What Happened to Pentagon UFO Videos (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena - UAP)?
The 'Pentagon UFO Videos' refer to a series of declassified U.S. military footage showing unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), which gained significant public attention starting in 2017. The U.S. government, under the Trump administration in 2026, has significantly increased transparency efforts, launching a public website (PURSUE) and releasing hundreds of new files, including videos and documents, in May 2026, though official statements continue to note a lack of evidence for extraterrestrial origin.
Quick Answer
The Pentagon UFO Videos, now officially termed Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), have seen a significant push for transparency in 2026 under President Donald Trump's directive. The Department of War launched the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE) website in May 2026, releasing an initial 162 files on May 8, followed by a second tranche of 50 videos and documents on May 22, 2026. While these releases include historical accounts and new footage, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) maintains that there is no evidence to suggest any of the phenomena are of extraterrestrial origin. The government plans further rolling releases of UAP files.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
USS Nimitz 'Tic Tac' Encounter
U.S. Navy pilots from the USS Nimitz carrier strike group encountered an unidentified aerial phenomenon, later dubbed the 'Tic Tac' UFO, off the coast of Southern California. The incident was captured on video.
USS Theodore Roosevelt 'Gimbal' and 'GoFast' Encounters
Navy pilots associated with the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group recorded the 'Gimbal' and 'GoFast' videos off the East Coast of the United States, showing objects with unusual flight characteristics.
New York Times Report and Initial Video Leaks
The New York Times published an article revealing the existence of a secret Pentagon program investigating UFOs (AATIP) and included the leaked 'Tic Tac,' 'Gimbal,' and 'GoFast' videos, bringing them to widespread public attention.
Pentagon Officially Releases Three UAP Videos
The Pentagon formally declassified and released the 'Tic Tac,' 'Gimbal,' and 'GoFast' videos, acknowledging their authenticity and referring to the objects as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).
Establishment of UAP Task Force (UAPTF)
The Department of Defense established the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) to improve understanding of and gain insight into the nature and origins of UAPs.
UAPTF Preliminary Report to Congress
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a preliminary assessment on UAPs, detailing 144 reported incidents but offering no definitive explanations for most.
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Established
The Department of Defense established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), replacing the UAPTF, with an expanded mission to synchronize efforts across the government to detect and identify anomalous objects in all domains.
AARO Public Website Launched
AARO launched its public website to provide a centralized platform for declassified UAP information and reporting mechanisms for military and civilian personnel.
AARO Debut Report Released
AARO's debut report revealed hundreds of new UAP incidents but found no evidence that the U.S. government had ever confirmed a sighting of alien technology.
FY2026 NDAA Includes New UAP Mandates
The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included provisions requiring expanded congressional briefings on UAP intercepts by Northcom and NORAD, dating back to 2004.
President Trump Directs UAP File Declassification
President Donald Trump issued a directive for federal agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files related to 'alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs)' in the interest of transparency.
Launch of PURSUE Website and First Tranche of Files
The Department of War launched the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE) website (war.gov/ufo) and released an initial 162 declassified files, including 28 videos, 120 PDFs, and 14 image files.
Second Tranche of UAP Files Released
The Department of War released a second tranche of 50 additional videos and documents on the PURSUE website, including first-hand testimony and footage from various global locations, bringing the total released files to over 200.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The phenomenon of 'Pentagon UFO Videos' traces its public prominence to several leaked and later declassified videos from U.S. Navy fighter jets, notably the 'Tic Tac,' 'Gimbal,' and 'GoFast' videos, recorded in 2004, 2014, and 2015 respectively. These videos, showing objects exhibiting unusual flight characteristics, were widely reported by The New York Times in 2017, sparking renewed public and congressional interest in Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), the official term for UFOs.
In response to growing concerns and congressional mandates, the Department of Defense (DoD) formally acknowledged and released these three videos in April 2020. This move was followed by the establishment of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) in August 2020, aimed at standardizing the collection and reporting of UAP sightings. The UAPTF was later superseded by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in July 2022, expanding the scope to include anomalous objects across all domains (air, space, sea, and transmedium) and tasked with mitigating potential threats to national security.
Congressional pressure for greater transparency continued, leading to provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal years 2022 and 2026, which mandated the establishment of AARO and required expanded briefings to Congress on UAP intercepts. AARO launched its public website in August 2023 to share information and reports. Despite hundreds of investigations, AARO's 2024 debut report and subsequent statements have consistently found no evidence of alien technology or extraterrestrial life, attributing many resolved cases to mundane explanations while others remain unexplained due to insufficient data.
A significant turning point occurred in February 2026, when President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to identify and declassify government files related to UAPs and extraterrestrial life, citing tremendous public interest. This directive led to the launch of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE) website (war.gov/ufo) by the Department of War (formerly Department of Defense) on May 8, 2026. The initial release comprised 162 files, including 28 videos, 120 PDFs, and 14 image files, spanning from 1944 to 2026.
On May 22, 2026, the Department of War released a second tranche of 50 additional videos and documents, including first-hand testimony and footage from various global locations, some showing objects with 'instantaneous warp-speed acceleration' or 'cigar-shaped' entities. This second release brought the total number of files to over 200. The PURSUE website garnered over a billion hits worldwide since its launch, indicating massive public engagement. The Department of War has stated that additional files will be released on a rolling basis, with a third release expected in the near future, continuing the administration's commitment to transparency while emphasizing that the materials represent 'unresolved cases' without definitive explanations.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Pentagon UFO Videos (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena - UAP) made different choices?