My aim here is to compile valid information pertaining to UAP/UFOs from a skeptical perspective, and share compelling evidence that anyone can understand, regardless if they are just approaching this topic with healthy skepticism for the first time, or if they are already dug-in on trying to understand the phenomenon.

For the individuals that will not have the interest or patience to read this detailed information, I strongly recommend this National Geographic documentary: UFOs: Investigating the Unknown on Hulu. The first few episodes are available for free on youtube. This documentary relies on the testimony of verified military/DoD/government officials and legitimate investigative reporters, and the footage used is verified declassified and leaked footage from the US government. This documentary has convinced several entirely rationally skeptical family/friends that I have shared it with. It’s nothing like the History Channel’s outrageous programs on the subject…

Due to the current character limitation on Lemmy, I was unable to fit my entire piece in the post body. There are very important and compelling pieces of evidence in the comments as well.

What does UAP mean?

The term UAP, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon, is what has been used by the US government in referring to these objects, as the term UFO has a very apparent stigma attached to it. It was originally intended to be Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon, but was changed to anomalous due to the fact that these UAP have been observed operating in other environments; being observed in space as well as under the surface of the water in our oceans and even lakes. Most civilian scientific organizations have also adopted the term “UAP” in studying the topic. One such civilian UAP research agency is UAPx, who have been studying UAP with their own advanced arrays. There is also the Galileo Project at Harvard with the same goal, and they believe they may have recovered manufactured material from an interstellar object (believed to have been aided by propulsion) from the ocean floor off Papua New Guinea. [10]. Scientists and physicists are starting to lend credence to this subject.

Footage of UAP:

  • Here is a compilation of footage, including Ryan Graves’ comments as well as footage from his squadron. Ryan Graves claims here that he saw these UAP daily for 2 years.
  • Here is declassified drone footage of a UAP that is a metallic orb with no obvious signs of propulsion, and our government has admitted this is not our tech, and that it’s beyond our capabilities. There is a YouTube channel with years worth of apparent footage of these orbs tagging and being pursued by aircraft (from the Navy to the Sheriff’s department choppers equipped with infrared cameras). I don’t agree with all of this individual’s views, but his footage is in line with the accounts of pilots and some of the declassified footage. It’s definitely not verified, but it’s there for the people who ask “Why isn’t anyone capturing these things on film?” This guy has been allegedly recording these around Marina Del Rey since 2017.
  • Here is footage of South East Asian Objects #1 and #2. In Object #2, you can see the erratic ‘bouncing ping-pong ball’ effect similar to what Cmdr. Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Dietrich describe witnessing at the Nimitz Event. The camera is stationary here, and the UAP is moving in that erratic pattern with great speed.
  • Here is a very compelling photograph that a National Geographic mapping plane captured in 1971 during a project funded by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute. They believed they captured a flying disc at the moment of entry or exit of the water, as the camera captured a photo about every 13 seconds. It was estimated to be about 160ft in diameter. [12]

Is there Real Evidence of UAP/UFOs?

While there is no solid evidence (to public knowledge/access) establishing an extraterrestrial origin, there is significant evidence to suggest that the phenomenon itself is very real. While the US government has not identified the origin of UAP, they have confirmed their existence. Whether or not they are of terrestrial origin has no bearing on whether the phenomenon itself exists. It has been well-established since 2017 that the US government had a secret black program called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which monitored/studied UAP, as reported by Leslie Kean and the New York Times in December, 2017. [1]

The videos and information provided to Leslie Kean were channeled by Christopher Mellon (former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence/other roles within the Intelligence Community) and was leaked by Luis Elizondo, who was the former head of AATIP. Luis Elizondo reportedly grew frustrated by the fact that he was never allowed to brief the Secretary of Defense on the UAP material in his office. He stated that he believed this was to shield the Secretary of Defense if ever asked by press if he was ever briefed on UFOs. [2] Unlike what is widely reported, Luis Elizondo had a prior letter of resignation than what has been widely published. His original letter of resignation did not contain any of the language from the second letter that we see published in the media. [3] This does not undermine anything stated in his second, and widely published letter of resignation. [4] I believe it may have been to bide time for the NYT publication. But I think it is worth pointing out that largely unreported fact.

During the investigation by Leslie Kean, Ralph Blumenthal, and Helene Cooper with the NYT, they spoke to former senator Harry Reid in order to investigate Luis Elizondo’s claim that Harry Reid funded the black program. They expected to be met with resistance and denial, but Harry Reid openly confirmed that he had channeled $22 million to fund the program’s creation. [2] Following the NYT’s publication, former pilots began to come forward and provide public testimony on the phenomenon, including the pilots from the footage leaked by Luis Elizondo to Leslie Kean. [5] Which brings us to the Nimitz Encounter.

The Nimitz “Tic-Tac” Event:

Kevin Day was the Chief Radar Operator on the USS Princeton the day of the encounter, November 14th, 2004. “I’m the actual guy that makes the identifications. My whole job is to identify stuff that flies.” He reported:

“I noticed these really strange contacts off Catalina island. They were at 28 thousand feet in a real loose formation and they were tracking south at 100 knots. I had never seen anything fly like that before. Immediately we were thinking: ‘Are these things real? Are they some type of glitch?’ So when we ran a bunch of diagnostic tests and we brought all our systems back up, the contacts were stronger now. That’s when I became concerned about these things and I strongly recommended that we take one of the aircraft that just launched off the Nimitz and go intercept one and go see what it is.” [6]

The aircraft Kevin Day was referring to were being piloted by Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich of the world famous “The Black Aces” F/A-18F Superhornet squadron. Kevin Day said that Cmdr. Fravor is “one of the best pilots the Navy has ever produced.” They were deviated from their routine training exercise off the West Coast of California for a “real-world vector” (meaning a real-world target to intercept). [7] What they encountered was a roughly 40-foot long white cylindrical object with rounded ends in the shape of a ‘Tic-Tac,’ with no windows, wings, and no obvious signs of propulsion. [2], [8]

The object they were dispatched to intercept had been observed (along with many other anomalous objects) by the USS Princeton over the previous 2 weeks, rapidly descending from 80,000ft to 20,000ft, hanging around for a while, and then ascending back up. [8] (Here is what 80,000ft looks like for reference—the objects were essentially recorded descending into our atmosphere from space.) The object was observed dropping from 28 thousand feet to the surface of the ocean in less than a second, according to Kevin Day. [6]

As Cmdr. Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Dietrich approached the object, they observed a whitewater disturbance the size of a Boeing 737 and the ‘Tic-Tac’ UAP in a corresponding flight path to whatever was traveling under the surface of the water and disrupting it. [7] Cmdr. Fravor described the object as a “long cylindrical white object with rounded ends” that was roughly 40 feet long, and did not have any windows, wings, nor any observable signs of propulsion. The UAP carried out very fast, erratic maneuvers described as “a ping-pong ball” bouncing between walls. Lt. Cmdr. Dietrich stated that the object “was not following any of our rules” (e.g., instantaneous acceleration, 90-degree turns) and would zip around them at such speed that it was disorienting these Top Gun pilots. [2]

As Cmdr. Fravor approached the UAP, it began to mirror his movements before rapidly accelerating with such speed that it appeared to vanish. He stated that “for something to come up off the surface of the ocean like it was moving around; to be able to just accelerate to match my speed; and then to rapidly go away; we do not possess that technology.” [2]

According to Cmdr. Chad Underwood (former Weapons Systems Officer), when Cmdr. Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Dietrich returned to the Nimitz: “Dave had his encounter, he comes back and lands on the carrier and goes: ‘I’m a little weirded out. We were out there and we saw this object. I need you to go out to this sector of airspace to try to find it.’ He’s been flying his entire career—over 20 years. When he says something like that, I take it seriously.” [2]

In the Nimitz footage captured by Cmdr. Underwood, we see the UAP rapidly accelerate and break the lock. There is one very important point that is often overlooked in this event. The UAP appears white against the black ocean in the thermal footage. Here, white represents what is colder, and warmer objects are displayed as black. This means that the Nimitz ‘Tic-Tac’ UAP was significantly colder than the ocean. I find that interesting, and that fact in addition to the way UAP shift direction in some footage reminds me of quantum locking and quantum levitation seen in super-cooled superconducting. Here is a short video that demonstrates these concepts. I’ve wondered if part of the movement of UAP could have to do with superconductivity and Earth’s magnetic field, but that’s way out of my depth… I find it interesting that the founder of UAPx has reported capturing readings of UAP at 60 degrees below zero. [9]

When the ‘Tic-Tac’ UAP rapidly accelerated away from Cmdr. Fravor, it ended up appearing on radar 60 miles away directly at their CAP point (rendezvous point) for their training exercise, which was classified and known only to those on the training mission. [8], [9] From the footage in which the UAP breaks Cmdr. Underwood’s lock, the UAPx team calculated that the object was traveling at around 75 Gs [9] and Kevin Day, the Chief Radar Operator on the Princeton that day, reported that the object was traveling in excess of 24 thousand miles per hour. [6]

According to Kevin Day, high ranking Air force officers with Top Secret clearances came onboard the USS Princeton and seized all of the radar and air traffic comms data from the day of the event. [6] Kevin Day stated that had the UAP been hostile that day, “there was nothing that I could have done” and that they would have “kicked our fucking asses.” [6]

So to surmise, there were multiple highly trained eyewitnesses on the ‘Tic-Tac’ object, there was video evidence, and there was radar data that all corresponded with one another to lend significant credibility that cannot be logically justifiably discarded without giving it honest consideration. To disregard this event and eyewitness reports is anti-intellectual. The criticism that the UAP during the Nimitz event was radar and optical malfunctions is invalidated by multiple highly trained observers who visually confirmed the readings. The objection that the UAP captured on video is a bird or animal is invalidated by the thermal reading on the UAP which clearly demonstrates that the object was significantly colder than the ocean. Not to mention traveling at such a preposterous rate of speed that it broke locking that is capable of tracking missiles… It was not a bird.

Aerospace Safety Hazard

The Pentagon’s Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) was mandated to produce a report on UAP, and stated in their report that:

Most of the UAP reported probably do represent physical objects given that a majority of UAP were registered across multiple sensors, to include radar, infrared, electro-optical, weapon seekers, and visual observation. … UAP clearly pose a safety of flight issue and may pose a challenge to U.S. national security. Safety concerns primarily center on aviators contending with an increasingly cluttered air domain. UAP would also represent a national security challenge if they are foreign adversary collection platforms or provide evidence a potential adversary has developed either a breakthrough or disruptive technology. [11]

Of the 510 total UAP reports studied by ODNI, 171 remained “uncharacterized and unattributed,” and “some of these uncharacterized UAP appear to have demonstrated unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities, and require further analysis." [11] Not only has the US government confirmed that UAP exist, they have admitted that they pose a serious safety risk to our pilots; both commercial and domestic.

Former Navy pilot, Lt. Ryan Graves is a very outspoken whistle-blower on the subject of UAP, and has now testified both in the press and under oath, as have Cmdr. Fravor and David Grusch. Ryan Graves has claimed that on a daily basis, he and his squadron would see ‘black or grey cubes inside of clear spheres’ which appeared in dangerously close proximity to their aircraft/flight paths, and had no obvious signs of propulsion. [13] Ryan Graves now runs the Americans for Safe Aerospace organization. He has been strongly advocating for destigmatizing UAP reporting and establishing a better reporting system for commercial airline pilots, who have also routinely witnessed these UAP but fear career and social repercussions for reporting the events. [14]

David Grusch & The Five Eyes Foreign Material Program

First of all, here is the full Congressional hearing. I cover Cmdr. Dave Fravor and Lt. Ryan Graves’ testimonies in other sections.

Almost all of the discussion recently has centered around David Grusch, but I personally think there is so much other tangible evidence that should be discussed in place of centering the entire UAP topic on one whistle-blower’s claims. Nonetheless, Grusch’s testimony was historic and must be addressed here. David Grusch has alleged that the US government has had a decades long program, run with essentially ‘Cold War’ mentality, covertly operating crash retrieval and reverse-engineering programs for crafts of non-human origin. Grush has alleged that US allies have also participated in this coordinated secret program. Grush has also claimed that the US government is in possession of nonhuman remains from crashed crafts. In addition to theses claims, Grush has also alleged that the UAP appear to have a keen interest in our nuclear capabilities. [15]

While everyone is so quick to dismiss Grusch’s testimony, one important fact is that the Inspector General took Grusch’s testimony and confidential documents Grusch provided seriously enough to launch an investigation. The common objection that Grusch has not provided any evidence is false. He provided confidential information and documentation to the Inspector General, who then launched an investigation on the matter. [16] He did not provide public evidence, aside from sworn testimony. However, he did provide evidence that was not shared publicly due to national security implications. The reason for this can be as simple as not releasing an image or video because it would compromise the confidential systems our government/military uses to monitor our adversaries. A great example of this is when trump tweeted a top secret spy satellite image that disclosed how much more advanced our satellite imaging is than publicly disclosed. [17]

One other very important piece of information that has been widely under-reported is a leaked correspondence between Canadian officials:

A Manitoba member of Parliament wrote Canada’s minister of defence this spring suggesting the country has participated in a secret multi-nation program devoted to “the recovery and exploitation” of material from unidentified aerial phenomenon, more commonly known as unidentified flying objects or UFOs… The letter refers to a “Five Eyes Foreign Material Program” Maguire says exists between Canada, the U.S., U.K., Australia and New Zealand that has been sponsored by Canadian Forces Intelligence Command Canada. [18]

This information, if true, would corroborate some of Grusch’s claims he made during the NewsNation interview as well as testified under oath. I think it should at least give people pause to reject all of Grusch’s claims outright, rather than wait for the information to come out. I think it makes sense to pocket his testimony until it is verifiable. But to reject it in its entirety is counterproductive and an intellectually dishonest act.

UAP Nuclear Interests

There have been multiple whistle-blowers who have come forward to disclose UAP encounters at US nuclear sites. There were two well-established incidents at two Minute Men ICBM bases, one at Minot AFB in North Dakota in 1966, and the other at Malmstrom AFB in Montana in 1967. Retired Air Force Captain (then Lieutenant) Robert Salas and retired Air Force Lieutenant Robert Jamison were both stationed at Malmstrom AFB during the UAP events in 1967, and retired Air Force Captain David Schindele was stationed at Minot AFB in North Dakota during the 1966 event. [19]

At Malmstrom AFB, soldiers on guard reported seeing orange-red pulsating glowing lights hovering over the front gate of the base. The guards stated there was an oval-shaped craft within the lights. Cpt. Salas recounted receiving frantic calls from guards topside while he was stationed underground in the control room.

“He’s screaming into the phone; he’s very frightened; he’s babbling. He says he’s got all of the guards out there with their weapons drawn, and they wanted orders on what to do. I told them: ‘Make sure nothing enters the fenced area.’ When I hung up the phone, I thought we were under attack. By who or what, I had no idea. And then we get bells and whistles going off at our control panel, and we can see the lights going from green to red, all across the board. Meaning: the missiles were inoperable now. Losing ten missiles was a shock. Except for that instance, I never lost more than one missile at a time.” [19]

Christoper Mellon, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, stated in regard to the UAP incidents at Minot and Malmstrom AFBs: “Somehow, someway; vehicles were able to maneuver right over those ICBMs and turn them off.” Lt. Jamison recounted: “We don’t know why they went down, and still don’t know. There’s no other reason that I could think of that would cause the 10 to go off of there within seconds.” Cpt. David Schindele stated that “We knew that it wasn’t an ordinary man-made machine, because we had nothing like that.” The soldiers at Malmstrom and Minot AFBs were debriefed and sworn to secrecy; being told that ‘nothing had happened’ and that they were not allowed to speak of it again. Cpt. Salas recounts: “There was a man from Air force Office of Special Investigations. All he wanted me to do was to sign this document stating that I would never speak about this again. Once we signed that document, we were released, told to leave, and that was that. I never spoke about any of this until 1994…27 years later.” Cpt. Salas also alleges that the Air Force lied in their release of information regarding Project Blue book. [19]

Lead up to Project Blue Book

There were mass UAP/UFO sightings across the US during the 1950s and 1960s. Due to tensions from WWII and the active Cold War, Americans were observant of the skies during those time periods, fearful of nuclear strikes. There were widespread volunteer organizations of American citizens closely monitoring the skies in an effort to detect potential attacks. [21] The sightings were so widespread that the government addressed the public on the topic and eventually initiated Project Blue Book to analyze the phenomenon. I’ve transcribed in it’s entirety this archived address by Maj. Gen. John A. Samford on “Flying Saucers” in Washington, DC, 07/31/1952:

“I am here to discuss the so-called flying saucers. The Air Force interest in the problem has been due to our feeling of an obligation to identify and analyze, to the best of our ability, anything in the air that may have the possibility of threat or menace to the United States. In pursuit of this obligation, since 1947, we have received and analyzed between 1 and 2,000 reports that have come to us from all kinds of sources. Of this great mass of reports, we have been able, adequately, to explain the great bulk of them. Explain them to our own satisfaction. We have been able to explain them as hoaxes; as erroneously identified friendly aircraft; as meteorological or electronic phenomenon; or as light aberrations.

However, there have been a certain percentage of this volume of reports that have been made by credible observers of relatively incredible things. It is this group of observations that we now are attempting to resolve. Our basic difficulty in dealing with these is there is no measurement of them that makes it possible for us to put them in any pattern that would be profitable for a deliberate, custom sort of analysis to take the next step.

We have, as of date, come to only one firm conclusion with respect to this remaining percentage, and that is that it does not contain any pattern of purpose or of consistency that we can relate to any conceivable threat to the United States. We can say that the recent sightings are in no way connected with any secret development by any department of the United States. We can say that the recent sightings are in no way connected with any secret development by any agency of the United States.” [20]

Here is what Major Donald Keyhoe, Marine Corps Naval Aviator turned UFO investigator, stated at that press briefing:

“With all do respect to the Air Force, I believe that some of them will prove to be of interplanetary origin. During a 3 year investigation, I have found that many pilots have described objects of substance and high speed. In one case, pilots reported that their plane was buffeted by an object which passed them at 500 miles per hour. Obviously, this was a solid object, and I believe it was from outer space.” [20]

Twining Memo

General Nathan F. Twining wrote a memo “Flying Discs” in which he reported that “The phenomenon reported is something real and not visionary or fictitious.” Following this report, “Project Sign” was initiated to study UFOs, and would later be renamed to “Project Grudge,” and then finally “Project Blue Book.” [22]

Project Blue Book

Project Blue Book was operated out of Wright Patterson AFB with the aim of studying, and later publicly debunking, reported UFO cases. They brought on civilian scientific advisors, like Dr. J. Allen Hynek, in order to lend scientific credence to the Air Force’s study. Dr. Hynek was very skeptical and was dismissive of UFOs/UAP in the beginning, but as Project Blue Book continued, he became more convinced of the validity of the subject. He began to notice there was a percentage of cases truly anomalous, and that shared consistencies in characteristics (instantaneous acceleration, 90-degree turns, no obvious signs of propulsion, silent operation). These are the very same characteristics we’re seeing today in UAP, and they look similar to described and documented cases in Project Blue Book. [37]

The Robertson Panel was a group of scientists and experts assembled to assess Project Blue Book reports in order to determine potential national security threats. They determined that while posing no direct threat, there could be an indirect threat from the Soviets in using the mass public interest in UFOs for propaganda/to instill panic. One of their conclusions was that there should be a public education campaign (often accused of being a disinformation campaign) in order to shape the public’s views of UFOs and control the narrative to quell potential unrest. They also recommended the monitoring of civilian UFO groups and to limit the Air Force’s release of information to the public. The panel spent a very minimal length of time reviewing the evidence from Project Blue Book, and they did not conduct field investigations or speak with eyewitnesses. [23] This signified a shift in the approach of the topic by various US agencies, including the Air Force and CIA. Project Blue Book began focusing its efforts on publicly debunking, rather than researching the topic of UFOs.

Condon Report

In 1966, Dr. Edward Condon was tasked with heading a civilian investigation into the most anomalous (publicly disclosed) cases from Project Blue Book. Dr. Condon was vocally a skeptic and had to be convinced to lend his name to the project. Despite the body of the report detailing that some of the cases appear to truly be anomalous crafts and that it cannot rule out that possibility, Dr. Condon wrote the summary of the report, stating there was no threat to national security, likely no scientific benefit to continuing research, and that the Air Force should not be obligated to study the subject. This led to the closure of Project Blue Book, and Dr. Hynek became a vocal opponent to the Condon Report conclusions and a public advocate for studying UFOs. When asked about the conclusion of the Condon report after the closure of Project Blue Book, Dr. Hynek stated: “Well my feeling is that the Condon report was a travesty on science… The Condon committee was unable to explain one quarter of the cases that were submitted and they studied.” [37]

Dr. Hynek from that same interview: “If these things didn’t fit patterns, then there’s no way of studying it. But when you get reports from Australia, Japan, France, then you have to say: ‘Well either there’s a virus going around that’s causing everybody to become crazy at the same time, or there’s something to it.” [37]

After Project Blue Book officially ended, the burden of studying the topic fell on the civilian sector, and Dr. Hynek founded the Center for UFO Studies in 1974. [24] Dr. Hynek spent the rest of his life devoted to spreading public awareness of UFOs and continuing to research the subject.

Tacker and Keyhoe

Here is archived audio of Lt. Major Lawrence J. Tacker, who worked on Project Blue Book speaking in interviews on the subject of flying saucers. In the first interview, Lt. M. Tacker describes the Air Force and civilian scientific researchers assisting Project Blue Book as feeling frustrated by the quality of evidence provided to them by UFO investigative groups. He complained that the quality of material presented was not capable of being investigated scientifically (e.g., poor quality photographs, drawings, testimony alone). Lt. M. Tacker acknowledges the existence of flying saucers as real objects, but states that “Actually, we just can’t come up with an answer and say that flying saucers are spaceships from other planets. They’re UFOs; they’re unidentified flying objects.” He acknowledges that people are seeing “flying saucers” but insists that they are not extraterrestrials and states that they are not a national security threat. When asked of those unexplained accounts, Lt. M. Tacker does acknowledge that “Well, we do have a small percentage which are labeled as unexplained. However, the Air Force does feel that if sufficient information had been given at the initial sighting, that we could have explained it.” [25]

The second clip is a debate between Lt. M. Tacker and M. Keyhoe on the subject of flying saucers. When asked by the moderator, Dave Garroway, if he believed in flying saucers, Lt. M. Tacker states:

  • “Well that’s a matter of semantics, Dave. What do you mean by flying saucer? Do you mean a spaceship?”
  • Dave: “No; I mean an unidentified flying object.”
  • Tacker: “Certainly. I believe unidentified flying objects occur, and that many solid citizens see them.”
  • Dave: “What do you think they are?”
  • Tacker: “Well, in most instances, we’ve been able to explain all of them as either conventional objects under extenuating circumstances or some form of aerial phenomenon.”
  • Dave: “Well phenomenon is not an object, is it?”
  • Tacker: “No, it’s not.”
  • Dave: “Objects, we said. Because that would rule out phenomenon.”
  • Tacker: “Alright, sir.”
  • Dave: [Addressing M. Keyhoe] “Do you believe that flying saucers, or UFOs exist, Major?”
  • Keyhoe: “Well I don’t like that nickname any more than the Air Force does. I believe that flying objects under intelligent control exists. And that’s the belief shared by the majority of our committee in Washington.”

When asked about his publicized allegations that the Air Force was withholding information from members of Congress and national committees, M. Keyhoe stated:

“We sent a confidential report, when I say confidential report—I mean it was confidential to members of Congress—in July and since then. And this states a digest of the evidence. Now, in this book, Tacker says that all of the Congressmen who talked with the Air Force about this subject were completely satisfied with the Air Force’s answers. Now I would like to mention the letters. I have all letters here and about 50 more in Washington. Representative John McCormick, House Majority leader, says that the House Select Committee, which he was chairman, tried to get information but was unable to do so, and a number of them were convinced that there were unexplained objects. Representative Joseph Karth sat on executive sessions that they tried to get us in the Air Force, and the Air force took refuge in security and said this was involved in the nation’s safety.”

  • Tacker interrupts and declares: “That’s absolutely erroneous. We’ve never taken refuge in security.”
  • Keyhoe: “Are you calling Representative Karth a liar? Are you calling…” [Interrupted again.]
  • Tacker: Chuckles “Are you calling General Wyatt a liar? Did you read the foreword to the book?”
  • Keyhoe tries to speak and respond to Tacker’s questions, but Tacker interrupts him again. “I read the report…”
  • Tacker: “Have you called Mr. Horner? Olivier? They made the statement.”
  • Keyhoe: “I don’t use the word ‘liar’ if I can…” [Tacker interrupts again.]
  • Tacker: “You made it! You’re the one who thought it up.”
  • Keyhoe: “Alright, now wait a minute. You’re trying to keep me from reading the rest of the Congressional…” [Interrupted yet again.]
  • Tacker: “I’m not trying to keep you from doing it.”
  • Keyhoe: “We have letters here from a number of Congressman who say they are completely and spiritually concerned with the secrecy. This report they accepted as proof that these objects were real…” [Interrupted.]
  • Tacker: “That’s the worst bunch of drivel I’ve ever read, that report.”
  • Dave: “What did you say about that report, colonel? It proves what?”
  • Tacker: “I asked, uh, what he thought of General Wyatt’s statement.” Tacker and the moderator stumble around the question for a moment until Tacker states:
  • Tacker: “In regard to the fact that, uh, no spaceships have ever been found, and that they don’t exist.”
  • Dave: “Oh. That wasn’t what we were talking about, I believe.”
  • Keyhoe: “No, it was not. And I would, if I can, would like to finish reading this list of drivel he talked about, which was approved by the former head of Central Intelligence Agency, Vice Admiral Helen Carter, Admiral Knowles, Colonel Emmerson, Army Reserve, Major Fournet, from right under your project, and about 200 scientists, engineers, and others, none of whom could be called crackpot types. Now in here, these people say they are concerned with it for two reasons: there’s the danger involved in present Air Force policy. You’ve had hundreds…” [Interrupted.]
  • Tacker: “Let me interrupt again and say that there is no such policy.”
  • Keyhoe: “The policy is stated in your book, to explain away these. Air Force regulation 200-2 states…” [Interrupted]
  • Tacker: “It’s in the book too!”

Tacker and Keyhoe go back and forth quickly here and are there are not substantive developments. Keyhoe now attempts to bring up a specific case to elicit Tacker’s opinion. Keyhoe begins to bring up the event and Tacker dismisses the sighting as a weather phenomenon and then denies a statement Keyhoe alleges he made until he nails him down on it:

  • Keyhoe: “You stated in there that these things were not picked up by radar at Andrews Air Force Base.”
  • Tacker: “I did not state that.”
  • Keyhoe: “Oh yes, you did.”
  • Tacker: “Oh, at Andrews Air Force Base. You’re correct, all right? You’re correct.”

Keyhoe states that he has a signed statement by the Air Force weather observer who was stationed on the base that day, who attested to there being radar readings. Tacker interrupts and immediately attempts to discredit this Air Force member: “We don’t consider those people experts.” [Chuckles.]

  • Keyhoe: “Let me get to this. This person says they were picked up on the radar; they had a group of them; they came in in formation; they split up; they operated at speeds at over 900 miles per hour. At Washington Airport, the experts on radar tracked these things at speeds up 72 hundred miles per hour.”

Tacker just tries to blanket discredit all of the individuals involved in this Washington UAP event. The time for the programming then runs out and the debate is abruptly ended. Tacker ridicules the legitimacy of Keyhoe and NICAP. They argue off the air and Keyhoe calls out Tacker for his temper and interruptions, which Tacker denies. The moderator then tells them that they’ve taken 10 minutes out of the next program to allow for more dialogue. Dave and Tacker then debate over the explanation of Venus for one UAP case. [25]

Keyhoe: “Well I wanted to say the whole thing rests on the weight of evidence. Now we have gone into all of the reports which the Air Force has released, and between 1952 and 1953, they were releasing a lot of cases to me. This board of advisors we have include some of the top scientists in the country. Incidentally Colonel, you mentioned Dr. Olivier, of the American Meteor Society. It might interest you to know that the American Meteor Society is a member of NICAP, and so is Dr. Olivier. He does not agree where the Air Force stand and the secrecy.” [25]

Keyhoe then goes on to point out false claims that Tacker made regarding Dr. Carl G. Jung, who Tacker falsely claimed considered witnesses crackpots in his book. Keyhoe points out that is not the belief held by Dr. Jung, who is was also a member of NICAP. He then presents the two letters in which Dr. Jung voices his opposition of the Air Force’s public stance and offers vocal support of Keyhoe and his book. Keyhoe then addresses claims made by Senator Barry Goldwater who was a Brigadier General in the United States Air Force. Keyhoe states: “he said he was convinced that this was real, he has stated so later in the newspapers. He didn’t say what they were, but he said they were real, and that the Air Force clams up.” [25]

Tacker states: “I wanna stress right now that the Air Force does not deny the possibility of these things. It simply states that to date, there is no evidence to come up with the sensational claim that there are extraterrestrial vehicles in our atmosphere.” Keyhoe makes the accusation to Tacker that the civilian scientists under contract are told to ‘explain away’ the events, which Tacker unilaterally denies. [25] But what we know now is that there most certainly were cover-ups and withholding of information from the public. If the word of their top UAP/UFO investigator, Dr. Allen J. Hynek is to be believed, they were tasked with explaining away apparently real objects and events. [24]

Continue reading in the comments.

  • HM05@lemmy.worldM
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    Well written and compiled. Thank you for the breakdown and your personal insight. This is definitely strong evidence of the phenomenon.

    I’ve always found the military sightings to be the most substantial evidence. Not only do they tend to have multiple expert witnesses, but they are more likely to have documentation on instruments like radar. The various sightings and interactions at nuclear facilities have always intrigued me given the implications of global security and the object’s ability to interact with our technology.

    I personally get wrapped up in reading in public sightings and the cultural phenomenon. Those sightings usually don’t come with sound evidence like Falcon Lake and they can be swayed by the individual’s interpretation of what they saw. However, what it does show is that there is public interest and concern in understanding the unknown. Whether they think it’s extraterrestrial, paranormal, or human, they believe they saw something extraordinary that they can’t explain.

    While we can’t say with certainty what they are, where they come from, or what intent they may have, we can say for a fact that they are real. It should always be a goal to seek answers to these questions. And, while a lot of information the public has is limited to research like this, it’s important to keep the discussion going. Thank you again for your post.

    • GONADS125@lemmy.worldOP
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      Thank you, and I couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve said. We can see what happens when public interest wanes; it is forgotten into obscurity and public perception is swayed to view the topic as fringe and without holding credibility. I admit I was largely guilty of falling for this until the 2017 NYT publication.

      As you said, what was so damning about the Nimitz case for me was the combination of multiple expert eyes on the object in addition to the video recording and corroborating radar data. In the face of that evidence, I think it is more rational to believe that such UAP do exist. In reading that article and seeing the footage, I was forced to confront new evidence and have an ontological reassessment.

      I’m hoping that the information here can help punch thru that barrier and resistance for some people who haven’t yet given the subject genuine consideration.

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    Falcon Lake Incident

    The Falcon Lake incident is an alleged UAP/UFO encounter that occurred in Manitoba, Canada, on the May long weekend of 1967. This incident stands out due to the substantial physical evidence that corroborated the witness’ claims. [40]

    Stefan Michalak was an industrial mechanic by trade and an amateur geologist who liked to venture into the wilderness around Falcon Lake — about 150 kilometers east of Winnipeg — to prospect for quartz and silver.

    He had staked some claims the prior year and set out on the May long weekend in 1967 to explore some more. On May 20, 1967, Stefan was near a vein of quartz along the Precambrian Shield in the area when the 51-year-old was startled by a gaggle of nearby geese that erupted into a clattering of honks.

    According to his accounts, Stefan looked up and saw two cigar-shaped objects with a reddish glow hovering about 45 meters away. One descended, according to Stefan’s account, landing on a flat section of rock and taking on more of a disc shape. The other remained in the air for a few minutes before flying off. [40]

    Believing it to be a secret U.S. military experimental craft, Stefan sat back and sketched it over the next half hour. Then he decided to approach, later recalling the warm air and smell of sulphur as he got closer, as well as a whirring sound of motors and a hissing of air.

    He also noted a door open on the side with bright lights inside, and said he heard voices muffled by the sounds from the craft. He said he called out, offering mechanical help to the “Yankee boys” if they needed it. The voices went quiet but did not answer, so Stefan tried in his native Polish, then in Russian and finally in German.

    Only the whir and hiss of the craft responded.

    He claims he went closer and noted the smooth metal of the ship, with no seams. He then looked into the bright doorway, pulling on the welding goggles he used to protect his eyes while chipping at rocks during prospecting. [40]

    Inside, Stefan said he saw light beams and panels of various-colored flashing lights, but could not see anyone or any living thing. When he stepped away, three panels slid across the door opening and sealed it.

    He reached to touch the craft, which he said melted the fingertips of the glove he was wearing.

    The craft then began to turn counter-clockwise and Stefan says he noticed a panel that contained a grid of holes. Shortly afterward, he was struck in the chest by a blast of air or gas that pushed him backward and set his shirt and cap ablaze.

    He ripped away the burning garments as the craft lifted off and flew away. [40]

    Disoriented and nauseous, Stefan stumbled through the forest and vomited. He eventually made his way back to his motel room in Falcon Lake then caught a bus back to Winnipeg.

    He was treated at a hospital for burns to his chest and stomach that later turned into raised sores in a grid-like pattern. And for weeks afterwards, he suffered from diarrhea, headaches, blackouts and weight loss. [40]

    Stan Michalak can still vividly remember when his dad came home sick and injured after something happened in the Falcon Lake woods in Manitoba on the May long weekend of 1967. It was something that put his family life into upheaval and remains one of the world’s best-known UFO encounters.

    “I recalled seeing him in bed. He didn’t look good at all. He looked pale, haggard,” said Michalak, who was nine years old at the time and was allowed to see his dad for a couple of minutes on the day after what soon become known as the Falcon Lake incident.

    “When I walked into the bedroom there was a huge stink in the room, like a real horrible aroma of sulphur and burnt motor. It was all around and it was coming out of his pores. It was bad,” said Michalak, who co-authored the book When They Appeared with Winnipeg UFO researcher Chris Rutkowski.

    Still sick in 1968 with recurrences of the burns showing up on his chest and suffering from blackouts, Stefan went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

    Doctors did a thorough investigation and even sent him to a psychiatrist “who came back with the report that this is a fellow who’s very pragmatic, very down to earth — pardon the pun — and does not make up stories,” Rutkowski said.

    “If Dad hoaxed this — remember we’re talking about a blue-collar, industrial mechanic — if he hoaxed it then he was a freakin’ genius,” said Michalak.

    The case was investigated intensely by a number of levels of government and the official conclusion, even from the United States Air Force, was that the case was unexplained, Rutkowski noted. “The Falcon Lake incident is possibly Canada’s best-documented UFO case,” he said.

    Items were later retrieved from the encounter site, including Stefan’s glove and shirt and some tools, which were subjected to extensive analysis at an RCMP crime lab. No one could determine what caused the burns.

    At the landing site was a circle about 15 feet in diameter, devoid of the moss and vegetation growing in other areas of the same rock outcropping. Soil samples, along with samples of clothing, were tested and deemed to be highly radioactive.

    So were pieces of metal that were chipped out of cracks in the rock about a year after the incident. The metal had somehow been melted into the cracks.

    Many of the items have long since been lost as they were transferred through various authorities and agencies. However, Rutkowski and Michalak still have one of the pieces of metal, which remains radioactive. [40]

  • GONADS125@lemmy.worldOP
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    My Personal Conclusion

    The Falcon Lake incident, in 1967, appears to have involved some type of nuclear-powered saucer-shaped aircraft that appeared to defy conventional understanding. This encounter left behind visible injury and physical evidence, including irradiating the area. [40] I do not find it unreasonable to conceive that these UAP could originate from intelligently controlled non-human entities/technologies. Rather, I find the notion to discount the mere existence of UAP in general to be a more flagrantly intellectually dishonest act.

    If we are to surmise that this was human technology that countries all around the world began to witness, beginning at least as early as 1947 [24], and that the UAP of the Falcon Lake incident were secret USAF aircraft, then that would mean that we already had nuclear-powered aircraft by 1967 or earlier. The allegations of David Grush, and supported by the leaked correspondence regarding the “Five Eyes” crash retrieval program [18], alleging that the US has had a secret crash retrieval and reverse engineering program with key allies begins to sound like a more reasonable explanation than such a significant technological jump in the 1940s.

    It is also very important to note that if they were truly manned aircraft of human origin, they would have to also possess some sort of technology that would appear to break the laws of physics as we know them. The human body cannot survive the G-forces these crafts have repeatedly demonstrated, as liquids would separate from solids at that point. This would mean that they possessed a compact nuclear power source for the small crafts, and they not only possessed technological capability to travel between air, space, and water; to instantaneously accelerate; to make 90-degree turns; and to operate without sound; they also have the technology to prevent physics from operating as we understand them and allow physical beings to survive such extreme G-forces.

    I find it harder to accept that we as humans have possessed the technology for these crafts that have existed within our atmosphere, at least since 1947. In the context of the abundance of valid, declassified, and leaked information pertaining to the subject of UAP/UFOs, and with whistle-blowers from members of governments as well as military and commercial pilots around the world, I find it easier to accept that there exists a more advanced intelligent species within the vastness of our universe, whose crafts have visited our planet.

    But the very important takeaway here from the information I have presented is not that these are non-human craft as David Grusch has alleged. This information reflects the fact that there exists physical aircraft whose technology has remained consistent since at least 1947, yet it is still considered a breakthrough/disruptive technology in comparison to our currently most advanced conventional weapon systems/aircraft, over 65 years later. Whether or not these crafts are of human-origin is irrelevant to whether or not they themselves exist. They do exist, and the technological superiority of these crafts has been acknowledged by the US government. Governments around the world should declassify the material they have on the subject to further advance our collective scientific understanding of the very real UAP issue, as France has done with their UAP investigative body, GEIPAN. 36 We all need to focus on expanding our understanding of the nature of our existence within the universe, and force ourselves to confront the credible accounts and information demonstrating crafts of a seemingly incredible nature.

    The gut reaction of many at this point in time is to reject this information as absurd instead of objectively evaluating the existing and growing body of evidence. To disregard this information is not a demonstration of skepticism; it is a demonstration of confirmation bias, avoidance, and denial. As we challenge deep-seated internalized beliefs regarding the nature of our existence with new information, it can cause cognitive dissonance; that unpleasant state of physiological arousal. But instead of rejecting and denying the information that might cause us to challenge our beliefs and feel a sense of existential dread, we must instead strive to maintain a reflective equilibrium in which we scrutinize our existing beliefs in the light of new information until coherence is reached and there are no longer contradictions in our beliefs.

    We all need to confront this information and it must be collectively studied if we truly want to understand the nature of the universe and our place within it. Instead of instilling fear and panic as the US government has historically been concerned, it should instead excite us and drive us to learn more.

  • GONADS125@lemmy.worldOP
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    Modern Day Resistance to Congressional Oversight & Bipartisan Support

    Representative Tim Burchett, member of the Congressional Oversight Committee which held the hearing on David Grusch, Ryan Graves, and David Fravor’s sworn testimonies, stated at a press briefing that he and his colleagues were barred from seeing photographs by Brigadier General Jeffrey Geraghty, commanding General of Eglin AFB. Allegedly, whistle-blower pilots at Eglin AFB contacted Rep. Matt Gaetz regarding providing footage and testimony regarding UAP. Rep. Burchett stated that they contacted the Air Force who told them to they would be briefed on the matter. Rep. Luna alleges that the Air Force tried to cancel the scheduled briefing prior to the date, but the Congressional Oversight Committee were able to maintain the scheduled briefing. [26]

    Rep. Tim Burchett and Rep. Luna then traveled to Eglin AFB, where they were then briefed on an entirely different topic, which they interrupted to point out and demand the briefing on the UAP in which they were expecting and which was agreed to. Initially, they were not allowed to view the photographs or hear the pilots’ testimonies; barred on the grounds of National Security concerns and lacking proper security clearance. According to Rep. Burchett, after reaching out to the Pentagon and Washington, they were eventually allowed to hear the testimony of the pilots, but were never provided access to the photographs. [26] Rep. Burchett said that the UAP and their characteristics described by the pilots were unlike any our technology of the US, our allies, or our enemies. Rep. Burchett reported the pilots describing crafts defying the laws of physics as we know them, and that the Secret Service was present and appeared displeased by the disclosures by the pilots to the members of the Congressional Oversight Committee. [27]

    Rep. Burchett claimed that the pilots do not actually receive whistle-blower protections, and that their ‘debriefings’ are more like ‘interrogations’ that last up to 8 hours, and that they receive a blemish on their record for disclosing them. He alleged that pilots claimed they would destroy evidence of UAP encounters in order to avoid debriefings. [26] If what they are stating is true, it means that the Air Force made multiple attempts to prevent UAP whistle-blower testimony (which is now specifically protected by recent legislature [28]) and that the Air Force engages in retaliation against whistle-blowers. Rep. Burchett claimed during that press briefing that they have had witnesses back out following “inquiries” from the Pentagon. Rep. Burchett claims that he believes the Air Force’s resistance is due to the fact that their committee is “over the target” and begs the question: “If there isn’t anything, then why the push to cover it up? … All we want is transparency. Tell us what it is.” [26]

    I want to point out just how unanimous the bipartisan support is on this subject among our House and Senate. Tim Burchett complimented Chuck Schumer for spear-heading groundbreaking whistle-blower protections and legislation aimed at forcing the government to declassify documents, footage and information pertaining to UAP. [28] The bill centers on reestablishing government oversight and forcing the disclosure of past, present, and future UAP information and data.

    AOC made a series of social media posts on the topic of the Congressional Oversight Committee’s hearing on UAP whistle-blowers, in which she is a member. In it, she states her skepticism of aliens but defends the validity of the existence of UAP in the sense of unidentified objects under intelligent control, as demonstrated by the Nimitz footage/witnesses. AOC voices her concerns and suspicion of private defense contractors’ potential roles in the UAP incidents we are witnessing, citing past instances of unethical and unaccountable spending/programs. AOC points out that of the $800 billion for the Defense Budget (not entire military spending, mind you), 50% of it goes to private contractors, like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. She then goes on to point out that the Pentagon has not passed a single audit. [29]

    AOC states in the video: “So do I think something is going on? Yes. There were specific defense contractors named. There were programs that were being abused that were named. And do I think that there are grounds to pull on that thread further? Yes, I do. And I think that it should be pulled further. Do I know what it is? No. Am I gonna be a hater? No. But I’m always into corruption and cover-ups. Like, that’s my thing. Other people are more specialized in the other parts.” [29]

    Here are some bipartisan direct quotes from Sen. Chuck Schumer’s website:

    “For decades, many Americans have been fascinated by objects mysterious and unexplained and it’s long past time they get some answers,” said Leader Schumer. “The American public has a right to learn about technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence, and unexplainable phenomena. We are not only working to declassify what the government has previously learned about these phenomena but to create a pipeline for future research to be made public. I am honored to carry on the legacy of my mentor and dear friend, Harry Reid and fight for the transparency that the public has long demanded surround these unexplained phenomena.” [30]

    “There is a lot we still don’t know about these UAPs and that is a big problem,” said Vice Chairman Rubio. “We’ve taken some important steps over the last few years to increase transparency and reduce stigmas, but more needs to be done. This is yet another step in that direction, and one that I hope will spur further cooperation from the executive branch.” [30]

    “The American people deserve transparency on all issues related to UAPs. Our bipartisan effort will protect and better organize government materials related to UAPs and promote disclosure of this information,” said Senator Young. [30]

    “The American people deserve transparency. And the federal government needs to be able to explain what is happening in our skies,” said Senator Heinrich. “This legislation will devote real resources and take a unified approach to gathering data to fully understand UAPs and better address their national security implications.” [30]

  • GONADS125@lemmy.worldOP
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    The COMETA Report & French Government UFO Studies

    In 1977, the French equivalent of NASA, CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales), launched a study on UFOs amidst the mass of sightings across the world thru the 50s and 60s, leading to the formation of SERPA and then GEIPAN (Groupe d’Etude des Phenomenes Aerospatiaux Non Identifie). The COMETA Report was a 90-page report put together by French Military officials, Generals, an Admiral, and Chief of Police. [37] Like the US’ Project Blue Book, the majority of the cases could be explained while a percentage of truly anomalous cases remained, which this study classified as “type D” aerospace phenomenon. [36]

    Here is a declassified NASA document (linked to their website) in which they claim that the COMETA Report was conducted with much greater validity than the Condon Report:

    The analysis and investigation was carried out by a four-person team in each case; the team included a psychologist, who separately carried out a psychological examination relevant to the evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses. The care with which distances, angles, and psychological factors were evaluated makes the bulk of the Condon Report seem very poor by comparison. In many cases, the investigations were textbook models of how such investigations should be carried out. [38]

    Below are excerpts from a special edition print of a French magazine called VSD, published in 1999. The article reviews information from the COMETA Report and is available online:

    7.2 First Classification of UAPs (Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena)

    After a study is conducted, each case is classified by GEPAN/SEPRA into one of the following four categories, depending on the extent to which it has been identified:

    • Category A: completely identified phenomenon,
    • Category B: phenomenon that can probably be identified but which cannot be identified with certainty due to a lack of evidence,
    • Category C: phenomenon that cannot be identified due to a lack of data,
    • Category D: phenomenon that cannot be identified despite the abundance and quality of the data.

    Category D UAPs represent 4 to 5% of the cases and are called UAP Ds. They include sightings of phenomena, some of which were close to the ground a few meters from the witnesses.

    The strangest and most mysterious cases in this category are generally labeled CE3s (close encounters of the third kind) according to the classification proposed by Professor A. Hynek, an astronomer and consultant to the USAF, within the context of the Blue Book Project (cf. Chapter 9.1). [39]

    7.3 Typology of UAP Ds

    The detailed statistical analysis of UAP Ds enables a precise determination of the distribution of their physical characteristics: speed, acceleration, silence, shape, effects on the environment… [39]

    7.5.3 “Radar/Visual” Cases Worldwide “Radar/visual” cases are those in which a visual sighting is associated with an onboard radar and/or ground radar detection.

    It is noted that: the first sightings in Japan and the USSR date back to 1948, 30 of the 68 countries cited in the list reported “radar/visual” cases, of the 489 cases in the report, 101 were “radar/visual” cases (21%), of the 363 cases in the Blue Book report, 76 were “radar/visual” cases (21%). in 1952, 16 out of 68 cases were “radar/visual” cases (23.52%).

    In conclusion, we can clearly establish that from 1942 to 1995, at least 500 well-documented and recognized aeronautical UAP D sightings were identified throughout the world, nearly 20% of which were “radar/visual” cases.

    They furnish proof of a physical reality of phenomena that exhibited paradoxical maneuvers. [39]

    7.6.2 GEPAN/SEPRA’s Work We do not have irrefutable tangible proof in the form of material, either whole or in fragments. That confirm the physical nature of UAP Ds and their artifactual character. Nevertheless, the collection and expert appraisal work carried out at GEPAN/SEPRA for over 20 years confirms the statements General Twining made in 1947. [39]

    7.6.4 Cases of Close-Up UAP D Sightings in France For their part, the cases of close-up UAP D sightings in France are very much in keeping with Twining’s conclusions 4 and 5. In Trans-en-Provence (Chapter 4), the expert appraisals made at the site support the local testimony and show that the object with a metallic appearance and circular shape landed, then took off silently within a very short space of time not very far from a wall 2.5 m in height.

    No modem aircraft is capable of these silent maneuvers, nor of this degree of precision when landing. It is hard not to imagine a piloted or remote-controlled flying machine, or else one having highly advanced cybernetics.

    The other French cases of close encounters described in Chapter 4 also strongly suggest the existence of an intelligent [civilization] behind the UAP Ds. In the Valensole, “Amaranth” and Cussac cases, once the witness or witnesses are brought face to face with the UAP D, everything generally happens very quickly, and the object escapes without having shown the slightest aggressiveness toward the witnesses. [39]

    In 2007, GEIPAN, the French UAP investigative program operating under CNES (essentially France’s NASA) opened their investigations to the public. They published 30 years’ worth of investigative records. “Piled high, these 100,000 pages would easily stand as tall as a 3-story building. This impressive mass of documents is the fruit of 30 years of investigations, including police and expert reports, witness sketches, video footage and audio recordings.” 36

    Here is a link to GEIPAN’s website.

    • Solumbran@lemmy.world
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      The only serious French “investigators” who worked for decades trying (initially) to prove the existence of extraterrestrial incursions ended up being convinced that assuming such existence based on the reports and UFO sightings is irrational. Not sure that sourcing France as an argument is a very strong one.

      Also, I browsed through a few “unexplained” cases of those, I couldn’t find a single one that was both containing a decent amount of information, and not completely absurd (along the lines of “the cops said it was a moonless night, the witness said he could see clearly because of the moon, and the meteorology lab said the sun was out by then”).

      • GONADS125@lemmy.worldOP
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        You’re making false claims here and misrepresenting information. France has had legitimate scientific investigation of UAP for decades. And we’re not talking about studies aimed at proving extraterrestrial origin as you claim; the studies are on the UAP themselves as physical objects (the aim was not to prove alien origin/existence).

        NASA commended France and the COMETA report for its valid investigation. The COMETA report contains accounts in which there were radar data that corresponded with visual sightings. There were also soil samples taken from sites where UAP were reported to land, with levels of radiation detected. Is that “irrational” or not considered evidence of their existence?

        If you’re saying some of the cases are erroneous or possibly explainable, you are right. But that doesn’t discount the valid and unexplained accounts of what they believed were physical crafts and were categorized as Category D phenomenon.

        The Category D phenomenon reported in the COMETA Report were in line with what was being observed and studied in the US, as well as other nations. The qualities observed in valid UAP sightings have strong consistency spanning at least many decades all around the world.

        This is a real area of study for countries around the world, and the US government is uniquely secretive about what they know. The UK made their files open to the public. The Soviets had studies on UAP, as well as Canada, Brazil, and Uruguay.

        I’m a skeptic and don’t hold a whole lot of value from eyewitness testimony alone. But when you’ve got multiple accounts of corresponding radar data that confirms expert eyewitness testimony, it’s more irrational to discount that evidence. Natural science is based on repeated observation and experimentation, and these UAP have distinct characteristics and behavior that has been repeatedly observed and studied by our government since at least the 50s.

        The US government has admitted they exist, have acknowledged the existence of multiple classified investigative bodies studying them, the issue actually has full bipartisan support from our representatives, and there has been numerous legislation drafted on the subject of UAP/research/disclosure/whistle-blower protection. It’s ridiculous and irrational to blanket dismiss the existence of UAP, in the sense of breakthrough/disruptive technology that exists.

        The general public dismisses this as crackpot due to their ignorance and misplaced confidence in their deeply internalized beliefs. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a valid area of scientific interest and investigation. And whether or not aliens exist is absolutely irrelevant to observationally studying the phenomenon.

        The anti-intellectualism surrounding this topic is like that of hand-washing, in which everyone originally rejected the antiseptic procedure and surgeons didn’t even wash their hands prior to operation.

        Despite his research, Semmelweis’s observations conflicted with the established scientific and medical opinions of the time and his ideas were rejected by the medical community. He could offer no theoretical explanation for his findings of reduced mortality due to hand-washing, and some doctors were offended at the suggestion that they should wash their hands and mocked him for it. In 1865, the increasingly outspoken Semmelweis allegedly suffered a nervous breakdown and was committed to an asylum by his colleagues. In the asylum he was beaten by the guards. He died 14 days later from a gangrenous wound on his right hand that may have been caused by the beating. Source

        Just because most people haven’t caught up to the reality that UAP exist, it does not by any means detract from valid study or the validity of the subject in general. Like Semmelweis’ research, this is being discounted and rejected on the basis of preexisting beliefs; not lack of reasonable evidence or ability to to study UAP. And like Semmelweis, rational individuals and scientists studying this subject are being mislabeled as crackpot, and their research misconstrued to have to do with aliens (as you are guilty of doing above).

  • SignullGone@lemmy.worldM
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    Wow, this is incredibly comprehensive OP! It’ll take some time to digest, but it seems to be well-sourced. I’ll feature this post in the community for some time so more people get a chance to view it. Afterward, it will be permanently accessible in our Featured Posts and User Investigations section. Thanks again for this outstanding contribution!

  • GONADS125@lemmy.worldOP
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    National Archives UAP/UFO Evidence & Project 1794

    The National Archives has been handling declassified documents which it has been databasing for many years. Inevitably, formerly classified UAP/UFO documents (including Project Blue Book) are processed by the National Archives employees, who they themselves have developed a keen interest in the subject of UAP. [31]

    One highlighted find by the National Archives staff is the 1948 “See Something, Say Something” UFO reporting requirement of Bavaria, Germany:

    In May 1948 the Office of Military Government for Bavaria, Germany, issued instructions for reporting sightings of “flying discs.” These instructions were issued as a result of requirements from higher headquarters in Germany and in the United States. They were the result of the flying saucer phenomena that began in 1947. [32]

    The National Archives also has and a memorandum which states Gerald Ford’s demand that “Congress investigate the rash of reported sightings of unidentified flying objects in Southern Michigan and other parts of the country.” It also stated that “Ford is not satisfied with the Air Force explanation of the recent sightings in Michigan and describes the “swamp gas” version given by astrophysicist J. Allen Hynek as flippant.” [31]

    “Because I think there may be substance to some of these reports and because I believe the American people are entitled to a more thorough explanation than has been given them by the Air Force to date, I am proposing that either the Science and Astronautics Committee or the Armed Services Committee of the House schedule hearings on the subject of UFO’s and invite testimony from both the executive branch of the government and some of the persons who claim to have seen UFO’s.” [33]

    Here is the archive of the 1966 Congressional hearing by the Committee on Armed Services following Gerald Ford’s demand the topic be addressed.

    The National Archives also uncovered transcripts between Houston control and astronauts who reported they “have a bogey at 10 o’clock high.” The astronauts in polar orbit reported “hundreds of little particles going by from the left out about 3 or 4 miles.” [31]

    Here are the transcripts.

    USAF Project 1794

    Project 1794, dated 06-01-1956, was discovered by Michael Rhodes, an archivist for the National Archives who is the last person in the chain which archives previously classified government documents. [31] This was a research aircraft being developed between the US Air Force (USAF) and contracted out to British aircraft manufacturer AVRO Aircraft, responsible for the development of multiple war planes and missiles, operating from 1910 to 1963. [34] It is clearly stated in the Project 1794 report that AVRO attempted to construct the unconventional, top secret aircraft displayed in Fig. 4. [35]

    The report contains detailed accounts of how the scale models and components were created and tested in wind turbine chambers. It specifically states in the report the ARVO contractors’ intent to go forward in constructing the first prototype aircraft of this design, as according to their contract. It is important to note that this does not prove that the US Air Force is behind the UAP now or historic UFO accounts from the 1950s-1960s, but it does demonstrate secret USAF research on the topic of flying saucers that goes in direct contradiction to their public statements and testimonies at that time, indicating clear historic cover-up and disinformation campaigns, which is in line with the recommendations of the Robertson Panel. [23]

    It is important to note that the craft attempting to be designed here was not capable of achieving the feats of the “flying saucers” that were being witnessed all around the world at that time. The design used 6 Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbo-jets to power the craft. If someone with more technical knowledge could look at their designs and chime in, could this craft have conceivably operated silently? That is a core component of valid class D UAP, in the sense of verified physical crafts. [36]

    I am speculating at this point, but it seems reasonable to me to believe that the United States Air Force may have been secretly trying to recreate the aircraft being observed in the skies at that time in order to determine whether or not UAP/UFOs were possibly a breakthrough/disruptive technology from an adversary or even ally. As evidenced in the section on the lead up to Project Blue Bird, the USAF confirmed among different agencies within the United States that the UAP being observed was not our technology.

    Here is a link to the Project 1794 PDF file in a downloadable format. Below are some pages from Project 1794:

  • GONADS125@lemmy.worldOP
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    1 year ago

    I want to address the deleted comments. I was under the impression that the character limit for the post body was still 10k, but it has been increased. I moved what comments I could fit into the post body and deleted them from the comments section to reduce clutter.

    • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Thanks. While reading this I missed my rendezvous with Alpha Centaurions. Worth it, I guess.