In 1957 the undeclared air war against UFO's seemed in full swing. The US was in the middle of a UFO flap that Project Blue Book was busy officially denying. Since the departure of Captain Ed Ruppelt, Major Dewey Fournet, and Al Chop in 1953 who had been discouraged and requested to be reassigned Project Blue Book had become nothing more than a public relations campaign. That didn't stop UAP's from descending upon the zone interior of the United States. According to people such as Donald Keyhoe, Former Marine Major and pilot, and other investigators who continued challenging the official position that UFO's were non-existent.

Unknown presence

Things were no less frustrating for the Soviet Union in the midst of the "Cold War" as UFO's invaded the skies over the Kouril Islands in the north Pacific as anti-aircraft artillery was in action firing away at the unknown aerial intrusion. Yet, no hits were observed, no crafts were brought down. Actions such as this made the narrow corridors of defended air space between the US Pacific Fleet, USAF bases, and the Russian bomber presence that constantly tested the radar coverage of these intensely patrolled border regions more dangerous. The likelihood of an accidental nuclear exchange sparked by UFO incursions was high.

Air warriors

On the other side of the world was the English presence on the British Isles where 2 Strategic Air Command Bases were operated. Lakenheath by the British, and RAF Woodbridge, another British base shared by the US at Bentwaters operating on common real estate. It was at Lakenheath that night aerial maneuvers were in progress. Pilots were practicing aerial combat. They were being taught how to get into the kill position from the rear which was the classic maneuver used to defeat and shoot down an opponent.

Numerous models of aircraft

At Lakenheath and RAF Woodbridge the British operated a number of military jets such as the Hawker Hunter, the Venom Fighter jet, the Vampire combat jet, the Buccaneer fighter jet, and the newly introduced Electric Canberra, the first medium bomber to reach such high altitudes even eclipsing US military aircraft during war games. However, what was the occur this night was more of a challenge than the British could have anticipated.

Who's there?

While communications were being coordinated with ground control and air operations one fighter pilot thinking that his superior officer was on his tail radioed for instructions, but there was a surprise! His superior officer had not engaged in a dog fight with the young pilot. Another pilot flying in close proximity attempted to identify who was on the young Lieutenant's tail as he flew his Hawker Hunter. This generation of RAF jet fighters were all powered by the Rolls Royce Avon jet engine. They were the best Great Britain had.

Not a game anymore!

The British aviator could not identify who or what was closely pursuing the young Lieutenant's Hawker built interceptor. It was on his onboard radar and ground control had the unidentified aerial object on their radar screen as well, but they had no idea who had intercepted their training exercise! The British flyer became panicked now. He frantically called for a wing man to rescue him as he could not shake his mysterious air to air intruder! Ground control instructors began giving the young pilot evasive suggestions to put distance between him and his UAP adversary, but it seemed useless. The trailing pilot who attempted to break up the engagement could not seem to out fly whoever it was.

Another visitation from the unknown

Finally, after a harrowing experience that saw the young combat pilot barely able to control himself, the phantom intruder flew away off the radar scope and beyond Lakenheath controlled air space. The shaken up young aviator was hurriedly instructed to land and report for a debriefing. The incident was well documented with radar recording and several witnesses. This would not be the end of such mysterious intrusions that would be witnesses as not only pilots, airmen on the ground, and civilians leading up to the infamous Rendlesham Forest Incident in 1980 that saw UFO landings on Bentwaters grounds and a witness account given by not only security strike teams but the base commander, Charles Halt, as the sightings continued during several consecutive nights.