PURSUE Database Explained: How to Access Government UAP Files

On May 8, 2026, the Department of War launched the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE) — a public database containing declassified government files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. Here's everything you need to know about accessing and using the system.

What is PURSUE?

PURSUE is the Trump administration's solution to decades of public demands for UAP transparency. The system serves as a centralized repository for declassified UAP-related documents, videos, and photographs from across the federal government.

The database is hosted at war.gov/UFO and requires no security clearance or special access. According to the Pentagon, the collection "will grow over time as additional files are released on a rolling basis."

How to Access the Database

Accessing PURSUE is straightforward:

1. Navigate to war.gov/UFO
2. No login or registration required
3. Browse files by category (Documents, Videos, Photos)
4. Use search filters by date, location, or agency
5. Download files directly or view in browser

What's Currently Available

The initial release includes approximately 160 files containing:

• FBI Documents: Investigation records and field reports
• Military Videos: Navy encounter footage from 2004-2024
• Apollo Photos: Mission images showing unidentified objects
• State Department Cables: Diplomatic reports of sightings
• NASA Transcripts: Communications from crewed flights
• Incident Reports: Military encounters in Iraq, Syria, Greece, Japan

Understanding the File Structure

Each file in PURSUE follows a standardized format:

• Document ID: Unique identifier for each file
• Date: When the incident was reported or recorded
• Location: Geographic coordinates when available
• Agency: Which government entity generated the file
• Classification Status: Current declassification level
• Description: Brief summary of contents

Important Disclaimers

The Pentagon has included specific language with each release:

"Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event's validity, nature, or significance."

In plain English: the government is giving you the data but explicitly refusing to tell you what it means.

What's Coming Next

According to Pentagon officials, the following materials are undergoing review for future release:

• Additional Navy encounter videos (46 identified by whistleblowers)
• CIA documents from the 1950s-1980s
• Air Force Project Blue Book files not previously released
• NSA signals intelligence related to UAP
• Congressional briefing materials

Tips for Researchers

If you're diving into the PURSUE database, here are some recommendations:

• Start with the incident reports — they contain the most detail
• Cross-reference dates with known military operations
• Compare multiple witness accounts of the same incident
• Check document classification dates to understand release timing
• Save copies — the database may be updated or reorganized