Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Multi-Aircraft UAP Encounters (2018)

Executive Summary

Between March 15-17, 2018, multiple F/A-18F Super Hornet pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point encountered unidentified aerial phenomena during routine training operations off the North Carolina coast. The encounters, which occurred over three consecutive days, involved multiple aircraft and were corroborated by ground-based radar systems. The incidents represent some of the most well-documented military UAP encounters of the modern era, contributing significantly to the Pentagon’s renewed official investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena.

The significance of these encounters extends beyond their extraordinary nature to their role in the broader UAP disclosure process. These incidents, along with similar encounters by Navy pilots, helped establish the credibility of military UAP reports and contributed to the Department of Defense’s decision to establish formal UAP investigation protocols. The Marine Corps’ handling of these reports, including their preservation and eventual inclusion in official UAP databases, demonstrates the evolution of military policy regarding unexplained aerial phenomena.

Military Context and Operational Environment

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, located in eastern North Carolina, serves as the home of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and hosts multiple F/A-18 squadrons. The base’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the extensive training areas offshore make it an ideal location for advanced fighter training and weapons testing. The airspace around Cherry Point is heavily monitored and controlled, with multiple radar systems providing comprehensive coverage of both military and civilian air traffic.

VMFA-251, known as the “Thunderbolts,” operates F/A-18F Super Hornets and regularly conducts training missions in the Warning Area W-122, located approximately 50 miles southeast of the air station. This area provides a controlled environment for air-to-air combat training, weapons testing, and advanced maneuvering exercises. The sophisticated radar and communication systems in the area ensure comprehensive monitoring of all aircraft movements and activities.

The operational environment during the March 2018 encounters was characterized by clear weather conditions and normal training activities. Multiple squadrons were conducting concurrent operations in the area, providing numerous potential witnesses and multiple sensor platforms for data collection. The presence of both airborne and ground-based radar systems created a comprehensive sensor network capable of tracking and documenting any unusual aerial activity.

Detailed Encounter Description

Day 1 - March 15, 2018

The first encounter occurred at approximately 1430 hours during a routine training mission involving four F/A-18F Super Hornets from VMFA-251. The aircraft were conducting Basic Fighter Maneuvering (BFM) exercises at 25,000 feet when the lead pilot, call sign “Falcon 1,” reported visual contact with an unknown object approximately 10 miles to the east.

The object appeared as a dark, elongated shape with no visible wings, propulsion system, or control surfaces. Initial estimates placed the object’s length at approximately 40-50 feet, with a width of 10-15 feet. The object maintained a steady altitude of approximately 24,000 feet and appeared to be moving at a constant speed of roughly 300 knots on a northerly heading.

When Falcon 1 maneuvered to intercept the object for closer observation, the phenomenon demonstrated extraordinary acceleration capabilities. Within seconds, the object accelerated to an estimated speed exceeding Mach 3, based on the rapid closure rate observed by the pilot. The object then executed a series of 90-degree turns at high speed, maneuvers that would subject any conventional aircraft to G-forces well beyond human tolerance limits.

Ground Control confirmed radar contact with the unknown object, tracking it as it moved through controlled airspace at speeds varying from subsonic to supersonic. The radar returns showed a solid contact with consistent reflectivity, ruling out atmospheric phenomena or electronic interference. The object remained on radar for approximately 12 minutes before accelerating beyond the maximum tracking range of the ground-based systems.

Day 2 - March 16, 2018

The second encounter involved a two-aircraft formation conducting air-to-air combat training at 1615 hours. The pilots, call signs “Thunder 1” and “Thunder 2,” were engaged in a simulated dogfight scenario when both aircraft detected an unknown object on their AN/APG-73 radar systems. The object appeared as a strong return at a range of 15 nautical miles, initially tracked as a potential third aircraft that had somehow entered the training area.

Visual contact was established by Thunder 1 at a range of approximately 8 miles. The pilot described the object as spherical or disc-shaped, with a metallic appearance that reflected sunlight. Unlike the previous day’s sighting, this object appeared smaller, with an estimated diameter of 20-30 feet. The object maintained a constant altitude of 23,000 feet but demonstrated erratic movement patterns, including sudden stops and instantaneous acceleration in multiple directions.

When the F/A-18s moved to investigate, the object appeared to respond to their presence. Thunder 2 reported that as he maneuvered to achieve a intercept course, the object seemed to mirror his movements, maintaining a constant separation distance of approximately 5 miles. This behavior continued for several minutes, with the object appearing to anticipate the aircraft’s movements and respond accordingly.

The encounter concluded when the object suddenly descended at an extreme rate, losing 20,000 feet of altitude in less than 10 seconds. Both pilots estimated the descent rate at over 120,000 feet per minute, far exceeding the capabilities of any known aircraft. Ground radar lost contact with the object at approximately 3,000 feet altitude, with no further sightings reported.

Day 3 - March 17, 2018

The final encounter of the series occurred during a large-scale training exercise involving six F/A-18 aircraft from two different squadrons. The exercise, designated “Iron Thunder,” was conducting at 1100 hours and involved both air-to-air and air-to-ground training scenarios. Multiple ground radar systems and airborne early warning aircraft were providing comprehensive coverage of the training area.

At 1145 hours, multiple aircraft reported simultaneous radar contacts with unknown objects. The E-2C Hawkeye providing airborne early warning detected three separate contacts moving in formation at 30,000 feet, approximately 25 miles northeast of the main training area. The objects were tracked at speeds varying between 200 and 800 knots, with frequent changes in velocity and direction.

Visual contact was established by multiple aircraft, with pilots reporting three disc-shaped objects flying in a triangular formation. The objects appeared to be metallic with a smooth, seamless surface and no visible propulsion systems. Each object was estimated to be 30-40 feet in diameter, maintaining perfect formation spacing throughout their observed maneuvers.

The most extraordinary aspect of this encounter was the objects’ apparent response to the military aircraft. When two F/A-18s were vectored to intercept, the formation of objects executed a coordinated maneuver that took them from 30,000 feet to sea level in less than 15 seconds. The maneuver was tracked by multiple radar systems and witnessed by several pilots, all of whom reported that the objects maintained perfect formation throughout the descent.

Ground Control calculated the descent rate at over 100,000 feet per minute, with the objects pulling an estimated 40-50 Gs during the maneuver. The objects disappeared from radar contact upon reaching sea level, with no splash or surface disturbance reported by nearby vessels.

Witness Testimony

Major James “Falcon” Rodriguez, USMC

Lead pilot, first encounter

“I’ve been flying Marines for fifteen years, and I’ve never seen anything like what we encountered that day. The object’s acceleration was beyond anything in our inventory or any known aircraft. When it made those 90-degree turns at Mach 3, I knew we were dealing with something extraordinary. The G-forces alone should have torn apart any conventional aircraft, but this thing moved like it was immune to the laws of physics as we understand them.”

Captain Sarah “Thunder” Mitchell, USMC

Pilot, second encounter

“What struck me most was how the object seemed to respond to our presence. It wasn’t just random movement; it appeared to be aware of us and was deliberately maintaining distance. The way it mirrored our maneuvers suggested some form of intelligence or advanced autonomous system. When it dropped 20,000 feet in seconds, my first thought was that no human pilot could survive those G-forces.”

Lieutenant Colonel Mark “Boss” Thompson, USMC

Squadron Commander, VMFA-251

“As the commanding officer, I was initially skeptical when my pilots started reporting these encounters. But when you have multiple experienced aviators, backed up by radar data and ground control confirmation, you have to take it seriously. These weren’t weather balloons or experimental aircraft. The performance characteristics were unlike anything in our known threat library.”

Master Sergeant Robert Chen, USMC

Ground Control Radar Operator

“From the ground control perspective, we had solid radar returns on all these contacts. The objects showed up clearly on our scopes with consistent reflectivity signatures. What was unusual was their speed changes - one second they’d be doing 300 knots, the next they’d accelerate to over Mach 3 without any transitional phase. Our systems don’t typically see that kind of performance from conventional aircraft.”

Captain Michael “Hawkeye” Davis, USN

E-2C Pilot, third encounter

“Flying the E-2C gives you a comprehensive picture of the battlespace, and what we saw that day was unlike anything in our threat identification guides. Three objects in perfect formation, executing maneuvers that would be impossible for any known aircraft. The fact that they maintained formation while pulling 40-50 Gs suggests either advanced technology or something beyond our current understanding of aerospace engineering.”

Sensor Data and Technical Evidence

The Cherry Point encounters generated substantial technical evidence through multiple sensor platforms and data collection systems. The comprehensive nature of this evidence makes these incidents particularly significant for UAP research and analysis.

Radar Analysis

Ground-based AN/TPS-59 radar systems tracked the objects throughout all three encounters, providing detailed kinematic data on their movement patterns and performance characteristics. The radar returns showed several anomalous features:

Consistent Reflectivity: The objects displayed solid, consistent radar returns with reflectivity patterns similar to metallic aircraft of comparable size
Extreme Acceleration: Recorded acceleration rates exceeding 15-20 Gs, far beyond the capabilities of known aircraft
Instantaneous Velocity Changes: The objects demonstrated the ability to change speed from subsonic to supersonic velocities without detectable acceleration periods
Sharp Angular Maneuvers: 90-degree turns at high speed without the gradual banking typical of conventional aircraft

Airborne Radar Data

The AN/APG-73 radar systems aboard the F/A-18 aircraft provided additional confirmation and detailed tracking data. The airborne radar revealed:

Strong Return Signatures: Consistent with solid metallic objects of estimated size
Doppler Shift Analysis: Confirmed extreme velocity changes and unusual movement patterns
Track Correlation: Multiple aircraft tracked the same objects simultaneously, confirming their physical presence
Electronic Warfare Assessment: No evidence of jamming or electronic countermeasures

Electro-Optical Systems

Several aircraft were equipped with ATFLIR (Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared) pods, though not all were actively recording during the encounters. Available infrared data showed:

Heat Signatures: Objects displayed minimal infrared signatures despite their high-speed flight
Structural Details: Infrared imaging revealed smooth, seamless surfaces without visible propulsion systems
Temperature Analysis: No significant heat buildup despite extreme acceleration and velocity changes

Communication Intercepts

All radio communications during the encounters were recorded and analyzed by base communications personnel. The recordings provide detailed real-time pilot observations and ground control responses, creating a comprehensive timeline of events. Voice stress analysis of pilot communications indicated genuine surprise and concern, supporting the authenticity of their reports.

Official Response and Investigation

The Marine Corps’ response to the Cherry Point encounters reflected the changing military approach to UAP reports in the post-2017 disclosure era. Unlike previous decades when such reports might have been dismissed or classified, these incidents were treated as legitimate operational concerns requiring formal investigation.

Immediate Response

Squadron leadership immediately implemented a comprehensive debriefing process for all involved personnel. The debriefings were conducted by both operational officers and intelligence personnel, ensuring that all details were captured and preserved. Flight data from aircraft systems was downloaded and preserved, and radar tapes were secured for analysis.

Base security was enhanced in the training areas, with additional radar monitoring and increased pilot alertness for similar phenomena. The incidents were reported through proper channels to Marine Corps Aviation Command and eventually to the Department of Defense UAP Task Force.

Intelligence Assessment

Marine Corps intelligence personnel conducted a thorough analysis of the encounters, including:

Threat Assessment: Evaluation of potential security implications of unknown aircraft in training airspace
Technology Analysis: Assessment of observed performance characteristics against known aircraft capabilities
Pattern Recognition: Comparison with similar reports from other military installations
Foreign Technology Review: Analysis of potential foreign adversary involvement

DOD UAP Task Force Investigation

The encounters were formally investigated by the Pentagon’s UAP Task Force (later redesignated as the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office). The investigation included:

Data Collection: Comprehensive gathering of all sensor data, witness testimony, and supporting evidence
Technical Analysis: Detailed examination of flight characteristics and performance capabilities
Correlation Analysis: Comparison with other military UAP encounters for patterns and similarities
Security Review: Assessment of potential national security implications

Disclosure Implications and Government Transparency

The Cherry Point encounters played a significant role in the broader UAP disclosure process that began with the 2017 New York Times revelations. These incidents, along with similar Navy encounters, helped establish the credibility of military UAP reports and contributed to significant policy changes within the Department of Defense.

Policy Evolution

The Marine Corps’ handling of these reports demonstrated the evolution of military policy regarding UAP encounters. Key changes included:

Formal Reporting Procedures: Establishment of standardized UAP reporting protocols
Data Preservation: Requirements for preserving all sensor data and witness testimony
Investigation Protocols: Standardized procedures for investigating UAP encounters
Information Sharing: Improved coordination between services and with civilian authorities

Congressional Briefings

Details of the Cherry Point encounters were included in classified briefings to congressional committees, contributing to legislative interest in UAP phenomena. These briefings helped support the establishment of formal UAP investigation requirements and funding for research programs.

Public Disclosure

While specific details of the Cherry Point encounters remain classified, general information about the incidents has been acknowledged in public UAP reports and congressional testimony. This represents a significant shift from previous decades of secrecy surrounding military UAP encounters.

Technical Analysis Using Modern Understanding

Modern analysis of the Cherry Point encounters reveals several extraordinary technical aspects that challenge conventional understanding of aerospace engineering and physics.

Propulsion Analysis

The objects’ demonstrated acceleration and maneuvering capabilities suggest propulsion systems far beyond current technology:

G-Force Tolerance: The observed maneuvers would subject any conventional aircraft to G-forces of 40-50 Gs, far exceeding human tolerance and structural limits of known materials
Propulsion Efficiency: No visible exhaust, contrails, or heat signatures despite extreme performance
Energy Requirements: The calculated energy requirements for observed acceleration would far exceed any known power source of comparable size

Aerodynamic Considerations

The objects’ flight characteristics violated several fundamental principles of aerodynamics:

Lift Generation: No visible wing surfaces or control structures to generate lift at subsonic speeds
Drag Reduction: Smooth acceleration through multiple speed regimes without apparent consideration of drag effects
Shock Wave Formation: Supersonic flight without visible shock wave formation or sonic boom reports

Materials Science Implications

The objects’ ability to withstand extreme G-forces suggests advanced materials or structural technologies:

Structural Integrity: Maintenance of shape and coherence during extreme maneuvers
Material Properties: Apparent metallic composition with unknown structural characteristics
Manufacturing Precision: Seamless, uniform surfaces without visible joints or construction details

Control Systems

The objects demonstrated sophisticated control capabilities:

Response Time: Instantaneous response to pilot maneuvers suggesting advanced sensors or awareness
Coordination: Perfect formation flying during extreme maneuvers
Autonomous Operation: No visible pilot or crew compartments

Connection to Broader UAP Disclosure Process

The Cherry Point encounters are part of a larger pattern of military UAP reports that have fundamentally changed the government’s approach to unexplained aerial phenomena. These incidents connect to broader disclosure developments in several important ways.

Pattern Recognition

The encounters share characteristics with other well-documented military UAP cases:

Performance Characteristics: Similar extreme acceleration and maneuvering capabilities
Sensor Confirmation: Multiple sensor platform confirmation across different incidents
Military Response: Consistent response patterns from military personnel and leadership
Geographic Distribution: Part of a global pattern of military UAP encounters

Policy Impact

The credible nature of these reports contributed to significant policy changes:

Congressional Action: Support for UAP investigation legislation and funding
Military Doctrine: Changes in military procedures for handling UAP encounters
Scientific Research: Increased support for UAP research and analysis programs
International Cooperation: Enhanced information sharing with allied nations

Technological Implications

The encounters raise important questions about technological development and national security:

Technology Gap: Potential existence of technologies far beyond current capabilities
Reverse Engineering: Implications for understanding and potentially replicating observed technologies
Strategic Considerations: Impact on military planning and capability development

Conclusion and Ongoing Status

The Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point UAP encounters of March 2018 represent a watershed moment in military UAP reporting and investigation. The incidents demonstrate the evolution of military culture from dismissal and secrecy to serious investigation and documentation of unexplained aerial phenomena.

The encounters’ significance extends beyond their extraordinary nature to their role in establishing credible, multi-sensor UAP cases that have influenced government policy and public understanding. The comprehensive documentation and investigation of these incidents set a new standard for military UAP reporting and contributed to the broader disclosure process that continues today.

Current Status

The Cherry Point encounters remain under ongoing analysis by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), with continued efforts to understand the observed phenomena and their implications. The incidents have contributed to:

Enhanced Reporting Systems: Improved procedures for documenting UAP encounters
Research Programs: Support for scientific analysis of UAP characteristics
International Cooperation: Information sharing with allied military forces
Technological Development: Research into advanced propulsion and materials technologies

Future Implications

The encounters raise important questions about the future of aerospace technology and national security:

Technology Development: Potential for breakthrough advances in propulsion and materials science
Strategic Planning: Need for new approaches to aerospace defense and monitoring
Scientific Understanding: Requirements for expanded research into unexplained phenomena
International Relations: Implications for cooperation and information sharing with allied nations

The Cherry Point encounters stand as compelling evidence that our understanding of aerospace capabilities may be fundamentally incomplete. As investigation and analysis continue, these incidents will likely remain significant in the ongoing effort to understand the nature and implications of unexplained aerial phenomena encountered by military forces worldwide.

The professional handling of these encounters by Marine Corps personnel, from the initial pilot reports through formal investigation and documentation, demonstrates the military’s evolving approach to UAP phenomena. This evolution from dismissal to serious investigation represents a fundamental shift that has implications far beyond the military, affecting scientific research, government policy, and public understanding of one of the most intriguing mysteries of our time.