Grounded

: "Grounded" by William Sambrot is a science fiction story from the 1950s that takes place amidst a highly classified military operation. The story centers on themes of dogfights, UFOs, and the mental consequences of coming face-to-face with the possibility of life from other worlds. The plot follows Lieutenant Colonel Martin after a stressful run-in with a strange flying object, resulting in the loss of three pilots. Martin is now being investigated. He believes they were intentionally tricked during the pursuit, but his detailed account and photographic proof are met with distrust. As the investigation deepens, Martin faces a difficult truth: his discoveries have been secretly undermined, leading to a draining end. The story highlights the themes of being alone, not trusting the military, and understanding the chilling truth about strange things beyond our understanding.