Pentagon: Do Not Respond Order on UAP Video Inquiry
Internal Pentagon emails reveal staff were explicitly instructed to ignore factual questions from The Black Vault about the DOPSR clearance status of famous UAP videos. Officials possessed the answer but redirected the inquiry to Public Affairs rather than providing a direct response.
Background
On August 19, 2019, a Department of Defense staffer sent an internal email revealing explicit instructions to not respond to The Black Vault's inquiry regarding the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review process for the FLIR1, Gimbal, and GoFast videos. The journalist had asked whether the Navy had formally responded to clear the videos for public release following a 2017 review. The email confirmed the answer was negative but stated that personnel were directed to forward such requests to Public Affairs rather than answer directly. This occurred despite the information being unclassified and factual, highlighting a procedural approach that frustrated transparency efforts while remaining technically compliant with FOIA limitations.