In late December, a series of mysterious aerial phenomena were reported near RAF Woodbridge, a Royal Air Force base used by the United States Air Force. On the night of December 26, several armed forces personnel encountered strange lights and unusual craft in the Rendlesham Forest area. The personnel included Sergeant Jim Penniston and Officer John Burroughs, who described seeing a triangular craft with a glowing exterior. The witnesses reported changes in the environment and electromagnetic interference in their equipment. This incident captured the immediate attention of military and civilian investigators alike, leading to an official report by the U.S. Air Force.

The sightings continued over several nights, and witnesses detailed various experiences, including unexplained sound patterns and perceived communications from the craft. The local community was abuzz with speculation about the nature of the sightings, ranging from the possible presence of extraterrestrial spacecraft to secret military tests. The U.S. Air Force eventually concluded that the lights could be attributed to natural phenomena, but many of those involved remained convinced of their otherworldly origins.

This event has since become a significant part of UFO lore in the United Kingdom and sparked public interest in both UFOs and government cover-ups. The RAF Woodbridge incident is often compared to the 1947 Roswell incident in New Mexico, USA, gaining the informal title of 'Britain's Roswell.' Over the years, various documentaries, books, and programs have explored the events that transpired, with an enduring fascination regarding the unexplained lights that captivated the military and the public alike.