Case study · CASE-080 · Military pilot encounter / AARO case
Eglin AFB aircrew encounter
ExplainedResolved by AAROWhere Gulf of Mexico near Eglin AFB, FloridaWhen Reported 2023 (exact date in AARO report)
Case
- Overview
- Rep. Matt Gaetz described an aircrew photograph of an orb and diamond formation at the July 2023 House hearing. AARO later assessed the object as very likely a large commercial lighting balloon and attributed the radar issue to a tripped circuit breaker.
- Investigative phases
- Congressional inquiry; AARO investigation and final report
- Reported phenomena
- Orb and diamond formation of objects
- Public evidence status
- AARO report and sensor imagery released
- Alternative explanations / caveats
- Lighting balloon (AARO conclusion)
- Next research tasks
- Compare AARO imagery with the photo Gaetz described
- Last reviewed
- 2026-11-11
Assessment
- Event date
- 2023
- Source category
- AARO case resolution
- Original data accessibility
- Yes
- Witness / instrument basis
- Pilot; sensor imagery
- Corroboration limitations
- Full radar not released
- Extraordinary claim assessment
- Resolved as likely balloon
- Current status
- Resolved by AARO
- Priority research task
- Compare imagery
- Lead source ID
- SRC-V86-46
- Last reviewed
- 2026-11-11
Evidence (1)
Documents gathered (1 line of evidence)
- AARO final report on the Eglin aircrew encounter with released sensor imagery Primary record linked