2018-06-15 - Georgetown, TX - Light

My wife and I were in the middle of an early morning walk on June 15, 2018, in Georgetown, Texas (Old Historic District, near Annie Purl Elementary). As a former USAF T-38 instructor pilot, I'm sensitive to aircraft overhead.

At 5:05 a.m., I noticed a solid light heading from the north-northeast to the south-southwest (roughly a heading from 020 to 200 degrees, based on compass reading). The light was about the intensity of a satellite, but not following the normal north-south path of previously observed satellites. We heard jet engines at altitude (higher than airliners approaching Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Upon more careful observation, we saw several lights in formation, then determined four in the formation. They were not in “fingertip” formation, rather in a triangle, with a trailing aircraft. The lights were steady white (like formation lights), not blinking “position” lights. We thought,” cool.” Then another formation appeared, then another. After more than four formations, we were even more interested. Occasionally, there would be a brighter light, without other lights near. Also, occasionally, there would be a different formation pattern, with three leading in a line-abreast pattern, with one trailer, centered.

We continued to watch, with formations of four passing continuously for a total of 25 to 30 minutes. There had to be at least 50 aircraft, and perhaps 100 +, so we wondered where that many military planes could come from and be heading to. Was it an exercise. A source said that the NORTHCOM exercises were delayed this year. ??? We contacted the local FAA airport tower, then Austin TRACON, then Houston ARTCC. None said they had radar or other records of what we saw. So we're curious. What were they? Houston ARTCC suggested we contact UFOCenter.com. So we did.

Thanks. We look forward to an explanation. We were not illuminated by bright searchlights, so we do not suspect aliens.