DATEJuly 14-19, 2019
LOCATIONPacific Ocean, off San Diego County, California (32.6°N 119.5°W)
CLASSIFICATIONMILITARY-ENCOUNTER
EVIDENCE QUALITYHIGH
Over multiple nights in July 2019,
US Navy warships including USS Omaha, USS Russell, and USS Kidd tracked swarms of unidentified objects on radar and thermal sensors; video captured a spherical object descending into the ocean without debris or recovery.
14SIMULTANEOUS OBJECTS TRACKED
Between July 14 and July 19, 2019, multiple US Navy warships operating off the coast of Southern California tracked swarms of unidentified objects using radar, thermal imaging, and visual observation. The encounters occurred in the Pacific Ocean west of San Diego, in proximity to the Channel Islands and San Clemente Island naval operating areas.
On the night of July 15, radar operators aboard USS Omaha (LCS-12) tracked as many as fourteen objects simultaneously surrounding the ship. The objects appeared as self-illuminated spheres traveling between 40 and 158 miles per hour without detectable propulsion systems. Thermal video released in 2021 showed one spherical object descending toward the ocean surface and entering the water without explosion, debris field, or subsequent recovery of wreckage.
The incidents prompted the Navy to investigate whether the objects were advanced foreign drones or represented an unknown capability. No wreckage was recovered despite submarine assets being deployed. The Pentagon acknowledged the videos as authentic and stated the incidents remain under investigation by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).
Channel Islands Navy UAP 2019 - Context
The July 2019 encounters occurred during a period of heightened naval activity off the Southern California coast. The area includes the San Clemente Island Naval Range, where live-fire exercises and weapons testing are conducted regularly. The Channel Islands chain lies approximately 20 to 70 miles offshore from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The incidents were first revealed by investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell and documentarian George Knapp in 2021. Corbell obtained deck logs, radar recordings, and thermal video through whistleblower sources. The Pentagon subsequently confirmed the authenticity of the materials and acknowledged that the incidents were being reviewed by the UAP Task Force, predecessor to AARO.
These encounters are notable for the number of objects tracked simultaneously, the multi-ship sensor correlation, and the apparent trans-medium capability demonstrated when an object entered the ocean without physical trace.
Channel Islands Navy UAP 2019 - Incident Timeline
2019-07-14 2100L
Pacific Ocean (32.5°N 119.5°W)
USS Kidd (DDG 100) crew observes two red flashing objects hovering near the ship; visual duration approximately two hours [1]
2019-07-15 2100L
Pacific Ocean (32.6°N 119.5°W)
USS Omaha (LCS-12) radar tracks up to 14 objects simultaneously; speeds 40 to 158 mph; objects swarm around vessel [2]
2019-07-15 2230L
Pacific Ocean (32.6°N 119.5°W)
USS Omaha FLIR captures spherical object descending into ocean; designated "SPLASH" event; no debris recovered [2]
2019-07-15
Pacific Ocean (32.6°N 119.5°W)
USS Russell (DDG 59) deck camera captures triangular or pyramid-shaped objects hovering above ship [3]
2019-07-17
Pacific Ocean (32.5°N 119.5°W)
USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) radar tracks unidentified objects in operating area [1]
2019-07-19
Pacific Ocean (32.6°N 119.6°W)
Final night of documented encounters; submarine assets deployed; no wreckage recovered [1]
2021-04-08
Washington, DC (N/A)
Pentagon confirms authenticity of USS Omaha video; states incidents under investigation [4]
Channel Islands Navy UAP 2019 - Competing Explanations
Advanced foreign drone technology (China or Russia) [5]
Supporting Evidence
The objects demonstrated swarming behavior consistent with drone operations. China has invested heavily in naval drone swarms. The operating area is strategically important for monitoring US Pacific Fleet.
Conflicting Evidence
The objects operated for hours without battery or fuel constraints. No launch platform was detected. Trans-medium capability (air to underwater) exceeds known drone technology. No wreckage was recovered despite submarine search.
US classified technology test [5]
Supporting Evidence
San Clemente Island is a military testing range. Some classified programs involve adversarial training scenarios. Navy crews may not have been briefed on friendly operations.
Conflicting Evidence
Official statements indicate the Navy is genuinely investigating the incidents. Classified testing would not require public acknowledgment. The trans-medium behavior suggests capability beyond current US programs.
Misidentified conventional aircraft or sensor artifacts [6]
Supporting Evidence
Commercial drone operators have flown in restricted areas before. Some pyramid-shaped imagery may result from camera bokeh effects.
Conflicting Evidence
Multiple independent sensor systems (radar, FLIR, visual) corroborated the objects. The objects were tracked for extended periods, ruling out momentary glitches. Flight characteristics exceeded commercial drone limits.
Channel Islands Navy UAP 2019 - Eyewitness Testimony
"Splash, splash... Went into the water."
Audio from USS Omaha CIC during FLIR observation of object entering ocean, July 15, 2019 [2]
"Multiple objects observed hovering above the ship displaying triangular illumination pattern."
Summary of deck log entries describing the pyramid-shaped objects, July 2019 [3]
"I can confirm that the referenced photos and videos were taken by Navy personnel. The UAPTF has included these incidents in their ongoing examinations."
Pentagon statement confirming video authenticity [4]
Channel Islands Navy UAP 2019 - Physical Evidence
Radar tracking data
USS Omaha and multiple destroyers tracked objects simultaneously on shipboard radar systems. Up to 14 objects detected at once. Objects traveled between 40 and 158 mph without detectable propulsion signatures. [1]
Sensor Specification: Type: SPY-1D(V) phased array (destroyers) / TRS-4D (LCS) | Platform: Shipborne | Operator:
US Navy Surface Warfare | Data: Primary skin return | Corroboration: Multiple ships tracking same objects
Current Status: Retained by
US Navy; portions released via FOIA
FLIR thermal video
USS Omaha FLIR recorded spherical object descending toward ocean surface and entering water. Object appeared self-luminous in thermal spectrum. Designated "SPLASH" event by crew. No explosion or debris observed. [2]
Sensor Specification: Type: MX-15 or similar FLIR system | Platform: Shipborne (LCS) | Operator:
US Navy | Data: Infrared thermal imaging | Corroboration: Visual observation by multiple crew members
Night vision deck video
USS Russell crew recorded video showing pyramid or triangular-shaped objects with flashing lights hovering above the ship. Multiple objects observed simultaneously. Video captured through shipboard night vision equipment. [3]
Sensor Specification: Type: Night vision / light amplification | Platform: Handheld or mounted shipboard camera | Operator:
US Navy deck watch | Data: Visual / near-IR | Corroboration: Multiple witnesses on deck
Current Status: Video released 2021;
Pentagon confirmed authenticity
Submarine search
Following the SPLASH event, submarine assets were deployed to search for wreckage at the location where the object entered the water. No debris, wreckage, or acoustic signature of impact was recovered. [1]
Sensor Specification: Type: Submarine sonar / acoustic sensors | Platform: Submarine | Operator:
US Navy | Data: Acoustic search | Corroboration: Negative recovery confirms lack of conventional debris
Current Status: No wreckage recovered
Channel Islands Navy UAP 2019 - Official Investigation
Methodology: Multi-ship sensor data collection; submarine search for debris; incident reporting to
UAP Task Force. Materials subsequently reviewed by
AARO.
Findings: The objects remain unidentified.
Pentagon confirmed authenticity of videos and stated incidents are under ongoing examination. No public conclusion has been issued regarding the nature or origin of the objects. [4]
Official Conclusion: Under investigation; unresolved
SOURCE LOG
1Corbell, Jeremy and Knapp, George. "USS Omaha UAP Swarm Investigation." ExtraordinaryBeliefs.com, April 2021.[primary]
2USS Omaha FLIR video and audio. Released by Jeremy Corbell, April 2021. Authenticity confirmed by Pentagon.[primary] 3USS Russell pyramid UAP video. Released by Jeremy Corbell, April 2021. Authenticity confirmed by Pentagon.[primary] 5Rogoway, Tyler. "The Drive: Navy Destroyer Encounters with Unknown Drones." The War Zone, April 2021.[secondary]
6West, Mick. "Analysis of Pyramid UFO Video." Metabunk.org, 2021. Proposes bokeh effect hypothesis.[secondary]
Editorial Note: This case file presents documented evidence regarding the Channel Islands Navy UAP 2019. All statements are sourced with inline citations. Competing explanations are presented with equal analytical weight. UAPI does not draw conclusions about the nature or origin of observed phenomena.
