The Department of War announced on June 12, 2026 that it has made public the third set of records gathered under the PURSUE declassification initiative, which was directed by President Donald Trump. The newly disclosed material consists of historical Federal Bureau of Investigation field‑office files that chronicle unidentified flying object investigations carried out during the 1950s and 1960s, representing some of the oldest FBI documents included in the disclosure effort. One file originates from a special inquiry conducted by the FBI’s Newark Field Office.
It records a series of sightings of unidentified aerial objects reported in and around New Jersey from August 1952 through January 1967. Alongside the narrative accounts, the Newark file contains internal memoranda and letters exchanged between the FBI and the United States Air Force concerning those sightings.
A second collection focuses on events in the Pacific Northwest. It documents reports of unidentified flying objects observed in Washington State between July 1952 and August 1960. Similar to the Newark material, this file also includes FBI‑Air Force memoranda and letters discussing the observations.
The files were uploaded to the government portal war.gov/UFO on the same day, allowing anyone with internet access to examine them. Officials responsible for the release emphasized that the fact a case remains unclassified does not indicate an extraterrestrial explanation.
They reiterated that, to date, no verified evidence of alien spacecraft or beings has been presented in any of the disclosed documents. The archive is intended to give the public a clearer view of how federal agencies have handled UFO reports over several decades. By making the material available at war.gov/UFO, the Department of War hopes to encourage informed discussion and further research.
Observers anticipate that the release will attract considerable attention from journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts. The heightened interest is expected to lead to close scrutiny of the documents and the processes that produced them.
Looking forward, the next phases of the PURSUE declassification program will be monitored closely. Additional batches of records are anticipated, and each successive release is likely to provide further insight into the historical handling of UAP sightings by the United States government. The Department of War’s efforts to increase transparency are reflected in the ongoing release of these documents.
The third tranche of declassified records includes historical Federal Bureau of Investigation field-office records documenting UFO-related investigations from the 1950s and 1960s, among the oldest FBI files in the disclosure. These files include memoranda and correspondence between the FBI and the U.S. Air Force regarding UFO sightings, as well as public correspondence concerning various UFO-focused groups.
Officials noted that an unresolved classification does not imply an extraterrestrial origin. The records posted publicly at war.gov/UFO on June 12, 2026, are part of the Department of War’s effort to provide a clearer understanding of how the government has handled UFO reports. The release of these documents marks a significant step in the PURSUE declassification initiative. The FBI’s Newark Field Office conducted a special inquiry into various reported sightings of unidentified flying objects in and near New Jersey between August 1952 and January 1967.
This file details an investigation of various sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects in Washington state between July 1952 and August 1960. The Department of War’s decision to release these documents reflects its commitment to transparency and openness.
The PURSUE declassification effort, directed by President Donald Trump, aims to provide the public with a more comprehensive understanding of the government’s handling of UFO reports. As the Department of War continues to release more documents, the public will have access to a broader range of information on this topic. The release of the third tranche of declassified records is expected to generate significant interest and scrutiny.
The documents provide a unique glimpse into the government’s handling of UFO reports during the 1950s and 1960s. As researchers and enthusiasts examine the documents, they will gain a deeper understanding of the historical context surrounding UFO sightings.
Additional releases are expected in the future, and each will provide further insight into the government’s handling of UAP sightings. The Department of War’s efforts to increase transparency and provide access to these documents will continue to be monitored closely. The release of these documents marks an important step in the PURSUE declassification initiative, and the public will be watching closely as more information becomes available.
