Commander Fravor was the primary witness of the 2004 Tic Tac encounter, directly observing the object from his F/A-18F.
Connection Details
Overview of the Connection
Commander David Fravor, a retired U.S. Navy pilot, is directly linked to the 2004 USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" Encounter, a significant event in the study of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). On November 14, 2004, Fravor, as the commanding officer of the VFA-41 Black Aces squadron, was the primary eyewitness to an unusual aerial object while flying an F/A-18F Super Hornet off the coast of San Diego. This encounter, involving a white, oval-shaped object roughly 40 feet long, has become a cornerstone in discussions surrounding UAP and government disclosure. The connection between Fravor and this event is verified through his firsthand account, corroborated by other witnesses and military data, including infrared video footage.
Details of the Encounter and Evidence
During a routine training mission with the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, Fravor and his wingman, Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich, were directed by the USS Princeton to investigate an unidentified radar contact. Upon reaching the location, Fravor observed a tic-tac-shaped object hovering above a disturbed patch of ocean, displaying extraordinary flight characteristics such as rapid acceleration and instantaneous directional changes without visible propulsion. The object, tracked for days by the Princeton’s advanced SPY-1 radar system, eventually disappeared from both visual and radar detection within seconds. The encounter was recorded on the Navy’s FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) system, providing visual evidence that has since been declassified and widely analyzed. Fravor’s detailed testimony, alongside corroborating accounts from Dietrich and other personnel, as well as the FLIR1 video, solidifies the credibility of this event.
Significance to UAP Disclosure
The relationship between David Fravor and the 2004 Tic Tac Encounter holds substantial importance in the context of UAP disclosure. Fravor’s status as a highly trained military pilot and his direct observation of an object exhibiting capabilities beyond known human technology have lent significant weight to calls for government transparency on UAP. His public accounts, including testimony before Congress in 2023, have played a pivotal role in shaping public and legislative interest in the subject. The incident is frequently cited as evidence of potential non-human technology or phenomena, prompting the Pentagon to establish programs like the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to investigate such encounters. Furthermore, the declassification of related materials, including the FLIR footage, has fueled discussions about the need for systematic study and disclosure of UAP data. Fravor’s involvement continues to be a focal point in bridging military experiences with broader scientific and public inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena.
About the Entities

David Fravor
person
Commander David Fravor is a retired U.S. Navy pilot who was involved in the famous 2004 USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" encounter off the coast of San Diego. Fravor and his wingman Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich observed a white, oval-shaped object approximately 40 feet long that demonstrated extraordinary flight capabilities — rapid acceleration, instantaneous direction changes, and no visible propulsion. The encounter was captured on the Navy's FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) system. Fravor testified before Congress in 2023.
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2004 USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" Encounter
event
In November 2004, the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group encountered unknown aerial objects over a two-week period off the coast of San Diego. Commander David Fravor and Lt. Commander Alex Dietrich were vectored to intercept a target and observed a white, tic-tac-shaped object approximately 40 feet long hovering above a churning patch of ocean. The object demonstrated extraordinary maneuverability — accelerating from a near hover to disappearing from radar in seconds. The encounter was captured on the FLIR1 infrared video. The USS Princeton's advanced SPY-1 radar system had been tracking groups of anomalous objects for days.
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Related Connections
Fravor testified before Congress about the 2004 Nimitz Tic Tac encounter.
The FLIR1 video from the Nimitz encounter was one of three videos officially released by the Pentagon.
AATIP investigated the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter as one of its primary cases.
Key Facts
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