A purported secret tape recording of a 1952 U.S. Air Force briefing concerning unidentified flying objects, referred to as the "Invasion of Washington" UFO meeting, may soon be released to the public, according to Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.).
Burlison informed a gathering of UFO transparency advocates at Disclosure Forum 2026 that the tape, reportedly in the possession of MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, is expected to be revealed. The congressman has been actively pushing for the recording's disclosure.
UFO transparency advocates have expressed support for Burlison's efforts, viewing him as a significant ally in the pursuit of greater governmental openness regarding unidentified aerial phenomena. Jordan Flowers, Executive Director of the Disclosure Foundation, stated that Burlison is no longer making polite requests but is instead demanding answers and knows the location of certain files.
Flowers indicated that the tapes are believed to document a discussion about a series of UFO sightings that occurred in Washington D.C. during the summer of 1952. During that July, numerous UFOs were reportedly observed in the vicinity of the nation's capital by various witnesses, including pilots, fueling widespread speculation.
At the time, theories ranged from advanced Soviet technology to extraterrestrial spacecraft. However, the Air Force concluded a press conference at the end of July 1952 by attributing the sightings to weather phenomena.
The potential release of these tapes is seen by transparency advocates as a significant development for those seeking more information from the government about unexplained aerial events. Flowers described the current push for transparency as intense, aiming to uncover the existence and location of relevant materials held within government structures.