After an 18-month tenure as head of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Pentagon’s UFO chief, Sean Kirkpatrick, is set to step down next month.
Kirkpatrick, who delayed his retirement in the pursuit of evidence regarding extraterrestrial phenomena, recently asserted that numerous reported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) over the United States could be attributed to either foreign nations or aliens, with the latter being the more concerning possibility.
During his brief directorship, Kirkpatrick delved into over 800 cases, issuing a cautionary alert about the existence of UFOs.
«If we don’t prove it’s aliens, then what we’re finding is evidence of other people doing stuff in our own backyard, and that’s not good,» Kirkpatrick told Politico.
While concrete evidence of extraterrestrial activity remains elusive, he emphasized that the alternative, indicating foreign entities operating within U.S. airspace, is a disconcerting prospect. Kirkpatrick expressed satisfaction with his contributions to the AARO, highlighting efforts to enhance public access to the Pentagon’s UFO files.
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Why has Kirkpatrick left his post?
Established just last year, the AARO gained prominence for its investigations into UFO sightings reported by military pilots and its role in identifying Chinese surveillance balloons traversing U.S. skies.
Kirkpatrick made headlines in June by rebuking whistleblower David Charles Grusch, a former intelligence officer who claimed the U.S. had covertly recovered alien spacecraft for decades. Despite being open to the notion of extraterrestrial existence, Kirkpatrick testified before Congress that there was as yet «no credible evidence» supporting such claims.
Characterizing Grusch‘s assertions as «extremely unethical and immoral,» Kirkpatrick highlighted the whistleblower’s reluctance to engage with the AARO. The Department of Defense commended Kirkpatrick for his leadership, acknowledging his efforts to enhance transparency through the creation of the AARO’s first public-facing website.
The department stated that Kirkpatrick’s commitment to transparency regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) would be a lasting legacy as the AARO continues its mission.
Tim Phillips, Kirkpatrick’s deputy, will assume leadership until the Pentagon appoints a new chief, with the Department of Defense praising Kirkpatrick‘s distinguished service in fortifying the nation against scientific and national security challenges.
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