The US government held its first public Congressional hearing on UFOs since 1966 yesterday. The session highlighted how the US Department of Defense has amassed at least 400 sightings in recent years, including 11 near-collisions, and showed some new footage of unexplained aerial phenomenon (or UAPs as they are formally known). Many people were dismayed by the lack of substantial evidence presented at the session, which one lawmaker called a “complete farce.” It was also evident that politicians were more frightened about a foreign power flying next-generation military hardware in US airspace than alien spaceships approaching Earth.
Top military intelligence personnel testified before a Congressional Subcommittee Hearing on Tuesday, May 17, during the public phase of the congressional hearing, which lasted about an hour and a half. Following that, a closed and confidential briefing was held. The Pentagon’s task group for tracking unexplained aerial phenomena (UAPs), according to Scott Bray, deputy director of US naval intelligence, has collected over 400 reports. The intelligence head noticed an increase in reports in recent years, which he attributed to the increased use of drones, advances in sensor technology, and a reduction in the stigma associated with reporting sightings. He also indicated that at least 11 near-misses between US military assets and UAP had occurred, but no verified collisions have occurred.
“For far too long, the stigma attached to UAPs has hampered efficient intelligence analysis. Pilots either avoided reporting or were ridiculed if they did. In his opening remarks, Democratic Rep. André Carson of Indiana, the chairman of the subcommittee hosting the hearing, stated, “DoD officials moved the matter to the back room, or brushed it under the rug totally, terrified of a suspicious national security community.” “We know better today.” It’s true that UAPs are mysterious. They are, nonetheless, genuine. They must be looked into. And whatever dangers they bring must be addressed.”
Bray revealed two pieces of tape during the hearing that showed UAP sightings that had never been released publicly before. A little reflecting spherical object flashed through the glass in one video shot from the cockpit of a Navy plane. The brief film, which lasted only a few seconds, was intended to demonstrate how UAP sightings are sometimes accompanied by very inadequate evidence. According to Bray, this particular sighting remains unsolved.
A flashing triangular item flew through the sky through a night-vision camera in another video (seen about 27 minutes and 20 seconds into the hearing). According to Bray, the film went unexplained for several years before it was discovered that the object was an unmanned drone. While most UAP sightings can be explained, there are still a few occurrences that have no explanation, according to Bray.
Aside from it, little more was offered at the hearing. Many questions remain unanswered, and few detailed information have been provided. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Christopher K. Mellon tweeted, “That was a difficult hearing as well as a reminder both of how far we’ve gone and how far we still have to go.”
Representative Tim Burchett tweeted, “The UFO hearing this morning was a ridiculous comedy.” “We should have heard from people who could speak about what they’d directly witnessed, but the witnesses were government officials with limited understanding who couldn’t provide actual answers to critical issues.” “No, ma’am,” Burchett said when a reporter asked whether he learned anything from the hearing. I found out that I was accurate — the cover-up will go on.”
