Christopher Karl Mellon

Pentagon Career & Early Disclosure Work

Christopher Karl Mellon served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence from 1997–2002, overseeing all aspects of DoD intelligence policy and spending. In this capacity, he held one of the highest intelligence positions in the US government and coordinated with CIA, NSA, and military intelligence services. While in this role, Mellon first became aware of anomalous aerial phenomenon reports but lacked institutional mechanisms to investigate them systematically.

Catalyst for Modern Disclosure (2017)

In 2017, Mellon provided three declassified Pentagon video recordings of UAP encounters to investigative journalist Luis Elizondo, who shared them with the New York Times. The videos—collectively known as the Nimitz (2004), Go Fast (2015), and Gimbal (2015) incidents—went public in December 2017, launching the modern disclosure movement. These encounters, corroborated by military pilots and radar operators, showed objects executing maneuvers beyond known aircraft capabilities. Mellon's decision to declassify and release these materials marked a turning point: for the first time, the US government publicly acknowledged authentic military UAP footage, shifting UFO discussion from fringe to mainstream policy circles.

Advocacy and Institutional Critique (2018–2026)

Following disclosure, Mellon founded and chairs the Disclosure Foundation, dedicated to pressuring the US government to release all UAP information. He has been the most prominent voice calling for transparency and accountability from the U.S. All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

In November 2024, Mellon submitted written testimony to Congress raising critical questions about satellite imagery intelligence (SIGINT) collection on UAP and alleging that AARO has obstructed these inquiries. He has been consistent and unsparing in his criticism of AARO's leadership, arguing that the office fails to meet its statutory disclosure obligations and that its leadership is fundamentally opposed to transparency.

When President Trump announced in February 2026 his intent to release government UAP and extraterrestrial-life files via the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE) act, Mellon offered cautious support while emphasizing the importance of authentic, unredacted disclosure rather than symbolic token releases.

2025–2026 Activities

June 2026: Mellon organized and spoke at a Capitol press conference for Disclosure Foundation advocacy, bringing together whistleblowers and researchers to demand follow-through on UAP transparency commitments.

July 2026: Mellon delivered the keynote address at the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies Annual Conference (July 24–26) in Toronto, discussing classified UAP evidence and institutional barriers to disclosure.

Congressional Response: Mellon's testimony and public statements have influenced Congressional interest in UAP oversight, particularly regarding military intercepts and drone incursions over North America in 2025–2026.

Credibility and Influence

Mellon's credibility stems from his position as a former high-ranking Pentagon official with direct access to classified intelligence—not a UFO enthusiast who stumbled upon the topic. His institutional experience, combined with his willingness to risk career consequences by releasing classified material, gives him unique standing in the disclosure community. Unlike many UAP advocates, Mellon has avoided sensationalism; his critiques of AARO are grounded in specific policy failures and statutory non-compliance.

His advocacy has been influential: the 2023 and 2024 Congressional UAP hearings featured his testimony, his foundation shaped the PURSUE disclosure framework, and his public pressure on AARO has amplified Congressional demands for institutional reform.