Free Cosmos S10E01 . UFOs, Elizondo, and Disclosure Debates 001

Sources Reviewed: “Are UFOs a Threat to National Security? This Ex-US Official Thinks They Warrant Investigation | HISTORY” (Published May 21, 2019, Last Updated February 18, 2025) “Army partners with former Blink-182 founder’s UFO research company to study alien technology - Military Times” (No publication date specified, likely around September 2020 based on Elizondo quote) “Christopher Mellon - Wikipedia” (Accessed October 26, 2023) "Lue Elizondo's response to today's controversy's. : r/UFOs - Reddit" (Post date unknown, likely around early 2023 based on context) "Luis Elizondo - Wikipedia" (Accessed October 26, 2023) "Main Points from Tom DeLonge's UFO Film: : r/aliens - Reddit" (Post date unknown, likely around the time of the film's release) "Robert “Bob” Lazar is controlled opposition for the UFO program : r/ConspiracyII - Reddit" (Post date unknown, but contains comments from years ago) "Tom DeLonge - Wikipedia" (Accessed October 26, 2023) "UAP disclosure advocates call for transparency on drone incursions - DefenseScoop" (No publication date specified, but content suggests recent developments) "What are your thoughts on Luis Elizondo? [in-depth] : r/UFOs - Reddit" (Post date unknown, but contains comments referencing recent hearings) Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts: 1. National Security Threat and Need for Investigation: Chris Mellon's Perspective: Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Chris Mellon, argues that the U.S. government should aggressively investigate military UFO sightings due to potential national security implications. He raises concerns about airspace violations by craft with "unknown intentions and extraordinary capabilities." Quote: "There are craft that are violating our airspace with unknown intentions and extraordinary capabilities. And until we get some answers to the questions about the technology involved and the capability, the intentions, we shouldn't rest easy." (HISTORY) Risk Assessment: Mellon emphasizes the need for intelligence gathering and risk assessment regarding these phenomena. Questions include whether the U.S. has been technologically leapfrogged and whether these crafts could belong to adversaries like Russia or China. Quote: "Why are these things currently in these locations at these times? Have we been technologically leapfrogged? Could it be the Russians or Chinese—or someone else? And what else may be going on?" (HISTORY) Denial of U.S. Origin: Mellon states that during his oversight of black programs, he never encountered technology of this nature. He also recounts a specific inquiry to the Air Force regarding hypersonic triangle-shaped craft, which was met with a firm denial. Quote: "The answer was, 'Absolutely not. We don’t have a super-secret black triangle that can go at hypersonic speeds and all that sort of thing.'" (HISTORY) Navy Guidelines: The Military Times article mentions the Navy developing guidelines on reporting UFO sightings, indicating an official acknowledgement of encounters by pilots. 2. Government and Military Involvement in UFO/UAP Research: Army Partnership with TTSA: The U.S. Army's Ground Vehicle System Center has partnered with To The Stars Academy of Arts & Sciences (TTSA), co-founded by former Blink-182 member Tom DeLonge, to study "exotic" metals purportedly of alien origin. The goal is to develop advanced technologies for Army vehicles, with potential "dual-use application in support of TTSA’s path to commercialization and public benefit mission.” (Military Times) TTSA Personnel: TTSA's leadership includes former high-ranking government officials such as Dr. Hal Puthoff (NASA/DoD), Jim Semivan (CIA), and Chris Mellon (former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence). (Military Times) Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP): Luis Elizondo, a former Army intelligence officer, managed the Pentagon's AATIP program, which investigated UFOs for over a decade. (Luis Elizondo Wikipedia, Politico) Navy UFO Videos: Elizondo and Mellon were reportedly instrumental in the public release of U.S. Navy videos showing encounters with unidentified aircraft. (Luis Elizondo Wikipedia, r/UFOs) 3. Perspectives on Luis Elizondo: Credibility and Impact: Many on the r/UFOs subreddit view Luis Elizondo as a credible and important figure who has significantly advanced the conversation around UAPs and government transparency. Some point to his background in counter-intelligence and his role in AATIP as evidence of his legitimacy. Quote (r/UFOs user): "Lue has been instrumental in moving this forward." Skepticism and Controversy: Some users on Reddit express skepticism towards Elizondo, questioning his motives and the veracity of some of his claims. The AATIP program's funding ($22 million) is sometimes cited as being too small for a significant government initiative. Quote (r/UFOs user): "$22 million is literally a penny in the DOD budget, any journalist ...