The Navy UFO Video Confirmation

On September 18, 2019, the US Navy took an unprecedented step: it officially confirmed that three leaked videos showing unidentified flying objects were authentic. This marked the first time the US military officially acknowledged that UFO videos in public circulation were genuine military footage.

The Videos

The Navy confirmed three videos:

• FLIR1 (2004): From the USS Nimitz encounter
• GIMBAL (2015): Shows rotating object
• GOFAST (2015): Shows fast-moving object over ocean

The Statement

Navy spokesperson Joseph Gradisher stated:

• The videos were authentic Navy footage
• They depicted “unidentified aerial phenomena”
• They should not have been released publicly
• The objects in the videos remain unidentified

Significance of “UAP”

The Navy used “Unidentified Aerial Phenomena”:

• Replacing the stigmatized term “UFO”
• Indicating official new terminology
• Suggesting serious institutional approach
• Distancing from popular culture associations

Why It Mattered

The confirmation was historic:

• First official acknowledgment of UFO videos
• Military admitting objects are unidentified
• Legitimized pilot testimony
• Changed the conversation entirely

The Videos’ History

The videos had circulated since 2017:

• Released through To The Stars Academy
• Featured in New York Times reporting
• Widely discussed online
• Authenticity had been questioned

What the Videos Show

FLIR1: An oblong object (“Tic Tac”) tracked by infrared

GIMBAL: A rotating object that appears to fly against wind

GOFAST: An object skimming at high speed over the ocean

Pilot Testimony

Multiple Navy pilots:

• Described encounters with similar objects
• Spoke to media about their experiences
• Described objects defying physics
• Supported by radar and visual confirmation

Media Impact

The confirmation received widespread coverage:

• Major networks reported the story
• International media picked it up
• Politicians cited the confirmation
• UFO discussion entered mainstream

Official Response Change

The Navy began:

• Updating UFO reporting guidelines
• Encouraging pilots to report sightings
• Removing stigma from reporting
• Taking encounters seriously

Congressional Action

The confirmation helped prompt:

• Classified briefings to Congress
• Investigation into UAP encounters
• Establishment of official study groups
• Public hearings in 2022

Significance

The 2019 Navy confirmation was significant for:

• First official military acknowledgment
• Validation of video authenticity
• Establishment of “UAP” terminology
• Mainstream acceptance of UFO reality
• Foundation for further disclosure

Legacy

September 2019 marked another milestone in UFO disclosure. The Navy’s confirmation that military personnel had recorded genuine unidentified objects removed any doubt about the authenticity of the videos and forced serious consideration of what they depicted.