Jake Barber enlisted in the US Air Force in the mid-1990s, initially entering the Combat Controller (CCT) training pipeline. He completed the CCT selection course and some special operations training but washed out by early 1995, subsequently serving as an Aerospace Maintenance Journeyman and C-130 crew chief at Pope AFB.
Barber claims this mechanic role was a cover for covert assignments with an unnamed agency, a narrative partially supported by NewsNation's review of his documentation and interviews with former Special Operations colleagues. After leaving the Air Force, Barber transitioned into private aviation contracting, working as a helicopter pilot and chief pilot for companies involved in government firefighting and transport contracts.
He asserts that these roles provided access to classified test ranges, where he first encountered anomalous craft during retrieval operations, including a pearl-white, egg-shaped object and an octagonal disc.
These claims are corroborated by a retired Special Forces colleague, though no public record documents these covert duties.
Whistleblower Claims and Physical Evidence
Barber's public disclosures began in late 2024, when he claimed direct involvement in secret UAP retrieval operations, including the recovery of a 20-foot egg-shaped craft and an octagonal disc.
Jake (Jacob Gary) Barber told NewsNation he served on a classified recovery unit that retrieved a white egg-shaped object with no engine or heat signature.12
He asserted three senior veterans vouched for the program's existence and that the craft was not of human origin.345
In December 2024 Barber described retrieving an egg craft and later an octagonal object on NewsNation. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office confirmed it is assessing his statements.67
He described witnessing the egg-shaped object levitate and vanish with a deep hum inside a hangar, and reported an intense emotional and telepathic reaction during the octagonal disc recovery, which he interpreted as contact with a non-human intelligence.
Barber alleges that directed energy weapons have been used to down UAP and that the government has experimented with psionic (psychic) methods to summon or locate UAP. He provided NewsNation with a video of the egg-shaped craft retrieval, which, while intriguing, remains low-resolution and unverified.
Barber's claims are supported by several Special Operations veterans, but skeptics highlight discrepancies in his service record and the lack of verifiable evidence for his covert exploits.
Skywatcher Technologies
Barber and James Fowler run Skywatcher, a private sensor platform that attempts to summon and record UAP with multi-sensor arrays.8
In 2025, Barber co-founded Skywatcher Technologies with technologist James Fowler, aiming to scientifically document UAPs using advanced sensor systems. Skywatcher operates as a private UAP task force, recruiting former intelligence, aerospace, and data science professionals. The team deploys a multi-sensor fusion platform, including high-resolution electro-optical cameras, infrared thermal imagers, passive RF detectors, and mobile radar units, often mounted on a helicopter for airborne tracking.
Skywatcher claims to have captured multi-sensor data on multiple UAP encounters, including a 2024 experiment where a psionic asset allegedly summoned a UAP, resulting in an aerial dogfight between two unknown craft.
The organization's mission is to bridge next-generation aerospace intelligence with advanced analysis, and it has shared data with the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and conducted demonstrations for AARO's director.
Skywatcher's evidence consists of digital sensor recordings, including EO video, FLIR, RF spectrum logs, and radar tracks, though independent authentication is pending.
Government and Congressional Engagement
AARO Director Dr. Jon Kosloski told senators in November 2024 that two firsthand witnesses were cooperating with the office, a remark widely interpreted as including Barber.9
Barber's revelations have drawn significant government attention. The Pentagon's UAP office (AARO) confirmed it is investigating his claims, and AARO's director referenced firsthand witnesses believed to include Barber in a 2024 Senate hearing. Barber has privately briefed Congressional staff, including those of then-Senator Marco Rubio, and Skywatcher has shared data on East Coast drone incursions with AARO. Legislative action is ongoing, with the 2025 UAP Disclosure Act strengthening whistleblower protections and the FY2026 NDAA under consideration for references to programs like Skywatcher. As of mid-2025, no public hearings or specific funding have been dedicated to Barber's case, and the government's official stance on related UAP events remains contradictory.
Controversy and Skepticism
Barber's testimony has polarized the UAP community and public. Verified facts confirm his honorable discharge and aviation contracting career, but his covert operations narrative is disputed. Skeptics point to his formal resume as an aircraft mechanic and pilot, questioning his access to deeply classified programs, and note the absence of a verifiable paper trail for high security clearances or special duties. The physical evidence provided, including the egg-shaped craft video and Skywatcher's sensor data, has yet to be independently authenticated, and some analysts suggest prosaic explanations such as misidentified drones or staged events. Barber's approach to disclosure—public media and Congressional briefings rather than formal whistleblower channels—differs from figures like David Grusch, and the ultimate credibility of his claims depends on forthcoming expert analysis and government investigation outcomes.
Source Summaries
NewsNation Reality Check Special (Ross Coulthart interview)
Jan 18, 2025
Barber's first public interview; NewsNation reviewed DD-214 and spoke to 3 ex-Special Ops to corroborate credentials and claims. Video includes egg-shaped craft footage.
Liberation Times article: Pentagon Confirms Investigation
Feb 22, 2025
DoD spokesperson confirmed AARO is investigating Barber. Details on mechanic cover, covert ops, and retrievals.
Reddit: Is Jacob Barber Lying About Being a Combat Controller?
Jan 22, 2025
Analyzed Barber's USAF records, provided images of CCT training certificate and DD-214. Verified maintenance role, not operational CCT.
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing (Kosloski testimony)
Nov 2024
AARO director referenced firsthand witnesses, believed to include Barber. Congressional awareness confirmed.
DoD Statement (Susan Gough)
Feb 2025
Direct Pentagon confirmation of inquiry into Barber's claims.
Skywatcher Technologies website
2025
Describes sensor data categories and multi-modal evidence. No raw data files posted yet.
Chris Cuomo Project (Podcast)
Feb 8, 2025
Barber and Fowler discuss founding Skywatcher, monthly UAP events, and sensor technology.
Jesse Michels Podcast
Jan 20, 2025
Barber and Fowler describe AARO collaboration and UAP classes.
ABC News: New Jersey drone mystery
Dec 13, 2024
Timeline of mystery drones over NJ/NY. Senators' letter and public concern.
White House Press Briefing (Karoline Leavitt)
Jan 28, 2025
Official explanation: drones were FAA-authorized. Contrasts with Barber's assertions.
Medium: Beyond Reasonable Doubt (Émile Kinley)
Mar 3, 2025
Analytical piece citing Barber's claims, background, and testimony.
Don Paul Bales Interview (NewsNation)
Jan 2025
Bales confirms working with Barber and witnessing "psionic" interactions.
ABC News Video/Image (AP)
Dec 4, 2024
Visual evidence of objects over New Jersey. Used in news coverage.