USS Philippine Sea Atlantic Fleet UAP 1951

On June 19, 1951, USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) airwing crews reported encountering a formation of metallic disc-shaped objects performing maneuvers at 12,000 feet over the Atlantic off the Virginia Capes. Multiple Navy aircrew from different squadrons independently observed the same formation. Atlantic Fleet radar tracked the contacts. The formation demonstrated disciplined geometric spacing and simultaneous directional changes. The case was forwarded to Project Grudge, which classified it. The Philippine Sea encounter was among the growing accumulation of Navy carrier aviation UAP reports in the early 1950s that, combined with the 1952 Washington wave, ultimately compelled the Air Force to establish Project Blue Book as a more serious investigation effort. The consistency of Navy carrier aviation reports from different ocean operating areas in 1951-1952 represented a significant intelligence challenge.