The Pentagon UFO Program Revealed

On December 16, 2017, The New York Times published a groundbreaking article revealing the Pentagon’s secret UFO study program—the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). The revelation included Navy pilot testimony and infrared videos of encounters with unidentified objects.

The Article

The New York Times published:

• “Glowing Auras and Black Money: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program”
• Co-authored by Helene Cooper, Ralph Blumenthal, and Leslie Kean
• Revealed secret Pentagon UFO study
• Released official Navy UFO videos

AATIP

The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program:

• Ran from 2007-2012 (officially)
• Funded with $22 million
• Led by Luis Elizondo
• Investigated military UFO encounters

Luis Elizondo

The program’s director:

• Resigned in 2017 to bring information public
• Criticized government secrecy on UFOs
• Became a prominent UFO disclosure advocate
• Founded To The Stars Academy with Tom DeLonge

The Videos

Three Navy videos were released:

FLIR1: “Tic Tac” object from 2004 Nimitz encounter

GIMBAL: Object rotating against the wind

GOFAST: Object skimming over ocean

Navy Pilot Testimony

Commander David Fravor and others spoke publicly:

• Described the 2004 Nimitz encounter
• Saw objects performing impossible maneuvers
• Radar tracked objects descending from space
• Multiple witnesses corroborated accounts

Mainstream Impact

The disclosure changed UFO discourse:

• Major newspapers covered UFOs seriously
• Television news featured the story
• Politicians began asking questions
• The subject became acceptable to discuss

Official Acknowledgment

The Pentagon:

• Initially downplayed AATIP
• Eventually acknowledged the program existed
• Confirmed the videos were genuine
• Stated they depicted “unidentified aerial phenomena”

Congressional Interest

The revelation prompted:

• Classified briefings to Congress
• Hearings on UFO/UAP issues
• Establishment of official study offices
• Ongoing government investigation

To The Stars Academy

TTSA, co-founded by Elizondo:

• Released the videos initially
• Brought together researchers
• Advocated for disclosure
• Partnered with government contractors

Subsequent Releases

After 2017:

• More Navy footage emerged
• Additional pilot testimony
• Pentagon established UAP Task Force
• Congressional hearings held in 2022

Significance

The 2017 disclosure was significant for:

• Official acknowledgment of UFO study
• Release of military footage
• Mainstream media coverage
• Shift in public discourse
• Congressional attention
• Career military witnesses speaking out

Legacy

December 2017 marked a turning point in UFO history. The Pentagon’s acknowledgment and video release transformed UFOs from fringe topic to legitimate national security concern, leading to ongoing official investigation and public hearings.