Official · Document · FBI
Helicopter Chases a Glowing Orb Over the Mountains
The chase came up empty. Then the lights began switching on and off, one after another.
Released to the public May 8, 2026
In brief
A helicopter tried to catch a glowing orb that approached, then sped away. Later, the crew repeatedly saw lights switching on and off over the mountains.
Summary
Heavily redacted SECRET//NOFORN witness statement by a senior US intelligence official (WITNESS 1) describing a multi-hour aerial search and UAP encounter in 2025. Following eyewitness reports of orbs/lights and audible thuds, a state-partner helicopter (CALL SIGN 1) carrying federal personnel conducted day-into-night searches over a redacted mountain range west of a code-named site. Over the course of the night, the helicopter crew (using NVG and FLIR) and ground LP/OP personnel observed a 'super-hot' orb hovering at ground level, an orb that allegedly came within ten feet of the helicopter, swarms of lights, and repeated formations of orbs that flared up and down in horizontal sequences near military aircraft conducting training. The orbs reportedly moved at speeds the helicopter could not match and at one point split into two objects.
Incidents in the document
- 2025 (specific date redacted) · [MOUNTAIN RANGE NAME] west of [SITE CODE NAME], United States · Page 1
At approximately 1700 hours, WITNESS 1, WITNESS 2, federal partners, and state-partner pilots departed an operations center via helicopter (CALL SIGN 1) to conduct a daytime aerial search of mountains west of a code-named site, prompted by eyewitness reports of orbs/lights and personnel hearing thuds 'as if something had fallen and hit the ground.' Earlier that day, an office had completed a 'successful test' at the site. At 1751 the helicopter spotted a large cavern entrance and orbited briefly.