Tag: wright patterson afb

6 urban legends about Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base—affectionately known as “Wright-Patt”—is located just outside of Dayton, Ohio, home of America’s largest unacknowledged concentration of dive bars and greasy spoons. If you ask the locals or the airmen stationed there, they will tell you about the Air Force Museum, the Oregon District, and maybe even the Dayton Dragons baseball team.

But if you get a couple of beers in them or earn their trust by shouting “O-H,” the locals may even tell you about all the alien bodies, ghosts, and secret tunnels the Air Force hides there.

1. The Roswell Aliens (and their ship) are there.

Many Americans believe a UFO—and its extraterrestrial crew—crashed-landed in the New Mexico desert near Roswell on July 2, 1947. They also believe the site was cleaned up by the Air Force from nearby Roswell Army Air Force Base.

Eyewitnesses reported that 3-foot-tall, grey-skinned aliens died in the crash. According to Loren Coleman, the co-author of “Weird Ohio,” they and their space vessel were shipped off to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s notorious “Hangar 18.”

Senator Barry Goldwater supposedly asked USAF Gen. Curtis LeMay if he could see what was inside. LeMay told the Senator that not only could he not get in, but he should never ask again. Everyone else has been trying to get in there ever since.

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FAA Records Add ‘Black Cube’ Sighting to Wright-Patterson AFB Drone Mystery

Newly released Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) documents obtained by The Black Vault under FOIA case 2025-04622 add significant new information to the still-developing story about a series of unauthorized drone incursions at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in December 2024. These records, drawn primarily from the FAA’s SKYWATCH system, supplement the earlier Air Force FOIA release (2025-01757-F) previously covered by The Black Vault, and they introduce a striking new element: the report of a “black cube”-shaped “UAS” observed at around 16,000 feet.

SKYWATCH is an FAA operations security platform used to collect and disseminate reports of suspicious or unauthorized aerial activity, often relayed through Air Traffic Control Towers, FAA regional offices, and the Domestic Events Network. It serves as a central alert system for potential security risks, with reports often shared with law enforcement and military security forces.

Here is a breakdown summary of the events just released as a result of this case, and drawing from the SKYWATCH system. The documents themselves (located at the bottom of this article) go into greater detail.

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Air Force Confirms Drone Swarms Over Wright-Patterson AFB Led to Airspace Shutdown; Videos and Reports Released

Newly released Air Force records confirm that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Ohio experienced multiple drone incursions in mid-December 2024, prompting the temporary shutdown of military airspace and a large-scale security response. The disclosure, made through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to The Black Vault, includes incident reports, sworn witness statements, law enforcement documentation, and supporting video footage—all now public for the first time.

The base, one of the most prominent and historically significant in the U.S. Air Force system, initiated emergency procedures on December 13, 2024, after security forces reported observing several unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operating in restricted airspace.

Initial sightings occurred at 10:08 p.m., when patrols near the Hot Cargo Pads spotted a drone hovering in the area and heading toward the West Ramp of the installation. The object was described as “black, with four (4) propellers, was roughly 6 inches in size, and had alternating red and green lights.” It was later seen flying over Fire Station #2 at about 20 feet off the ground.

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Mysterious drones spotted in Ohio skies, again

People who live in Mercer County have been left puzzled following a series of mysterious drone sightings over the past few nights. Sheriff Doug Timmerman confirmed that his office is actively investigating the incidents and working closely with federal and local law enforcement to identify the origin and operators of the drones.

According to Sheriff Timmerman, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the FBI, and local law enforcement in nearby counties, including those across the Indiana border. Despite these efforts, the purpose of the drones and their operators remains unknown.

“Our office is aware of the significant number of drone sightings, and we are taking this matter seriously,” said Sheriff Timmerman in a statement. “We are committed to identifying who is behind these flights and ensuring the safety of our community.”

The Sheriff’s Office is calling on Mercer County residents to assist in the investigation by sharing any information or video footage of the drones. Citizens who capture footage are encouraged to submit it via the Mercer Sheriff Facebook page and provide the specific location where the video was taken. “For safety reasons, we strongly advise against trying to confront or follow these drones,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

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Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio Shuts Down Airspace After Mysterious Drone Incursions

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, one of America’s most vital military installations, faced an unsettling breach of its airspace over the weekend, reigniting concerns about the security of critical U.S. defense facilities.

Mysterious drones buzzed over the Ohio base, forcing the temporary closure of its Class Delta airspace late Friday night and into Saturday morning, The War Zone first reported.

The base, home to the Air Force Research Lab, Air Force Material Command, and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, is a cornerstone of U.S. military operations. Its cutting-edge research and intelligence missions make it a prime target for espionage or malicious activity.

On the night of December 13-14, 2024, Wright-Patterson AFB experienced significant Unidentified Aerial System (UAS) activity, requiring the closure of Class Delta airspace.

Air traffic control issued warnings and instructions to aircraft, including a medical flight (Med Flight 8), to exercise extreme caution and maintain higher altitudes to avoid the drones.

Yet, according to base spokesman Bob Purtiman, the origin of the drones remains unidentified, and their intentions are officially deemed “not malicious.”

“I can confirm small aerial systems were spotted over Wright Patterson between Friday night and Saturday morning,” base spokesman Bob Purtiman told The War Zone on Sunday.

“Today leaders have determined that they did not impact base residents, facilities, or assets. The Air Force is taking all appropriate measures to safeguard our installations and residents,” he added.

He continued that the drones “ranged in sizes and configurations. Our units are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets.”

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