Witness in UFO hearing says pilots often don't report sightings due to fear of losing their jobs

A whistleblower at a public hearing on UFOs Wednesday told Congress many pilots have had sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) but have not reported anything to higher-ups due to fear of losing their jobs.

The House Oversight Committee’s subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs listened to the testimony of three veterans regarding UAP sightings. 

The witnesses were former U.S. Navy fighter pilot Ryan Graves, retired U.S. Navy commander David Fravor, and former Air Force intelligence Officer David Grusch.

"We need a system where pilots can report without fear of losing their jobs," said witness Ryan Graves, who is now the executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, a non-profit focused on UAP transparency. "There is a fear that the stigma associated with this topic is going to lead to professional repercussions, either through management or perhaps their yearly physical check."

Graves elaborated in response to a question from Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), highlighting the issues with not having this reporting system.

"I don't think there has been a proper reporting system to gather those reports and thus not report them," he said. "So to answer your question, I think there's a dearth of data due to the fact that the reporting has been limited up to this time."

Former Commander Grusch – who in June claimed the United States government possesses "intact and non intact" vehicles not of human origin – also discussed the "stigma" of UAP sightings.  He said he's faced "very brutal and very unfortunate" retaliation for breaking his silence about UAPs, which he claimed damaged him "professionally and personally."

Grusch also answered yes when asked if he had personal knowledge of others who have been "harmed or injured in efforts to cover up or conceal" UAP technology.

Testimony and statements from members of Congress also highlighted the potential national security ramifications of UAPs.

Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said it took a while for them to be able to hold this hearing due to roadblocks from the Pentagon and the intelligence community.

"It is time to have an open mind to discussion on this topic and to hear the evidence and understand the magnitude of what this means, not just for our nation, but for humanity," Luna said.