Pentagon declassifies UAP files: four-foot beings, Apollo sightings, 160+ docs
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The US Pentagon has released a large cache of previously classified files on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), revealing decades of unexplained aerial sightings reported by astronauts, military personnel, intelligence officials, and civilians. The declassified archive, published following a directive from US President Donald Trump, comprises over 160 files spanning military videos, infrared imagery, FBI memos, NASA transcripts, and eyewitness accounts dating from the 1940s through 2026.
What the Files Contain
The released material includes military infrared videos of fast-moving unidentified objects, radar tracks of unusual aerial shapes, and footage of objects that reportedly changed direction at high speed. One file documents an object making sharp 90-degree turns near the ocean surface before vanishing from infrared optics sensors. A glowing eight-pointed star-shaped object also appears in separate military footage, with investigators unable to conclusively identify it.
Military footage from Iraq, Syria, and the UAE showed unexplained aerial objects moving erratically. The files document hundreds of mysterious aerial incidents across the globe, including sightings over North America, the Middle East, the East China Sea, Africa, and the Mediterranean region near Greece.
Apollo Moon Missions and Astronaut Accounts
Among the more striking disclosures are transcripts and images from the Apollo Moon missions. During a 1969 debriefing, an astronaut reportedly described a fairly bright light source near the Moon. Apollo 17 astronauts, during their 1972 mission, observed bright tumbling lights, while another crew member reported seeing flashes of light and particles sailing off into space. These accounts, drawn from official NASA transcripts, remain among the most discussed in the newly released archive.
Humanoid Figures and Historical FBI Records
Older FBI records contained witness descriptions of disk-shaped, egg-shaped, and cigar-like crafts hovering silently before accelerating away at high speed. Perhaps the most striking element: eyewitness accounts of small humanoid figures, described as approximately four feet tall, reportedly seen near unidentified craft. Officials stress these accounts remain officially unverified.
Official Position and What Comes Next
Despite the breadth of the release, officials were careful to note that the material does not constitute proof of extraterrestrial life. Many incidents remain officially unresolved due to limited evidence, missing data, or mundane explanations such as weather effects, drones, balloons, or sensor distortions.
The documents have been uploaded to a new public Pentagon portal dedicated to UAP disclosures, with further releases planned in subsequent phases. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the release aimed to increase transparency after years of public demand for disclosure. With additional tranches expected, the archive is likely to fuel continued debate among researchers, policymakers, and the public alike.