Within De Longe
What the UAP video timeline really proved
The 2017-2020 arc shows how cultural legitimacy can grow even when the evidence remains ambiguous and scientifically unresolved.
On this page
- The late 2017 media breakthrough
- The Pentagon's April 2020 official release
- Why authenticity did not equal alien origin
Page outline Jump by section
Introduction
Between late 2017 and April 2020, three short US Navy videos transformed the public conversation about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). Their significance lay less in what they conclusively showed than in how they changed who was willing to discuss the subject. Media reporting, the involvement of Tom DeLonge’s To The Stars Academy, statements from the US Navy, and finally an official Pentagon release gave the footage an unprecedented level of institutional attention. Yet the same timeline also illustrates an important limitation: official acknowledgement that footage is authentic does not establish what the objects are, nor does it demonstrate extraterrestrial origin. The period is therefore best understood as a story about changing cultural legitimacy rather than scientific resolution.
The late-2017 media breakthrough
The turning point came in December 2017, when The New York Times revealed the existence of the Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) and published two infrared cockpit videos, while additional footage appeared through other media. Former Pentagon official Christopher Mellon and former intelligence officer Luis Elizondo played key roles in bringing the material into public view, with Tom DeLonge’s To The Stars Academy acting as an important public platform for both figures. [Wikipedia]WikipediaPentagon UFO videosPentagon UFO videos
This moment mattered because several developments arrived together:
- previously obscure military videos reached mainstream audiences;
- respected national newspapers framed the story around defence and aviation rather than science fiction;
- former government officials publicly associated themselves with the issue; and
- DeLonge’s celebrity helped attract attention well beyond traditional UFO communities. [Wikipedia]WikipediaPentagon UFO videosPentagon UFO videos
Rather than proving extraordinary claims, the reporting shifted the social framing of the topic. The discussion increasingly centred on military encounters, pilot testimony and government transparency instead of popular UFO folklore.
The videos themselves became known by their common filenames:
- FLIR1, associated with the 2004 USS Nimitz encounter.
- GIMBAL, recorded in 2015.
- GOFAST, also recorded in 2015.
Each showed infrared targeting-camera footage of objects that crews could not readily identify during flight operations. None contained enough visual information on their own to establish what the objects actually were. [Wikipedia]WikipediaPentagon UFO videosPentagon UFO videos
The road to official acknowledgement
The next stage unfolded gradually rather than through one dramatic disclosure.
In 2019, the US Navy confirmed that the circulating clips were genuine Navy videos and referred to the observed objects as “unidentified aerial phenomena”. This confirmation answered one important question: the videos were authentic military recordings rather than fabricated internet hoaxes. It did not identify the objects themselves. [Wikipedia]WikipediaPentagon UFO videosPentagon UFO videos
The Navy’s acknowledgement also reflected a broader concern about incursions into military training ranges. Officials increasingly treated unidentified objects as potential aviation safety or national security issues regardless of whether they eventually proved to be drones, atmospheric effects or something else. [Wikipedia]WikipediaPentagon UFO videosPentagon UFO videos
For Tom DeLonge’s broader campaign, this period represented an important cultural success. His organisation had helped move material from specialist circles into mainstream discussion, but the institutional validation came from government statements rather than celebrity advocacy alone.
The Pentagon’s April 2020 official release
On 27 April 2020, the US Department of Defense formally released the three videos.
The Pentagon explained that the footage had already circulated publicly for years and that the official publication was intended to remove uncertainty about whether the clips were genuine while confirming that no sensitive capabilities were revealed by releasing them. [U.S. Department of War]war.govdepartment of war releases unidentified anomalous phenomena files in historic tDepartment of War Releases Unidentified Anomalous…8 May 2026 — Today, the Department of War announced the initial release of new, neve…(https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2165713/statement-by-the-department-of-defense-on-the-release-of-historical-navy-videos/)
This announcement carried symbolic importance because it represented the first formal publication of the videos by the Department of Defense itself rather than through unofficial leaks or media organisations.
However, the wording of the Pentagon’s statement was carefully limited.
The Department did not state that the videos showed alien spacecraft. Instead, it authorised release of unclassified Navy videos depicting encounters that remained unidentified. Officially, “unidentified” described the current state of knowledge rather than a specific explanation. [U.S. Department of War]war.govdepartment of war releases unidentified anomalous phenomena files in historic tDepartment of War Releases Unidentified Anomalous…8 May 2026 — Today, the Department of War announced the initial release of new, neve…(https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2165713/statement-by-the-department-of-defense-on-the-release-of-historical-navy-videos/)
That distinction was frequently blurred in public discussion. Headlines often compressed three separate ideas into one:
- the videos were authentic; [wired.com]wired.comThese videos, previously surfaced through The New York Times in 2017, were not initially authorized by the Pentagon, though they were ack…
- the objects had not been conclusively identified; and
- therefore they must represent extraterrestrial technology.
Only the first statement was officially confirmed.
Why authenticity did not equal alien origin
One of the most persistent misunderstandings from the 2017–2020 period is the belief that official release amounted to confirmation of alien spacecraft.
It did not.
The available evidence established several relatively modest conclusions:
- the videos originated from genuine US Navy recording systems;
- military personnel considered the observed objects unidentified at the time;
- investigators did not immediately determine their identity from the available data.
It did not establish:
- extraterrestrial origin;
- technology beyond known physics;
- recovered alien craft;
- or a definitive explanation for every incident. [U.S. Department of War+2WIRED]war.govstatement by the department of defense on the release of historical navy videosDepartment of WarStatement by the Department of Defense on the Release…27 Apr 2020 — UFO. Search. Search Search. Back; Home; Place Hol…
The videos are also technically limited. They are short infrared recordings produced by targeting systems rather than scientific observation instruments. Public viewers generally lack access to the complete sensor data, radar information, classified context and operational records that investigators may have considered.
Because of these limitations, analysts have proposed multiple non-extraterrestrial explanations for aspects of the footage, including optical effects, camera behaviour, parallax, misjudged distance and speed, drones, or other conventional aerial objects. Some explanations remain disputed, and not every case has been resolved, but the existence of plausible conventional hypotheses illustrates why the videos alone cannot settle the question. [Wikipedia+2WIRED]WikipediaPentagon UFO videosPentagon UFO videos
What the timeline actually changed
The lasting importance of the 2017–2020 sequence lies in its cultural impact rather than definitive scientific findings.
Before late 2017, discussion of military UFO encounters often remained confined to specialist communities. By mid-2020, the subject had become acceptable for mainstream newspapers, television networks, members of Congress and defence officials to discuss without automatic ridicule.
Tom DeLonge’s role fits into this transformation. His celebrity did not authenticate the videos or validate extraordinary claims. Instead, his organisation helped create a bridge between former officials, journalists and a wider public at precisely the moment when authentic military footage entered mainstream reporting. [CBS News]cbsnews.compentagon declassifies 3 ufo videos after blink 182s tom delonge leaked themCBS NewsPentagon Declassifies 3 UFO Videos After Blink 182's Tom…28 Apr 2020 — The Navy videos were first released between December 20…
The timeline therefore demonstrates a broader lesson about public evidence. Government acknowledgement can increase confidence that documents or recordings are genuine, while still leaving the underlying phenomenon scientifically unresolved. The 2017–2020 UAP videos changed the credibility of the conversation far more than they changed what was actually known about the objects themselves.
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Endnotes
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Pentagon UFO videos
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon_UFO_videos -
Source: wired.com
Title: what is up with those pentagon ufo videos
Link: https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-up-with-those-pentagon-ufo-videosSource snippet
The article included videos of UAPs and featured accounts from Navy [pilots]({{ 'pilots/' | relative_url }}). The program, Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program...
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Source: wired.com
Link: https://www.wired.com/story/does-it-matter-that-the-dod-released-those-ufo-videosSource snippet
These videos, previously surfaced through The New York Times in 2017, were not initially authorized by the Pentagon, though they were ack...
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Source: war.gov
Title: statement by the department of defense on the release of historical navy videos
Link: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2165713/statement-by-the-department-of-defense-on-the-release-of-historical-navy-videos/Source snippet
Department of WarStatement by the Department of Defense on the Release...27 Apr 2020 — UFO. Search. Search Search. Back; Home; Place Hol...
-
Source: war.gov
Title: department of war releases unidentified anomalous phenomena files in historic t
Link: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4480582/department-of-war-releases-unidentified-anomalous-phenomena-files-in-historic-t/Source snippet
Department of War Releases Unidentified Anomalous...8 May 2026 — Today, the Department of War announced the initial release of new, neve...
Published: May 2026
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Aerospace_Threat_Identification_ProgramSource snippet
The program began in 2007, with funding of $22 million over the five years until the available...Read more...
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Source: instagram.com
Title: The clips
Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/B2l5RDKAp8w/Source snippet
'Look at that thing!' - Leaked UFO footage emerges 🛸 Three...Three videos purporting to be leaked military footage of UFOs are genuine...
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Source: navair.navy.mil
Title: mil Documents | NAVAIR
Link: https://www.navair.navy.mil/foia/documentsSource snippet
NAVAIR - FOIAGIMBAL. Video - GIMBAL.mp4 - Please download. Download · 2023-009866 N0001923F0093. N0001919D0013 - N0001923F0093 (awarde...
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Source: cbsnews.com
Title: pentagon declassifies 3 ufo videos after blink 182s tom delonge leaked them
Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/pentagon-declassifies-3-ufo-videos-after-blink-182s-tom-delonge-leaked-them/Source snippet
CBS NewsPentagon Declassifies 3 UFO Videos After Blink 182's Tom...28 Apr 2020 — The Navy videos were first released between December 20...
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Source: cbsnews.com
Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ufo-files-pentagon-3rd-release-documents-videos/Source snippet
elated to UFOs, or UAPs, with 72 more documents, images and recordings...
Additional References
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Source: abs-cbn.com
Link: https://www.abs-cbn.com/overseas/04/28/20/watch-pentagon-releases-ufo-videos-taken-by-us-navy-pilotsSource snippet
Pentagon releases 'UFO' videos taken by US Navy pilotsThe Pentagon has officially released three videos taken by US Navy pilots showing m...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/kolotv/posts/the-pentagon-released-the-first-batch-of-never-before-seen-ufo-files-and-more-ar/1547165504112275/Source snippet
The Pentagon released the first batch of "never-beforeThe Pentagon released the first batch of "never-before-seen" UFO files, and more ar...
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Source: tothestars.media
Link: https://tothestars.media/en-it/blogs/press-and-news/to-the-stars-academy-of-arts-science-acknowledges-the-pentagons-official-release-of-uap-video-footage?srsltid=AfmBOop2eHf94nlOMkTGJIT4utqBt3zDSY2JxHesZZJsDnpP4DJ8n6sFSource snippet
To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science Acknowledges...28 Apr 2020 — The Pentagon officially released three videos of Unidentified Aerial...
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Source: facebook.com
Title: the us pentagon has released 51 newly declassified ufo or uap videos showing mys
Link: https://www.facebook.com/thebharatpost/posts/the-us-pentagon-has-released-51-newly-declassified-ufo-or-uap-videos-showing-mys/1343179741002757/Source snippet
The US Pentagon has released 51 newly declassified UFO, or...The Navy videos were first released between December 2017 and March 2018 by...
Published: December 2017
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4WBZrlxLfsSource snippet
Navy Confirms UFO Videos Posted by Tom DeLonge Are Real...According to Vice's Motherboard, Navy spokesman Joseph Gradisher has confirmed...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pRWXpxm8LsSource snippet
UFO-Video "GOFAST"On April 27, the U.S. Department of Defense released three videos documenting fighter pilots' encounters with unidentif...
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Source: news.sky.com
Link: https://news.sky.com/story/classified-ufo-files-from-fbi-cia-and-pentagon-released-including-reports-of-glowing-red-orbs-13553433Source snippet
UFO files released by US including reports of glowing...5 days ago — May 22: Pentagon releases second batch of UFO videos...
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Source: geekwire.com
Title: u s navy officially releases ufo videos years unofficially leaked
Link: https://www.geekwire.com/2020/u-s-navy-officially-releases-ufo-videos-years-unofficially-leaked/Source snippet
Navy officially releases UFO videos, years after they...27 Apr 2020 — UFO fans have long known about these videos, known by the filename...
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Source: meer.com
Title: 79187 uss nimitz tic tac ufo unveiling inexplicable physics
Link: https://www.meer.com/en/79187-uss-nimitz-tic-tac-ufo-unveiling-inexplicable-physicsSource snippet
USS Nimitz Tic Tac UFO: unveiling inexplicable physics23 Apr 2024 — The USS Nimitz Tic Tac UFO encounters refer to a series of unexplaine...
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Source: iflscience.com
Title: the pentagon has officially released three ufo videos 55853
Link: https://www.iflscience.com/the-pentagon-has-officially-released-three-ufo-videos-55853Source snippet
The Pentagon Has Officially Released Three UFO Videos28 Apr 2020 — The three clips – titled "[FLIR]({{ 'flir/' | relative_url }}). mp4," "GOFAST.wmv" and "GIMBAL.wmv" – c...
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