USS Theodore Roosevelt 'GoFast' UAP - January 21, 2015

Summary

On January 21, 2015, the same day as the famous “Gimbal” encounter, U.S. Navy F/A-18 pilots from the USS Theodore Roosevelt captured another extraordinary piece of UAP footage. Known as the “GoFast” video, this 35-second FLIR recording shows a small object traveling at high speed just above the ocean surface. The pilots can be heard expressing excitement as they achieve a targeting lock on the fast-moving object, with one exclaiming “Whoa! Got it!” The object appears to have no visible means of propulsion, wings, or exhaust plume, yet maintains tremendous speed at low altitude. This video, released alongside the Tic Tac and Gimbal footage in 2017, became part of the historic Pentagon acknowledgment of UAPs.

The Encounter

Same Day Activity

January 21, 2015:

Multiple UAP encounters
Same operational area
Different aircraft/crews
Gimbal filmed earlier
Heightened activity
Pattern of sightings

Initial Detection

The GoFast object:

Detected on sensors
Moving fast over water
Low altitude flight
Pilots attempted lock
Difficulty tracking
ATFLIR engaged

The Video

Technical Specifications

FLIR footage details:

35 seconds duration
ATFLIR targeting pod
NAR (narrow) mode
2.0 zoom level
White hot IR mode
High frame rate

HUD Information

Display showed:

Altitude: ~25,000 feet
Bank angle: 26° left
True airspeed displayed
Closing velocity (Vc)
Range information
Targeting data

Object Characteristics

Physical Appearance

The UAP appeared as:

Small oval shape
White hot signature
No visible appendages
No exhaust trail
Consistent size
Solid object

Speed Analysis

Initial assessments suggested:

Extremely high velocity
Low altitude travel
Against strong winds
No deceleration
Constant bearing
Sustained speed

Pilot Reactions

Audio Highlights

Key moments captured:

“Ohhh, got it!”
“Whoa!”
“What the f--- is that?”
“[Expletive]”
Genuine excitement
Professional amazement

Targeting Challenge

Pilots struggled with:

Initial lock attempts
Object’s speed
Small size
Tracking difficulty
Finally achieved lock
Celebration audible

Environmental Conditions

Ocean Surface

Video showed:

Whitecaps visible
Wind patterns clear
Wave action apparent
Reference for altitude
Speed calculation basis

Weather Data

Analysis revealed:

Strong headwinds
120+ knot winds at altitude
Object moving against wind
Significant factor
Speed implications

Scientific Analysis

Parallax Debate

Some analysts argued:

Parallax effect
Object stationary
Illusion of speed
Viewing angle issue

Counter-arguments:

Heat signature
Pilot expertise
Lock difficulty
Wind calculations
Object characteristics

SCU Study

Scientific Coalition examination:

Detailed analysis
Speed calculations
Altitude estimates
Parallax consideration
Inconclusive results

Speed Calculations

Conservative Estimates

Various analyses suggest:

144 mph minimum
Possibly much faster
Depends on altitude
Parallax factors
Still anomalous

Against Wind Speed

Considering conditions:

120+ knot headwinds
Object maintaining speed
No visible propulsion
Small size
Extraordinary performance

Comparison Cases

Similar Objects

Roosevelt pilots reported:

“Cube within sphere” objects
Similar size
High speed capability
Low altitude operations
Multiple encounters

Fleet Observations

Connected to:

Daily sightings 2014-2015
Multiple object types
Consistent behaviors
Safety concerns
Pattern emergence

Government Release

2017 Disclosure

Released with:

Tic Tac video
Gimbal video
Pentagon authentication
Official status
Historic moment

DoD Confirmation

Pentagon stated:

Authentic Navy video
Unidentified object
Part of investigations
No explanation
Legitimate phenomenon

Debunking Efforts

Bird Theory

Suggested explanations:

Large bird
Thermal signature
Parallax creates speed

Problems:

Altitude questions
Sustained speed
Heat signature
Ocean location
Pilot reaction

Balloon Hypothesis

Proposed but challenged:

Weather balloon
Drifting with wind
Parallax illusion

Issues:

Heat signature
Apparent speed
Pilot difficulty locking
Altitude maintenance

Conventional Aircraft

Eliminated because:

No wings visible
No exhaust
Size too small
Speed anomalous
No transponder

Technology Implications

If Genuine Speed

High speed at low altitude suggests:

Advanced propulsion
Drag elimination
Energy source
Intelligent control
Unknown technology

Small Size Factor

Compact dimensions imply:

Miniaturized systems
Efficient design
Advanced materials
Autonomous capability?
Reconnaissance function?

Military Significance

Range Proximity

Operating near:

Naval exercises
Warning areas
Military assets
Training operations
Security concerns

Intelligence Questions

If foreign technology:

Surveillance capability
Technology gap
Intelligence failure
Response needed
Threat assessment

Pilot Testimony

Ryan Graves

Squadron pilot reported:

Daily encounters
Various objects
Near collisions
Safety reports
Official concern

Pattern Recognition

Pilots noted:

Consistent presence
Predictable areas
Multiple types
Ongoing activity
Unexplained nature

Safety Implications

Near Miss Incidents

During this period:

Close encounters
Evasive actions
Safety reports filed
Risk assessments
Operational impacts

Objects posed:

Collision risk
No transponders
Unpredictable movement
Training disruption
Ongoing concern

Media Impact

Public Release Effect

GoFast video created:

Public interest
Scientific debate
Speed discussions
Analysis attempts
Ongoing mystery

Documentary Features

Included in:

Multiple productions
Expert analysis
Pilot interviews
Speed debates
Context provided

Scientific Debate

Velocity Controversy

Experts divided on:

Actual speed
Parallax effects
Calculation methods
Significance
Implications

Consensus Points

Agreement exists:

Object real
Military concern
Unexplained
Part of pattern
Investigation needed

Radar Data

Supporting information:

Multiple detections
Consistent tracks
Speed confirmations
Altitude data
Pattern mapping

Additional Footage

Ongoing Mystery

Key Questions

Unresolved issues:

Object identity
True capabilities
Origin/operators
Intent/purpose
Technology level

Continued Activity

East Coast sightings:

Reports continue
Military encounters
Pattern persistence
Mystery deepens
Answers needed

Significance

GoFast important because:

Military footage
Official release
Speed demonstration
Pattern evidence
Small object capability
Technology questions
Safety implications

Conclusions

The GoFast video shows:

Unidentified object confirmed
Military encounters continue
Technology unexplained
Patterns exist
Investigation warranted
Disclosure progressing

Whether the object was:

Advanced drone
Natural phenomenon
Foreign technology
Non-human craft

The GoFast video, despite ongoing debates about its speed, remains significant evidence of unidentified objects operating in military training areas. Combined with pilot testimony about daily encounters and near-misses during the 2014-2015 period, it demonstrates an ongoing phenomenon that poses safety risks and challenges conventional explanations. The pilots’ genuine reactions, the difficulty in achieving targeting lock, and the object’s behavior over open ocean continue to fuel scientific debate and public interest in understanding what our military personnel are encountering in restricted airspace.