The Pentagon Launches Its Rebranded UFO Office, As Elizondo, Graves and Burchett Provide Reaction
Written by Christopher Sharp - 22 July 2022
Rewind to 5 January 2022 when the Liberation Times predicted trouble for Congress’s newly established UAP Office. Involvement from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security (OUSD(I&S)), signalled significant problems ahead.
After months of back and forth emails between Liberation Times and the Pentagon Public Affairs Office, it became abundantly clear that words did not meet the actions.
The Department of Defense (DoD) stated that it took what is now known as Unidentified Aerospace-Undersea Phenomena (UAP) seriously amidst national security concerns. However, for months progress was achingly slow, as the DoD continued to implement guidance to ensure that the ill-fated UAP Office named AOIMSG met congressional intent, as set out within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2022.
Throughout much of this year, AOIMSG’s staff numbers have been in the single digits and frustrations have been aroused in Congress due to a lack of progress.
In April 2022, it was revealed that former Director for Defense Intelligence Garry Reid, who had been accused by former AATIP Director Lue Elizondo (in his IG complaint) of obfuscating UAP efforts, was puzzlingly Executive Secretary of AOIMSG before being ousted.
All was conducted under the leadership of Ronald Moultrie, the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Moultrie, in May’s UAP public hearing, seemed more interested in taking legal action against those reporting on the UAP topic, rather than tackling unknown craft penetrating U.S. airspace and harassing warships with apparent impunity.
The AARO
Fast forward to 20 July 2022, and the failed AOIMSG has been renamed as the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), with an expanded scope.
However, it will remain, like AOIMSG, under the control of OUSD(I&S) from the DoD side. This raises concerns due to previous obfuscation coming from the office that led Lue Elizondo to resign.
Insiders have spoken to Liberation Times regarding concerns about OUSD(I&S) heading up any new UAP effort due to it being a staff oversight organization not equipped to manage operations and analysis. And it is expected that AARO will incorporate any new responsibilities within its remit, if and when newly drafted UAP Office language is signed into law.
The distinguished Dr Sean M. Kirkpatrick will become the new Director of AARO. He is something of an unknown regarding his approach to the topic. Whether he has the ability and hunger to fight and gain results for his new office remains unclear.
However, despite reservations and unknowns, the news of AARO has been greeted positively by advocates of the UAP topic.
Reaction From Lue Elizondo, Ryan Graves And Representative Tim Burchett
Speaking with Liberation Times, Lue Elizondo, currently working as a consultant for Space Force, was upbeat about the news of AARO and commented:
"The recent public outreach efforts by AARO, to include using social media outlets, is prudent and an effective way to help gain public trust and transparency. I vehemently applaud this effort and hope this gesture represents a new and sincere approach by the U.S. Government to provide both accurate and timely information to the American people, for which they deserve."
The AARO Twitter account does suggest more transparency and information regarding UAPs, as it would be hard to imagine an empty Twitter feed that would prove somewhat of an embarrassment for the new office.
Congressional UAP advocate, Representative Tim Burchett, also identified transparency as key.
A spokesperson for Representative Tim Burchett commented to Liberation Times:
“Rep. Burchett believes the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act was a good first step toward normalizing the process of reporting UAP sightings in our military and getting rid of the stigma that goes along with it. Regardless of who is involved with collecting and analyzing these reports, Rep. Burchett would like to see them be transparent with Congress and the American people about their findings.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who sits on both Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, as confirmed by Ronald Moultrie, has already spoken to him and Dr Kirkpatrick regarding the new office. And it is understood by Liberation Times that she and many other politicians are eager to see results sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, former naval aviator lieutenant Ryan Graves, Chair of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ (AIAA) UAP Community of Interest commented:
“The renaming and revamping of the AOIMSG into the AARO represents a significant change in tone from the past year. While the structure remains the same, the increased scope and early attempts at transparency are encouraging. The AIAA UAP Community of Interest is ready to engage with the AARO to increase scientific accessibility to data of significance, reduce reporting stigma, and increase aviation safety across all sectors.”
Speaking about the structure of AARO and its new Executive Council (known as AAROEXEC), Pentagon spokesperson Susan Gough told Liberation Times:
“The AAROEXEC is the AOIMEXEC renamed; the structure remains the same. The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security will co-chair with the Director of Operations, Joint Staff, and there will be Principal-level participation from the Office of the Director for National Intelligence. I don’t have any other details at this time.”
Therefore, Director for Operations for the Joint Staff is set to play a key role. As serving Director for Operations, his or her* responsibilities include assisting the Joint Chiefs Chairman, General Mark Miley, in ‘developing and providing operational guidance, and in fostering clear communication between the President, Secretary of Defense, unified commands, and services.’
Other members of the Executive Committee could not be confirmed by Gough though.
At this time, it may be too soon to judge AARO. However, with a new social channel and Moultrie taking a public lead on its mission, the pressure is present to deliver results.
However, Congress does not have its eggs in one basket. It is believed by Liberation Times that the new immunity language provided within current versions of the Intelligence Authorization Act 2023 and NDAA 2023, will provide Congressional committees with some element of control to force the issue by uncovering potential secretive UAP programs.
And if that happens, a major scandal will be uncovered, with major ramifications for politics and society.
*Note: Lt. Gen. James J. Mingus is listed as current Director for Operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff website, but it is our understanding that he no longer holds this position. At the time of publication, Liberation Times is awaiting confirmation from the Pentagon regarding the current Director for Operations.