The Hidden Truth About UAP and National Security Insights
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Chapter 1: The Air Force and UAP Intelligence
The United States Air Force has been known to conceal crucial intelligence regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) from key government agencies and Congress for many years.
Imagine a segment of the U.S. military, particularly the Air Force, keeping critical UAP information from not just interagency bodies and congressional oversight, but potentially even from the President. This scenario is vividly illustrated in a compelling article by Christopher Mellon, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, published recently in The Debrief, titled “Why Is The Air Force AOL On the UAP Issue?” Mellon provides extensive insights to Congress about where they might discover vital data to enhance their investigations.
His discussion with Micah Hanks highlighted the troubling possibility of deliberate obstruction from the Air Force: "We have Navy pilots reporting UAPs in the same training ranges where Air Force F-22s operate, which are equipped with advanced radar. So, how could they not be detecting what the Navy pilots are witnessing? The reality is, they likely are, but might hesitate to report due to fears of repercussions or the Air Force may be hoarding that data."
Mellon and Lue Elizondo also shared a story on the Somewhere in the Skies podcast about an Air Force officer who attempted to relay UAP intelligence to the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) but faced opposition from his superiors.
In another discussion on Need To Know with Coulthart and Zabel, journalist Ross Coulthart and co-host Bryce Zabel supported Mellon's assertion that the 144 UAP cases referenced in the UAP Preliminary Report of June 25, 2021, were likely sourced solely from Naval intelligence, with little to no input from the Air Force. Zabel elaborated on the growing rift in UAP management between the Air Force and Navy in his article titled “Between the ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ and the ‘Deep Blue Sea.”
Moreover, personnel from the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) have been reportedly discouraging other government officials from sharing UAP-related intelligence on the classified networks. Adding to the complexity, Elizondo mentioned in a recent interview that the Air Force even considered shutting down their Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), which is a secure venue for discussing classified UAP matters, citing financial constraints.
Chapter 2: The Overclassification Dilemma
In a letter to Congress, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines emphasized that excessive classification of government secrets undermines national security and "erodes the basic trust that our citizens have in their government.” Typically, information is classified to safeguard sources and methods, but not all data needs to be obscured. Elizondo argues for more transparency, suggesting that classified information could be shared with the public in an accessible format.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the 9/11 Commission Report, Mellon remarked, "We didn’t prevail in the Cold War by simply keeping secrets; we succeeded by making informed decisions and sharing information swiftly." There is an evident trend of reluctance within intelligence agencies, especially in the Air Force, to disseminate information about UAP. Knowledge is a currency in bureaucratic systems, and when critical intelligence is withheld, it can lead to significant consequences.
The leaks of classified information regarding UAP represent a serious concern for the U.S. Government, with potential repercussions for national security. During the Somewhere in the Skies podcast, Elizondo and Mellon expressed their disapproval of leaks, yet acknowledged that frustration with the system could lead to such actions.
When asked if the Air Force's continued stonewalling would push other departments to leak information, Elizondo stated, "When trust in the system erodes, people feel they have no other options, which often leads to leaks. Transparency is essential to prevent this." Mellon echoed this sentiment, highlighting the pervasive skepticism surrounding the Air Force's handling of UAP issues and the opportunity for them to rectify the situation.
Elizondo further elaborated on missing data from the USS Princeton's UAP encounter, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. With over 70 years of advocacy for UAP transparency, the U.S. Government has acknowledged three declassified UAP videos since 2017 and validated the existence of UAPs in the 2021 Preliminary UAP report. However, the extent of information Congress will extract from Pentagon sources remains uncertain.
The first annual UAP Report from Congress is anticipated on October 31, 2022.
For The Record
Dr. James E. McDonald, a prominent advocate for government transparency, famously stated in 1962 that "the UFO problem is the most important international problem in the world today." He expressed concerns about the increasing number of sightings reported globally, emphasizing the Air Force's neglect of these phenomena despite the growing public interest.
While Project Blue Book concluded in 1969 that there was no evidence to suggest UFOs were extraterrestrial or posed a national security threat, the stigma surrounding the phenomenon persisted, leading to ridicule and persecution for those who reported sightings, including military personnel.
Years later, the ONI/UAPTF Preliminary UAP Report released on June 25, 2021, confirmed the reality of UAPs, noting that they were not of U.S. origin and warranted further investigation. The NDAA has since sought to address potential biological effects on individuals exposed to these phenomena, as well as concerns about nuclear weapon safety.
Despite the lack of evidence linking UAPs to foreign adversaries, Elizondo asserted that the technology observed by U.S. naval pilots today resembles incidents reported over six decades ago, indicating that such advanced technology could not have originated from the U.S. or the former Soviet Union.
Christopher Mellon remarked that those in Washington who believe the government cannot keep secrets for extended periods are mistaken; the U.S. Government has effectively obscured UAP information for decades. Elizondo emphasized that this topic should not be confined to a single organization but should involve collective inquiry and courage to challenge existing systems.
Finally, Ross Coulthart's investigative work has shed light on the manipulation of public perception by disinformation campaigns within U.S. intelligence. Yet, the challenge remains: the lack of conclusive evidence continues to hinder mainstream media from seriously questioning the government, leaving Congress grappling with its historic inability to procure information from intelligence agencies.