The 2023 Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson UAP Incursions: Declassified NORAD Transcripts

Overview of the February 2023 Alaska Incident On February 10, 2023, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected a high-altitude object entering United States airspace near Alaska. Unlike traditional aircraft, the object—later designated as 'Object 2'—displayed flight characteristics that challenged immediate identification by radar operators at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).

Military Engagement and Visual Confirmation Following the detection, the U.S

Air Force scrambled F-22 Raptor fighter jets to intercept the craft. According to declassified pilot transcripts and internal NORAD communications released via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), pilots described the object as 'cylindrical' and 'silver-gray' in appearance. Notably, the pilots reported that the object appeared to be loitering at an altitude of approximately 40,000 feet and lacked any visible means of propulsion, such as wings, rotors, or exhaust plumes. The object was noted for its ability to remain stationary or move slowly against significant high-altitude winds, a feat that confused technical observers.

Post-Engagement Analysis and Recovery Efforts Under orders from the Pentagon, an F-22 engaged the object with an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, resulting in the object's destruction over frozen territorial waters near Deadhorse, Alaska. Despite an extensive search operation involving the FBI and the U.S. Northern Command, official reports released in late 2023 and early 2024 indicate that recovery efforts were hampered by extreme weather conditions. The Department of Defense eventually called off the search, leaving the specific origin and nature of the 'cylindrical' craft officially 'unidentified.' The Black Vault's acquisition of over 500 pages of NORAD documents highlights the internal confusion regarding the object's sensor signature, which was described as 'intermittent' and 'anomalous,' suggesting potential electronic warfare capabilities or a low-observable design.

Implications for National Security The incident prompted a shift in how NORAD filters radar data, leading to the detection of subsequent objects over the Yukon and Lake Huron. The JBER incursion remains a primary case study in the 2024 AARO Historical Record Report regarding recent UAP encounters that involve kinetic military responses.