Pentagon: No Stance Change on AAWSAP/AATIP Despite Book
Pentagon spokesperson Susan Gough reaffirmed the department's position regarding AAWSAP and AATIP following inquiries about the book 'Skinwalkers at the Pentagon'. The statement emphasized that security clearance for publication does not indicate endorsement or factual verification by the Defense Department. Officials maintained that these programs investigated foreign aerospace weapons rather than unidentified phenomena directly.
Background
Following the release of 'Skinwalkers at the Pentagon,' Susan Gough responded to questions from The Black Vault about whether the Defense Department would revise its stance on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. After several weeks, she provided an official response indicating no alteration to previously established positions. Gough highlighted specific disclaimers within the book stating that opinions belong to the authors alone and do not reflect government policy. She further explained that approval by the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review merely confirms the absence of classified material rather than validating content accuracy. The communication reaffirmed the May 2021 explanation that AATIP focused on foreign advanced aerospace weapon system applications while utilizing UAP information within that scope.