On March 13, 1997, thousands of Arizona and Nevada residents observed two separate events over Phoenix: a silent V-shaped formation of lights traversing the state at low altitude, and a stationary arc of brilliantly lit objects visible for 106 minutes; then-Governor Fife Symington mocked witnesses publicly but stated in 2007 that he personally witnessed 'something otherworldly.'

The two events are distinct: the first formation crossed from Nevada through Tucson in roughly 106 minutes; the second, widely filmed, was later attributed to A-10 flares dropped at the Barry Goldwater Range. Witnesses including airline pilots and law enforcement described the first object as massive, noiseless, and below 1,500 feet. Symington's 2007 reversal was reported by CNN and published on his own website.