U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the declassification and publication of 162 Pentagon documents concerning unidentified anomalous phenomena [1].

The move represents a significant shift toward transparency regarding government knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena. By making these records public, the administration allows for independent investigation and public scrutiny of materials previously held under military secrecy [1, 2].

The documents were published on Friday, May 9, 2024, following an executive order signed in February 2024 [1, 2]. The records are now accessible to the public through the Department of Defense website at war.gov/UFO [1].

Among the released materials is a historical FBI file covering the period from 1947 to 1968 [1]. The release also includes images from Apollo missions [1]. These files provide a chronological look at how U.S. intelligence and law enforcement handled reports of anomalous sightings during the Cold War era.

Beyond historical archives, the documents detail recent observations made by U.S. troops stationed in several countries [1]. Specifically, the reports include sightings from Iraq, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Greece [1]. These accounts suggest that the phenomenon of unidentified anomalous phenomena continues to be observed by military personnel in active theaters of operation.

In addition to the primary set of 162 documents, approximately 20 additional documents were also released as part of this transparency effort [1]. The administration said the goal is to fulfill the presidential order to provide greater clarity on UAP activity [1, 2].

“Trump ordered the declassification and publication of 162 Pentagon documents concerning unidentified anomalous phenomena.”

The release of these documents signals a transition from internal military monitoring to public disclosure regarding UAP. By including both historical FBI files and contemporary reports from active military zones, the U.S. government is providing a broader dataset for researchers to determine if these phenomena represent atmospheric anomalies, foreign surveillance technology, or other unexplained sources.