The Peruvian Air Battle

On April 11, 1980, Peruvian Air Force pilot Oscar Santa Maria Huertas was scrambled to intercept a UFO over La Joya Air Base. He fired 64 rounds directly into the object with no effect—the bullets seemingly absorbed. The object then demonstrated capabilities far beyond any known aircraft.

The Base

La Joya Air Base:

• Southern Peru
• Military installation
• Restricted airspace
• April 11, 1980
• Dawn

The Intruder

What appeared:

• Balloon-like object
• Over restricted area
• Hovering
• 30 feet diameter
• Dome-shaped

The Scramble

Response:

• Oscar Santa Maria
• Sukhoi Su-22 fighter
• Intercept ordered
• Live ammunition
• Direct approach

The Attack

What happened:

• Pilot approached
• Opened fire
• 64 rounds
• Direct hits
• No damage

The Bullets

Incredible detail:

• Seemed absorbed
• No impact seen
• Object unchanged
• Impossible
• Witnessed

The Chase

Object’s response:

• Rose rapidly
• Santa Maria pursued
• 1,800 witnesses below
• Base personnel watched
• Extended encounter

The Maneuvers

UFO demonstrated:

• Instant acceleration
• Stopping mid-flight
• Right angle turns
• Vertical climbs
• Impossible performance

Fuel Emergency

The pursuit:

• Extended too long
• Fuel critical
• Had to return
• Object departed
• Lucky to survive

Witness Count

On the ground:

• 1,800 personnel
• Watched entire event
• Base witnesses
• Military observers
• Mass sighting

Official Status

Peru Air Force:

• Official case
• Santa Maria’s testimony
• No explanation
• Never classified
• Transparent

Pilot’s Career

Santa Maria after:

• Continued flying
• Discussed case openly
• Never changed story
• High credibility
• Consistent account

The Object’s Purpose

Unknown:

• Why there?
• Observing base?
• Demonstrating?
• Testing response?
• Mystery

International Attention

Press Office conference:

• 1980 disclosure
• Openly discussed
• No cover-up
• Model transparency
• Rare official candor

Significance

Military pilot fired on UFO with no effect, witnessed by 1,800 personnel, officially acknowledged by Peru Air Force.

Legacy

The Santa Maria case represents the most dramatic military engagement with a UFO—direct fire, no damage, impossible performance, and full official acknowledgment.