The National Archives recently opened records about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, which is a modern term used to describe UFOs.
These documents aren't about curious sightings from the 1950s and 60s but like two years ago.
A search for Arkansas in these records resulted in 19 reports for incidents reported to the Federal Aviation Administration. Many of these strange lights were seen by pilots from Fayetteville to Little Rock to Texarkana and even Walnut Ridge.
A commercial pilot reported on Aug. 8, 2022:
"Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon over LIT and above their altitude, while E bound at FL 370, 58 NM S LIT.
The unknown phenomenon was 2 to 3 stationary lights appearing and disappearing. No other aircraft observed the lights."
On Jan. 14, 2023, a commercial pilot near Fayetteville with Atlanta as a destination reported:
"Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the 11 o'clock while E bound at FL390 over RZC. The unknown
phenomenon appeared to be two aircraft with red and white lights at a very high altitude. AWO notified."
On January 29, 2023, another commercial pilot reported near Walnut Ridge:
"Aircraft reported 2-3 sets of unidentified aerial phenomenon moving right to left and left to right possibly over ARG. AAL2547
was at FL370 eastbound and described the objects as looking like star turning on and off every minute or SO. The location
was too far away to confrm location over ARG. Altitude was unknown but they were above NKS2252 at FL390. Multiple aircraft
could be heard reporting the incident on other frequencies. AWO notified. MOR: ZME-M-2023/01/29-0003"
A commercial pilot near Texarkana reported in April 2023:
Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while NE bound at FL270, 40 NM N of TXK. The unknown phenomenon was
reported as 2 glowing and pulsing orbs that quickly disappeared. No LEO notification provided.
In November 2023 another incident near Walnut Ridge:
"Multiple aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon while at FL280/340/450. 0bject was on ARG324080 between FL900
and FL500 and reported as changing altitudes erratically. The unknown phenomenon had flashing lights."
More than 575 pages of incidents are in the FAA batch released last week by the National Archives.
For example, one report from 2015 cites the pilot of a Boeing 777 reporting lights somewhere after leaving Los Angeles. He wasn't alone in the reporting.
"UAL935 at FL400 and ASA794at FL390 both reported a bright light above them traveling at an excessive rate of speed to the
Northeast. LAT/Long provided was 4435N/1 1648W.1850 ZLC reported multiple other ACFT in the same area are reporting the
same sightings.1853HQ DEN advised ZLC to report issue to UFO reporting Center and HQ DEN advised WADS for situational awareness and will monitor area."
In another report from a commercial pilot leaving Atlanta to Oklahoma City filed this report about lights seen near Fort Smith:
"Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the 12 o'clock while W bound at 32,000 feet, 40 NM SE of FSM. LA
coordinates 3501 N/9441W. The unknown phenomenon was multiple lights approximately 80 miles in the distance maneuvering at an unknown altitude above them at the KOMMA Intersection. Observation was visually without utilizing on board equipment
The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar systems. AWO notified."
According to the press release from the National Archives, "these records and their release fulfill the National Archives’ requirement in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act to establish the ‘'Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection.'"
The release links to the 1964 photo below, which is in the public domain. Beyond curious?
Go into the UFO and UAP rabbit hole here.
