NUFORC Sighting 130466

Occurred: 2016-10-04 18:15 Local
Reported: 2016-10-06 12:40 Pacific
Duration:
No of observers: 2

Location: Fairbanks, AK, USA

Shape:

Husband and wife report unusual launching of U. S. military aircraft. a/c headed north at high speed.

Peter,

Sorry if this is late; I just checked my email and saw you had sent it last night. Had I been more diligent I would have called you.

The flight consisted of 3 waves. First wave 6 FA18 Hornet fighters in 3 front, 3 rear V formation take off from Eielson AFB due east of our home. We spotted them as they headed due west at full burners, first flight of 3 followed about 15 seconds later by 3 more, also full burner.

Path due west then just pass out house a wide climbing 270 turn to the south, ending up due north.

In about 25 seconds as the first wave of Hornets rolled out on a heading due north climbing very fast a E3 AWACS flew over full throttle in a steep climb due west. Again just passing over our house he executed a steep climbing turn to due north towards the F18s which were by now out of sight.

The third wave (I counted the E3 AWACS as a wave) was 2 flights 3 each of F16s same heighth, full burner, steep climb then over our area sharp turn to north. You can see the flame trail from their afterburners as they turn north.

This was appx. 6:15 PM Alaska daylight savings time. Tuesday, October 4th, 2016.

We are appx 20 NM due west of Eielson AFB departure path.

ALL AIRCRAFT WERE PAINTED ARCTIC WHITE. This is not common colors used up here on military aircraft. It made them difficult to see once they turned north.

Hope this helps!

NUFORC Note:

Both witnesses are well known to NUFORC, and we consider them both to be unimpeachable sources of accurate and reliable information. The husband has been actively involved in aviation, both military and civilian, for at least four decades, and is very familiar with all types of aircraft. He is an aviation professional. PD

Posted 2016-10-11