U.S. Space Force is reportedly reluctant to accept the Pentagon's UFO portfolio
The Pentagon, nudged by the Senate, is finally taking UFOs seriously. And as it decides where to house its "unidentified aerial phenomena" task force, currently led by the Navy, the Pentagon is considering the newly created U.S. Space Force. The Space Force "isn't over the moon about the idea," Politico report. "Space Force leaders are still struggling to rebrand an organization that has been lampooned since before its birth," starting with what appeared to be an off-the-cuff comment by former President Donald Trump. Searching for alien life and technology may not lend it self to developing a reputation as a serious military organization.
"They really are sensitive to that," a former intelligence official who is advising the military in the planning told Politico. "They want people to take them seriously. They don't want to do anything that is embarrassing. But this is national security. This is their job."
The former official argued that the Space Force, in conjunction with the revitalized U.S. Space Command, is actually a great home for the juiced-up mission to collect and analyze information on UFOs. But the Pentagon is also considering the secretive Space Security and Defense Program, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), all of which focus on different areas of surveilling the skies for foreign threats — and none of which are regular fodder for late-night comedians.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Upper House Hong Kong: a serene sanctuary in the bustle of the cityThe Week Recommends Panoramic harbour views and super-stylish interiors elevate this luxury hotel to another level
-
Magazine solutions - December 5, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 5, 2025
-
Marty Supreme: Timothée Chalamet is ‘captivating’ as a ping pong prodigyThe Week Recommends Josh Safdie’s ‘electrifying’ tale about a table tennis hustler is hotly tipped for Oscars glory
-
Canada joins EU’s $170B SAFE defense fundspeed read This makes it the first non-European Union country in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative
-
Appeals court disqualifies US Attorney Alina HabbaSpeed Read The former personal attorney to President Donald Trump has been unlawfully serving as US attorney for New Jersey, the ruling says
-
White House says admiral ordered potential war crimeSpeed Read The Trump administration claims Navy Vice Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley ordered a follow-up strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat, not Pete Hegseth
-
Honduras votes amid Trump push, pardon vowspeed read President Trump said he will pardon former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who is serving 45 years for drug trafficking
-
Congress seeks answers in ‘kill everybody’ strike reportSpeed Read Lawmakers suggest the Trump administration’s follow-up boat strike may be a war crime
-
Judge halts Trump’s DC Guard deploymentSpeed Read The Trump administration has ‘infringed upon the District’s right to govern itself,’ the judge ruled
-
Trump accuses Democrats of sedition meriting ‘death’Speed Read The president called for Democratic lawmakers to be arrested for urging the military to refuse illegal orders
-
Court strikes down Texas GOP gerrymanderSpeed Read The Texas congressional map ordered by Trump is likely an illegal racial gerrymander, the court ruled
