In 2011’s first quarter MUFON field investigators ruled 16 triangle UFO cases as “Unknown UAV” designations – meaning there was enough witness testimony or related evidence to suggest the sighting was not something man made or a natural phenomena. These 16 reports emerged from 12 states – an average of one case every five and-a-half days – with a high percentage playing out in the Eastern U.S. after dark.

Most witnesses got an up-close look at the object, testified that it moved in ways known aircraft cannot, and of particular interest was the object’s silence. In three cases there was mention of military aircraft during the event.

The story of unknown triangles in 2011 is a four-part series – where we will walk the reader through three months of case testimony in each part. Our story begins at 8:40 p.m. on January 1, 2011, at Port St. Lucie, FL, where family and friends are standing around a backyard fire unaware they are the first U.S. witnesses of the New Year to the triangle phenomena.

January 1, 2011, 8:40 p.m.  – Port St. Lucie, FL. FB1, Category 1. Case 27197.

“My family and I and a couple of friends were over for a small fire and talking in backyard,” the witness stated. “I leaned back in chair and looked up at the sky when I saw what I thought to be just a satellite shooting across night sky. After closer examination I noticed object was closer than that of a satellite. It was a dark, ‘shadowy’ like, rounded, triangular-shape with pinkish-orange aura around it. It was traveling at what I figured to be a high rate of speed south to north direction in Port St. Lucie, Fl. The entire incident lasted only 10 to 15 seconds.”

Field Investigator:  “The craft was triangular with some depth to it and edges were rounded. The interior of the triangle was shadowy, like it was being masked. The edges glowed pinkish- orange like it was being indirectly lit. There were no points of light. There was no noise. It appeared to be the size of a jet that he often sees going overhead, but much higher, therefore bigger. He estimates it could be 10,000 feet in altitude. It was the size of a tic-tac at arm’s length.”

January 4, 2011, 2:45 a.m.  – Knox County, IN. MA2, Category 2. Case 27338.

“As I turned back towards the west, I noticed a narrow line of clouds, extending back to the SSW, and a dark, angular object, slowly coming out of the clouds,” the witness stated. “As I watched, it became more visible, and had two bright, white lights on the bottom in front, and multiple dimmer lights further back. Then, from directly below the object, a spotlight shined straight up from the ground, at the object, and it made an immediate and very fluid turn to its left, 180 degrees and went back into the clouds. I was given a full view of the entire bottom of the object, against the white cloud, which was illuminated by the lights of the town. It was approximately one-quarter mile away, or 6-7 city blocks, dark-colored, and triangular, with the points of the triangle squared off. There were two bright lights on each point, on either side, with a dimmer, hazy ring of about 12-15 lights around the center. The turn this thing made was impossibly tight and fluid and it quickly disappeared back into the cloud and out of sight. There was no sound at all while this event occurred.”

Field Investigator: “Unusual that the spotlight came from ground. A local policeman said it could have been police, but that could not be confirmed. Other triangles have been reported here over past years.”

January 5, 2011 – Orange County, NY. MA1, Category 1. Case 27264.

“I feel and hear the humming sound go over my head heading east,” the witness stated. “I’m boggled. Visiting girl suggests fighter planes, then I don’t buy it. Run to front window (still humming noise loudly) and catch grayscale ship coloring underneath, white lighting on edges in 3-4 spots, solid and blinking, no other colors. Though Star Trek Enterprise with the main part only, but a couple hundred feet wide – that’s all. Huge though. Large craft approx 150-250 feet wide if I had to guess, floated over my house heading northeast, low altitude, 1,000 feet maybe? At the highest. Then raised a little higher, made a swooping sideways left turn. Could tell it was round or square shape, and headed north over the ridge out of sight.”

Field Investigator: “Possibly a hoax.”

January 13, 2011, 6:30 a.m. – Wood County, OH. FB1, Category 1. Case 27386.

 “Since we live near Metcalf Airfield, thought it was just another private plane coming in for a landing,” the witness stated. “As it came closer, it looked too large to be an airplane and it looked to be triangular, with white lights all around it. Then at one time as I watched it, the lights went out and red lights came on for a few seconds, then they went out and white lights came on again. I didn’t hear any sound. I watched it until it passed over our house and headed south, but did not see it overhead to get a better description, since it was too cold to go outside and observe.”

Field Investigator – phone interview summary: “Size guesstimated at 30 feet-plus, corner to corner, looked larger than a standard single engine airplane.  Height slightly higher than airplanes landing at KTDZ, probably in the 1,000 to 2,000-feet range.  Speed it was traveling was similar to that of a light airplane (just sort of ‘cruising’ or ‘gliding’ along).  Lights were all the way around the perimeter, ‘globe’ like, much larger than airplane landing lights. Four or five on each edge. Where solid white when first glimpsed, then went dark, quickly followed by turning red.  Then, the white came back on to have both red and white on.  Red were smaller lights.”

January 17, 2011, 6:50 p.m.  – Sarasota County, FL. MA1, Category 1. Case 27443.

“I saw a slow moving triangular-shaped object with a red light at each point moving south in the sky,” the witness stated. “It was big, twice the size of a jetliner. I know what I saw. It freaked me out a little. It looked just like the descriptions of other red triangles. Also there was no sound; none at all.”

Field Investigator: “It is unclear if the lights were of a single object or three objects in geometric formation. The object consisted of three reddish-orange lights in an acute triangle shape/formation. Heading of the object was from north to south at an estimated altitude of a thousand feet. The object in mid flight banked and changed direction to the east for a brief moment then continued south. The witness made reference to an article written about the sighting from another reporting UFO network which included a Youtube video. The witness stated the object is exactly what he saw.”

January 22, 2011 – Kentucky. CE1, Category 2. Case 27798.

“We saw a large, bright light and stopped our vehicle as the light seemed to be low to the ground, hovering above a home,” the witness stated. “When we stopped, the light moved rapidly back and forth and went straight above (large distance) the home. We had a camera and began attempting to take pictures. When taking pictures, we noticed the object to come closer to us. There was a large triangular shape silhouetted in the moon light, at least three lights surrounding the object. The object seemed far away, then zooming quickly to a distance half of initial proximity. The object then moved quickly off to the side and out of sight. We drove less than an eighth of a mile and saw another triangular-shaped, lit object; again flying/hovering lower to the ground. We stopped the car again and began videotaping the event. At that time, both triangular-shaped objects came into view and began zigzagging across the sky above and around the car. This went on for approximately 10 minutes. The lights disappeared. We drove for another 2-3 minutes and came upon the shapes again. Video and pictures were taken. In many of the pictures, nothing showed up , though was quite visible in the full moon light/reflective snow. The pictures that did develop were of orb-like, yellow/red/white lights that were similar to arcing electricity. We followed the lights for approximately five miles and the lights disappeared.”

Field Investigator: “This investigator finds both witnesses highly credible and believes that this did take place as both witnesses stated.”

January 26, 2011, 9 p.m.  – Reno County, KS. FB1, Category 1. Case 27769.

“An object flew directly over my head,” the witness stated. “It was totally silent – no noise at all. It looked to be very large, 200 to 300 feet across. But also looked like it was flying low or the size of it made it seem that way. It was triangle/boomerang shaped and the bottom was covered in dimly lit lights that looked a dull reddish color. It was flying at a north to northwest direction. I was only able to watch it for a few seconds – 6-8 seconds.”

February 3, 2011, 9:30 p.m.  – Galva, Henry County, IL.  FB1, Category 1. Case 27638.

“As I looked north I noticed a triangle shape or formation heading south,” the witness stated. “The approximate altitude was around 1,500 to 2,00O feet. All I saw was three dull amber lights moving together. As the triangle banked to its right based on relative flight path, two of the lights seemed to come closer together. Then it disappeared. Flight speed would be equal to or greater than an F-16 moving at supersonic speeds. There was no sound. No strobe light. No red and green lights for right away flight. I have flown Cessna’s and this was not an aircraft. “

February 10, 2011 – Elkhart County, IN. FB1, Category 1. Case 28667.

“I slowed down to look closer and realized that there were three lights forming a triangle and they were slowly moving north,” the witness stated. “My second thought was that they were fire kites.  By this time, the lights were almost overhead, but off to my left. Then I noticed another set of lights directly behind the first and in the exact same triangle formation. The lights appeared to be 300 to 400 feet in the air and the shape they made about 100 feet long and 35-40 feet across at the back (base) of the triangle. I pulled to the shoulder of the street and rolled down my window, but could not hear anything. I decided to move up to a parking lot and get out. As I turned into the parking lot, I noticed a third set of lights directly behind the second – the same size and shape and moving in the same direction. I have never seen fire kites maintain such a tight formation and move at exactly the same speed. From my truck, I saw all three lights from almost head on. The triangle form was very clear.”

Field Investigator: “The video is unusual and shows lights bright enough to be imaged by a cell phone in a bright street corner environment where no stars could be imaged. There were two other persons who witnessed the event – one which gave us a statement that the video showed what she saw that night.  Two experienced former military persons agree to the authenticity of what the video shows and its unknown nature.”

February 22, 2011, 12:30 p.m.  – Northumberland County, PA. CE1, Category 2. Case 27975.

“I went back out at 12:30 and the orb was gone,” the witness stated. “In its place there were two sets of three lights in the shape of triangles, with planes flying at them. By this time, my mind was exhausted, and I just couldn’t comprehend anything else, so I came inside and tried to go to bed. Wednesday morning I found out that my father had also seen strange orbs in the woods by the creek on his property earlier that night, around 8 o’clock. He said they looked like lanterns, but were sporadic and would disappear after a few seconds. I am not sure that they are related, but he lives about 25 minutes from me, and it is very odd that we both saw similar phenomenon on the same night after almost two years of not seeing anything else substantial.”

Field Investigator: “April 9, 2011, FAA stated no records indicate aircraft in the area for the date and time in question. April 10, 2011, contacted witness for status report – the situation is ongoing and objects can be seen in the sky on any clear night. April 14, 2011 – NORAD reported no aircraft in the area at time of sighting.

March 2, 2011 – Coleman County, TX. FB2, Category 2. Case 28070.

“Large well lit craft with three huge lights appeared at a very low altitude and banked hard and lights went out,” the witness stated. “A dozen very light blue lights moved about the area and circled my location flashing very quickly in a random pattern but never going too far from my location. Large craft first spotted reappeared at times just above the tree line to the west. Then lights again went out. Blue lights flew directly over my location and what seemed like a small craft revealed they were a very large craft with almost no lights on and the only one on was on the very edge of the huge craft. The craft was at least a city block long and holding a tight but slow circular pattern around my location. The large craft appeared close and higher above the tree line. One light disappeared as it rotated out of view and another came on large and bright in the center of the craft. I thought the object was going to pass right over me, but it backed away instead and the lights went out again. I could hear the roar of a jet approaching. I saw its lights as it passed overhead. All activity ceased, but started back up not three minutes after the jet left the area. The large craft reappeared, two lights showing, and looked again as if it was going to pass right over me. Once again the lights went out and I could hear the roar of a jet approaching the area again. I saw the jet streak through the area and the activity stopped again. I left the area and saw a large, bright object high in the sky. It was located directly over a rural home. I could see folks standing on the front porch and vehicle parking lights on. I stopped to get a picture of the object above the house. It began moving away and I could easily see it had triangular lights on the bottom, but my pictures didn’t come out as good as they should have of this slow moving craft.”

March 7, 2011, 8:30 p.m.  – Macks Creek, Camden County, MO. CE1, Category 1. Case 28153.

“Looked up at the sky through the trees and I could see three lights in a triangle shape about 10 feet apart where there are normally no lights at all,” the witness stated. “The lights always had two lights going at the same time in alternating patterns. All three lights were stationary. Lighting resembled flare guns. That’s what it looked like at first. At this time, I ran and got my girlfriend and the rest is what we witnessed together. The three lights bounced around in the sky for several minutes. Then in the opposite direction an airplane comes flying in. And the three lights disappeared.  When the plane was totally gone, the sky was totally black. Then out of nowhere, straight ahead of us, in a clearing less than a quarter mile away, a mile in the air, was a row of 50 lights side-by-side the size of a Walmart super center.  No sound. No pressure. Nothing. All you could make out was the very, very bright lights.  It was so dark we couldn’t make out any shape to the craft. Then slowly it went up into the clouds. Then approximately 30 minutes later we heard fighter jets flying over. “

Field investigator:  The row of 50 lights took up a length of a bus. At arm’s length, it would take a hand to cover up the triangle. Could not see outline of the shapes. Overcast no clouds. Distance from him was less than a mile away, probably a quarter mile. No sound. No barking dogs, no wind, no insects or other sounds, as if everything stood still. His Mom saw the three lights on their property, but did not see the 50 after she went inside. He thought it was a fire in the sky like flare guns – they would light up, and then dissipate. The lights stayed stationary until he got his girlfriend, and then got his Mom. They were at tree level, heavily wooded area, behind trees, and possibly down too. Then saw another light to the south – it was a plane and they could hear it as it flew overhead and right over the three lights. They saw the three lights go dark, and then after the small plane flew over and away, the lights went on again. The lights went below the trees. They walked closer to them to see better. Looked to the right where the power company cleared trees away, for 60 yards lights zigzagged around – 50 lights came down from the clouds, then back up into the clouds. Called everyone he knew in the area to see if anyone else could see them, but no one was outside.”

March 17, 2011 – Maricopa County, AZ. FB1, Category 1. Case 28269.

“Right around 56th Avenue and Northern Glendale, AZ, 85301, sometime between 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. Arizona time, I looked out of my driver’s side window and noticed a triangle-shaped craft, flying at fairly low altitude, much lower than I have seen planes normally fly,” the witness stated. “It had two bright, white lights positioned at each end of the back end and what looked like a red flashing light between them near the bottom of the craft.”

Field investigator:  “The craft was heading south and moved steadily and quickly.  His girlfriend, Witness B, hardly caught a look.  In total his sighting was a minute long and her sighting lasted just a few seconds.  The craft was first spotted north of them but it was heading south right over their car.  It was perhaps a few thousand feet overhead but ‘it looked way bigger than any charter plane one would see flying over head.’  From the witnesses’ perspective, it looked as large as a kite.  While it was moving fast, it made no sound.  Witness A admits that it bore a little resemblance to an F-16 fighter jet, yet the lack of sound was ‘strange and cool.’  They saw nothing on the front of the craft – only a dim glow under it and the lights in the back of it.”

March 18, 2011, 7:30 p.m.  – Pima County, AZ. FB1, Category 1. Case 28295.

“Due to tonight being a full moon, and as the object came closer to the moon itself, the moon light reflected off of a triangle-shaped ‘craft’, the witness stated. “The wind at the time was coming from the west at a breeze, yet the object traveled unhindered by the wind, in a straight path, south to north. It is hard to exactly describe the way the light was reflecting off of the object, it was distorted and mirage-like, but the shape of a triangle was clearly visible in this small window of time viewed. As the object came closer to the moon, I could see what looked like miraged orbs along the outside of the triangle shape, wavy, much like the lights in a swimming pool, with fluxing movement. As the object passed the moon, all reflection was lost and the object vanished into the sky. It was as if a trick was played on my eyes when it appeared and when it vanished. The event itself lasted no longer than 5 to 7 seconds. The object made zero sound, not a hum, not a buzz, nothing. This, along with the speed at which it was moving was the most disturbing part of this whole event to me. I cannot gauge how high the craft was, but it was most certainly not at the altitude of commercial aircraft, but more around the altitude of aircraft circling in before landing. The object was at approximately 70-80 degrees overhead. I live right outside Davis-Monthan AFB, I was enlisted in the AZ Air National Guard for six years, and I grew up on the southside of Tucson, where the Tucson International Airport is located, so I know what a plane and fighter jet looks and sounds like. The speed at which this object was moving is about equal to one of our ANG F-16s taking off at full afterburner, which I have seen more times than I can remember. Had it not been for the light of the full moon, I would not have seen this object.”

Field Investigators:  “The object’s elevation was similar to the A-10s in their normal flight path over Tucson. It appeared silver-white due to reflection of moonlight. The reflected light was as bright as the moon. Object appeared solid, with fuzzy and with indistinct edges, yet transparent. Object appeared to be moving through a liquid-like water. The moon reflected off the object’s edges like ripples and what appeared to be semi-transparent balls or balloons along each leading edge. The balloon-like surfaces appeared to ripple. And it seemed like he was looking through water. I know that is a puzzling description.  He was puzzled too.”

March 23, 2011, 9 p.m.  – Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, FL. FB1, Category 1. Case 28378.

“Three of us saw a craft with four star-like lights traveling from south to north from Broward County over Palm Beach County and out of sight,” the witness stated. “The whole sighting was no more or less than 10 seconds. The three of us saw a craft that had no blinking lights, no wings and no other discernible features other than three lights in the form of a triangle with one other light directly in front of the top light in the triangle. Picture a triangle and then draw a straight line from the top of that triangle. The body of the craft essentially had the same color and looked like the rest of the night sky. It was traveling at a high rate of speed and made no sounds. It was nothing that any of the three of us had ever seen before.”

Field Investigator: “Witness and his friends were in the parking lot after playing softball. The parking lot was considerably darker than the stadium.  They saw the lights which were much higher than a plane from the Executive Airport would have been. Witness did not see any craft.  He said that it must have been the same color as the sky, which was grayish-black at 9 p.m.  He saw the three lights which formed a triangle with the fourth light over the top. The object flew at 4 to 5 times the speed of an aircraft and disappeared over the horizon to the west.”

March 27, 2011 – Ogemaw County, MI. MA1, Category 1. Case 28421.

“There were three triangular-shaped objects with circular patterns on each of the corners,” the witness stated. “They were flying in circular motions. It was then that I realized I was seeing something abnormal. I ran in the house to get my girlfriend so she could see. When we returned outside, two of the objects were gone and one was still there, hovering in the sky. About a minute later a jet, traveling at a very high rate of speed, approached the object and the object just vanished. The jet then circled around the area for about five minutes afterwards and left the area.”