The UAP Close Encounters of a Top Gun Test Pilot (E15) With Col Dan 'Tanna' Isbell

T
Tom Vernon UAP
·
October 3, 2026
1.7K views
Tier 1 — First Person EncounterInterview with Experiencer

Analysis Summary

Program Intel Profile
interviewTopic: otherIntel Value: 8/10

Col Dan 'Tanna' Isbell

Contact Experience Triad

Hynek: CE1

The Encounter

The person in this account is Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel, a highly accomplished test pilot and aviation engineer. He describes a UAP encounter while driving home at night in his Corvette. He noticed a strange object in his rearview mirror that was hovering silently above a golf course. The object changed colors and seemed to use electromagnetic energy to remain stable in the air. Curious, he got out of his car and walked toward the object, which began to lower itself as he approached. He felt a mix of fascination and fear about the implications of his observation on his career. This encounter left a lasting impression on him, influencing his views on UAPs and the potential for disclosure.

✦ AI Generated

Program Intelligence Analysis

Executive Summary

Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel shares his extraordinary encounters with UAP, detailing a significant first sighting that involved a silent, hovering craft with changing colors. He connects his experience to the Rendlesham Forest incident and theorizes about advanced propulsion technologies potentially used by these crafts.

Primary Revelation

Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel had a significant encounter with a UAP that he theorizes used electromagnetic propulsion.

C
Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel
witnesspro disclosure
U.S. Air Force
✦ Military service in the U.S. Air Force✦ Experience as a test pilot✦ Program manager for special access programs✦ Detailed descriptions of UAP encounters

“I had no idea how it was working, how it was doing what it was doing at that point in my life.”

F-22 Raptor Programmodern (unknown to unknown)confirmed

Managed by: U.S. Air Force

Development of advanced air superiority fighter

non human intelligencespecific

Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel had four encounters with UAP during his career.

Source: Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel
non human intelligencehighly specific

The first encounter involved a craft that hovered silently and emitted changing colors, theorized to be using electromagnetic propulsion.

Source: Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel
historical eventspecific

There is a potential connection between Isbel's sighting and the Rendlesham Forest incident that occurred on the same night.

Source: Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel
non human intelligencehighly specific

The craft observed by Isbel was described as having a triangular shape with large viewing windows and emitting colored lights.

Source: Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel
technologyspecific

Isbel theorizes that advanced UAP may utilize zero-point energy for propulsion.

Source: Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel
✦ AI-extracted program intelligence — verify against source testimony

Encounter Context

Factual Details
1980-12-2610:00 PMYear: 1980

near Bicester Golf Course

Bicester, Oxfordshire, united_kingdom

ruralgolf course
Connected Encounters (1)
RAF Upper Heyford
Military WitnessClearance Held
Branchunited states air force
BaseRAF Upper Heyford
Reported to authorities
Connected Events
Rendlesham Forest IncidentDecember 27, 1980

Encounter Research Breakdown

Phenomenological Analysis
physical sightingCE1
Low Evidential StrengthScore: 9/21commentary
◎Detail & Specificity
1/3
≡Corroboration
1/3
↑Physical Evidence
1/3
◇Unpredictability
2/3
◉Perceptual Clarity
1/3
◷Timely Reporting
1/3
★Witness Credibility
2/3

The transcript primarily consists of commentary and analysis rather than a specific first-person account of a UAP encounter. While it references experiences of Colonel Dan Tanner Isbel, the details provided are vague and lack corroboration or specificity. The emotional context and background of the speaker do not contribute to the evidential strength of the claims made.

initial sightingminutes

The experiencer first notices an unusual object in the rearview mirror while driving, which approaches and hovers silently beside the car.

“I first thought that's a weird looking vehicle, but I could tell that it wasn't on the road because it was up above the trees.”

closer observationminutes

The experiencer exits the vehicle to get a closer look at the hovering object, which displays changing colors and appears to be using electromagnetic propulsion.

“It kept changing colors because perhaps the level of strength of whatever electromagnetic energy it was emanating.”

Departureunknown

The experiencer decides to leave the area due to concerns about their career and safety, retreating back to their vehicle.

“I quickly changed my mind about getting closer to it and decided, 'No, I better get out of here before somebody sees me.'”

visualextraordinary
8/10

Observed a hovering object with changing colors and unusual characteristics.

electromagneticextraordinary
7/10

The object appeared to be using electromagnetic energy for propulsion.

The analysis found no relevant content for this section.

Colorchanging colors, plasma-like interaction
Luminositynot stated
Soundsilent
Movementhovering
Five Observables (2/5)
✓ positive lift✓ low observability✗ hypersonic velocity✗ trans medium travel✗ instantaneous acceleration

The craft hovered silently above a golf course, displaying a plasma-like interaction with the air and changing colors, suggesting advanced electromagnetic propulsion.

What makes this encounter unique

The experiencer's background as a test pilot adds credibility to their observations, and the encounter occurred in proximity to other notable UAP events, suggesting a possible connection.

✦ AI-extracted phenomenological analysis — verify against source testimony

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Analysis Summary

Program Intel Profile
interviewTopic: otherIntel Value: 8/10
1

Col Dan 'Tanna' Isbell

First-Person

Contact Experience Triad

Hynek: CE1