Unusual phenomena, UFOs part of Arizona life

By Steve Hammons

From Arizona’s Sonoran Desert in the south, to the pine-covered mountains in the central part of the state, and the Navajo and Hopi lands in northeastern Arizona, unusual incidents seem to occur with some regularity.

When the 23^rd annual International UFO Congress conference begins near Phoenix in mid-February, locals and visitors alike will certainly have plenty to see, do, experience and think about.

Past incidents, current and ongoing research, and possible future developments seem to provide a rich combination of interesting phenomena to explore and discuss.

The “Phoenix lights” case made headlines around the world when hundreds or maybe thousands of Phoenix-area residents (including the Arizona governor) reported seeing a huge V-shaped or boomerang-shaped object slowly cruise over the metro region at low altitude on the evening of March 13, 1997.

Up in Arizona’s mountains on Nov. 5, 1975, a resident of the small town of Snowflake, Travis Walton, was reportedly involuntarily taken aboard an unusual craft as he and his small work crew were leaving a nearby national forest. He showed up a few days later, apparently disoriented and, naturally, somewhat shocked.

And the town of Sedona and surrounding areas in the high desert have long been associated with unusual uplifting energy, strange phenomena and UFO sightings. 

Some of the unusual aspects of the Sedona area are theorized to be associated with the high content of iron oxide in the ground and beautiful red rock outcroppings in combination with substantial deposits of quartz, creating special energies of some kind.

NATIVE AMERICAN AND MILITARY PRESENCE

Many people are aware that Arizona is home to several Native American tribes and nations. The Navajo and Hopi lands are up near the “Four Corners.” Apache lands are on the eastern side of the Grand Canyon State. Even the metropolitan Phoenix area is home to several surrounding Native American tribes. And far southern Arizona near Tucson and the border with Mexico also includes Indian tribal lands.

UFO incidents along with other interesting phenomena have been reported on Native American lands in Arizona, including reports by tribal public safety officers and peace officers.

Arizona is also home to four major military installations: Luke Air Force Base on the west side of Phoenix, Davis-Monthan AFB near Tucson, the Fort Huachuca Army post in Sierra Vista south of Tucson and near Tombstone, and the Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma on the border with California at the Colorado River. 

Back in the 1800s, Fort Huachuca was a post of African-American “Buffalo Soldiers” cavalry units. They and other Army units fought the Apaches in the region in some of the final major military actions against Native Americans in the Southwest.

When the 1997 Phoenix lights incident occurred, Luke AFB was involved in important ways. Residents, news media and local officials reportedly contacted the base for information about the strange, huge object.

Later that evening, military flares were dropped at the Air Force practice range south of Luke, reportedly part of activities of a visiting Air National Guard unit. Reports that fighter jets from Luke were scrambled in response to the Phoenix lights object were never confirmed by Luke officials.

The Phoenix lights object had entered Phoenix air space at the northwest corner of the metropolitan area, heading on a diagonal southeasterly course and cruising slowly over the city. When it exited Phoenix, the object was reportedly heading in the direction of Tucson.

VISITORS WELCOME

Speakers and attendees at the International UFO Congress next month will be in good company in Arizona.

People from around the country and around the world (and maybe from other worlds) visit the state to experience its many wonders such as the Grand Canyon, the central Arizona mountains, the Sedona area and the rugged Sonoran Desert with its unique animal and plant life, including the famous saguaro cactus which grows only in the Sonoran Desert.

College students also come to Arizona from all over to attend one of the three major state universities (Arizona State University in metro Phoenix, University of Arizona in Tucson and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff) or private higher education institutions.

And several prominent astronomical observatories are located in southern Arizona.

When the snow falls in winter, the state’s mountain ski areas ramp up for an influx of skiers. Meanwhile, even in the winter months, people living in or visiting Arizona’s desert regions can still enjoy warm, sunny weather. That’s why the visitors from the northern areas of the country and Canada (called "snowbirds") arrive in Arizona at the start of every winter and depart in the spring.

Seeing and experiencing the many fascinating aspects of Arizona draws seasonal visitors as well as people who decide to live in the state full-time.

Enjoying and treasuring the natural beauty of Arizona is an experience shared by millions of people. From the special energy of Sedona to fascinating sightings in Arizona’s skies, maybe these interesting phenomena are integral parts of Arizona's natural beauty.