The Belgian Wave

From November 1989 to April 1991, Belgium experienced one of the most significant UFO waves in history. Thousands of citizens witnessed massive triangular craft, F-16s attempted intercepts, and the government investigated openly.

The Beginning

November 29, 1989:

• First mass sighting
• Eastern Belgium
• Police officers witnessed
• 143 reports that night
• Wave started

The Object

Witnesses described:

• Massive triangle
• Three bright lights
• Red central light
• Silent operation
• Football field sized

The Numbers

Over 18 months:

• 13,500 witnesses
• 2,600 written reports
• Multiple nights
• Nationwide phenomenon
• Unprecedented

Police Witnesses

Officers reported:

• Detailed observations
• Professional credibility
• Multiple jurisdictions
• Filed official reports
• Took seriously

The March 1990 Intercept

F-16 scramble:

• Two F-16 jets
• Radar lock achieved
• Objects accelerated
• 1,000 to 1,800 mph instantly
• 40G acceleration calculated

The Radar Data

Documented acceleration:

• From hover to 1,000 mph
• Instantaneous
• No known craft capable
• Physical impossibility
• For conventional aircraft

The Belgian Air Force

Took openly seriously:

• Press conferences
• Released radar data
• Acknowledged mystery
• Cooperative approach
• Historic transparency

The Famous Photo

Petit-Rechain image:

• Triangular craft
• Three lights
• Widely published
• Later admitted hoax
• But witnesses real

SOBEPS Investigation

Scientific organization:

• Studied wave
• Interviewed witnesses
• Analyzed data
• Published findings
• Serious research

International Context

Same period saw:

• Similar triangles elsewhere
• Hudson Valley earlier
• Global pattern
• Same description
• Connected?

Duration

Wave continued:

• 18 months
• Regular sightings
• Then subsided
• Never explained
• Historic event

Significance

One of the best-documented UFO waves with government cooperation, radar evidence, and thousands of credible witnesses.

Legacy

The Belgian wave remains significant for the unprecedented government openness, the F-16 intercept data, and the sheer number of credible witnesses over an extended period.