Phoenix Lights
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On the evening of March 13, 1997, thousands of people across approximately 300 miles of the American Southwest witnessed two distinct phenomena: a massive V-shaped formation of lights moving silently overhead, followed by a stationary arc of bright orbs over Phoenix that eventually disappeared simultaneously. The event was captured on home video by numerous residents. Arizona Governor Fife Symington held a press conference the following day mocking the incident, then reversed course a decade later, publicly admitting he had personally witnessed the V formation and found it inexplicable. The Air Force attributed the second set of lights to A-10 Warthog aircraft conducting flare training at Barry Goldwater Range, an explanation disputed by witnesses and timing analysis of the events.
Key Facts
- ›Date: March 13, 1997, beginning approximately 7:30 PM MST
- ›Two distinct events: a V-shaped formation sighted from Henderson, NV south through Phoenix; and a stationary arc of lights over Phoenix later in the evening
- ›The V formation was observed by thousands across a 300-mile corridor; witnesses included police officers, pilots, and a former governor
- ›The V formation moved slowly and silently, estimated at between 1 and 2 miles wide by many witnesses
- ›Governor Fife Symington held a press conference March 14, 1997 making light of the incident, presenting a staffer dressed in alien costume
- ›In 2007, Symington reversed his statement in CNN interview: 'It was enormous and it traversed the entire sky silently and majestically. I'm saying it was otherworldly.'
- ›The Air Force attributed the second set of lights (the stationary orbs) to A-10 Warthog aircraft dropping LUU-2B/B illumination flares at the Barry Goldwater Range at approximately 10:00 PM
- ›Multiple witnesses and researchers argue the flare explanation does not account for the V formation sighted hours earlier
- ›Councilwoman Frances Emma Barwood became the first Phoenix official to call for a government investigation; she later reported receiving 700+ witness calls
- ›The event is considered the most-witnessed UAP event in American history