Eglin Air Force Base: Air Force Confirms UAP Detection and Report to AARO

The US Air Force officially confirmed a UAP detection incident at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on 26 January 2023, where a military pilot reported four potential UAPs, and the subsequent filing of a report with AARO. The incident gained public attention during congressional hearings in July 2023 when Rep. Matt Gaetz described dramatic photographic evidence of the object detected by sensor systems, with a Pentagon spokesperson confirming the briefing and the AARO report.

The Incident On 26 January 2023, a military pilot operating in the Eglin Air Force Base training range off the coast of Florida reported four potential UAPs via onboard radar at altitudes between 16,000–18,000 feet, appearing to fly in formation.

The pilot closed to within 4,000 feet of the first object (UAP-1), achieving visual contact and capturing electro-optical/infrared imagery of a rounded, cone-shaped object at 16,000 feet.

Upon approach, the aircraft's radar malfunctioned due to a tripped circuit breaker, which had failed three times previously; no EO/IR data existed for the other three objects.

Public Disclosure Rep. Matt Gaetz first revealed the incident during July 2023 congressional hearings, stating he spoke with the flight crew and viewed a photo of the UAPs in diamond formation, calling it dramatic photographic evidence.

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the congressional briefing on the incident and the Eglin AFB report submitted to AARO.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Rep. Tim Burchett later visited Eglin AFB to investigate, alleging attempted cover-up by Air Force and Pentagon officials.

AARO Investigation AARO received and analyzed the Eglin AFB report, using sensor imagery, pilot reports, flight geometry reconstruction, and sun angle calculations.

• Sensors used: Electro-optical, infrared, visual, radar
• Object shape: Rounded, cone
• Behavior: No confirmed anomalous flight characteristics
• Radar failure: Assessed as coincidental, due to pre-existing circuit breaker issue

AARO had no EO/IR data for the three radar-only objects.

Key Findings AARO resolved the case with moderate confidence, assessing UAP-1 very likely a lighter-than-air object, such as a large commercial lighting balloon.

• Extensive testing replicated aspects of the pilot's account using a lighting balloon (reflective upper hemisphere directing light downward)
• Other possible balloon types considered
• No anomalous behaviors, capabilities, or association with radar failure confirmed