Statement by the Department of Defense on the Release of Historical Navy Videos
APRIL 27, 2020
The Department of Defense has authorized the release of three unclassified Navy videos, one taken in November 2004 and the other two in January 2015, which have been circulating in the public domain after unauthorized releases in 2007 and 2017. The U.S. Navy previously acknowledged that these videos circulating in the public domain were indeed Navy videos. After a thorough review, the department has determined that the authorized release of these unclassified videos does not reveal any sensitive capabilities or systems, and does not impinge on any subsequent investigations of military air space incursions by unidentified aerial phenomena. DOD is releasing the videos in order to clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage that has been circulating was real, or whether or not there is more to the videos. The aerial phenomena observed in the videos remain characterized as "unidentified." The released videos can be found at the Naval Air Systems Command FOIA Reading Room:
The videos were originally released by TTSA in 2017 with The New York Times and subsequently confirmed by the Navy. The Pentagon has also previously acknowledged the existence of an Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) formerly run by Luis Elizondo. Elizondo now serves as the Director of Government Programs & Services for TTSA.
He offered the following statement regarding the footage release:
“In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever that governments speak the truth to their citizens, as it is the most important pillar of a Democracy. We commend the leadership at the Department of Defense for sharing the truth and TTSA is optimistic that they will continue to share more information transparently as it becomes publicly available.”
“At To The Stars Academy, we do not fear skepticism and will continually work to decrease doubt around the topic of the existence of UAPs. We are fueled by the Pentagon’s significant actions and hope this encourages a new wave of credible information to come forward. We acknowledge and stand by those who have the courage to always speak the truth, no matter how difficult or complex the issue is.”
Elizondo is a principal cast member of HISTORY’s hit nonfiction series “Unidentified: Inside America’s UFO Investigation,” which reached 19.1 million people during season one. Elizondo appeared alongside Commander David Fravor, U.S. Navy (Ret), Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, who encountered the UAP in the Navy’s declassified footage.
Throughout the series, Elizondo and his colleagues are profiled for their work at To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science collaborating with public and private entities around the world to shine a spotlight on the truth and produce tangible evidence to build the most indisputable case for the existence and threat of UAPs ever assembled.
Season two of the series is set to return this summer and will continue to follow Elizondo and the TTSA team as they further their work with retired and active military to expose Unidentified Aerial Phenomena sightings worldwide.
