U.S. Navy Office of Public Affairs

The U.S. Navy Office of Public Affairs (OPA), a U.S. government entity under the Department of the Navy, handles media relations and public information. Established post-World War II amid military public affairs expansions (formalized in 1947 with the National Security Act), it is based in the United States. Key activities include issuing statements on Navy operations. In UAP/UFO context, OPA coordinated the 2020 Pentagon declassification of three Navy videos (2004, 2015) showing unidentified aerial phenomena, confirming their authenticity to dispel misconceptions. It also announced new 2019 guidelines for pilots reporting unauthorized/unidentified aircraft incursions into military airspace, addressing rising sightings and reducing stigma. OPA supported UAPTF (2017-2022) within Naval Intelligence for standardized UFO reporting. Currently active, it facilitates transparency amid congressional UAP hearings. (512 characters)