Local UFO investigator weighs in on first congressional UFO hearing in 50 years

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- For the first time in 50 years, members of Congress are hearing from intelligence officials on their findings on UFOs.

They heard from the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAP) Tuesday, May 17, in both open and closed hearings.

Local to Wisconsin, best-selling author on the subject of the Roswell incident Donald Schmitt, said he still wishes there was more they could be open about, however.

Intelligence officials said it's now standard procedure for pilots in the armed forces to formally report unidentified objects.

"The message is now clear, if you see something, you need to report it," said Naval Intelligence Deputy Director Scott Bray.

Naval Intelligence Deputy Director Scott Bray showed videos of sightings they can't explain and ones they can.

Schmitt, a UFO investigator and self-described skeptic, says the hearing wasn't anything surprising.

"I'm not disappointed as much as I said this is exactly what's going to happen," said Schmitt.

Schmitt said people deserve to see how their conclusions are made.

"To me, it's simply a case of controlling the narrative," said Schmitt.

Congressman Mike Gallagher brought up the 1967 'Malstrom Incident', where a UFO allegedly deactivated nukes at an air force base.

"I'm not commenting on the accuracy of this, I'm simply asking you whether you're aware of it," asked Rep. Gallager. 

"That data is not within the holdings of the UAP Task Force," responded Bray.

The UAP Task Force is only looking at cases from 2004 to 2021.

Schmitt said that undermines what many people like himself have been researching for a long time.

"They would have to concede, and they would especially reopen Roswell, if that were the case," said Schmitt.

Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Ronald Moultrie said, they are dedicated to telling Americans what they know.

"Openness and accountability to the American people. However, we are also mindful of our obligation to protect sensitive sources and methods," said Moultrie.

Schmitt said he thinks there's more people could know safely.

He said witnesses both civilian and military should be allowed to testify publicly without repercussion on a matter he says shouldn't only be in the hands of highest-level officials.

"We have allowed a handful of people to decide for all time," said Schmitt, "I for one, am not going to stand back and allow that to happen."

The task force reported 143 objects they haven't been able to identify from 2004 to 2021, but that number jumped to 400 after they changed their procedure for reporting incidents.