Ryan Graves of Americans for Safe Aerospace Warns PURSUE Transparency Lacks Pilot Reporting Structure

Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace (ASA) and former United States Navy F/A-18F pilot, told reporters on or around 18 May 2026 that the Pentagon Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE) release of 8 May 2026 does not address the underlying problem that pilots and aircrew still face institutional barriers to reporting Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena sightings. Graves stated that 'transparency is an important first step, but it must be paired with practical procedures that protect flight safety, reduce stigma, and ensure pilots know what to do when they observe anomalous activity in or near controlled airspace'. The intervention reframes the disclosure conversation away from historical declassification and towards live operational reporting. Graves first publicly testified to Congress on this gap in July 2023 and has continued advocacy through ASA, which acts as the primary advocacy channel for current and former aviators reporting unexplained airspace incursions.