top of page

July 1989 – Greece East Coast Air Force Base – Flying Triangle Multiple Witness Encounter

Birmingham UFO Group Case Report

Author: Dave Hodrien

Release Date: 06/04/2021


Note: For reasons of anonymity pseudonyms have been used, and precise location and other personal details have been omitted


On 2nd April 2021 I was contacted by a 52 year old man from Northern Greece, who I will call Yiorgos. After learning about my investigation work online he wanted to provide testimony regarding a UFO that was witnessed by both him and the rest of his squadron while on active service at an East Coast Greek air force base back in 1989.


Yoirgos informed me that he has a diploma in Aircraft Engineering, and has previously worked on a number of Hellenic Air Force bases as an Aircraft Mechanic. We met on Facebook messenger via webcam to go over the details of the experience. Due to the sensitivity of the incident regarding those involved, I am only able to provide certain details in this report.


Sighting Details


In July 1989 Yiorgos was stationed at a particular East Coast Air Force Base for a couple of months as part of a squadron exchange combat simulation exercise. He was part of a 12 strong squadron made up of himself and three other mechanics, four weapon handlers and four pilots. In the combat simulation Yiorgos’ squadron would act as an aerial enemy force, and other jets would then have to take off and intercept them. His squadron and others would rotate, sometimes with day shifts and other times night shifts. As an Aircraft Mechanic, he would be tasked with regularly checking the aircraft to ensure that there was no damage, oxygen leaks or fuel leaks.


One night Yiorgos’ squadron was on active duty. They were situated in a building at the Western end of the main runway of the air base, very close to where the jets were ready for deployment in the event of a simulated attack. This room had in it a table and chairs, couch and bathroom, and was specifically designed to house squadrons while on duty.


At around 12.40am Yiorgos stepped outside to stretch his legs. It was a very warm and still summer’s night. It did not appear cloudy, however it was fully dark overhead and the stars could not be seen. As he leant backwards to stretch he noticed three lights in the sky. They were a dull red in colour and were in an equilateral triangle formation.


The lights appeared to be situated half way along the main runway to the East of his location, roughly 500 metres away. This would have meant that they were over the middle of the base. They were at a 45 degree angle in the sky from his position. They appeared to be at a height of 300 - 500 metres (984 - 1640 feet), and due to their positioning to one another appeared to be attached to a single object that was impossible to make out due to the darkness. If they were indeed at this height, and were indeed attached to a single object, Yiorgos estimates that it would have been 30 - 35 metres (98 - 115 feet) across, much bigger than a fighter jet.


Witness drawing of the UFO

The lights appeared to be hovering completely motionless in the sky. There was also no sound coming from them at all. He called out the mechanic who was scheduled to do the next rounds of the aircraft. Pointing out the lights Yiorgos asked him “Look at this! What is this hovering above the air base?” The other mechanic responded saying “I don’t know what that is!”


Yiorgos called out the rest of the squadron to take a look at the lights. They came outside and from this point started observing it too. Nobody had a camera on them to be able to attempt to photograph or video the lights.


The squadron watched the lights for about 10 minutes. During this time the lights remained motionless and silent. The witnesses did not speak much to one another they just stared at the lights wondering what they could be.


Suddenly without warning the triangle of lights shot away at an incredible speed to the East! As they went Yiorgos heard a whooshing sound of the air disruption, but there was no sound of any engines. He says that the acceleration was instantaneous and within a second they had vanished into the distance. All of his squadron witnessed this stunning manoeuvre.