LennyLames
Member
Late this morning, around 1150 Pacific Daylight Time, I happened to look out the window and noticed a jetliner being escorted by 2 smaller aircraft which appeared to be fighter jets. I grabbed the nearest camera on hand (phone) and noting that the security system was armed, I opened the door to step out and take a quick photo while sirens were blaring. I had to deal with the monitoring service afterwards, but I felt it was worth it as there was no time to disarm the security system beforehand. Although the camera doesn't produce the highest quality photos, there is enough resolution such that I could discern the 3 aircraft, which I have encircled.
Aircraft separation was well below normal minimums, so the airliner was definitely being escorted.
At the first sighting, the airliner appeared to be within the usual course and altitude taken by turbine powered aircraft arriving from the northeast, consistent with either the BUNTR TWO or the EAGUL FIVE standard terminal arrival routes to Phoenix. However, the formation circled around the Phoenix metro area at least thrice before finally disappearing from view.
I had an opportunity to take photos with the good quality digital camera during the subsequent passes but I realized afterwards that by default, it does not focus well to infinity, so the photos taken from the "better" camera came out even worse than this.
I looked through the news sites and I could not see any mention of flight interceptions today. I also looked for TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) to see if any high ranking officials were burning tax dollars to visit the area. I found none.
UFOs perhaps?
Aircraft separation was well below normal minimums, so the airliner was definitely being escorted.
At the first sighting, the airliner appeared to be within the usual course and altitude taken by turbine powered aircraft arriving from the northeast, consistent with either the BUNTR TWO or the EAGUL FIVE standard terminal arrival routes to Phoenix. However, the formation circled around the Phoenix metro area at least thrice before finally disappearing from view.
I had an opportunity to take photos with the good quality digital camera during the subsequent passes but I realized afterwards that by default, it does not focus well to infinity, so the photos taken from the "better" camera came out even worse than this.
I looked through the news sites and I could not see any mention of flight interceptions today. I also looked for TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) to see if any high ranking officials were burning tax dollars to visit the area. I found none.
UFOs perhaps?
