UFO Sightings Reported Across Maryland As Pentagon Opens Public Archive

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has launched a new public archive containing government records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), commonly known as UFOs, giving the public access to historical documents, images, military reports and videos tied to unexplained sightings dating back decades.

“As you remember, I recently directed the Secretary of War … to begin releasing government files relating to UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomenon,” President Donald Trump said at a Turning Point USA event in April.

The online portal, launched May 8, is intended to increase transparency surrounding federal investigations into unusual aerial phenomena. Officials say additional materials will continue to be uploaded following review and declassification.

According to the Department of War’s announcement accompanying the release, the archive includes records from multiple agencies and spans historical investigations, astronaut observations and more recent military encounters.

What Is Included In The Release?

Some documents reportedly contain redactions intended to protect classified information, sensitive locations or identities.

Pentagon officials have emphasized that unexplained does not automatically mean extraterrestrial, noting previous government reviews found no confirmed evidence linking reported phenomena to alien technology.

Apollo-Era Materials Renew Public Interest

Among the records receiving the most attention are Apollo-era files involving unusual lights or anomalies observed during space missions.

Some released materials reportedly include astronaut communications discussing unidentified objects or unexplained visual observations. Historical imagery connected to lunar missions has also circulated widely following the archive’s launch.

A PDF file of transcripts from the astronauts on the Apollo 17 mission show the exact description and walkthrough of the moment it happened in 1972 below.

Experts caution many anomalies can have conventional explanations, including reflections, debris, optical effects or equipment limitations.

Modern Military Encounters Included

The archive also contains more recent reports involving unusual aerial objects observed by military personnel.

Several incidents remain categorized as unresolved due to limited evidence rather than confirmed extraordinary explanations.

Officials have stated unresolved cases often indicate incomplete information, not confirmation of unknown technology.

The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 43 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D23, mentions a UAP was observed during the mission.

The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of nine seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation.

Public Access Marks Shift Toward Transparency

The release follows years of congressional hearings, testimony from former military personnel and growing calls for broader transparency surrounding government investigations into unidentified aerial phenomena.

Pentagon officials say additional records are expected to be uploaded as reviews continue.

Readers can access the archive directly through the PURSUE public archive.

Additional historical records are also available through the AARO archive.

Maryland Has Reported Its Own Recent UFO Sightings

While the Pentagon’s newly released archive focuses on historical federal records and unresolved investigations, Maryland residents continue submitting reports of unusual sightings through civilian databases.

According to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), nearly 2,000 reports have been logged in Maryland over several decades.

NUFORC’s Maryland database contains reports dating back decades, ranging from glowing spheres and triangular formations to unexplained lights observed near military facilities and along the Chesapeake Bay region. The organization notes reports are voluntary submissions and do not represent confirmed events.

The continued appearance of Maryland entries illustrates how unexplained aerial sightings remain part of public curiosity — even as federal officials emphasize that unresolved observations are not evidence of extraterrestrial activity.

What Readers Should Know About UAPs

UAP stands for unidentified anomalous phenomena, replacing the older term UFO (unidentified flying object).

Government officials say many reports ultimately receive conventional explanations, while some remain unresolved because available evidence is incomplete.

An unresolved case does not automatically indicate extraterrestrial activity.

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