VFA-106 Pilot

The 'VFA-106 Pilot' refers to an anonymous aviator from Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. On March 26, 2014, while flying an F/A-18E Super Hornet in the W-72 warning area off the East Coast, the pilot detected a possible radar track at approximately 19,000 feet traveling at 0.1 Mach. The wingman did not confirm the object on radar amid high winds over 100 knots at 18,000 feet, sparking debate over a potential false track. Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Virginia Capes (FASCFAC VACAPES) also failed to detect it, though VFA-106's commanding officer highlighted detection limitations for non-transponding targets, raising significant safety concerns in an exclusive use area. This incident contributes to documented Navy UAP encounters from 2013-2014, passed up the chain to Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic. No personal details, publications, or further testimony from this pilot are publicly known.