FAA Inquiry: Astronomer investigates Stephenville sightings via flight records
Astronom and retired Air Force pilot James McGaha contacted the Federal Aviation Administration to request flight data for the Brownwood Military Operating Areas. He sought to verify whether military aircraft had been present during the time of the sightings, establishing a formal investigative record through official channels.
Background
On January 17, 2008, James McGaha, an astronomer and former military aviator, initiated a formal inquiry with the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the Stephenville incidents. Specifically requesting information about aircraft movements within the Brownwood Military Operating Areas, a 3,200-square-mile zone designated for military aviation training located southwest of Stephenville, McGaha sought to correlate official flight records with civilian sighting reports. The FAA responded on January 18, confirming that F-16 fighter jets from the 457th Fighter Squadron had indeed entered these restricted zones at specific times matching the observation period. This official inquiry established crucial documentary evidence regarding military activity in the area, later obtained and published via TheBlackVault.com through FOIA requests. The investigation represented a rare instance where civilian researchers successfully accessed contemporaneous government flight data regarding a major UFO incident.