Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US Fighter Jets Ordered to Shoot Down UFO

Aircraft carrier-sized ship darted off; pilot ordered to keep silent

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 20, 2008 7:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – US fighter jets were ordered to shoot down a UFO over England during the Cold War, newly released files reveal. What appeared to be a massive "aircraft carrier" in the sky hovered before darting off undamaged, said one of the military pilots, who was later threatened by a well-dressed "unnamed man" if he "ever breathed a word" about the incident to anyone.

In another mysterious encounter, a passenger jet headed for London's Heathrow airport nearly smashed into a UFO described as a brown missile-shaped craft. Military authorities were unable to account for the 1991 near-confrontation. The incidents came to light in reports released by Britain's defense ministry. Neither report included an explanation.

3rd July 1954: A cricketer stops to read a newspaper article about a strange phenomena in the sky over London, in a Picture Post photo-fiction story about a UFO invasion. Original Publication: Picture Post - 7188 - The Threat - pub. 1954
3rd July 1954: A cricketer stops to read a newspaper article about a strange phenomena in the sky over London, in a Picture Post photo-fiction story about a UFO invasion. Original Publication: Picture...   (Getty Images)
What appeared to be a massive aircraft carrier in the sky hovered before darting off undamaged, said one of the military pilots.
What appeared to be a massive "aircraft carrier" in the sky hovered before darting off undamaged, said one of the military pilots.   (Wikimedia Commons)
US fighter jets were ordered to shoot down a UFO over England during the Cold War, newly released files reveal.
US fighter jets were ordered to shoot down a UFO over England during the Cold War, newly released files reveal.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

UFOs Over London? 2 Videos Say Yes

Freak Weather Snarls Europe Travel

Expert Tracks Ancient UFO Reports

Green Protesters Vow to Target Heathrow

Supermodel Campbell Owns Up to Air Rage


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne