Department of War Launches Massive UAP Document Release, Posting 161 Files in First Tranche

The U.S. Department of War has begun executing President Donald J. Trump's directive for unprecedented transparency on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, releasing its first tranche of 161 declassified government files related to UAP investigations.

The release, cleared on May 8, 2026, marks what the Department calls an "unprecedented, historic undertaking" requiring coordination between dozens of agencies and the review of tens of millions of records, many existing only on paper and spanning multiple decades.

"The Department of War is in lockstep with President Trump to bring unprecedented transparency regarding our government's understanding of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena," said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in a statement. "These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation—and it's time the American people see it for themselves."

The initial release consists entirely of FBI documents, with 161 files spanning multiple sections and serials. Notably, the first tranche contains files with incident dates and locations listed as "N/A," suggesting the records may relate to administrative or investigative proceedings rather than specific sighting events.

The Department emphasized that the materials being released represent "unresolved cases," meaning the government was unable to make a definitive determination on the nature of the observed phenomena. This determination can occur for various reasons, including insufficient data to reach a conclusive identification.

The Department has explicitly welcomed private-sector analysis, inviting experts outside government to apply their own analysis and expertise to the released materials. This open approach represents a significant departure from historical secrecy surrounding UAP investigations.

The release will occur on a rolling basis, with new tranches posted every few weeks as additional materials are discovered and declassified. The Department noted that it will continue conducting separate reporting on resolved UAP cases as mandated by statute.

For those seeking additional historical UAP records, the Department pointed to AARO.mil, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office website, as another resource for government information on unidentified phenomena.

This effort represents the most comprehensive declassification initiative regarding government UAP records since Congress mandated increased transparency through legislation in recent years, though the scope and scale of the current effort dwarfs previous releases in terms of volume and institutional coordination.