McChord AFB: F-106 Interceptors Scrambled for UFOs over Washington State
Two F-106 fighters from the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were scrambled from McChord AFB near Tacoma to investigate UFOs reported throughout Washington State in September. An Air Force spokesman unusually admitted the interceptors were sent in response to UFO reports, though neither pilot reported anything unusual. However, McChord's radar was tracking something — the Pierce County Sheriff's Department stated that McChord had notified them their radar was tracking an unidentified object hovering over Tacoma at 18,000 feet.
Background
1. On September 26, 1975, two F-106 fighter interceptors from the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at McChord AFB were scrambled to investigate numerous UFO reports over Washington State. An Air Force spokesman unusually admitted that the interceptors were sent in response to these reports.
The Incident
Throughout September 1975, numerous UFOs were reported over Washington State. On September 26th, as a result of these reports, two F-106 fighters were scrambled from McChord AFB, near Tacoma, to search for the reported UFOs. While the pilots did not report seeing anything unusual, McChord AFB radar was tracking an unidentified object.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department stated that McChord AFB notified them that their radar was tracking an unidentified object hovering over Tacoma at 18,000 feet. The exact date of this radar tracking was not specified.
Investigation
An Air Force spokesman acknowledged that the interceptors were sent in response to the many UFO reports over Tacoma. However, the source text does not provide further details on any official investigation into the events. The reason for the lights turning on at the Nike missile base during the UFO sighting was never determined.
Significance
This incident is significant because of the unusual admission by an Air Force spokesman that interceptors were scrambled in response to UFO reports. The event also occurred during a period of heightened UFO activity near sensitive military sites, including Minuteman missile sites in Montana. The radar tracking of an unidentified object over Tacoma, even if the pilots saw nothing, adds to the intrigue of the event.