A Peruvian Air Force pilot was ordered to shoot down a UFO.

The story in question concerns Peruvian Air Force pilot Óscar Santa María. On April 11, 1980, he was sent to La Joya Air Base in Arequipa to investigate a strange object approaching the base. After approaching the object, which he described as a visual surprise, he received orders to shoot it down. The object was approaching, defying the tower's surveillance, and was silver in color with an unusual luminescence. The story became popular and transformed into a mysterious account of a possible UFO encounter. Location and date: April 11, 1980, La Joya Air Base, located in Arequipa, Peru. Pilot: Óscar Santa María, Peruvian Air Force pilot Incident: An unidentified object approached the base; At first, it resembled a hot air balloon, but then it displayed an unusual luminosity and silvery color. Development: The Santa María received orders to destroy it and approached the object, which was challenging the control tower's oversight. Significance: The event became a famous account of an alleged UFO encounter in Peruvian military history.