Another unclassified report to be released to Congress: But why aren’t they showing the UAP videos?
LAST JUNE, A preliminary report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) was submitted to Congress following a series of classified briefings on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). The conclusions of the report stated that 143 military encounters from 144 sightings were classified as ‘unidentified’. Of these, 80 reports involved observation with multiple sensors. Consider that the most sophisticated defence technology was unable to identify objects and devices that Congress referred to as ‘transmedium’.
Senator Kristen Gillibrand has spearheaded the initiative for UAP transparency in recent months alongside bipartisan support.
As reported by Politico, Gillibrand has pushed hard for UAP accountability and aimed focus at the Department of Defense (DoD), flagging the issue of adversary technology.
“If it is technology possessed by adversaries or any other entity, we need to know,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in her first interview about the effort. “Burying our heads in the sand is neither a strategy nor an acceptable approach.”
At a hearing in February, she again pushed UAP accountability and oversight, this time with President Biden’s nominee for Inspector General of the Department of Defense Robert P. Storch. When Storch sheepishly looked to duck the question, Gillibrand ensured a follow up was maintained.
“Ok, since you aren’t familiar, can you please familiarize yourself with this issue and respond to both of those questions in writing before your confirmation please.” - Senator Kristen Gillibrand
The serious intent of congress was further highlighted in legislation this week, and highlighted in a series of tweets by Politico journalist Bryan Bender.
“All reported [UAP]-related events that occurred during the period covered by the report. All reported unidentified aerial phenomena-related events that occurred during a period other than the period covered by the report but were not included in an earlier report. The legislation mandates that the quarterly classified reports be provided to the House and Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees.”
Essentially, DoD and ODNI must report anything UAP related to Congress, who will be provided another unclassified report with classified annex. This is good news for transparency efforts, however there are still concerns. Christopher Mellon highlighted the stonewalling of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force by the United States Airforce in a recent article for The Debrief.
“How is this possible in light of the USAF’s global responsibility for aerospace defense and its massive air and space surveillance capabilities? Are we to believe that the USAF did not detect any Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) from 2004 until 2021?”
Additionally, a question can be asked of over-classification and withholding of extremely sensitive UAP information that might include videos. Writing in The Hill recently, Mellon highlighted the concerns of DNI Avril Haines, applying the issue to UAP. This might address recent questions within the UAP community over what happened to the vast array of videos and pictures showing very clear and up close anomalous craft, taken by military pilots.
“Meanwhile, the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, or UAPTF, issued new classification guidelines last year that classify as “Secret” the sorts of videos (e.g., "Gimbal," "Go Fast" and "FLIR1”) that DOD has acknowledged were unclassified — not declassified — when they were released in 2017.” - Christopher Mellon (The Hill)
Recently, civilian petition efforts originating from the UAPMediaUk team to push government into realising all its unclassified UAP data and videos has been orchestrated, receiving some small mainstream coverage.
However the reality is that without major change to legislation and sustained pressure upon DoD et al, then public awareness campaigns will easily be brushed aside. UAP analysts have suggested there are ways to protect ‘sources and methods’ without damaging national security, whilst allowing the public to view unclassified UAP data. Some have even advocated for an indoctrination process in which the public are safely and responsibly exposed to paradigm changing information about the anomalous phenomena. Currently, we need more patriots such as Senator Rubio and Gillibrand if progress is to be made. Whether we get that remains to be seen. Perhaps leaking information might be a further incentive for those who wish to obfuscate.
Should any journalist, current member of Parliament, or member of the House of Lords, wish to reach out and discuss how the UK could play their part, you can reach us securely here.
