entity

Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program

Also known as: AATIP

Entities (2)

Luis Elizondo

Luis Elizondo

Luis Elizondo is directly linked to the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) as its former director and leader, having established the program in 2010 as described in [1] and [2]. His leadership role and efforts to brief officials on the program's research are confirmed across multiple accounts, including [3], [4], and [5]. — 15 supporting facts

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Pentagon

Pentagon

The Pentagon is the government body that housed, managed, and eventually confirmed the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), as detailed in [1], [2], and [3]. Furthermore, the Pentagon exercised administrative control over the program by denying requests for Special Access Program status [4], [5] and issuing official reports regarding its findings [6]. — 8 supporting facts

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Facts (27)

Sources

How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously | The New Yorker newyorker.com The New Yorker Apr 30, 2021 18 facts

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) originated as a contractor's investigation into paranormal phenomena like goblins and werewolves and was later associated with Tom DeLonge, a musician known for the album 'Enema of the State.'

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) began as a contractor’s investigation into paranormal phenomena such as goblins and werewolves.

claimLuis Elizondo asserts that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) made progress in understanding the “five observables” of UAP behavior, which include gravity-defying capabilities, low observability, and transmedium travel.

claimThe Pentagon confirmed that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) had existed but stated it was closed in 2012 due to other funding priorities.

claimHarry Reid requested Special Access Program (SAP) status for the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) because he wanted the program to investigate potential retrieved UFO materials, but the Pentagon denied him the necessary clearance.

claimLuis Elizondo attempted to brief Secretary of Defense James Mattis on the research findings of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), but was blocked by subordinates, though Mattis's personal assistant at the time does not recall being approached by Elizondo.

accountLuis Elizondo, Christopher Mellon, Hal Puthoff, and Steve Semivan joined To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science after Elizondo resigned from the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

claimThe Pentagon confirmed that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) had existed, but stated that it was closed in 2012 due to other funding priorities.

claimLuis Elizondo claimed that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) continued to operate after 2012 despite the lack of dedicated funding.

accountIn 2010, Luis Elizondo transformed an outsourced study of Utah cryptids into the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), an in-house Pentagon initiative focused on the national-security implications of military U.A.P. encounters.

perspectiveA former Pentagon official argues that the public fascination with UAP/UFOs, sparked by Leslie Kean's reporting, was more significant than the specific program (AATIP) she disclosed, as it forced the government to actually begin caring about the subject.

accountLuis Elizondo attempted to brief Secretary of Defense James Mattis regarding AATIP's research but was blocked by underlings.

claimSenator Harry Reid requested Special Access Program (SAP) status for the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) in an attempt to gain clearance to investigate UAP/UFO materials, but the Pentagon denied the request.

claimLuis Elizondo established the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) in 2010, transforming an outsourced study of Utah cryptids into an in-house effort focused on the national-security implications of military U.A.P. encounters.

claimLuis Elizondo claimed that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) continued to operate after 2012 despite the lack of dedicated funding.

claimGeneral James Mattis's personal assistant at the time does not recall being approached by Luis Elizondo for a briefing on AATIP.

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) was associated with Tom DeLonge, a musician known for the album “Enema of the State.”

claimLuis Elizondo asserted that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) made significant progress in understanding the 'five observables' of UAP behavior, which include 'gravity-defying capabilities,' 'low observability,' and 'transmedium travel.'

Disclosure movement - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia 6 facts

claimThe New York Times published a story on December 16, 2017, titled "Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program," which reported on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and popularized speculation that the US government might soon reveal information about UFOs.

claimIn April, Harry Reid published a letter attesting that Luis Elizondo held a leadership role in the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

quoteLuis Elizondo, a former Department of Defense official and member of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, stated, 'You have information being locked away that can change the trajectory of [our] species.'

claimLuis Elizondo, the former head of the U.S. Defense Department's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, stated that a superior ordered him to stop investigating UFOs on the grounds that the phenomena are 'demonic.'

claimHarry Reid published a letter in April confirming that Luis Elizondo held a leadership role in the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

perspectiveLuis Elizondo, the former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), described a Pentagon report denying that UFOs are extraterrestrial as "intentionally dishonest, inaccurate and dangerously misleading."

Amid Anticipation of Government Disclosure, 'We Are Not Alone ... religiondispatches.org Religion Dispatches Jan 25, 2024 2 facts

claimThe current wave of public enthusiasm regarding UFOs began in 2017 when major newspapers reported on the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

measurementThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) spent $22 million investigating Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs).

Ufology: From Fringe to Mainstream to Fringe? - Skeptic Magazine skeptic.com Skeptic Feb 20, 2026 1 fact

claimHarperCollins is scheduled to publish a memoir by Jay Stratton in 2026, which is expected to address the history of UAP-related programs including NIDS, BAASS, AAWSAP, and AATIP.