d34214e51137b218

Chad Underwood

Credibility
8.5
Confidence
7.5
Info completeness
6.0

Before the sighting

Active-duty NFO on USS Nimitz CSG, VFA-41.

During the sighting

Nov 14 2004 launched on follow-up sortie after Fravor/Dietrich initial encounter. Acquired target on radar, slewed ATFLIR pod, recorded what became FLIR1 video. DID NOT see object visually — sensor contact only. Coined the 'Tic Tac' nickname.

After the sighting

Stayed quiet for ~15 yrs post-event. First substantive interview NY Magazine Dec 2019. First on-camera Corbell 2021. Continued career through promotion to CDR; retired; aerospace civilian. Explicitly declines to speculate on origins. Did not testify at 2023 House Oversight hearing (Fravor did).

Research notes

Notably more reserved than Fravor. Endorses Fravor's FACTS but explicitly refuses to follow him into origin claims ('not my job'). No book, no paid speaking circuit, no monetization. Bias direction is toward UNDERSTATEMENT not overstatement. Score reflects strong process credibility + DoD-authenticated video; confidence lower due to thin biographical primary sources (no school, no DOB, no employer in open sources).

Linked events (1)