Seeking Help to Identify a Sighting
Date: Late February, around the 22nd, late night to early morning hours.
Location: Southwestern Michigan, near Grand Rapids
A family member witnessed a plane or flying object and provided the following description:
- Very short in proportion to its wing width
- Emitting an intense, bright white light, but not directed along its flightpath
- Olive green in color
- Front lights were red and green
- Faint white lights on the leading edges of the wings
- Appeared to be flying at a low altitude
I believe this may be an earthly craft, possibly of military origin. However, despite my 20 years of military experience, I can’t identify any aircraft that closely resembles this description.
For context, Michigan has a few Air National Guard bases, and occasional fighter jet sightings are relatively common in the northern parts of the state. While transport aircraft are also seen in the southern areas, I can’t think of one that matches this profile.
I apologize for the vague date and time reference. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
It sounds like an intriguing sighting! Based on your description, there are a few possibilities to consider. The combination of a very short fuselage with a wide wingspan and unique lighting might suggest it was a military aircraft, but it could also be a civilian aircraft operating under unusual conditions.
Military Aircraft: Given the proximity to ANG bases, it could have been a military plane, such as a training aircraft or a lower-flying stealth variant. The olive green color aligns with military camouflage, and the unusual lighting pattern could imply it’s designed for low-light operations.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Some UAVs are known for their unique shapes and lighting. They can be relatively small with distinct wing configurations and bright lighting for visibility. Consider local UAV training operations or testing, as they might not match standard aircraft profiles.
Specialty Aircraft: Occasionally, experimental or less common aircraft are in use for military or government purposes. This could account for its atypical design and lighting.
Environmental Factors: It’s also important to consider factors like atmospheric conditions or reflections that might have altered the object’s appearance, especially at night.
To narrow it down further, you could check local flight logs or reports from that night to see if any military or civilian flights match your sighting. Gathering more detailed eyewitness accounts or even asking around at local flying clubs might also yield additional insights. If it was indeed a military aircraft, they may not disclose specifics, but local enthusiasts might have some ideas or theories.