Inconsistency · I-E-03

AATIP: official or informal program?

Luis Elizondo

Weight: Substantial

First version

Jun 5, 2019 · In the letter to the DoD press office he writes that AATIP was an official program that was never closed and that, after the funds ran out, he continued to lead it. DoD, FOIA 25-F-2554 – documents on Elizondo 2017–2019 (emails, letter of June 5, 2019, replies from the Navy and the press office)

Second version

Aug 20, 2024 · In the book Imminent, according to Justin Snead's summary, he distinguishes AAWSAP, an official program (around 2008–2010), from AATIP, which he describes as unofficial (around 2010–2017). Justin Snead – what Elizondo's book adds to the historical reconstruction

Analysis

The versions come closer if in 2019 “official” referred to the origin of the name, used in Senator Harry Reid's 2009 request, whose authenticity the DoD has confirmed, and not to a formal status; the book's version in effect coincides with AARO's, according to which the name AATIP was used informally after the cancellation of AAWSAP. In 2019, however, the claim served to contest the DoD's denials, whereas the DIA memo of 2009 (no basis for a special access program), the Reid memorandum (closure in 2012) and the Navy email (no funding line) do not indicate a formal program active until 2017.

Sources

1. DoD, FOIA 25-F-2554 – documents on Elizondo 2017–2019 (emails, letter of June 5, 2019, replies from the Navy and the press office) (primary source)
2. Justin Snead – what Elizondo's book adds to the historical reconstruction (analysis)

On this site

People 1

• Luis Elizondo

Claims 1

• Luis Elizondo: Writes that AATIP was an official program that was never closed, that when the funds ran out he continued to… Contradicted

Documents 4

• Senator Reid's letter asking to protect AATIP with a special access program Original available
• The DIA prepares for the meeting with Reid: no basis for a special access program Original available
• AARO's Historical Record Report, vol. 1 (March 2024) Original available
• The Pentagon's emails on Elizondo and AATIP (2017–2019), released in 2025 Original available

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UAPgrade's entries are compiled with artificial intelligence (three verifiers with opposing roles) and checked against the sources listed above: how we work. Have a document that changes this entry? Bring it to the Investigations Unit.