The United States government’s approach to UFOs has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. This shift from decades of secrecy to public hearings and official investigations marks a turning point in how the topic, once considered fringe, is now being addressed at the highest levels of government.
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The Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group
The Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group (AOIMSG) marked a significant turning point in the U.S. government’s approach to UAP. Established in late 2021, the AOIMSG was tasked with detecting, identifying, and attributing objects of interest in Special Use Airspace (SUA). The group’s first major public appearance came on May 17, 2022, during the first open Congressional hearing on UFOs in 50 years. Led by Scott Bray, then Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, and Ronald Moultrie, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, the hearing aimed to bring transparency to the UAP issue.
During this landmark hearing, several key issues were addressed. The officials confirmed the reality of UAP encounters, with Bray revealing,
“We have not had a collision. We’ve had at least 11 near misses though.”
This statement underscored the potential safety risks posed by these phenomena. The hearing also touched upon historical cases, with Representative Mike Gallagher pressing for information on incidents like the Malmstrom Air Force Base event and the Wilson Documents. However, the officials’ responses were often vague or limited, citing lack of data or clearance to discuss certain topics in an open setting.
The AOIMSG hearing, while groundbreaking, also highlighted significant disappointments in the government’s UAP investigation efforts. Technical difficulties in presenting video evidence of UAP encounters during the hearing led to frustration when team was unable to pause the video to display the UFO filmed.
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) was established in July 2022, effectively replacing the AOIMSG and signaling a more comprehensive approach to UAP investigations. AARO’s mission expanded beyond airborne phenomena to include anomalous, unidentified space, airborne, and transmedium objects. The office’s first major public appearance came during a funding hearing on April 19, 2023, where Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, AARO’s director, reported to Congress on the office’s work and resource needs.
During this hearing, Dr. Kirkpatrick highlighted AARO’s efforts to develop a scientific approach to UAP investigations. He emphasized the need for a solid foundation of scientific theory across the entire range of hypotheses for what UAPs might be, from adversary breakthrough technology to known phenomena and even extraterrestrial theories. However, controversy arose when Kirkpatrick stated that
“AARO’s mission is to turn UAP into SEP — somebody else’s problem”
which many interpreted as dismissive of the phenomenon’s potential significance. The hearing also revealed challenges in establishing public-facing resources, such as AARO’s website for UAP reporting, which was significantly delayed. It was submitted to Dr. Kirkpatrick’s superiors, such as Ronald Moultrie, in December of 2022, and did not launch until September of 2023.
UFO Witness Hearing
The UFO Witness Hearing, held on July 26, 2023, marked a watershed moment in Congressional UFO investigations. David Grusch, a former intelligence officer and Air Force veteran, appeared alongside former Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor to provide testimony on UFOs. This hearing, conducted by the House Oversight Committee brought unprecedented attention to allegations of government secrecy surrounding UAPs.
Grusch’s testimony was particularly explosive. He alleged that the U.S. government had recovered “non-human” craft and had been engaged in a decades-long program to reverse engineer this technology. Grusch stated,
“I was informed, in the course of my official duties, of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program.”
He further claimed that some of his colleagues had been physically harmed in an attempt to keep this information secret, saying,
“I know of multiple colleagues of mine that got physically injured… by UAPs or by people within the federal government.”
These allegations sent shockwaves through the hearing and subsequent media coverage, raising serious questions about government transparency and potential cover-ups.
The hearing also covered broader issues related to UAP encounters and their implications for national security. Ryan Graves testified about his experiences that he and his commrads had, describing encounters with objects displaying capabilities far beyond known human technology. David Fravor recounted his famous 2004 “Tic Tac” UFO encounter, providing a firsthand account of a well-documented UAP incident. Throughout the hearing, members of Congress from both parties pressed for more information and greater transparency. Representative Anna Paulina Luna emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting,
“I just want everyone to note that he’s coming forward in fear of his life.”
The hearing concluded with calls for further investigation and potential whistleblower protections, setting the stage for continued Congressional interest in the UAP phenomenon.
NASA’s Media Briefing
NASA’s involvement in the UFO/UAP discourse culminated in a highly anticipated public briefing on September 14, 2023. This briefing was the result of a year-long study conducted by an independent team of 16 experts from various scientific fields, including astrophysics, aeronautics, and data analytics. The study was led by astrophysicist David Spergel and aimed to examine UAPs from a scientific perspective, focusing on how to collect better data for future analysis. In all the UFO hearings prior, NASA was consistently brought up. The hearings referenced NASA’s potential contributions to UAP research, citing the agency’s expertise in atmospheric science, space exploration, and advanced technology.
During the briefing, NASA officials, including Administrator Bill Nelson, emphasized the agency’s commitment to transparency and scientific rigor in approaching the UAP phenomenon. Where Mr. Nelson said on several occasions,
“We are transparent and you can bet your boots”
They presented the study’s findings, which largely concluded that there was insufficient high-quality data to make definitive statements about the nature of UAPs. The panel recommended improving data collection methods, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze UAP reports, and reducing the stigma associated with reporting UAP sightings. However, many observers found the briefing disappointing, criticizing it for being overly simplistic and failing to address the more complex aspects of the UAP issue that had been raised in previous Congressional hearings.
Department of Energy
The Department of Energy (DOE) hearing on May 23, 2024, unexpectedly brought the topic of UAP into focus within the context of nuclear security and energy infrastructure. This hearing, primarily scheduled to discuss the DOE’s budget and operations, took an unanticipated turn when Representative Anna Paulina Luna raised questions about UAP incidents at nuclear facilities. The hearing provided a unique perspective on the critical national infrastructure, highlighting potential security concerns that had not been prominently addressed in previous UFO-specific hearings.
During the hearing, Luna questioned Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about documented sightings of “metallic spheres” over DOE facilities, including a specific incident on April 1, 2021, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She pressed for details on investigations conducted regarding these sightings and any conclusions drawn about the nature and origins of these objects. Secretary Granholm’s responses were notably cautious, often deferring to classified settings for more detailed discussions. The hearing also touched upon the DOE’s counter-drone efforts and security measures at national security sites and labs. Luna emphasized the need for the DOE to upgrade its programs to cover UAPs specifically, not just unauthorized drones. Luna probed,
“There have been documented sightings of metallic spheres over DOE facilities… What investigations have been conducted in regards to these sightings and what conclusions do you guys have about the nature and origins of these objects?”
As we look towards future hearings, including one announced for September or October 2024 by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the balance between national security, scientific inquiry, and public disclosure remains a central challenge. The ongoing evolution of this topic promises to keep researchers, policymakers, and the public engaged in one of the most intriguing mysteries of our time.
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