New UFO Files Reveal Historic Sightings Near Sandia Base

Newly released U.S. government files have renewed interest in decades-old UFO reports.

The Defense Department released a second batch of declassified UFO records on May 22, 2026. The files include reports of unexplained lights and objects, officially referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs.

One of the most discussed files is a 116-page report about sightings near a classified facility in Sandia, New Mexico, between 1948 and 1950. According to the Defense Department, the file includes 209 reported sightings of green orbs, discs, and fireballs near the military base.

The release also included documents, photos, and videos connected to other UAP reports. Defense officials said the goal was to give the public access to records that have fueled speculation for years.

Still, experts caution that the files do not prove alien life or extraterrestrial technology. Many reports remain unexplained, but unexplained does not automatically mean alien. Some sightings may involve balloons, aircraft, camera effects, weather events, or other ordinary causes.

The Sandia reports remain interesting because of their location, timing, and number of sightings.

For now, the files offer a rare look into historic government investigations and show how long public curiosity about UFOs has lasted.