Luis "Lue" Elizondo is a former U.S. intelligence officer and one of the most prominent figures in contemporary UFO disclosure efforts. He is best known for his role as the director of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), a secretive initiative that investigated unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). Elizondo left his position in 2017, citing frustration with government secrecy and the lack of attention to the potential security implications of UAPs. Shortly after, he publicly revealed the program's existence and has since been a vocal advocate for transparency and the study of these phenomena.
Elizondo’s revelations helped spark a major shift in public and governmental attitudes toward UFOs. He played a critical role in the release of now-famous U.S. military videos, including the "Tic Tac," "GoFast," and "Gimbal" footage, which show encounters between Navy pilots and unidentified objects exhibiting extraordinary flight characteristics. These videos, confirmed as authentic by the Pentagon, fueled public interest and prompted congressional hearings on UAPs. Elizondo's testimony, along with his interviews and appearances, has emphasized that UAPs are not just a fringe curiosity but could pose significant national security concerns.
Since leaving the Pentagon, Elizondo has worked with organizations like To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science, founded by Tom DeLonge, to further the cause of UFO disclosure. He has advocated for more open discussions about UAPs, calling for rigorous scientific investigation and governmental accountability. Through his efforts, Elizondo has become a central figure in normalizing the study of UFOs and pushing for greater transparency, helping elevate the topic from obscurity to a legitimate subject of inquiry in both the public and governmental spheres.