Among the lengthy list of near encounters between military pilots and unexplained flying objects, there are numerous instances.

In instances such as the one detailed below, the formidable defensive power of the latter is amply illustrated.

Credit: Abdelrahman Nasr

The occurrence, also known as the "Cuban Jet Incident of 1967," is supported by an extensive historical record and several official papers obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, indicating its authenticity. In addition, there is evidence of a government cover-up designed to prevent anyone from speaking out about what occurred. And it is not for less that one of the principal actors of the aerial conflict was unable to return to tell the tale.

After giving a presentation in 1978, an unidentified USAF security specialist leaked the report to investigator Stanton Friedman, according to the abbreviated version of the tale. In 1967, the witness was assigned to the 6947 Security Squadron in the Florida Keys, a Spanish-speaking intelligence unit that monitored Cuban Air Force communications and radar transmitters across the strait during the tense days after the missile crisis. In March of that year, the unit intercepted Cuban radio data indicating the entry of an unidentified aircraft target from the northeast into Cuban airspace.

Two MIG-21 fighter aircraft were sent to intercept the UFO. Upon arrival, pilots reported sighting a "shiny metallic sphere with no apparent markings or appendages" moving at roughly 660 mph at an altitude of 33,000 feet.

Following a failed attempt to establish radio contact with the object, the headquarters of Cuban air defense instructed the flight commander to arm his missiles and destroy the target. The flight leader answered through radio that he had the target in his sights and was prepared to launch an assault. These were the final words said by the pilot...

In a matter of seconds, his wingman in the second MIG could be heard yelling that the flight leader's aircraft had exploded. Nevertheless, he then clarified that the jet had "DISINTEGRATED" in mid-air and that wreckage was falling into the water.

The UFO then raced to "amazing speed," ascended to an altitude of roughly 98,000 feet, and proceeded in the direction of South America while gaining altitude.

Investigation and results of the 1967 Cuban Jet Incident

Whether the anomalous item destroyed the Cuban aircraft after its guns were directed at it or this was only a strange accident, the pilot was killed in the encounter.

The 6947 Security Squadron provided the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters an Intelligence Point Report on the occurrence. Within hours, they were instructed to transfer all relevant recordings, records, and data regarding the incident to the NSA and to report the Cuban jet as "lost due to equipment breakdown."

A MIG-21. Credit goes to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Friedman submitted this material to a reporter, who subsequently forwarded it to Robert Todd, the director of research for Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS).

During the course of six months in 1978, Todd addressed requests for information to a number of military and intelligence institutions without success. In July of that year, though, two FBI agents paid him a visit at his house. They had a private interview with him and inquired about his prior relationships with foreign administrations. He also recited portions of American espionage legislation, implying that a conviction under these statutes may result in life imprisonment or the death sentence. Also, it was clearly implied that Todd's phone had been tapped.

It appears that no more action was taken at the time, but the message communicated to Todd was obvious. CAUS's subsequent enquiries to the USAF on the status of any pertinent FBI investigations were greeted with answers that neither confirmed nor denied the existence of such materials. If they did exist, however, they would be classified and unavailable.

Defense-related Cuban Jet Event

The event remains one of the most fascinating in the history of potential disastrous contacts between UFOs and military aircraft on the ground. In reality, according to Friedman, at least six US pilots would have perished in pursuit of UFOs.

Despite this, it appears that UFOs have never been the initiating aggressor in these sorts of incidents. The only instances in which the anomalous ship turned hostile or destructive were when a human pilot began a potentially violent engagement.

Apart from the frequent mention of national security concerns in recent UAP sightings, it may be plausible to assume that the majority of UFOs observed by the military were indifferent until human pilots risked to irritate them.