A $63 million F-16 Viper fighter jet collided with an unidentified drone in restricted airspace over Arizona, revealing a disturbing pattern of unauthorized aerial intrusions potentially linked to cartel surveillance operations along the US-Mexico border.
Key Takeaways
- An F-16 Viper fighter jet collided with an “orange-white uncrewed aerial system” (drone) over restricted military airspace near Gila Bend, Arizona, causing significant damage requiring repairs.
- Three additional unauthorized drone encounters were reported on the same day, part of a pattern of 22 similar Air Force pilot encounters between October 2022 and June 2023.
- Investigators and border security experts suspect Mexican cartels may be utilizing sophisticated drone technology for surveillance and smuggling operations along the US-Mexico border.
- Between May 2023 and June 2024, 757 similar unidentified aerial phenomena reports were documented nationwide, with only 49 cases conclusively closed.
- Arizona has become a hotspot for these incidents, with over 100 US Customs and Border Protection agents reporting unidentified objects along the US-Mexico border region.
F-16 Collision Highlights Growing Border Security Threat
The collision, which occurred in January 2023 over the Barry Goldwater Range near Gila Bend, Arizona, temporarily grounded the $63 million F-16 Viper fighter jet. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the object as an “orange-white uncrewed aerial system” flying illegally within restricted military airspace designated for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training. Fortunately, the pilot escaped injury despite the substantial damage to the aircraft. The incident represents one of the most serious in a growing pattern of unauthorized drone activity over sensitive military installations near the southern border.
The F-16 collision was not an isolated event. Three additional unauthorized drone encounters were reported on the same day, contributing to a total of 22 similar incidents involving Air Force pilots between October 2022 and June 2023. Most of these encounters have occurred within 100 miles of the Barry Goldwater Range and in close proximity to Luke Air Force Base, demonstrating a concentrated pattern of activity in this strategically sensitive area. This clustering suggests intentional surveillance rather than random civilian drone misuse.
Cartel Connection: Advanced Technology at the Border
Former Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Ron Vitiello has voiced concerns that foreign cartels are deploying sophisticated drone technology for espionage and smuggling operations. “Maybe they’ve got technology that we’re not used to seeing in the drone space,” stated Vitiello. The financial resources available to drug cartels allow them to acquire and deploy cutting-edge technology that may surpass conventional law enforcement detection capabilities.
“These groups have the resources to innovate constantly. That’s part of their business model,” explained Vitiello, highlighting the ongoing technological arms race between cartels and border security forces.The strategic deployment of drones offers cartels valuable intelligence on military and law enforcement operations while minimizing human risk.
Nationwide Pattern of Unauthorized Aerial Activity
The F-16 collision is part of an alarming nationwide trend. Between May 2023 and June 2024, federal authorities documented 757 similar unidentified aerial phenomena reports across the country, with only 49 cases conclusively closed. The Department of Defense All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which handles reports affecting national security, has recommended closing an additional 243 cases after identifying the objects as conventional aircraft, balloons, birds, drones, or satellites. These formal investigations intensified following the 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident, which exposed vulnerabilities in detecting and responding to foreign aerial surveillance.
“What I can tell you is that there has been a lot of activity, a lot of people reporting a lot of things out of Arizona, particularly on the border,” noted Luis Elizondo, former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. His statement underscores the geographic concentration of these incidents in the border region, particularly in Arizona.
Arizona: An Aerial Surveillance Hotspot
Arizona has emerged as a focal point for unidentified aerial activity, particularly in areas close to the Mexican border. Between 2016 and 2020, military pilots reported eight sightings of unidentified drone-like objects over Arizona, many occurring over restricted military airspace. More significantly, over 100 US Customs and Border Protection agents have reported witnessing unidentified objects along the US-Mexico border. These consistent patterns suggest systematic surveillance rather than random occurrences.
UFO whistleblower Bob Thompson has shared videos capturing unusual aerial phenomena over Arizona, describing various craft configurations. “I’ve seen orbs that were off in the distance. I’ve seen crafts that were cigar-shaped, I’ve seen triangles,” Thompson reported. While some of these observations may include conventional drone technology, the range of shapes and behaviors suggests multiple actors may be operating in the region.
The FAA maintains protocols for documenting unidentified aerial phenomena sightings reported by pilots and shares corroborated reports with the UAP Task Force. While the FAA has found no evidence of extraterrestrial involvement in these incidents, the persistence and sophistication of these intrusions indicate a coordinated human effort to monitor sensitive border and military operations. The concentration of these activities along the southern border strongly suggests cartel involvement, representing a significant but underreported national security concern requiring President Trump’s administration’s urgent attention.
