The UFO Close Combat in Peru (1980) – The Attack on La Joya Air Force Base
Short description of the event
On April 11, 1980, the Peruvian Air Force sighted an unidentified flying object over La Joya Air Force Base. A Su-22 fighter jet, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Santa María Huerta, was dispatched to intercept the object. The pilot fired a missile at the UFO, but it had no effect. The object performed extreme flight maneuvers, climbing to over 14,000 meters, and effortlessly evading all attacks. The incident is considered one of the few documented aerial engagements between a military jet and a UFO.
When and where did this all happen?
The encounter occurred on April 11, 1980, over the airspace of La Joya Air Force Base in Arequipa, Peru. Military radar stations observed the object and tracked its flight maneuvers.
Main features of the event
The UFO was described as a silver, metallic object with no visible engines or wings. It hovered silently above the restricted area of the military base. After Lieutenant Colonel Santa María fired a missile at the object, it remained completely undamaged. The UFO suddenly accelerated, swerved, and climbed to an altitude of over 14,000 meters. It performed abrupt maneuvers at extreme angles—far beyond the capabilities of known aircraft. The jet's pursuit spanned a distance of approximately 85 kilometers before the pilot was forced to abort due to fuel shortages.
Investigation and clarification attempts
The incident was initially kept secret and only became public years later through statements by Santa María. Military documents confirm the operation. Declassified US documents show that the Pentagon also investigated the incident. The case remained unsolved because no known technology could explain the observed flight behavior. Skeptics speculated about weather balloons or secret drones, but no known objects with comparable capabilities exist.
List of the most credible witnesses
Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Santa María Huerta was the direct attacker of the UFO and gave a detailed account of the 85-kilometer chase. His account was supported by radar operators at the base, who observed the object visually and on radar. Other military ground personnel also saw the UFO and confirmed its unusual maneuvers.
Conclusion on credibility
The incident was confirmed by military eyewitnesses, radar data, and official documents. The UFO's response to a missile attack and its flight capabilities indicate a technology that was beyond what was known at the time. However, no physical evidence or video recordings exist.
Credibility: High – An exceptional case with military confirmation and radar detection, but without conclusive identification of the object.