WASHINGTON, DC: In a groundbreaking session held by the House Oversight Subcommittee on Wednesday, July 26, former navy pilot Ryan Graves delivered a gripping testimony, accusing the government of downplaying the true extent of UFO sightings and the potential threat they posed. Graves, who claimed to have experienced UFOs firsthand, said that the number of unidentified flying objects, or UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena), was being "grossly underreported" and demanded urgent action to address the matter.
Who is Ryan Graves?
Graves, 37, a former lieutenant in the navy, gained national attention as he testified before the House's Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs. Originally from Baldwinville and a graduate of Narragansett Regional High School in 2004, he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2008. He was commissioned with the rank of ensign in the navy through the Officer Training Command in Newport, Rhode Island, and served in deployments including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve, where he witnessed inexplicable phenomena, that he has now addressed.
Graves revealed that he began detecting "unknown objects" in US airspace back in 2014 while stationed at the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. These UFO sightings reportedly became so frequent that aircrews regularly discussed the risks posed by UAP during their preflight briefs. During his testimony, he recounted a training mission in which two F-18s encountered a UAP described as a "dark gray or a black cube inside of a clear sphere." Despite submitting a safety report about the incident, there was no official acknowledgment from authorities. He asserted that UAP sightings were not isolated or rare but rather routine occurrences, witnessed by trained military and commercial pilots whose lives depend on accurate identification, per Telegram & Gazette.
UAPs 'grossly underreported'
Graves expressed concern about "excessive classification practices" that have kept crucial information hidden for decades, impeding the public's understanding and fueling distrust. He emphasized on the need to address the stigma surrounding discussions of UAP sightings, which has silenced many pilots for fear of repercussions. He argued that the classification of UAP videos as "secret" or higher further obstructs transparency. "UAPs are in our airspace, but they are grossly underreported," Graves testified, adding, "If they are foreign drones, it is an urgent national security problem. If it is something else, it's an issue for science. In either case, they are an issue for flight safety."
Graves founded the nonprofit organization, Americans for Safe Aerospace, serving as executive director since March. The organization provides a platform for UAP witnesses, encouraging them to share their experiences without fear of judgment. Additionally, Graves hosts the 'Merged Podcast', which explores the latest research and theories on UAP, featuring firsthand accounts from people who witnessed them. Graves has also made appearances on well-known podcasts such as 'The Joe Rogan Experience' and the 'Lex Fridman Podcast', where he spoke at length about his encounters with UAPs and his advocacy efforts.
Fravor and Grusch's testimonies
As the government faces calls to declassify documents related to UFOs, the House Oversight Subcommittee's hearing becomes a significant step toward uncovering the truth. Graves was joined at the session by ex-Navy commander David Fravor and former intelligence official David Grusch, who also provided testimony on UAP encounters and the alleged suppression of information by the government.
Fravor, known for his own encounter with a UAP during a navy mission in 2004, reaffirmed the legitimacy of Graves' claims. He stated that the UAP he encountered exhibited extraordinary flight capabilities, defying conventional explanations and technology. His firsthand account aligned with Graves' assertion that these objects seemed to possess unlimited energy and could perform maneuvers beyond human-made aircraft. Former intelligence official David Grusch contributed to the hearing by claiming that the government was actively concealing information about UAPs. He cited "esteemed" current and former military officials as the sources of these reports, suggesting that a culture of secrecy had prevailed for years.
Mounting pressure
The Biden administration faces mounting pressure to address the issue of UAPs and declassify related documents. Calls for transparency and openness have increased as public interest in UFO sightings reach unprecedented levels. The Senate introduced an amendment to annual defense policy legislation seeking to declassify UFO-related documents, highlighting the urgency and significance of the matter. NASA, known for its exploration of space and extraterrestrial possibilities, held its first public meeting on UAPs earlier this year. A panel of scientists and retired astronauts acknowledged a spike in sightings, though only a small fraction of these incidents contained signals that could be deemed "anomalous."
