The DoD launched their newest reporting tool for former military members, federal employees, and contractors to come forward with information related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)s, formerly known as UFO’s.
All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office
The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, identifying itself as AARO, is given the mission to “minimize technical and intelligence surprise by synchronizing scientific, intelligence, and operational detection identification, attribution, and mitigation of unidentified anomalous phenomena in the vicinity of national security areas,” according to their website.
The AARO’s vision is to effectively and efficiently detect, track, analyze, and manage UAP’s using normalized DoD, Intelligence Community and civil business practices.
Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the AARO Director, is quoted by the AARO, saying “Our team of experts is leading the U.S. government’s efforts to address UAP, using a rigorous scientific framework and a data-driven approach. Since its establishment in July 2022, AARO has taken important steps to improve data collection, standardize reporting requirements, and mitigate the potential threats to safety and security posed by UAP.”
Going more in depth on the AARO’s mission page shows that the office has determined that the existence of a UAP is a direct consequence of ‘domain-awareness gaps’. Their mission statement states that a UAP potentially represents ‘advanced capabilities’ operating in our domain-awareness group. The intent of the AARO is to aid in national-security due to a lack of intelligence on the UAP phenomena, and that lack of intelligence is a gap with major implications.
UAP Reporting
Reporting UAP events gives the AARO a better chance of understanding and gaining the much needed intelligence that will allow our government to drive shared awareness across mission partners, oversight authorities and stakeholders. The AARO aims to normalize cross-sector partnerships and build trust through transparency.
When using the AARO website to report UAP activity, the user is asked first if they are a former or current U.S. Government Employee, service member, or contractor personnel. Then you must acknowledge that under penalty of a fine or potential imprisonment, that you have firsthand knowledge of a U.S. Government program or activity relating to a UAP.
The website also answers frequently asked questions before you report, such as who is eligible to report, what should I not report, what should i expect after a report, as well questions about reprisal and if you have signed a non-disclosure agreement.
The submission form is intended as an initial point of contact with AARO – not for conveying potentially sensitive or classified information. Once you have submitted your report, AARO staff may reach out to request additional information.
Reporters should be aware that they should not submit any information that is potentially classified, or unclassified information that is not publicly releasable.
The AARO website also offers UAP reporting trends that reach back as far as 1996. These trends give in-depth and visual pieces of information regarding reported UAP events and their characteristics. The graphics include altitudes of reports, maps of higher reported areas and more.
