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FACh issues alert over unidentified aircraft sighted near Strait of Magellan
When the F-5 fighter jets arrived in the area, no signs of the intruder aircraft were found.
The Chilean Air Force (FACh) sent two F-5 fighter jets after spotting a UFO near Chabunco Air Base in Punta Arenas around 7pm local time on Tuesday. Some Chilean media claimed the intruders were from Argentina, but Defense Minister Maya Fernandez never acknowledged (or denied) that possibility.
The undeclared aircraft was spotted at an altitude of 3,000 feet between Mount Elmond and the Strait of Magellan, but when Chilean forces arrived in the area, they were unable to locate the suspected intruder.
“Yesterday, about twenty hours ago, an alert for a UFO was issued in the eastern part of the Strait of Magellan, after which the Chilean Air Force activated the protocol and launched an F-5 aircraft to defend our sovereignty,” Fernández explained. “Contact was subsequently lost with the object and an investigation is currently underway,” she added. “It should be said that, for the peace of mind of all citizens, the Air Force activated the protocol and did everything it could to defend our borders and sovereignty,” Minister Fernández also pointed out.
Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said Chile’s ambassador to Buenos Aires, Antonio Viera-Gallo, had contacted Argentine authorities to discuss the matter, but Buenos Aires was reportedly unaware of it. Tohá also noted that the intruder aircraft had already left Chilean airspace when the F-5s arrived in the area.
Argentine, Chilean and U.S. forces plan to conduct some joint exercises in the region in October.
The first F-5 (also known as the Tiger III) was built by the American company Northrop and entered service in Chile on July 26, 1976. A total of 18 aircraft (15 single-seaters and 3 trainers) were put into service. This type is currently in service with the 12th Aviation Group.
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