Pentagon UFO Files: Release 3

The panel’s primary conclusion was that “flying saucers” did not pose a direct physical threat to the national security of the United States. The panel found no evidence that these phenomena were attributable to hostile foreign artifacts or indicated a need to revise existing scientific concepts. However, the panel identified a significant indirect threat stemming from the public’s fascination with the subject. The panel concluded that the high volume of reports, encouraged by a "sensationalist press," could overwhelm and clog vital intelligence and communication channels, potentially distracting from genuine threats. Furthermore, they warned that a “morbid national psychology” could be exploited by adversaries to incite “hysterical behavior and harmful distrust of duly constituted authority.” To mitigate these risks, the panel recommended an official policy of “debunking” to “strip the UFO subject of its mystery,” alongside a training initiative for military personnel to better recognize and filter out misidentified objects, thereby reducing communication “noise” and allowing the national security apparatus to focus on more "legitimate defense concerns."

Union and other targets worldwide, the famous downing of Francis Gary Powers in 1960, organizational reforms following that incident, and the eventual transfer of operations from CIA to Air Force control. A more redacted version of this document has been available on CIA's public website.

facilities during and after WWI, using rotating cylinders or gas-turbines to create lift through boundary layer manipulation, rather than conventional wings. A redacted version of this report has been available on CIA's public website.

A redacted version of this report has been available on CIA's public website.

"laboratory" for recording observable phenomena. A more redacted version of this memorandum has been available on CIA's public website.

A more redacted version of this report has been available on CIA's public website.

A more redacted version of this report has been available on CIA's public website.

System-300/Aldan warheads), rumored laser weapon research, and unidentified aerial phenomenon observed at the site. A more redacted version of this report has been available on CIA's public website.

automated biological testing equipment that measures vital signs in 1-3 minutes, and discussions about UFO phenomena with a Soviet radiation biologist. A more redacted version of this report has been available on CIA's public website.

A more redacted version of this report has been available on CIA's public website.

The memo references a UFO sighting at an RAF field seen by high officials and RAF pilots. A more redacted version of the memo has been available on CIA's public website.

Seven UFO sightings are listed that took place between 19 Feb. to 25 Mar. 1968. A more redacted version of the report has been available on CIA's public website.

Individuals debated if the sighting was an advanced reconnaissance device of a foreign government or of extraterrestrial origins.

The information came from a letter between Hungarian relatives, living in the USA and Budapest. A more redacted version of the report has been available on CIA's public website.

This document was released by the National Archives of Australia.

phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in 2023. As of June 2026, the case remains unresolved.

This illustration depicts multiple incidents reported by U.S. federal law enforcement special agents over a period of several days in October 2023.

Witness 1 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.

Witness 2 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.

Witness 3 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.

Witness 4 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.

Witness 5 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.

traced to natural phenomena or the activities of a foreign power.

The memorandum requests that naval stations report incidents to the nearest Air Force command and to the Naval District Intelligence Office.

Many summaries also include witness lists or statements and other narrative reports or descriptions.

Many summaries also include witness lists or statements and other narrative reports or descriptions.

This FD-302 contains a summary of an interview with a U.S. military service member in March 2025 regarding a February 2022 incident potentially involving unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). The individual described the phenomenon as being “bean shaped,” “matte white” or “off-white” in color, with a surface covered in “intersecting lines or ridges which formed an abstract polygon pattern.” The individual described the phenomenon as “motionless” and that “no sound could be heard coming from it.” FBI Note: AARO has since been in contact with the interviewee to conduct subsequent interviews to inform its analysis of this incident.

This FD-1057 contains a first-hand narrative description of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) reported near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The interviewee provided this statement to FBI special agents to aid in producing a digital artistic interpretation of the incident.

This image is derived from the first-hand narrative description contained in “FBI-UAP-D002, FD-1057, Unresolved UAP Report, Colorado Springs, 2022”.

This FD-1057 documents the FBI’s contact with a U.S. person in October 2024, during which FBI special agents collected video footage and gathered information regarding the circumstances surrounding its capture. The U.S. person captured the video footage in the same general location as the incidents described in documents. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

This FD-1057 documents an October 2024 interview with a US person regarding several incidents potentially involving unidentified anomalous phenomena in the northeastern United States over the previous three years. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

This FD-1057 documents a November 2024 site survey of a location where a U.S. person reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena multiple times over the previous three years. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

This FBI FD-1057 documents first-hand observations made by two FBI special agents’ during the course of an ongoing investigation in November 2024. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

This FBI FD-1057 documents a December 2024 site survey of a location where two FBI special agents had previously observed unidentified anomalous phenomena. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

This FD-302 records a February 2026 interview with a U.S. person, in which they described incidents potentially involving unidentified anomalous phenomena. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D009 and FBI-UAP-D010 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR004 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

This FD-302 records an interview with a U.S. person regarding their first-hand account of an incident potentially involving unidentified anomalous phenomena. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D009 and FBI-UAP-D010 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR004 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

Charles Barnes concerning Barnes’ account of an incident potentially involving unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). Rev. Barnes described observing four beams of light “converging in the Cascade Mountains,” at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet, with a “great explosion” visible at the convergence point of those beams for at least ten minutes. Director Hoover replied to Rev. Barnes thanking him for his letter and informing him that he had forwarded it to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Director Hoover conveyed to the AEC that Rev. Barnes believed that the event may relate to a military or scientific experiment within the commission’s purview.

These files include memoranda and correspondence between the FBI and the U.S. Air Force regarding UFO sightings, as well as public correspondence concerning various UFO-focused groups.

This file includes memoranda and correspondence between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Air Force regarding UFO sightings.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D079. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D079. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D080. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D080. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D080. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D080. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D080. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D079. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D080. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

This image is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D080. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital rendering at the request of the Department of War in 2026.

The light source initially appeared as a single intense luminous object before resolving into multiple lights exhibiting erratic rotational motion relative to one another. The object slowly moved laterally from left to right during the encounter. The eyewitness captured the video with a hand-held iPhone 12 Pro, resulting in unintended camera movement. The location was well known to the eyewitness and is sparsely populated. The description above is derived from statements provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by the eyewitness to the event. The FBI assesses the individual who reported this event as highly credible. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

Both luminous objects maintained generally stationary positions throughout the encounter. The lower light source appeared to rotate slowly relative to the upper light source, moving from an apparent 6 o’clock position to slightly beyond the apparent 9 o’clock position. The eyewitness did not hear any sounds from the light sources. The eyewitness captured this video using an iPhone 12 Pro at a location well known to them, which is sparsely populated. The description above is derived from statements provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by an eyewitness to the event. The FBI assesses the individual who reported this event as highly credible. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

The luminous object resembled a “plasma-like sphere” intermittently changing shape and luminosity. At times, the primary light source appeared to separate into smaller luminous points. A luminous point below the primary source hovered just above the water and did not appear consistent with a surface reflection. The object remained generally stationary for approximately 45 minutes before disappearing. The eyewitness did not hear any sound from the objects. This video was captured by a private citizen on an iPhone and subsequently analyzed and authenticated by the U.S. Government. To protect the individual’s privacy, the footage has been cropped. Apart from this privacy-protective measure, no edits, enhancements, or alterations have been made to the visual content. The description above is derived from statements provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by an eyewitness to the event. The FBI assesses the individual who reported this event as highly credible. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D004 through FBI-UAP-D008 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR001 through FBI-UAP-PR003 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

The light was hovering approximately 25 feet off the ground, below a tree line near the center of their backyard, at an estimated distance of 90 feet. The eyewitness exited their vehicle briefly before retrieving their phone to record the event. The spouse of the eyewitness came outside to assess the situation. The spouse also witnessed the light, describing it as a “brilliant red sphere” about one meter in diameter. The center of the red sphere appeared to be a white plasma “sun” about the size of a basketball. The orb slowly rose and moved to the left, and both eyewitnesses observed a second, identical orb, hovering above the other orb. The eyewitness then began recording the event using an iPhone 14 Pro Max, capturing the footage depicted in this video. As the eyewitness began recording, the orbs moved westward together above a nearby tree line. The witnesses described the orbs’ motion as silent and smooth, and as moving in tandem as though they were flying in formation or tethered together. As the orbs moved out of sight, both eyewitnesses saw them appear to merge. The eyewitnesses estimated that the orbs moved from their initial position before disappearing from view at an estimated distance of 75 yards. This observation occurred within 25 miles of the “Triangle Orbs,” “Red Orb Rotation,” and “Orbs Over the Pond,” sightings at a location well known to them, which is sparsely populated. The description above is derived from statements provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by eyewitnesses to the event. The FBI assesses the individuals who reported this event as credible. The subject matter described in files FBI-UAP-D009 through FBI-UAP-D010 and depicted in the video footage FBI-UAP-PR004 corresponds to reports originating from the same general area in the northeastern United States.

This digital recreation is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D081. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital recreation at the request of the Department of War in 2026

This digital recreation is based upon a first-hand description provided by a federal law enforcement special agent, as described in DOW-UAP-D081. The Federal Bureau of Investigation prepared this digital recreation at the request of the Department of War in 2026

U.S. military service members reported the incident to AARO in 2023. AARO’s IC partner assessed, with low confidence, that the reported phenomenon, which observers characterized as resembling an “angular, non-symmetrical potato,” was attributable to sunlight backscattering, where sunlight reflecting from mountain snow cover illuminated the underside of low-altitude clouds. This low-confidence assessment contributes to AARO’s consideration of the incident, which remains unresolved as of June 2026.

This collection includes transcripts from NASA interviews and debriefings with both astronauts regarding those observations. It also contains details relating to scientific observations of atmospheric phenomena, including brief descriptions of luminous particles, experiences while aboard spacecraft, and circa 1955 theoretical analysis of meteoric particles entering the atmosphere. Pages 34-35, 55-56, 57-63, 64-113, and 122-127 feature content relevant to the PURSUE initiative.

Astronaut Ed White recounts seeing “sparkles” during the flight.

Part II of this document contains the “Visual Sightings” section of the debriefing (pages 196-224), where astronauts James McDivitt and Edward White describe their observations while aboard the spacecraft.

Astronauts James McDivitt and Edward White successfully completed the four-day flight between June 3 and June 7, 1965. The mission included the first American spacewalk. This collection of documents contains a transcription of the astronauts recounting their observations of bright particles outside the spacecraft, dated circa June 25, 1967, on pages 78-81, and page 101.

NASA conducted this debriefing between August 30, 1965, and September 2, 1965, at the Crew Quarters, Cape Kennedy, Florida.

NASA conducted this debriefing between August 30, 1965, and September 2, 1965, at the Crew Quarters, Cape Kennedy, Florida. Astronauts L. Gordon Cooper and Charles “Pete” Conrad described observing debris and “snow” and “all sorts of glittering pieces of this, that and the other thing” in the “Visual Sightings” section of the document (pages 157-220).

Lights and flashes are mentioned and there is discussion about having proper illumination for vehicle docking. Borman and Lovell discuss celestial and terrestrial observational anomalies and note sightings of Mercury, meteors, aurora, and lightning. They also discuss not being able to see any stars once the Sun comes up.

The mission’s primary objectives included a spacewalk and multiple scientific and medical experiments. This document, dated June 16, 1966, is a transcript of a NASA debriefing of astronauts Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan. Pages 2-5 of this document contain the astronauts’ accounts of their observations of “flashing lights” and “sparkles” during the mission.

In this excerpt from that interview, Cronkite asks Cooper about his views regarding the nature of unidentified flying objects, having previously expressed an interest in the subject. Cooper opines that “a large number of exceptionally well-qualified people have seen objects” without a “logical explanation” and speculates on the existence of other planets with “a livable atmosphere” and that maybe there are “some type of human life” out there. Interview was conducted in November 1962.

The principal investigators describe preliminary results of their work to educate the Apollo crews about what they’ve obtained from Apollo 16 to help prepare for Apollo 17. They also describe anomalies, such as a “flash” that was observed that had not yet been reported. The flash is mentioned beginning at 25:15.

Objects, or “UFOs.” These inquiries cover a diverse range of topics, including alleged UFO sightings by NASA astronauts, questions regarding the authenticity of photos collected during U.S. missions to Mars, alleged improper withholding of information by the U.S. Government, questions regarding the appropriateness of “UFO-related” governmental spending, and calls for congressional hearings regarding the nature and existence of “UFOs.” The official responses consistently state that, circa 1998, the U.S. Government is not aware of evidence supporting the existence of extraterrestrial technology, and that NASA does not actively investigate “UFOs.” The collection includes references to materials of both confirmed and unconfirmed authenticity, as provided by constituents, as well as references to historical, scientific literature addressing specific “UFO” sighting claims.