In recent years, the topic of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), often referred to as UFOs, has gained significant attention. Not only do these mysterious objects capture the curiosity of the general public, but they also pose a potential threat to military forces and U.S. national security. The Department of Defense (DoD) has long been involved in investigating UAP sightings, but a lack of a comprehensive and coordinated approach has hindered progress in understanding these phenomena.

Historically, military pilots have reported many of the observed UAP sightings. The Air Force and Navy have taken the lead in developing policies, procedures, and reporting mechanisms for UAP sightings. Since the 1940s, the DoD has heavily relied on the services and components to detect, report, collect data, analyze, and identify UAP sightings. This involvement dates back to 1947 when the U.S. Air Force initiated PROJECT SIGN to investigate the first recorded observations of unidentified flying objects. Over the course of two years, Air Force personnel investigated 243 reported UAP sightings.

In 1952, PROJECT BLUE BOOK was launched by the U.S. Air Force Director of Intelligence to further investigate unidentified flying objects. This project spanned from 1952 to 1969 and involved Air Force personnel examining over 12,000 reported sightings. Following this period, the DoD did not officially focus on UAP until the mid-2000s when select members of Congress initiated and funded a program called the Advanced Aerospace Weapon Systems Applications program. Led by the Defense Intelligence Agency, this program aimed to study UAP. Despite these initiatives, no fully implemented programs were established to coordinate DoD-wide UAP reporting.

The urgency to address UAP sightings reached its peak in 2020 when concerns about flight crew safety, national security, and advances in adversary technology prompted Congress to direct the DoD to establish a formal interagency entity dedicated to studying, collecting data, and reporting on UAP. Hence, on July 20, 2022, the DoD created the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to fulfill this role.

Recognizing the importance of combatant commands, which are responsible for detecting, deterring, and preventing threats against the United States and its territories, possessions, and bases, we determined that these commands should play an important role in detecting, reporting, collecting, and identifying UAP incidents. Chapter 6, title 10 of the United States Code outlines the authorities of combatant commanders, making them the logical organizations to work alongside AARO in addressing UAP incidents.

It is evident that a comprehensive and coordinated approach is urgently needed to effectively address UAP sightings and safeguard military forces and national security. The establishment of AARO is a step in the right direction, but it must be supported by the efforts of combatant commands to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of UAP incidents. The successful collaboration between these entities will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of UAP and its potential implications.

In conclusion, the DoD’s historical efforts to address UAP sightings have been sporadic and inconclusive. However, recent developments have led to the establishment of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and the recognition of combatant commands’ role in reporting UAP incidents. With these advancements, there is hope for a more coordinated and comprehensive approach that will ultimately enhance military readiness and protect U.S. national security from potential aerial threats.