Brief
George Knapp
The claims the writer was given for George Knapp, in the order they were given.
1
The focus of the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program study was much broader than the military-only encounters investigated by the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program.
“And the focus of the study was much broader than the military-only encounters investigated by AATIP.”
Statement to Congress char:10069-10163 administrative first hand
2
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program was likely the largest UFO study ever conducted with government funds.
“It was likely the largest UFO study ever conducted with the use of government funds.”
Statement to Congress char:10277-10355 opinion first hand
3
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program began in September 2008 and quickly ramped up.
“It began in Sept. 2008 and quickly ramped up.”
Statement to Congress char:10362-10404 administrative first hand
4
At one point, the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program employed 50 full-time investigators, far more than Project Blue Book, the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena Task Force, or the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
“At one point, it employed 50 full time investigators, far more than Project Blue Book or the UAP Task Force, or AARO.”
Statement to Congress char:10408-10520 measurement first hand
5
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program team compiled what might be the largest and most sophisticated UFO data warehouse ever created, with more than 200,000 cases catalogued.
“The team compiled what might be the largest and most sophisticated UFO data warehouse ever created, with more than 200,000 cases catalogued.”
Statement to Congress char:10526-10655 measurement first hand
6
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program database included reports from civilian organisations and foreign governments, as well as new investigations conducted by boots-on-the-ground teams dispatched by the programme's manager in Las Vegas, Dr. Colm Kelleher.
“The data base included reports from civilian organizations and foreign governments, as well as new investigations conducted by boots-on-the ground teams dispatched by AAWSAP's manager in Las Vegas, Dr. Colm Kelleher.”
Statement to Congress char:10667-10874 administrative first hand
7
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program produced more than 100 highly detailed research papers, many of them more than 100 pages long.
“It was an astonishing effort that also produced more than 100 highly detailed research papers, many of them more than 100 pages long.”
Statement to Congress char:10884-11012 measurement first hand
8
The very first case investigated by the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program was the 2004 USS Nimitz Tic Tac UAP incident.
“The very first case investigated by AAWSAP was the Tic Tac incident from 2004.”
Statement to Congress char:11018-11091 administrative first hand
9
Neither Congress nor the public has ever seen the 140-page Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program Tic Tac report or any of the other 100-plus research papers it produced.
“Neither Congress nor the public has ever seen the Tic Tac report or any of the other 100-plus research papers.”
Statement to Congress char:11316-11419 administrative first hand
10
One condition of the Bigelow contract with the Defense Intelligence Agency was that Bigelow Aerospace's plant in Las Vegas be engineered so it could accept, store, and study certain exotic materials.
“One condition of the Bigelow contract with DIA was that Bigelow's Aerospace plant in Las Vegas must be engineered so that it could accept, store, and study certain exotic materials.”
Statement to Congress char:11572-11743 administrative first hand
11
Managers of the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program believed the exotic materials studied under the programme were collected from sites where unknown aircraft had crashed.
“AAWSAP managers believe these materials were collected from sites where unknown aircraft had crashed.”
Statement to Congress char:11754-11847 opinion second hand
12
When James Lacatski pressed for access to the exotic materials studied under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program, he was met with harsh rebukes and the door was slammed in his face.
“When Dr. Lacatski began pressing the issue, seeking access to the exotic materials, he was met with harsh rebukes. The door, in essence, was slammed in his face.”
Statement to Congress char:11856-12036 hearsay second hand
13
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program lasted only 27 months before it was ended, rather than the five-year operation planned by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
“It lasted a mere 27 months before the plug was pulled, instead of a five year operation as planned by DIA.”
Statement to Congress char:12104-12206 administrative first hand
14
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program investigated a wider range of phenomena than mystery craft seen in the sky, including some encounters reported by intelligence operatives that were downright weird.
“AAWSAP investigated a wider range of phenomena than mystery craft seen in the sky. Some of the encounters reported by intelligence operatives were downright weird.”
Statement to Congress char:12212-12369 administrative first hand
15
Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program personnel suspected that sightings of unusual creatures and bizarre phenomena near UFO activity might be an unintentional side effect of a technology seemingly beyond anything currently possessed.
“AAWSAP personnel suspected that the sighting of weird creatures and bizarre phenomena in the proximity of UFO activity might be some sort of unintentional side effect of a technology that is seemingly beyond anything we currently possess.”
Statement to Congress char:12376-12606 opinion second hand
16
After the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program ended, the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was created from its remnants.
“After AAWSAP ended, AATIP was created from its ashes.”
Statement to Congress char:13090-13137 administrative first hand
17
Lue Elizondo kept the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program investigation going for a few years until his frustration with a lack of interest from Department of Defense higher-ups became too much to bear.
“Lue Elizondo was able to keep the investigation going for a few years until his frustration with a lack of interest on the part of DOD higher ups became too much to bear.”
Statement to Congress char:13144-13309 testimony first hand
18
Lue Elizondo's public exposure of the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was a major factor in the eventual creation of the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena Task Force and later the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
“His exposure of the existence of AATIP was a major factor in the eventual creation of the UAP Task Force and later, of AARO.”
Statement to Congress char:13315-13434 administrative first hand
19
Since 1969, the official position of the United States military has been that UFOs pose no threat to national security and are not worthy of further study.
“Since 1969, the position of our military has been that UFOs pose no threat to national security and are not worthy of further study.”
Statement to Congress char:1565-1691 administrative
20
Documents obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests reveal that high-ranking military officers considered the UFO mystery to be "serious business."
“High ranking military officers considered the UFO mystery to be "serious business."”
Statement to Congress char:1809-1882 hearsay second hand
21
Military leaders internally acknowledged that UFOs were "real, not fictitious" and were metallic craft capable of manoeuvres far beyond any known technology on Earth.
“military leaders knew that UFOs were "real, not fictitious", that they were metallic craft, capable of incredible maneuvers far beyond any known technology on Earth”
Statement to Congress char:1950-2109 hearsay second hand
22
Internal documents describe a disturbing number of incidents in which UFOs demonstrated intense interest in United States military assets, particularly nuclear weapons.
“there were a disturbing number of incidents wherein UFOs seemed to demonstrate an intense interest in our military assets, in particular nuclear weapons”
Statement to Congress char:2125-2270 hearsay second hand
23
In 1989, George Knapp began hearing accounts of crashed saucers, strange materials, and reverse-engineering programmes carried out secretly in the Nevada desert by intelligence operatives and defence contractors.
“In 1989, I started hearing seemingly-outlandish tidbits regarding crashed saucers, strange materials, and reverse engineering programs being carried out in secrecy in the Nevada desert”
Statement to Congress char:2424-2602 hearsay second hand
24
The first person George Knapp told about the crashed-saucer accounts outside his newsroom was United States Senator Harry Reid, then in his first term in the Senate.
“The first person I told about this - outside of our newsroom - was U.S. Senator Harry Reid, then in his first term in the Senate.”
Statement to Congress char:2661-2783 testimony first hand
25
Harry Reid told George Knapp he was interested in hearing more about the UFO accounts, beginning a private two-way conversation between them that continued for the next three decades.
“Reid said he was interested in hearing more, and that began a private, two-way conversation that continued for the next three decades.”
Statement to Congress char:2791-2917 testimony second hand
26
George Knapp kept Harry Reid informed about UFO developments he was pursuing as a journalist, and Reid helped him obtain information otherwise inaccessible.
“I kept Sen. Reid in the loop about UFO developments I was pursuing as a journalist, and he helped me obtain information that I might otherwise be unable to access on my own.”
Statement to Congress char:2926-3095 testimony first hand
27
George Knapp considers his private conversation with Harry Reid directly related to the current explosion of public interest in the UFO/UAP controversy, including inquiries underway in both houses of the United States Congress.
“That private conversation with Reid proved to be pivotal in the long run, and is directly related to the current explosion of public interest in the UFO/UAP controversy, including the inquiries now underway in both houses of Congress.”
Statement to Congress char:3100-3325 opinion first hand
28
The other person George Knapp met in 1989 related to the UFO mystery was billionaire businessman Robert Bigelow, who owned real estate and hotel properties in multiple states.
“The other person I met in 1989 related to the UFO mystery was a billionaire businessman named Robert Bigelow, who owned vast real estate and hotel properties in multiple states.”
Statement to Congress char:3359-3529 administrative first hand
29
Robert Bigelow began funding private UFO investigations as well as the work of UFO organisations.
“Bigelow began funding private UFO investigations as well the work of UFO organizations UFO.”
Statement to Congress char:3537-3624 administrative first hand
30
Robert Bigelow has spent more of his own money on UFO investigations, tens of millions of dollars, than any person in the history of the world.
“To date, he has spent more of his own money on UFO investigations than any person in the history of the world - tens of millions of dollars.”
Statement to Congress char:3629-3761 administrative first hand
31
In 1996, Robert Bigelow created his own research organisation, the National Institute for Discovery Science.
“In 1996, Bigelow created his own research organization, the National Institute for Discovery Science”
Statement to Congress char:3770-3863 administrative first hand
32
The National Institute for Discovery Science had a science advisory board made up of PhD-level academics, two former astronauts who had walked on the Moon, and several scientists who had worked for or consulted with the United States military and intelligence agencies.
“with a science advisory board made up of PhD-level academics, two of the former astronauts who had walked on the moon, and several scientists who had worked for or consulted with the U.S. military and intelligence agencies”
Statement to Congress char:3872-4086 administrative first hand
33
After the National Institute for Discovery Science began its own investigations, George Knapp informed Harry Reid about the organisation and arranged an introduction.
“After NIDS began its own investigations and projects, I informed Senator Reid about the organization and arranged an introduction.”
Statement to Congress char:4341-4458 testimony first hand
34
Harry Reid attended one of the first board meetings of the National Institute for Discovery Science and was impressed by the professionalism and the pedigrees of the Science Advisory Board.
“Reid attended one of the first board meetings of NIDS and was impressed by the professionalism he witnessed and the pedigrees of the world class Science Advisory Board.”
Statement to Congress char:4472-4634 observation second hand
35
One of the topics of interest to Harry Reid, Robert Bigelow, and the National Institute for Discovery Science was Russia's ongoing interest in UFOs.
“One of the topics that was of interest to Reid, Bigelow, and NIDS was Russia's ongoing interest in UFOs.”
Statement to Congress char:4806-4905 administrative first hand
36
In 1993, a brief window of opportunity existed in the former USSR during the period known as Glasnost, offering the possibility that western journalists and researchers could learn about previously off-limits subjects.
“In 1993, there was a brief window of opportunity in the former USSR. The period known as Glasnost offered the possibility that western journalists and researchers might be able to learn about subjects that were previously off limits during the worst days of the Cold War.”
Statement to Congress char:4911-5178 administrative first hand
37
With the assistance of former United States Congressman Jim Bilbray, George Knapp met a Russian physicist and national security advisor, Nikolai Kapranov, who was in the United States to speak about arms control and nuclear detente at American national laboratories and nuclear weapons facilities.
“With the assistance off former US Congressman Jim Bilbray, I met a Russian physicist and national security advisor who was in the U.S. in order to speak about arms control issues and nuclear detente at our national laboratories and nuclear weapons facilities.”
Statement to Congress char:5183-5431 testimony first hand
38
George Knapp asked Nikolai Kapranov to find high-ranking persons in the former USSR who might know about secret UFO programmes or investigations in Russia and who would agree to meet with him.
“I asked Dr. Nikolai Kapranov if he might be willing to find high ranking persons in the former USSR who may have been in a position to know about any secret UFO programs or investigations in Russia and whether any of those persons would agree to meet with me.”
Statement to Congress char:5443-5699 testimony first hand
39
It took eight months to arrange an itinerary and obtain a formal invitation for George Knapp to visit Moscow.
“It took 8 months to arrange an itinerary and to obtain a formal invitation to visit Moscow.”
Statement to Congress char:5721-5805 administrative first hand
40
In the spring of 1993, George Knapp travelled with two colleagues to Moscow and interviewed more than a dozen military officials, intelligence operatives, and scientists with knowledge of UFO incidents and studies in the former USSR during the Cold War.
“In the spring of that year, I traveled with two colleagues to Moscow, met and interviewed more than a dozen military officials, intelligence operatives, and scientists who had knowledge of UFO incidents and studies in the former USSR during the Cold War.”
Statement to Congress char:5813-6063 testimony first hand
41
Russian leaders commissioned an unprecedented UFO investigation, ordering that any UFO incident or report by any unit in the Russian military be fully investigated, witnesses interviewed, and evidence collected and forwarded to an office inside the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“Russian leaders commissioned an unprecedented UFO investigation. The order went out to all units in the vast Russian military empire that any UFO incident or report must be fully investigated, witnesses interviewed, evidence collected and then all of those materials were forwarded to an office inside the Ministry of Defense.”
Statement to Congress char:6083-6401 hearsay second hand
42
The Russian military's UFO study lasted a full ten years and was likely the largest UFO investigation ever undertaken.
“The study lasted a full ten years and was likely the largest UFO investigation ever undertaken.”
Statement to Congress char:6411-6495 opinion first hand
43
Thousands of case files were accumulated during the Russian military's ten-year UFO investigation, and nearly all of the interviewed witnesses were military personnel.
“Thousands of case files were accumulated. Nearly all of the witnesses who were interviewed were military personnel.”
Statement to Congress char:6507-6612 hearsay second hand
44
The Russian military UFO investigation was directed by Colonel Boris Sokolov, who described many alarming incidents to George Knapp.
“Many of the incidents described to me by the program's director Col. Boris Sokolov were alarming.”
Statement to Congress char:6623-6711 testimony second hand
45
Boris Sokolov said there had been 45 incidents in which Russian warplanes engaged with UFOs, chasing them and even shooting at them.
“Sokolov said there had been 45 incidents in which Russian warplanes engaged with UFOs, chased them, even shot at them.”
Statement to Congress char:6721-6834 testimony second hand
46
In most of the 45 Russian warplane-UFO encounters, the UFOs shot away at unbelievable speeds, but in three incidents the Russian warplanes crashed, killing two pilots.
“In most incidents, the UFOs shot away at unbelievable speeds, but in three incidents, the Russian warplanes were dibbled and crashed. Two of the pilots were killed.”
Statement to Congress char:6840-6997 hearsay second hand
47
After the crash incidents, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a nationwide order that UFOs should be left alone because, in the words of a top Russian Air Defence official, "they may have incredible capacities for retaliation."
“After those incidents, the MOD issued a nationwide order that UFOs should be left alone because, in the words of a top Air Defense official, "they may have incredible capacities for retaliation."”
Statement to Congress char:7005-7187 hearsay third hand
48
Boris Sokolov shared information with George Knapp about an alarming incident at a Russian ICBM base in Ukraine in which UFOs appeared, performed manoeuvres in front of stunned eyewitnesses, and then took control of the base's launch system.
“Col. Sokolov also shared information about an alarming incident at a Russian ICBM base in Ukraine. UFOs appeared over the base, performed astonishing maneuvers in front of stunned eyewitnesses and then somehow took control of the launch system.”
Statement to Congress char:7201-7438 testimony second hand
49
During the Russian ICBM base UFO incident in Ukraine, missiles aimed at the United States were fired up and launch control codes were entered, leaving the base unable to stop what could have initiated World War 3, before the UFOs disappeared and the launch-control system shut down.
“The missiles aimed at the US were suddenly fired up. Launch control codes were somehow entered, and the base was unable to stop what could have initiated World War 3. Then, just as suddenly, the UFOs disappeared, and the launch-control system shut down.”
Statement to Congress char:7446-7694 hearsay second hand
50
George Knapp's interest in UFO secrecy began in 1987.
“As a journalist, my interest in UFO secrecy began in 1987.”
Statement to Congress char:774-827 administrative first hand
51
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed to George Knapp that it was studying UFO cases in the hope of understanding and eventually duplicating the technology that had allowed UFO pilots to dominate Russian airspace and weapons systems.
“The Russian MOD had confirmed to me that they were studying UFO cases in the hope that they might understand and eventually duplicate the technology that had allowed the UFO pilots to so thoroughly dominate Russian airspace and weapons systems.”
Statement to Congress char:7887-8123 testimony second hand
52
George Knapp's information from Russia made a lasting impression on Harry Reid and became a key factor in a secretive program launched a few years later.
“The information made lasting impression on Senator Reid and others and became a key factor in a secretive program that was launched a few years later.”
Statement to Congress char:8132-8276 opinion first hand
53
George Knapp has written hundreds of UFO-related news stories and series.
“I have written hundreds of UFO-related news stories and series”
Statement to Congress char:858-914 administrative first hand
54
The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was launched from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and was managed by a career counterintelligence officer named Lue Elizondo.
“AATIP was launched from OUSDI, the office of the undersecretary for defense intelligence and was managed by a career counterintelligence officer named Lue Elizondo.”
Statement to Congress char:8712-8867 administrative first hand
55
The New York Times AATIP article was largely responsible for the creation by Congress of the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena Task Force, which later became the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
“was largely responsible for the creation by Congress of the UAP Task Force, which later morphed into AARO, the current UFO program approved by Congress.”
Statement to Congress char:9218-9361 administrative first hand
56
George Knapp considers the New York Times AATIP report accurate on many levels: that AATIP was real, that Lue Elizondo was the man in charge of it, and that it was an investigation of UFO encounters involving US military personnel.
“The NY Times report was accurate on many levels. AATIP as real. Lue Elizondo was the man in charge of it. And it was an investigation of UFO encounters involving US military personnel.”
Statement to Congress char:9372-9546 opinion first hand
57
The 22 million US dollars secured by Harry Reid did not fund the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, but instead went into a separate effort managed by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
“The $22 million secured by Reid did not fund AATIP. Rather, it went into an entirely different effort managed by the Defense Intelligence Agency.”
Statement to Congress char:9602-9740 administrative first hand
58
The programme funded by Harry Reid's 22 million US dollars was dubbed the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program.
“The original program was dubbed AAWSAP, the Advanced Weapons System Application program.”
Statement to Congress char:9748-9828 administrative first hand
59
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program was initiated and managed for the Defense Intelligence Agency by veteran intelligence analyst and rocket expert Dr. James Lacatski.
“The man who initiated and managed the program for DIA was a veteran intelligence analyst and rocket expert named Dr. James Lacatski.”
Statement to Congress char:9837-9960 administrative first hand
60
The contract for the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program was awarded to a subsidiary of Bigelow Aerospace, owned by Robert Bigelow.
“The contract for AAWSAP was awarded to a subsidiary of Bigelow Aerospace, owned by Robert Bigelow.”
Statement to Congress char:9970-10060 administrative first hand
61
Some dubious, unofficial documents related to the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) were leaked to George Knapp, a Las Vegas television journalist who has for decades been a fixture in the UFO media orbit.
“Some dubious, unofficial documents leaked out to George Knapp, a Las Vegas TV journalist who, for decades, has been a fixture in the UFO media orbit.”
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? 2019-06-01 char:14469-14668 administrative
62
George Knapp has been a vocal defender of Luis Elizondo and Tom DeLonge for the two years before mid-2019, pushing back on critics who have raised questions about To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science.
“Knapp has been a vocal defender of Elizondo and DeLonge for the past two years, pushing back on critics who have raised thorny questions about To the Stars.”
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? 2019-06-01 char:14740-14890 observation
63
George Knapp purchased stock in To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science, something he has not always revealed to readers and viewers in his reporting.
“Knapp also purchased stock in the company, something he has not always revealed to readers and viewers in his reporting.”
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? 2019-06-01 char:14897-15007 observation
64
George Knapp acknowledged in an email to The Intercept buying 400 shares of To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science stock in 2018, not as an investment but as a way to support the company and its work.
“In an email to The Intercept, Knapp acknowledged buying 400 shares of the academy’s stock in 2018, “not as an investment, but as a way to support their fledgling company and their work.””
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? 2019-06-01 char:15019-15199 testimony second hand
65
George Knapp said he made his stock purchase in To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science public and informed his employer at KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.
“He wrote that he had “made that information public” and “informed” his employer” at KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.”
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? 2019-06-01 char:15206-15305 testimony second hand
66
George Knapp put his To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science shares in a trust that would be donated to a charity, and he believes that transaction has been completed such that he now owns zero stock in the company.
“Knapp also said that he put the shares in a trust that “would be donated to a charity.” He believes that transaction has been completed and that he now owns “zero stock” in the company, he wrote.”
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? 2019-06-01 char:15312-15501 testimony second hand
67
George Knapp is a journalist from KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Mr. George Knapp, journalist from KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, Nevada”
Pentagon Reinforces Mr. Luis Elizondo Had “No Responsibilities” on AATIP; Senator Harry Reid’s 2009 Memo Changes Nothing 2019-06-14 char:1939-1995 administrative
68
It remains unclear why George Knapp and Matt Adams, or their source, asked to redact the names of Luis Elizondo and Hal Puthoff in the July 25, 2018 KLAS-TV story on Pentagon UFO study documents.
“but It remains unclear why both journalists, or their source, asked them to redact those two names in the first place.”
Pentagon Reinforces Mr. Luis Elizondo Had “No Responsibilities” on AATIP; Senator Harry Reid’s 2009 Memo Changes Nothing 2019-06-14 char:3003-3115 opinion
69
Harry Reid provided the Unofficial Official Report on the Nimitz Tic Tac incident to George Knapp, making the report public.
“The report is now out because Harry Reid got it to George Knapp.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:46:02.6-01:46:05.2 testimony first hand
70
George Knapp knew the identities of the people involved in the 2004 USS Nimitz UFO incident because he obtained the Unofficial Official Report on the Nimitz Tic Tac incident from Senator Harry Reid.
“But George knew who the names were because he got the report from Senator Reid.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 01:46:37.8-01:46:41.4 testimony first hand
71
George Knapp attended the McMinnville UFO Festival the year before David Fravor did.
“Jeremy and George Knappen went the year before, so I went with Bob Lazar.”
David Fravor: UFOs, Aliens, Fighter Jets, and Aerospace Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcast #122 2020-09-08 02:55:17.0-02:55:19.9 testimony first hand
72
George Knapp is a Las Vegas-based television investigative reporter.
“Las Vegas–based television investigative reporter George Knapp interviewed Colonel Boris Sokolov, who headed the USSR's UAP investigations for over a decade.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch12:19484-19660 administrative
73
In 1989, Bob Lazar went public in an interview with journalist George Knapp on Las Vegas television station KLAS-TV, asserting anonymously at first his purported employment working on a recovered extra-terrestrial flying saucer at the supposed Site 4 (S-4) facility.
“Years later, in 1989, Lazar went public in an interview with investigative journalist George Knapp on Las Vegas TV station KLAS, asserting (anonymously, at first) his purported employment working on a recovered extra-terrestrial flying saucer at the supposed S-4 facility, adjacent to Papoose Lake south of Area 51”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch13:20633-20945 administrative
74
George Knapp rebutted official denials that Bob Lazar ever worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, citing an old news story placing Lazar there and the fact that Lazar sneaked Knapp into the secure facility and was familiar with the site and its workers.
“Journalist George Knapp has convincingly rebutted official denials that Lazar ever worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico; not only is there an old news story placing him there, Lazar sneaked Knapp into the secure facility and Lazar was clearly very familiar with the site and knew workers inside.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch13:23810-24116 testimony first hand
75
George Knapp is a multi-award-winning investigative journalist who has worked for Nevada's KLAS-TV for 40 years, breaking many extraordinary UAP stories.
“Las Vegas investigative journalist George Knapp is a multi-award-winning investigative journalist who has worked for Nevada's KLAS-TV for 40 years, breaking many extraordinary UAP stories.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch15:13284-13464 administrative
76
In a 2018 radio interview on Coast to Coast AM with George Knapp, Eric Davis said that the 'Threat' in AATIP refers to the fact that the UFO phenomenon has interfered with operations, and that the phenomenon was officially branded a threat which had to be studied.
“In a 2018 radio interview with George Knapp on Coast to Coast AM, Davis said, 'The Threat in AATIP refers to the fact that the UFO phenomenon has interfered with operations. The phenomenon was officially branded a threat, and the threat had to be studied.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:10150-10401 testimony first hand
77
Eric Davis suggested to George Knapp's radio listeners that the controversial 1947 Roswell crash was indeed a genuine crashed extra-terrestrial spacecraft, saying that if you're going to throw your bets on Roswell, your bet is really good.
“Dr Davis went on to give Knapp's listeners an astonishing amount of additional detail about supposed US government 'crash retrievals', suggesting the controversial 1947 Roswell crash was indeed a genuine crashed extra-terrestrial spacecraft. 'If you're going to throw your bets on Roswell, your bet is really good,' he said.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:13030-13376 opinion first hand
78
Eric Davis cited the 5 December 1950 case known as Del Rio, allegedly involving a crashed extra-terrestrial craft near Del Rio, Texas, subsequently recovered by the US Air Force, in his interview with George Knapp.
“So it was intriguing to hear Dr Davis citing one of those other claimed extra-terrestrial spacecraft crashes in his interview with George Knapp – the 5 December 1950 case known as Del Rio, which allegedly involved a crashed craft near the town of Del Rio, Texas, that was subsequently recovered by the US Air Force.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:13803-14112 hearsay first hand
79
Eric Davis told George Knapp, discussing his work on the Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) Defense Intelligence Agency contract, that there were indeed recovered extra-terrestrial craft, the information about which had not yet been revealed or published.
“Talking about his work for the Bigelow BAASS Defence Intelligence Agency contract, Dr Davis went on to tell George Knapp there were indeed recovered ET craft, the information about which had not yet been revealed or published.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:15421-15637 testimony first hand
80
Former National Institute for Discovery Science scientist Eric Davis was brought into the Bigelow investigation team working on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).
“In an interview with George Knapp, former National Institute for Discovery Science scientist Dr Eric Davis was one of those brought into the Bigelow investigation team working on the AATIP.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch17:9960-10143 administrative
81
George Knapp is a Las Vegas investigative journalist.
“The offending show in question was probably one hosted by Las Vegas investigative journalist George Knapp in 2016.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:13788-13897 administrative
82
Tom DeLonge told George Knapp that when the public learned about the secret spending there would be an uproar but that once the truth was out the public would be grateful.
“He told Knapp that when the public learned about the secret spending there would be an uproar but that once the truth was out the public would be grateful.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:14155-14301 testimony first hand
83
Tom DeLonge described his first meeting with 'The General', who made extraordinary and terrifying claims about a recovered alien lifeform, in his interview with George Knapp.
“DeLonge also expanded, in his interview with George Knapp,10 on that first meeting with ‘The General’ who made the extraordinary and apparently terrifying claims about a recovered alien ‘lifeform’.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:15143-15330 testimony first hand
84
Over his four-hour interview with George Knapp, Tom DeLonge claimed his contacts said the whole 'UFO reality' was being kept secret from humanity not because the government was maliciously hiding the truth, but because its research into the phenomenon was still ongoing and not fully understood, which was why so much money was being invested in it.
“Over his extraordinary four-hour interview with George Knapp, DeLonge claimed that his contacts said the whole ‘UFO reality’ was being kept secret from humanity, not because the government was maliciously hiding the truth, but because its research into the phenomenon was still going on and they did not yet fully understand it, which was why they were pouring so much money into it.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:16822-17202 hearsay first hand
85
Tom DeLonge claimed to George Knapp that there were ongoing government investigations into victims of alien abductions and cattle mutilations.
“He claimed to Knapp that there were ongoing government investigations into victims of alien abductions and cattle mutilations”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:17789-17903 hearsay first hand
86
Tom DeLonge told George Knapp and Joe Rogan about an alleged large-scale secret conspiracy to hide the truth about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).
“The only sensible explanation for this is that what Tom DeLonge said to George Knapp and Joe Rogan about a gigantic secret conspiracy to hide the truth of UFOs/UAPs is a huge steaming pile of bull dung.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:22696-22893 testimony first hand
87
In his interview with George Knapp, Tom DeLonge was at pains to ensure people understand that 'The General' is a great, well-intentioned person.
“In his interview with George Knapp, DeLonge was at pains to ensure people understand ‘The General’ is a great, well-intentioned guy”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:3375-3503 testimony first hand
88
George Knapp asked Tom DeLonge why officials would tell him, a rock musician, secret information, suggesting they might be giving him information with plausible deniability so they could discredit or deny it if things went wrong.
“George Knapp pulled DeLonge up at one stage and asked, ‘People will say, this guy’s a rock musician, they’re not going to tell this stuff to him or they’re going to tell him stuff that they’re going to have plausible deniability . . . if this goes wrong, they can discredit you, or deny it?’”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:4741-5028 testimony first hand
89
Tom DeLonge replied to George Knapp that the officials could deny or discredit anybody, even presidents, and that people are talking about levels of power civilians cannot comprehend.
“‘Well, they can do that to anybody,’ DeLonge replied. ‘They can do that to presidents. You’re talking about levels of power that we can’t comprehend as civilians. Frankly, I don’t care if anyone doesn’t believe me. I’m in the middle of something very important. I just gotta’ do what I said I’ll do.’”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch19:5035-5330 testimony first hand
90
In March 2016, Tom DeLonge told George Knapp that he had learned from government insiders that the United States had made a secret technological breakthrough in anti-gravity propulsion.
“I find myself thinking back to Tom DeLonge’s animated claims back in March 2016 to George Knapp, that he learned from his government insiders that the US had made a stunning secret technological breakthrough in anti-gravitic propulsion, and that the world was on the brink of learning about these extraordinary scientific achievements.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:21754-22103 testimony second hand
91
Tom DeLonge told George Knapp that the United States is building machinery that has anti-gravity capability and that this is a big deal.
“‘Yes, we are building machinery that have anti-gravity. And yes, I was told that. It’s a big deal,’ DeLonge effused.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:22118-22225 testimony second hand
92
Tom DeLonge told George Knapp that plausible deniability is something the government has always used, especially when it wants to release very serious information.
“He told George Knapp, ‘plausible deniability is something the government has always done and it’s the way they operate, especially when they want to put out very serious information’.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch22:22688-22858 opinion first hand
93
In late 2018, George Knapp told viewers that one Art's Parts sample is engineered in layers thinner than microns through a process unknown on Earth.
“'This one sample is engineered in layers thinner than microns through a process unknown on Earth, and for a purpose we can only guess,' journalist George Knapp excitedly told viewers in late 2018 over vision of what looked like the Art's Parts' bismuth/magnesium-zinc sample.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch24:2632-2899 opinion first hand
94
George Knapp discussed a transmedium craft that dives into water and becomes a USO, an unidentified submerged object.
“But he does talk about one of these transmedium crafts, meaning one of these UAP diving into water and becoming a USO, an unidentified submerged object.”
Journalist Leaked UAP Program "Immaculate Constellation" - DEBRIEFED ep. 10 2024-10-18 00:14:09.5-00:14:18.2 testimony second hand
95
Bob Lazar had never mentioned Chuck Payne's name to anyone, including George Knapp, before this interview with Luigi Venditelli.
“Have you ever mentioned this to George Knapp? No, no.”
Bob Lazar Just Revealed His BIGGEST Secret - DEBRIEFED ep. 87 2026-05-08 00:04:31.1-00:04:33.6 testimony first hand
96
After Bob Lazar came forward publicly, George Knapp called Bob Lazar and asked to meet him at the Union Plaza Hotel in USA, Nevada, Las Vegas.
“he called to meet at the union plaza hotel... to meet at the Union Plaza hotel.”
Bob Lazar Just Revealed His BIGGEST Secret - DEBRIEFED ep. 87 2026-05-08 00:12:56.5-00:12:58.0 testimony first hand
97
George Knapp's call to arrange the meeting at the Union Plaza Hotel came relatively soon after Bob Lazar came forward publicly, not months later.
“no it wasn't months i don't think it was months... yeah it was it was definitely relatively soon after”
Bob Lazar Just Revealed His BIGGEST Secret - DEBRIEFED ep. 87 2026-05-08 00:13:09.3-00:13:15.8 testimony first hand
98
People inside the Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) subject, such as Jacques Vallee and George Knapp, have used the term Collins Elite for some time, and often use it to refer to several different things.
“I think people on the inside talk about the Collins Elite, they've been talking about them for a while, whether it's Jacques Vallée or George Knapp or whoever. When they use that word, I think they're often referring to multiple things.”
The UFO Cover-Up Leads to One Secret Society — and One Final Event 2026-07-14 00:16:17.3-00:16:27.6 opinion first hand
99
Jason Samosa considers it plausible that Tom DeLonge was told around 2013, possibly via George Knapp, that it was a good time for his disclosure project.
“He may have heard like, now's a pretty good time for the project you're doing, like 2013 kind of time.”
The UFO Cover-Up Leads to One Secret Society — and One Final Event 2026-07-14 00:45:34.2-00:45:39.2 opinion first hand
100
George Knapp regards Sean Kirkpatrick's 2023 position as a far cry from what the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in 2021 and from what it is saying now.
“It's a far cry from what ODNI said in 2021, right? And it's also a far cry from what ODNI is saying now.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:11:20.0-00:11:27.2 opinion first hand
101
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence started a programme called DIG last year that looked into a number of different topics.
“They just issued, you know, they started a program last year called DIG that looked into a number of different interesting topics.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:11:28.0-00:11:33.9 administrative first hand
102
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence DIG programme asked George Knapp and Jeremy Corbell for help in getting people to come forward.
“They asked me and Jeremy Corbell for some help in getting people to come forward.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:11:34.9-00:11:38.8 testimony first hand
103
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has since announced that the material gathered by its DIG programme was all nonsense and came from grifters, liars and people wanting attention.
“They have since announced that it was all nonsense, that it's all grifters and liars and people who want attention, all of it wave of their hand and wipe it out.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:11:39.6-00:11:48.8 administrative first hand
104
Robert Bigelow and George Knapp have investigated many cattle mutilation cases in which the odour from the animals burns the throat of anyone who gets close.
“we've been on a lot of cattle mutilation cases and they're so bad that's so rank this the odor and the smell from those animals it burns your throat you know to to to breathe and get in anywhere close to them”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:11:51.0-00:12:01.4 observation first hand
105
George Knapp considers that there have been previous periods of deep public interest, serious media treatment and congressional questioning about UFOs, and that they tend to go away.
“there have been periods like this in the past, you know, where the public is deeply interested, the media take the topic seriously, members of Congress are asking questions, you know, a push for some kind of transparency or disclosure, and they tend to go away.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:12:16.9-00:12:30.8 opinion first hand
106
George Knapp considers that people in Donald Trump's own administration are doing their best to quash the UFO disclosure push, whether or not Trump knows it.
“And yet people in his own administration, whether he knows it or not, are doing their best to quash it.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:12:37.0-00:12:41.7 opinion first hand
107
Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp received a series of videos and went to enormous effort to provide them to the United States Congress.
“Jeremy and George, George Knapp, have received a series of videos that they've gone to an enormous amount of effort to provide to the Congress.”
Ross Coulthart Answers Your Biggest UAP Questions | Reality Check with Ross Coulthart 2026-08-11 00:13:57.3-00:14:05.5 administrative
108
Around 46 videos were provided or brought to the attention of the United States Congress, and many were originally brought to the notice of the Congressional UAP Caucus as a result of work by Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp.
“a lot of the 46 or so videos that were allegedly provided or brought to the attention of the Congress were originally alerted to the knowledge of the Congress UAP caucus, I'm told, as a result of great work done by Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp.”
Ross Coulthart Answers Your Biggest UAP Questions | Reality Check with Ross Coulthart 2026-08-11 00:14:06.8-00:14:22.8 hearsay second hand
109
Ross Coulthart considers that Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp made the proper ethical and legal assessment before releasing the leaked videos and behaved entirely properly.
“And I think George and Jeremy did that entirely properly. ... I think he's behaved entirely properly.”
Ross Coulthart Answers Your Biggest UAP Questions | Reality Check with Ross Coulthart 2026-08-11 00:14:59.0-00:15:01.9 opinion first hand
110
Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp have been careful to vet their sources and to ensure the leaked videos were not released publicly without proper redactions or without being checked with people who know whether secrets would be compromised.
“I know how careful both of them have been in making sure they vet their sources. and in making sure that those videos are not released publicly without having proper redactions or checked first with people who actually know whether or not there are secrets that are being compromised”
Ross Coulthart Answers Your Biggest UAP Questions | Reality Check with Ross Coulthart 2026-08-11 00:15:18.0-00:15:34.4 testimony first hand
111
The Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies is the primary focus of Robert Bigelow's work.
“we're talking about BIX the bigelow institute for consciousness studies which is the primary focus of your work”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:26:04.8-00:26:09.4 observation first hand
112
Robert Bigelow has been involved in UFO research for a long time at the highest levels, with government agencies, government officials and presidents.
“you've been involved in UFO research for a long time at the highest levels with government agencies, government officials, presidents, et cetera.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:28:48.6-00:28:57.7 observation first hand
113
Robert Bigelow has learned things about UFOs that he has not shared with the public.
“You've learned a lot of things that you have not shared with the public.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:28:58.0-00:29:00.4 observation first hand
114
George Knapp considers that consciousness has become a buzzword in UFO circles, invoked without explanation by people who do not understand how consciousness and UFOs are connected.
“consciousness has become sort of a buzzword in UFO circles i hear it from people tossed out all the time they never explain it and i don't think they know their butt from a hole in the ground when they're trying to say that the two are connected”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:35:49.9-00:36:00.8 opinion first hand
115
Robert Bigelow spoke to the president to gauge how much he knows about UFOs and whether he is aware that people in the executive branch are pushing back against his transparency proposals.
“the fact that you talked to the president basic level you wanted to see how much he knows and especially i think you wanted to know is he aware that people who work for him in the executive branch are pushing back against his proposals for transparency”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:37:48.3-00:38:04.5 observation first hand
116
Robert Bigelow has direct personal experience of executive-branch resistance to UFO transparency through the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP).
“and you have direct personal experience with how that works because of the AAWSAP program”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:38:05.2-00:38:09.8 observation first hand
117
Some critics argue that the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) was not real but a sweetheart arrangement in which Robert Bigelow received federal money arranged by Harry Reid, and that the non-release of its reports proves it.
“i know there are those out there who say, AAWSAP wasn't real. It was some kind of a sweetheart thing where you got federal money. Harry Reid did it all for you. And the fact that the documents, the reports that you produced have not been made public, that shows that it's not real.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:38:18.2-00:38:31.9 observation
118
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) began with an approach to Robert Bigelow from the Defense Intelligence Agency.
“This was an offer that walked in the door. It was a phone call from the DIA to you, right?”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:38:36.2-00:38:40.9 observation first hand
119
The Defense Intelligence Agency denies holding the papers produced by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS).
“but they deny it they say we don't have”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:40:54.2-00:40:55.7 observation first hand
120
George Knapp released more than a dozen of the Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) papers himself, with permission from people involved in the programme.
“Well, I released more than a dozen of those papers myself with permission from people who are involved in the program.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:41:36.1-00:41:41.1 testimony first hand
121
The Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) papers contain highly sensitive material including personal medical information and the identities of people who work for the government.
“there's a lot of really sensitive stuff in there. Personal medical information. There's the identities of people who work for the government.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:41:50.9-00:41:57.6 observation second hand
122
Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) employed 50 full-time investigators.
“Dr. Lakatsky explained to me your organization, BAASS, you had 50 full-time investigators, 50.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:42:12.7-00:42:18.7 measurement second hand
123
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) run by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) was the largest programme of its kind ever funded by the US government.
“making it the largest program of its kind ever funded by the US government.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:42:19.7-00:42:23.9 observation second hand
124
Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) had approximately 75 employees in total.
“You had maybe 75 total employees, but you had 50 people who are out there taking notes.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:42:24.3-00:42:28.7 measurement second hand
125
Tens of thousands of pages of investigator notes went into 7,500 pages of documents produced by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS).
“There are tens of thousands of pages of notes that went into 7,500 pages of documents”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:42:29.0-00:42:33.0 measurement second hand
126
The 7,500 pages of documents produced by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) were sent to the Defense Intelligence Agency on a regular basis and have never been released.
“that were sent to dia on a regular basis and that's never been released”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:42:35.8-00:42:41.6 observation first hand
127
George Knapp considers it preposterous and juvenile to argue that the Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) documents do not exist.
“so there are those who quibble and say well it must not exist and it's preposterous and juvenile to say that kind of thing it does exist”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:42:42.0-00:42:48.6 opinion first hand
128
Harry Reid had access to briefings and information that George Knapp would never see.
“You know, Reid had access to a lot of briefings and information that I would never see.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:48:08.9-00:48:13.0 observation first hand
129
George Knapp considers Harry Reid's concern about Russia in particular to have been well-founded.
“but his concern about Russia in particular was well-founded.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:48:15.0-00:48:17.4 opinion first hand
130
George Knapp obtained documents relating to Russian UFO research, and Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) took that line of investigation to a far more advanced level.
“I was able to obtain some documents you guys, but you guys took it to a whole different level... But your organization, BAASS, took it to a whole different level way beyond what I coul”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:48:19.3-00:48:26.4 testimony first hand
131
The Soviet Union had a large programme attempting to reverse engineer recovered craft, active as of 1993.
“And you recognize the Russians really did have a big program. They were trying to reverse engineer this stuff. ... 1993. ... Yeah. So over 30 years ago.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:48:33.8-00:48:42.0 testimony first hand
132
An object crashed in Kazakhstan and was retrieved by the Russians, who then worked on it.
“which the Russians, something crashed, the Russians retrieved it, they started working on it”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:48:50.5-00:48:55.2 testimony first hand
133
Following the crash retrieval in Kazakhstan, the Russians developed an extremely powerful laser weapon.
“that crash occurred in Kazakhstan, and what they developed was an incredibly powerful laser, ... a weapon.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:49:02.7-00:49:07.0 testimony first hand
134
The laser weapon developed by the Russians after the Kazakhstan crash retrieval initially malfunctioned, caused a great deal of damage and may have killed people.
“and initially they had problems with it it caused a lot of damage might have killed people”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:49:09.8-00:49:13.6 testimony first hand
135
A person with direct knowledge of the Russian laser programme came forward and told United States intelligence agencies about it.
“but somebody involved with direct knowledge of that came forward told it to our intelligence agencies and you learned about it right?”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:49:14.4-00:49:21.0 hearsay third hand
136
Harry Reid wanted the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) and Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) kept quiet because he believed others would try to cut the programme if they knew it existed.
“And he became concerned, look, we got to keep BAASS, the AAWSAP program, we got to keep it quiet because he knew that somebody would try to, the long knives would be out and try to cut it if they knew it existed.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:49:31.2-00:49:43.1 testimony first hand
137
James Lacatski was a rocket scientist for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
“Jim Lacatski is brilliant in many ways, a rocket scientist for DIA.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:49:44.0-00:49:48.6 administrative
138
James Lacatski wrote up the proposal that became the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) without mentioning UFOs, Skinwalker Ranch or alien technology.
“But his brilliance in writing up the program that became AAWSAP was, you don't mention UFOs. You're not going to mention werewolves or the ranch or alien technology.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:49:49.8-00:50:00.8 testimony first hand
139
James Lacatski and Jay Stratton worked together at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
“They worked together at DIA and they both explained both in their own areas were seeing UFO reports that were startling.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:50:42.5-00:50:49.0 administrative
140
James Lacatski and Jay Stratton were each seeing startling UFO reports in their own areas at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and concluded something needed to be done about it.
“they both explained both in their own areas were seeing UFO reports that were startling. They kept seeing them over and over and they thought we need to do something about it.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:50:44.5-00:50:53.2 hearsay second hand
141
After reading Hunt for the Skinwalker, James Lacatski and Jay Stratton concluded that Skinwalker Ranch was a place that could be studied with a reasonable chance of seeing UFOs.
“And then they read Hunt for the Skinwalker and they thought Skinwalker Ranch is a place you could study. where you have a reasonable chance of seeing UFOs”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:50:53.3-00:51:01.4 hearsay second hand
142
James Lacatski sent a letter to Robert Bigelow pitching the idea of studying Skinwalker Ranch.
“and they came to you and pitched this idea so the letter comes in from lakatsky to you yeah”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:51:02.7-00:51:07.5 testimony first hand
143
The Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) was the largest known government-funded investigation into UFO phenomena ever to have existed.
“AAWSAP, the largest government-funded investigation into these phenomena that we know of that ever existed.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:51:55.2-00:52:00.4 opinion first hand
144
James Lacatski travelled to Las Vegas and then flew with Robert Bigelow on Bigelow's aircraft to north-eastern Utah for a tour of Skinwalker Ranch.
“Dr. Lakatsky comes to Las Vegas, you jump on your plane, you fly to Northeastern Utah, and you took him on a little tour.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:53:31.2-00:53:38.1 testimony first hand
145
After his Skinwalker Ranch visit James Lacatski returned to Washington DC, drafted the outline of a programme, described it to Robert Bigelow, who then contacted Harry Reid, leading to the creation of the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP).
“And then he goes back to D.C., he designs the outline of a program, he tells it to you, you call Reid, and then AAWSAP is born.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:58:24.8-00:58:32.4 testimony first hand
146
The publicly released Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) contract documents are deliberately vague and do not mention UFOs, UAP, poltergeists or unconventional technology.
“the contract that you signed the documents that have been out there they don't say UFOs, UAPs, poltergeists, unconventional technology there it's very vague on purpose”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:58:35.9-00:58:46.8 testimony first hand
147
The adversaries Harry Reid was concerned about were not only Moscow and Beijing but people within the United States government who would try to kill the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) if they knew it existed.
“it leads back to the comments that Harry Reid made you didn't want anyone else in D.C. to know about it we're talking about adversaries not just Moscow or or Beijing adversaries within government who would try to kill it if they knew it existed”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:58:47.8-00:59:02.2 testimony first hand
148
The agreement Robert Bigelow signed with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) contained provisions for modifying the Bigelow Aerospace plant in Las Vegas in anticipation of receiving unspecified materials.
“As part of the agreement that you signed with DIA, there were provisions that you would modify Bigelow Aerospace Plan in anticipation of receiving some materials. It doesn't say what those materials are”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:00:03.2-01:00:17.2 testimony first hand
149
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) contract for the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) was signed by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS).
“Just the contract you signed with DIA for AAWSAP, that BAASS would sign with DIA, provided for you making some modifications to the Bigelow Aerospace Plant.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:02:49.7-01:03:00.1 testimony first hand
150
Robert Bigelow told George Knapp at the time that he spent a large sum of his own money making the modifications to the Bigelow Aerospace plant required by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) contract.
“And what you had told me back in those days was you spent a lot of your own money to make that happen. It did happen, right? You did prepare for some eventualities.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:03:00.5-01:03:08.6 hearsay second hand
151
There are no laboratories or manufacturing facilities in space, and there are processes possible in zero gravity that cannot be done on Earth.
“For simple reasons there are no labs to speak of there are no manufacturing facilities in space if we had them there are things you could do and then in zero gravity that you can't do on earth right? ... Now there's an idea”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:05:55.4-01:06:07.2 opinion first hand
152
Bigelow Aerospace built inflatable habitats that were stronger, more transportable, cheaper to launch and safer than metal-framed structures, and which no one else possessed.
“the Bigelow Aerospace was building these inflatable habitats that were so much stronger than metal frames and much more uh transportable cheaper to get them up there cheaper to use but they were safer and no one had it”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:06:09.2-01:06:26.0 testimony first hand
153
Although Bigelow Aerospace has been inactive for many years, the systems Robert Bigelow developed remain more advanced than anything developed since.
“even though Bigelow Aerospace has been inactive for many years, those systems you develop are still more advanced than what has been developed in your absence.”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:07:05.8-01:07:14.0 opinion first hand
154
Robert Bigelow declined to confirm George Knapp's suggestion that he had something to offer in return for something stashed away, calling it speculation.
“You had something to offer in return. ... Well, that's just speculation. I don't know. Do you want to leave it at that?”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:09:38.1-01:09:47.6 testimony first hand
155
Companies acting as gatekeepers have kept the secret and done what the United States government asked of them for 80 years, attempting to reverse engineer the technology.
“Companies that have given their all, they've kept the secret. They did what our government asked them to do for 80 years. and and they've done their best to try to figure out the technology reverse engineer it”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:09:57.2-01:10:08.5 opinion first hand
156
Robert Bigelow believes the aerospace companies that held the secret should be given a clean bill of health in return for the work they did on behalf of the American public.
“and you think that they should be given a clean bill of health uh in return for the work that they've done on the behalf of the american public right”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 01:10:10.0-01:10:17.7 opinion second hand
157
George Knapp is a veteran investigative journalist.
“veteran investigative journalist George Knapp”
Pressure Mounts on President Trump as UAP Disclosure Advocates Intensify Their Push 2026-08-19 char:4399-4439 administrative
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In the latest episode of his podcast with George Knapp, Robert Bigelow took a more cautious stance on UAP disclosure than David Grusch, emphasising the need to protect secrecy.
“in the latest episode he appeared to take a more cautious stance on disclosure than Grusch, emphasising the need to protect secrecy”
Pressure Mounts on President Trump as UAP Disclosure Advocates Intensify Their Push 2026-08-19 char:4450-4574 opinion