U.S. military officials knowingly helped spread conspiracy theories about aliens to conceal classified defense programs, including stealth aircraft and nuclear system experiments, according to an investigation by a Pentagon office.
The Wall Street Journal reports that these findings come from a comprehensive inquiry by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), a congressional task force within the Department of Defense (DOD) created to investigate persistent rumors of secret government projects involving alien technology.
The report is based on interviews with military officials and thousands of pages of internal documents.
AARO’s investigation revealed that some military personnel planted fake UFO stories and doctored photos to mislead both the public and their own colleagues.
One example dates back to 1967, when Air Force Captain Robert Salas reported seeing a UFO near a nuclear missile site in Montana. Investigators now believe the incident was actually caused by an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) test designed to simulate a nuclear explosion.
In another case from the 1980s, a U.S. Air Force officer gave altered photos of flying saucers to a bartender near Area 51 in Nevada. These photos were displayed at the bar, fueling the myth surrounding the secretive base. The intent was to divert attention from tests of the then-classified F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter.
According to investigators, the Pentagon also used fake documents and false briefings as part of a strategy to protect sensitive programs.
Many service members were reportedly not told the truth about what they saw and remained convinced for decades that they had witnessed alien activity. In some cases, they signed non-disclosure agreements that added to public speculation.
AARO said the practice continued into the 2020s and was only stopped after AARO brought it to light in 2023.
The DOD has acknowledged that some details of AARO’s findings have not yet been made public, but the military says it will provide greater transparency in a follow-up report planned for later this year.
“The department is committed to releasing a second volume of its Historical Record Report, which will include AARO’s findings on reports of potential pranks and inauthentic materials,” the DOD said in a statement.
