La Joya Airbase UFO Intercept
The La Joya Airbase UFO Intercept occurred on April 11, 1980, when Peruvian Air Force Lieutenant Oscar Santa Maria Hueras was scrambled in his Sukhoi-22 fighter to intercept a silvery orb-like object near La Joya Airbase in Arequipa, Peru. During the encounter, Hueras fired 64 30mm shells at the object with no damaging effect and pursued it for 84 kilometers before running low on fuel. His account was later corroborated in a DOD Joint Chiefs briefing document associated with Project Moondust.
| Date | 1980-04-11 |
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Engagement and Weapon Failure
The object was floating in restricted airspace near the end of the runway without authorization during a period of heightened espionage concerns in Peru. Hueras fired a burst of 64 30mm shells that "created a cone-shaped wall of fire that would normally obliterate anything in its path." Expecting the presumed balloon to be torn to shreds, Hueras instead observed that the barrage had no effect whatsoever on the object.
84-Kilometer Chase
Immediately following the failed attack, the object shot skyward, forcing Hueras to activate afterburners and travel at Mach 1.6 to pursue it. After an 84-kilometer chase, the object came to an instant standstill, forcing Hueras to take a sharp turn to avoid collision. When Hueras attempted to climb above the object at 14,000 feet, the UFO shadowed his movements all the way up to 19,200 feet.
Object Description
Running low on fuel, Hueras approached within 100 meters to get a closer look. He described an object measuring approximately 10 meters in diameter with a shiny cream-colored dome on top resembling a light bulb cut in half, and a wide circular silver metallic base. The object lacked all typical aircraft components: no wings, propulsion jets, exhaust, windows, antennae, or visible propulsion system.
Official Investigation
Upon Hueras's return to base, multiple eyewitnesses and base personnel also observed the object. The incident led to an official DOD investigation, with Hueras's account documented in a Joint Chiefs briefing that also covered the 1968 Nepal crash disc case under Project Moondust.