Pacific Ocean off the coast of California (Tic Tac UFO)
Photo: United States Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Pacific Ocean waters off the California coast became the center of modern UFO discourse following the December 2017 release of declassified Navy footage showing an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The incident occurred approximately 100 miles southwest of San Diego in international waters, where the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was conducting training exercises. The object, nicknamed the 'Tic Tac' for its distinctive oblong shape, was reportedly tracked moving at speeds exceeding 3,600 miles per hour without visible propulsion systems. This stretch of the Pacific, with depths reaching over 13,000 feet in some areas, has become synonymous with one of the most documented and officially acknowledged UAP encounters in modern history.
Timeline
USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group encounters unidentified aerial phenomena during training exercises off San Diego
U.S. Department of Defense officially releases declassified infrared footage of the encounter
Pentagon confirms authenticity of additional UAP videos, legitimizing the phenomena for scientific study
What the Show Claims
- ›Tic Tac-shaped object tracked at 3,600 miles per hour demonstrates technology far exceeding human capabilitiesS15E11
- ›Object's speed far surpasses the SR-71 Blackbird's maximum velocity of just over 2,000 mph, suggesting non-human originS15E11
- ›Lack of visible propulsion systems indicates advanced antigravity or exotic propulsion technology
From the Transcripts
“In December 2017, infrared footage goes public showing a Tic Tac-shaped object off the coast of California that radio operators track at 3,600 miles an hour.”
What Archaeology Says
Rather than traditional archaeology, this site represents a modern phenomenon studied through military sensor data, radar tracking, and infrared video analysis. The 2004 encounter was documented by multiple independent sensor systems aboard Navy vessels, including the USS Princeton's advanced radar capabilities and F/A-18 Super Hornet targeting systems. Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich, the primary witnesses, described observing a white, oblong object approximately 40 feet in length that appeared to defy conventional aerodynamics.
The official investigation involved both the Navy and the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), a Pentagon initiative that studied unidentified aerial phenomena from 2007 to 2012. Key researchers included Luis Elizondo, former director of AATIP, and Christopher Mellon, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, who advocated for the footage's public release. The data collected includes multiple radar tracks, infrared video footage, and pilot testimony, creating an unprecedented level of documentation for such an event.
The scientific consensus remains divided on the nature of the observed phenomena. While the Pentagon has confirmed the footage's authenticity and acknowledged that the objects' behavior cannot be explained by known technology, mainstream scientists propose various conventional explanations including atmospheric phenomena, sensor malfunctions, or classified military technology. The official designation has evolved from 'UFO' to 'Unidentified Aerial Phenomena' (UAP) to encourage more rigorous scientific analysis.
What remains genuinely unknown is the object's origin, propulsion method, and the physics behind its reported flight characteristics. The incident has sparked renewed scientific interest in UAP research, with NASA and other institutions now conducting systematic studies of similar phenomena, marking a significant shift from previous decades of official silence.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
The object was reportedly observed dropping from 80,000 feet to sea level in less than a second according to radar operators
Commander Fravor described the object as having no visible wings, rotors, or exhaust plumes during his visual encounter
The incident led to the establishment of official UAP reporting protocols for military personnel
The footage became the first officially acknowledged UFO video in U.S. government history
Planning a Visit
While the exact coordinates of the encounter are in international waters, visitors can explore the general area through various San Diego-based boat tours and whale watching expeditions that venture into these Pacific waters. The USS Midway Museum in San Diego Harbor offers exhibits related to naval aviation and radar technology similar to what detected the phenomena.
San Diego, California, approximately 100 miles northeast of the encounter location.
Ocean conditions are generally most favorable for boat excursions from April through October, when seas are typically calmer and visibility is better.
Related Sites
Roswell
Another famous UFO incident site that changed public perception of extraterrestrial visitation
37th Parallel (Global UFO Superhighway)
Theoretical corridor of increased UFO activity that includes California coastal waters
White Sands Proving Ground
Military testing facility where advanced aerospace technology has been developed and tested