The night after Christmas 1980 was the last time Airman first-class John Burrows would

ever lead a normal life.

He was on patrol at American-operated Woodbridge Air Force Base in southern England.

Woodbridge and nearby bentwaters, called the Twin Bases, were rumored to possess nuclear

materials.

This was the middle of the Cold War and tensions were high.

The threat of nuclear attack, global escalation, and more sat heavy on the shoulders of

Burrows and his fellow servicemen.

But their job was simple.

Keep themselves, their nation, and their allies safe.

So Burrows conducted his nightly rounds, checking the perimeter for anything that threatened

the peace.

Suddenly, a bright light descended from the sky, and then another.

Burrows watched as the lights fell into the forest surrounding the base.

When he and his team arrived to inspect the crash site, they were worried it was a Soviet

incursion.

But what they found was far more terrifying than Soviets.

It all started around 3 a.m. on December 26, 1980.

US Airman first-class John Burrows and staff sergeant Bud Stephens were on patrol near

the East Gate at the Woodbridge Base.

It was a slow night, but soon they felt uneasy.

There was static electricity in the air.

...