In the initial 2026 PURSUE release on the war.gov/UFO portal, the photographs, slide decks, and graphic reconstructions became some of the most viral sections. The centerpiece is the "Western US Event 2023"—a dedicated slide deck detailing observations made by seven federal law enforcement agents in the Western United States.
"Orbs launching orbs" - 2023 - Western US. war.gov/UFO/#Western-U… SEVEN federal workers describe seeing orange orbs launch red small orbs then disappear.
The events unfolded over the course of two days. Several independent groups of agents reported a similar scene: a large orange "mothership" orb appeared in the evening twilight. It hovered in the air, released groups of two to four smaller red orbs, and then vanished. One of the most vivid episodes involved two agents who spotted a large, bright object near a rocky peak. They described it as a "fireball" resembling the "Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings, but without the pupil." The object hung almost motionless for about a minute without making a sound.
Agents also reported chasing a large phenomenon near the ground and observing massive transparent structures that looked like a "translucent kite."
Separately, the release materials include a composite sketch created by the FBI Lab in September 2023. This is a reconstruction based on an actual photo of the area with graphic overlays. According to witness statements, it depicts an oval or ellipsoidal bronze-metallic object approximately 130–195 feet (40–60 meters) long. The object reportedly emerged from a bright light in the sky and disappeared instantly. While this case is documented in connection with the Western states in September 2023, it is presented as an independent piece of evidence.
The Western US Event stands out from other materials because it lacks technical sensor recordings, relying only on the testimony of trained professionals. However, AARO considers this cluster of events to be among the most persuasive due to the consistency of the accounts and the high credibility of the witnesses.
Additionally, the release contains infrared images from military systems (including the Western US), historical photographs from the Apollo missions, and other visual assets. But it was the Western US Event 2023 that resonated most strongly: the vivid descriptions, memorable comparisons, and artistic renderings quickly turned it into the defining visual symbol of the release.
These visual materials do not provide scientific proof, but they are undeniably striking. Anyone can now study the slide decks and reconstructions on the war.gov/UFO portal for themselves to form their own opinion on the events of autumn 2023 in the American West.
