Pentagon Begins Releasing Secret UFO Files Dating Back to the 1940s

Unidentified flying object captured in U.S. military footage flying rapidly above the Pacific Ocean during a Navy observation mission. — A still image from U.S. Navy footage showing an unidentified aerial object moving at high speed over the Pacific Ocean, later released by the Pentagon as part of its UFO investigations.

The United States Department of Defense has officially begun releasing a large collection of previously classified files related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), marking one of the most significant public disclosures on the subject in decades.

More than 160 documents have now been uploaded to the Defense Department’s public archive after years of public pressure and transparency demands. The files include reports about “flying saucers,” “unidentified aerial phenomena” (UAPs), military encounters, radar detections, and eyewitness testimonies stretching from the late 1940s to recent years.Trump Ordered Release of Government Files on February 23, 2026 UFOs and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

The newly released material reportedly includes contributions and investigations involving major U.S. institutions such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, NASA, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

According to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the files had remained buried within classified archives for decades, fueling endless speculation and conspiracy theories.

“These files, hidden under classified systems for years, have long fueled rumors and public curiosity. The American people deserve to see them now,” Hegseth said in a statement accompanying the release.

The documents contain a wide variety of records, ranging from early “flying saucer” investigations dating back to December 1947 to modern military sightings reported as recently as 2023. Some reports describe mysterious red-orange lights appearing in the sky, while others involve fast-moving aerial objects exhibiting unusual flight behavior beyond conventional aircraft capabilities.

The latest release follows an executive directive issued in February by Donald Trump, who ordered federal agencies to declassify additional UFO-related files in response to what he described as “strong public interest.”

Trump also reignited public debate after claiming that former President Barack Obama had previously hinted at “secret information” regarding extraterrestrial life during a podcast appearance.

Speaking on the podcast hosted by Brian Tyler Cohen on February 14, Obama addressed questions surrounding UFOs and the long-standing mystery of Area 51 — the highly secretive U.S. military installation located in Nevada that has become central to countless conspiracy theories.

“It’s true, but I didn’t see them, and they’re not being kept in Area 51,” Obama joked during the interview.

He later clarified his comments, explaining that while he personally believes the vastness of the universe makes extraterrestrial life statistically possible, he never encountered any verified evidence during his presidency from 2009 to 2017 proving that alien beings had contacted Earth.

“Honestly, I never saw any evidence that extraterrestrials visited us while I was president,” Obama later wrote on Instagram in response to the growing online speculation surrounding his remarks.

At the time, Trump told reporters that Obama may have revealed information “he probably wasn’t supposed to disclose,” though Trump himself admitted uncertainty, saying, “I don’t know whether it’s true or not.”

Despite decades of rumors, leaked footage, and government investigations, officials continue to stress that there remains no confirmed evidence proving the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Among the most widely discussed materials are military videos captured by U.S. Navy pilots. One of the earliest famous incidents occurred in 2004, when two Navy aviators recorded a mysterious object rapidly maneuvering above the Pacific Ocean. Additional videos released from 2015 show unidentified airborne objects moving at extraordinary speeds and changing direction abruptly.

In one recording, a surprised pilot can be heard saying, “Look at that thing — it’s turning.”

At the time, the Pentagon confirmed the authenticity of the videos while emphasizing that the footage did not reveal any classified American technology or compromise military operations.

“After a thorough review, the Department of Defense concluded that these released videos do not reveal any sensitive capabilities or systems and do not interfere with ongoing investigations into military airspace incursions caused by unidentified aerial phenomena,” the Pentagon said in an official statement.

The Defense Department also reiterated that the objects shown in the footage remain officially “unidentified.”

The release of these files has once again intensified global fascination with UFOs, government secrecy, and the possibility of life beyond Earth. While scientists and intelligence officials continue searching for explanations, the mystery surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena remains unresolved.