ve been dismissed as misidentification into a credible, well-documented case that’s prompted serious investigation by military and civilian researchers alike.

004 Navy Encounter Date

The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group‘s encounter with the Tic Tac UFO occurred on November 14, 2004, during a two-week training exercise called Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) in the Pacific Ocean approximately 100 miles southwest of San Diego. The incident happened around 2:00 PM local time when the USS Princeton’s radar operators detected multiple anomalous aerial vehicles (AAVs) descending from 80,000 feet to hover at 20,000 feet.

Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich, flying F/A-18F Super Hornets from the USS Nimitz, were redirected from their training mission to investigate. The date’s significance extends beyond the encounter itself—it marked the beginning of a multi-day series of similar incidents that continued through November 20, 2004, involving multiple witnesses and sophisticated tracking systems aboard several naval vessels.

Notable Cases or Sightings

Although Commander Fravor’s encounter remains the most publicized aspect of the Nimitz incident, several other pilots and crew members reported equally compelling sightings during the same timeframe. Lieutenant Commander Jim Slaight, who flew as Fravor’s wingman, corroborated the entire encounter and observed the object’s extraordinary maneuvers. Later that day, Lieutenant Chad Underwood captured the now-famous FLIR video while tracking another anomalous object, coining the term “Tic Tac” due to its distinctive shape.

Radar operator Kevin Day tracked multiple unknown contacts over several days, documenting objects dropping from 80,000 feet to sea level in seconds. Senior Chief Operations Specialist Jason Turner witnessed similar radar anomalies, while other Princeton crew members reported objects performing impossible accelerations. These consistent observations across different systems and personnel strengthen the incident’s credibility beyond a single witness account.

Common Theories or Explanations

Since the Pentagon’s official release of the Tic Tac videos in 2020, experts have proposed various explanations for what Fravor and his colleagues witnessed. Skeptics suggest the objects were advanced military drones from foreign adversaries, possibly testing U.S. response capabilities. Others theorize they’re classified American aircraft employing breakthrough propulsion technology.

Atmospheric phenomena represent another possibility. Some scientists propose the pilots encountered rare plasma formations or temperature inversions creating optical illusions. Equipment malfunction theories cite potential radar spoofing or sensor errors, though multiple detection systems recorded the objects.

The extraterrestrial hypothesis can’t be dismissed entirely, given the objects’ reported capabilities exceeded known human technology. Their instantaneous acceleration, lack of visible propulsion, and ability to shift between air and water defied conventional physics, leaving investigators without definitive answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happened to the Original Radar Data From the Princeton?

The original radar data from the Princeton was reportedly seized by unknown personnel who arrived via helicopter, took the data bricks and tapes, then left without explanation. The ship’s crew couldn’t retrieve or copy the confiscated materials.

Were the Pilots Subjected to Any Medical Examinations After the Encounter?

The pilots weren’t subjected to any special medical examinations after the encounter. They returned to normal flight operations immediately, though Fravor and others underwent standard post-flight debriefs where they described what they’d witnessed.

Has the Object’s Estimated Speed Ever Been Officially Calculated?

Yes, radar operators calculated the object’s descent from 80,000 feet to sea level in under a second, suggesting speeds exceeding 46,000 mph. The object’s instantaneous acceleration and stops defied known physics and conventional aircraft capabilities.

Why Did It Take 13 Years for the Video to Become Public?

The video remained classified within military channels until 2017 when former Pentagon official Luis Elizondo released it through Tom DeLonge’s To The Stars Academy. They’d obtained the footage through official declassification requests and whistleblower efforts.

Have Any Foreign Governments Commented on the Nimitz Incident?

No foreign governments have officially commented on the Nimitz incident. While some countries like France and Chile have established UAP research programs, they haven’t made public statements specifically addressing the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter’s credibility or implications.