On June 25th, 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a preliminary assessment report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena or UAP. The report outlined that since March 2019, military aviators have encountered 144 instances where UAP interrupted pre-planned training exercises and other military activities. 80 of these reports involved observation with multiple sensors.

Moreover, the report shared by the UAPTF has 11 reports in which pilots reported near misses. It seems these unknown crafts of unknown origin are creating a clear safety hazard for our pilots and present a unique risk in terms of national security. Furthermore, this phenomenon also poses a diplomatic problem with respect to sovereignty, since it does not respect military airspace jurisdiction. The wrong interpretation of the possible threat could gravely damage bilateral relationships with foreign allies and adversaries. It was not long ago when the former Soviet Union sent Sputnik into orbit. Sputnik’s success caused great concern among Americans. However, at that time, Congress responded steadfastly by increasing spending expenditures for defense and space programs. Funding some of our country’s greatest accomplishments, the space race as we know it today, and even landing Apollo 11 on the Moon.

It’s time for Congress to act. Some Congressional committees have received classified briefings, such as the Senate Armed Forces Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee. But to date, none has held a hearing, open or closed. I encourage you, if you have not already, to peruse the classified briefing from the UAPTF, and to support public hearings on this matter. Also, I believe the time has come to release any historical data and information collected that has been classified but is now more than 25 years old, consistent with Executive Order 12,958 Sec. 3.4.

This would build mainstream scientific acceptance of the issue, while also instilling the public’s trust in the government. I’m fearful of the day when an adversary leapfrogs the U.S. with this observed technology, while we have our heads buried in the sand. An event of that nature could have major consequences for the liberties and freedoms you are sworn to protect. I’m asking Congress to take all necessary action to improve our understanding of what we’re observing. This could also lead to one of mankind’s greatest discoveries.