The USS Nimitz Tic-Tac Encounter
The Event
On November 14, 2004, the USS Nimitz carrier strike group was operating approximately 100 miles southwest of San Diego during pre-deployment training exercises. The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton had been tracking anomalous radar contacts for several days—objects that appeared at high altitude, dropped rapidly to sea level, and then hovered or maneuvered without consistent behavior. On the morning of November 14, Princeton vectored two F/A-18F Super Hornets to investigate a contact.
Commander David Fravor of VFA-41 (the "Black Aces") and his wingman descended to find a churning disturbance on the ocean surface, roughly the size of a 737, as if something large was just beneath the water. Above it hovered a white, oblong object—described by Fravor as resembling a Tic-Tac breath mint, approximately 40 feet long, with no visible wings, engines, or exhaust. When Fravor maneuvered to approach, the object mirrored his movements, then accelerated away at extraordinary speed. A second F/A-18F crew, including pilot Alex Dietrich, witnessed the object simultaneously.
A separate aircraft equipped with the FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) targeting pod arrived afterward and captured the footage known as the "FLIR1" or "Nimitz video"—the clearest of three videos (FLIR1, Gimbal, and GoFast) that would eventually be publicly released.
Public Disclosure
The videos remained within the Department of Defense for over a decade. In December 2017, the New York Times published a front-page investigation, co-authored with Politico, revealing the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP)—a small, largely classified Pentagon initiative that had run from 2007 to 2012 under the direction of former intelligence official Luis Elizondo. The Times simultaneously published the FLIR1 video. The Gimbal and GoFast videos followed in 2018. The Pentagon formally confirmed all three videos in April 2020.
Fravor gave extensive media interviews and congressional testimony detailing his encounter. Radar operator Kevin Day testified about the sustained multi-day track of anomalous objects. Dietrich spoke publicly in 2021, offering corroboration of Fravor's account. Chad Underwood, the pilot who captured the FLIR1 footage, also gave interviews.
What Is Established
The encounter involved multiple credible military witnesses across different sensor platforms—visual, radar, and infrared—who reported consistent observations. The videos are authenticated as genuine U.S. military footage. The object's apparent performance characteristics, as described by witnesses and suggested by the radar data Kevin Day described, do not match known aircraft. The Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established in 2022, formally included the Nimitz encounter in its historical database of unresolved UAP incidents.
AARO's 2024 historical report reviewed numerous UAP incidents and did not identify conventional explanations for the Nimitz encounter among those assessed in the unclassified portion of its report.
Skeptical Perspectives
Some analysts have argued that the FLIR imagery, while genuine, may reflect sensor artifacts—parallax effects, gimbal lock, or infrared bloom from a distant conventional aircraft—that create the appearance of extraordinary acceleration. The "churning water" observed by Fravor has no confirmed cause. The objects tracked by Princeton's radar over several days could reflect propagation anomalies (ducting), a known phenomenon in the area. No physical evidence—no debris, no recovered material—has been produced.
The Broader UAP Context
The Nimitz case catalyzed a significant shift in U.S. government posture toward UAP. The UAPTF (UAP Task Force), established by the Senate Intelligence Committee's direction in 2020, was the direct institutional descendant of the post-Nimitz disclosure debate. Congress has since passed legislation requiring AARO reporting, established a whistleblower process for UAP-related disclosures, and held multiple public hearings, including testimony from former intelligence official David Grusch in July 2023 alleging the existence of a non-human-origin craft recovery program—allegations AARO has stated it has found no verifiable evidence to support.
Current Verdict
Partially true. The encounter is verified: credible military witnesses, authenticated sensor data, and official government acknowledgment confirm that something unusual was observed. The nature of the object—whether conventional, adversarial, atmospheric, or genuinely anomalous—remains officially unresolved.
What Would Change the Verdict
Recovery or identification of a physical object matching the Tic-Tac description, or a sensor-analysis demonstration that definitively explains the observed flight characteristics as conventional or artifactual, would resolve the open question in either direction.
Evidence Filters11
Commander Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Dietrich: direct visual observation
SupportingStrongTwo experienced Navy aviators with thousands of flight hours visually confirmed an oblong, white, wingless craft performing maneuvers they could not account for with known aviation technology. Both have given consistent public accounts over many years.
USS Princeton SPY-1B radar: multi-day tracking of anomalous contacts
SupportingStrongThe USS Princeton's sophisticated radar system tracked objects descending from above 80,000 feet to near sea level and ascending at speed over several days before the visual encounter. Radar tracking by a naval vessel is a significant corroborating data point.
Pentagon authenticated FLIR1 video
SupportingStrongThe Department of Defense officially authenticated the FLIR1 (Tic-Tac) video in 2020, confirming it was captured by U.S. Navy aircraft and had not been manipulated. The video shows an object maneuvering in ways inconsistent with conventional aircraft.
AATIP program confirmed by Pentagon and NYT (December 2017)
SupportingStrongThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, a $22 million classified program studying UAP, was confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson in December 2017 following New York Times investigation. Its existence validates that the U.S. government took these encounters seriously.
No physical evidence recovered from the objects
DebunkingStrongDespite multiple witnesses, radar tracking, and authenticated video, no physical material from the observed craft has been recovered or publicly produced. Physical evidence remains the standard for extraordinary claims.
Extraterrestrial origin not established by evidence
DebunkingStrongThe objects are genuinely unidentified. This does not establish extraterrestrial origin. Possible explanations include advanced foreign adversary technology, atmospheric phenomena, sensor artifacts, or other explanations not yet identified. "Unidentified" does not equal "extraterrestrial."
Rebuttal
The witnesses are credible and the footage authentic. The objects remain unidentified. The logical step from "unidentified" to "extraterrestrial" requires additional evidence that has not been publicly produced.
Luis Elizondo: former AATIP director advocacy for UAP transparency
SupportingLuis Elizondo, who directed AATIP, resigned from the DoD in 2017 citing frustration with secrecy around UAP and has publicly argued these objects represent technology beyond human capability. His insider perspective is significant; his conclusions remain unverified by public evidence.
Rebuttal
Elizondo's advocacy is notable but does not constitute physical evidence. His claims about the objects' nature go beyond what the authenticated evidence establishes.
No independent corroboration of ET origin from public scientific analysis
DebunkingNo peer-reviewed scientific analysis of the FLIR footage or radar data has concluded extraterrestrial origin. Some analysts have proposed mundane explanations involving sensor artifacts for portions of the video. The scientific community has not reached consensus that these objects are extraterrestrial.
Multiple Independent Sensor Corroboration
SupportingStrongThe Nimitz encounter was tracked simultaneously by the USS Princeton's SPY-1 radar, the F/A-18's onboard APG-73 radar, and the FLIR infrared pod. The simultaneous detection across passive and active sensors operating on different physical principles significantly reduces the probability of a common instrumentation error. The object's behavior — descending from 80,000 feet to sea level in under two seconds — was logged in the Princeton's combat system logs.
Possible Classified U.S. Technology Explanation
NeutralSome defense analysts and former Pentagon officials have raised the possibility that the Tic Tac object was an undisclosed U.S. advanced aerospace program — possibly a classified drone or hypersonic test vehicle — that the pilots and radar operators were not cleared to know about. This would explain why personnel were debriefed and original data reportedly retrieved by unknown officials shortly after the encounter.
Show 1 more evidence point
AARO Finds No Evidence of Extraterrestrial Origin
DebunkingThe All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established by Congress in 2022 to investigate UAP reports, stated in its 2024 historical record report that it found no verifiable evidence that any UAP encountered by U.S. military personnel represented extraterrestrial technology. AARO assessed that most UAP reports, including the Nimitz case, remain unresolved due to insufficient data rather than confirmed exotic origin.
Evidence Cited by Believers6
Commander Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Dietrich: direct visual observation
SupportingStrongTwo experienced Navy aviators with thousands of flight hours visually confirmed an oblong, white, wingless craft performing maneuvers they could not account for with known aviation technology. Both have given consistent public accounts over many years.
USS Princeton SPY-1B radar: multi-day tracking of anomalous contacts
SupportingStrongThe USS Princeton's sophisticated radar system tracked objects descending from above 80,000 feet to near sea level and ascending at speed over several days before the visual encounter. Radar tracking by a naval vessel is a significant corroborating data point.
Pentagon authenticated FLIR1 video
SupportingStrongThe Department of Defense officially authenticated the FLIR1 (Tic-Tac) video in 2020, confirming it was captured by U.S. Navy aircraft and had not been manipulated. The video shows an object maneuvering in ways inconsistent with conventional aircraft.
AATIP program confirmed by Pentagon and NYT (December 2017)
SupportingStrongThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, a $22 million classified program studying UAP, was confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson in December 2017 following New York Times investigation. Its existence validates that the U.S. government took these encounters seriously.
Luis Elizondo: former AATIP director advocacy for UAP transparency
SupportingLuis Elizondo, who directed AATIP, resigned from the DoD in 2017 citing frustration with secrecy around UAP and has publicly argued these objects represent technology beyond human capability. His insider perspective is significant; his conclusions remain unverified by public evidence.
Rebuttal
Elizondo's advocacy is notable but does not constitute physical evidence. His claims about the objects' nature go beyond what the authenticated evidence establishes.
Multiple Independent Sensor Corroboration
SupportingStrongThe Nimitz encounter was tracked simultaneously by the USS Princeton's SPY-1 radar, the F/A-18's onboard APG-73 radar, and the FLIR infrared pod. The simultaneous detection across passive and active sensors operating on different physical principles significantly reduces the probability of a common instrumentation error. The object's behavior — descending from 80,000 feet to sea level in under two seconds — was logged in the Princeton's combat system logs.
Counter-Evidence4
No physical evidence recovered from the objects
DebunkingStrongDespite multiple witnesses, radar tracking, and authenticated video, no physical material from the observed craft has been recovered or publicly produced. Physical evidence remains the standard for extraordinary claims.
Extraterrestrial origin not established by evidence
DebunkingStrongThe objects are genuinely unidentified. This does not establish extraterrestrial origin. Possible explanations include advanced foreign adversary technology, atmospheric phenomena, sensor artifacts, or other explanations not yet identified. "Unidentified" does not equal "extraterrestrial."
Rebuttal
The witnesses are credible and the footage authentic. The objects remain unidentified. The logical step from "unidentified" to "extraterrestrial" requires additional evidence that has not been publicly produced.
No independent corroboration of ET origin from public scientific analysis
DebunkingNo peer-reviewed scientific analysis of the FLIR footage or radar data has concluded extraterrestrial origin. Some analysts have proposed mundane explanations involving sensor artifacts for portions of the video. The scientific community has not reached consensus that these objects are extraterrestrial.
AARO Finds No Evidence of Extraterrestrial Origin
DebunkingThe All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established by Congress in 2022 to investigate UAP reports, stated in its 2024 historical record report that it found no verifiable evidence that any UAP encountered by U.S. military personnel represented extraterrestrial technology. AARO assessed that most UAP reports, including the Nimitz case, remain unresolved due to insufficient data rather than confirmed exotic origin.
Neutral / Ambiguous1
Possible Classified U.S. Technology Explanation
NeutralSome defense analysts and former Pentagon officials have raised the possibility that the Tic Tac object was an undisclosed U.S. advanced aerospace program — possibly a classified drone or hypersonic test vehicle — that the pilots and radar operators were not cleared to know about. This would explain why personnel were debriefed and original data reportedly retrieved by unknown officials shortly after the encounter.
Timeline
USS Princeton radar tracks anomalous contacts for several days
The cruiser USS Princeton's SPY-1B radar detects objects descending from above 80,000 feet to near sea level, hovering, and ascending at speed over several days. The contacts are flagged as anomalous and pilots are eventually directed to investigate.
Commander Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Slaight make visual contact with Tic Tac
During a routine training mission west of San Diego, the two F/A-18 crews were redirected by the Princeton to investigate a contact that had been tracked for days. Fravor described a white, oblong object hovering above a roiling patch of ocean before it accelerated away instantaneously.
Fravor and Dietrich visually encounter the Tic-Tac craft
Commander David Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Alex Dietrich are redirected during training to investigate a radar contact off Catalina. Both visually observe a white, oblong, wingless craft hovering over churning water. Fravor attempts to intercept; the craft accelerates away instantly. Lt. Chad Underwood later records the encounter on FLIR.
Source →NYT publishes AATIP investigation; FLIR1 video released
The New York Times publishes an investigation confirming the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. The FLIR1 (Tic-Tac) video is published and the Pentagon confirms its authenticity. Former AATIP director Luis Elizondo goes public.
Source →
Verdict
The USS Nimitz encounters are real, documented by multiple Navy aviators and radar operators, and authenticated by the Pentagon. FLIR1 video confirmed genuine. AATIP program confirmed by NYT December 2017. The objects remain unidentified. Extraterrestrial origin is not established by available evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the USS Nimitz encounters confirmed as real?
Yes. The encounters are documented by multiple Navy aviators, authenticated FLIR video, and USS Princeton radar tracking. The Pentagon confirmed the FLIR1 video's authenticity in 2020. The existence of the AATIP program was confirmed by the DoD following the December 2017 New York Times investigation. The encounters are real and unresolved.
Does the FLIR video prove the objects are extraterrestrial?
No. The FLIR1 video shows an object maneuvering in ways inconsistent with known conventional aircraft. The Pentagon authenticated the video but has not concluded the objects are extraterrestrial. Possible explanations include advanced foreign adversary technology, atmospheric phenomena, sensor artifacts, or other unidentified explanations. "Unidentified" does not equal "extraterrestrial."
What was the AATIP program?
The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was a $22 million classified Pentagon program that ran from 2007 to 2012, tasked with investigating UAP encounters. Its existence was confirmed by the Department of Defense in December 2017 following the New York Times investigation. Luis Elizondo served as its director before resigning.
Why is this case assessed as "partially true" rather than debunked?
Because the encounters are real and documented. The partially true verdict applies to the claim that these are extraterrestrial craft: the encounters are genuine, the objects unidentified, but extraterrestrial origin is not established by the available evidence. This is a case where the underlying phenomenon is real but the most dramatic interpretation remains unverified.
Sources
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Further Reading
- articleGlowing Auras and Black Money: The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program — Cooper, Blumenthal, Kean (2017)
- documentaryThe Phenomenon (documentary) — James Fox (2020)
- articleThe Pentagon's UAP Task Force: What We Know — Popular Mechanics (2021)
- paperSenate UAP Hearing Testimony 2023 — U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (2023)