Military UFO Witness Goes Public - The Phoenix Lights
- Cristina Gomez
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The UFO disclosure movement has gained significant momentum with the emergence of Marine Corps veteran Roderick Castle III, who has become the latest military whistleblower to come forward with extraordinary testimony about the Phoenix Lights. According to recent reports, Castle contacted David Grusch and subsequently met with Congressman Eric Burlison and researcher Steven Greer, positioning himself to testify before Congress about a remarkable encounter that occurred on March 13, 1997 — the exact same night as the famous Phoenix Lights incident.
Castle’s decision to break decades of silence reflects the changing landscape around UFO disclosure. As he explained in his interview with UAP researcher Gerb, the reduced stigma surrounding UAP topics in recent years motivated him to speak out about something he “probably would have just taken to my grave” if circumstances hadn’t changed. His testimony places him among a growing list of military witnesses stepping forward in the current disclosure environment, following the precedent set by David Grusch and others who have testified to Congress.
The encounter occurred during Castle’s service at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at 29 Palms, California, while he was stationed there as an aircraft ordinance technician. According to Castle’s detailed account, his team received a radio call about unexplained or unauthorized flare activity in the desert, approximately three to four miles from their position. When they investigated by driving over a hill, all five Marines witnessed what Castle described as a black equilateral triangle craft with three white-yellowish orbs positioned at each corner. The craft, measuring approximately 300 feet across, hovered silently between 150 to 200 feet above the desert terrain.
What makes Castle’s testimony particularly significant is the presence of unmarked personnel accompanying the craft. According to his account, below the hovering triangle were approximately 30 heavily armed operatives dressed in black uniforms, operating unmarked black tactical vehicles. These personnel bore no insignia or identification indicating they belonged to any known branch of the U.S. military. Despite being active-duty Marines in uniform on U.S. soil, Castle’s team was quickly outnumbered, disarmed, and detained at gunpoint by approximately 15 of these operatives who approached in V-formation.
The timing of Castle’s encounter adds a crucial dimension to the Phoenix Lights incident, which remains one of the most documented UFO events in history. While thousands of witnesses across Arizona reported V-shaped formations moving silently across the night sky on March 13, 1997, Castle’s experience reveals what may have been simultaneous coordinated operations involving advanced craft and black operations teams across multiple states. The official explanation for the Phoenix Lights attributed the sightings to military aircraft and flares from training exercises, but Castle’s testimony suggests a more complex scenario involving unmarked personnel operating outside normal military command structures.
Following the encounter, Castle reported electromagnetic effects that align with documented UFO encounter patterns. According to his testimony, their military Humvee experienced unusual starting problems, taking approximately five minutes to restart — an uncommon occurrence for the typically reliable diesel engine. This detail adds credibility to his account, as electromagnetic interference has been consistently reported in legitimate UFO encounters.
According to Castle, the next day his team received anthrax vaccine boosters, which was highly unusual given that Department of Defense mandates for military anthrax vaccination didn’t take effect until December 1997. Reference to historical records shows that prior to this date, anthrax vaccines were only administered on a voluntary or targeted basis, such as for at-risk laboratory workers or specific occupational exposures. While approximately 150,000 troops received the vaccine during the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War, that occurred under combat deployment conditions, making Castle’s March 1997 anthrax booster during a domestic training exercise particularly suspicious.
The investigation into Castle’s case reveals intriguing connections to private security contractors. According to defense contracting records, the Wackenhut Corporation, a private security firm that provided security for Nevada Test Site and Area 51, attempted to recruit Castle for helicopter operations in 2002. Castle noted that Wackenhut seemed to possess detailed knowledge of his military service record, including his helicopter training, which he found unusual at the time but now views as potentially significant given the company’s known connections to classified programs.
Castle’s willingness to testify before Congress represents a potential breakthrough moment in UFO disclosure. His encounter’s connection to the Phoenix Lights timeline, combined with his recent meetings with Congressman Eric Burlison and established researchers, positions him as a credible witness in the growing disclosure movement. According to Castle’s testimony, the operatives appeared to be conducting some form of overwatch operation, suggesting these may have been coordinated tests of advanced military technology across multiple states rather than random encounters.
Sources
Diener, S. [@UAPodcast850]. (2025, July 23). [Text]. X. https://x.com/UAPodcast850/status/1948041736363630723
UAP Gerb. (2025, August 17). 1997 ALIEN REPRODUCTION VEHICLE ENCOUNTER AT 29 PALMS, CA — THE TESTIMONY OF SGT RODERICK CASTLE [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShoUyC1aip0
