Jay Stratton built his reputation inside the Office of Naval Intelligence, working radar and electronic-warfare systems before moving to cross-agency threat assessment. His engineering background and security clearances positioned him as a bridge between sensor operators and analysts.
Leadership of the UAP Task Force
In 2019 the Deputy Secretary of Defense tapped Stratton to run the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, a temporary unit charged with cataloging military sightings and briefing Congress. Stratton formalised data pipelines across the Navy, Air Force, and the National Reconnaissance Office, producing the 2021 preliminary assessment that listed 143 unexplained incidents.1
Axelrod and Skinwalker Ranch
Stratton first appeared in public narratives under the pseudonym "Axelrod" in the book Skinwalkers at the Pentagon. He had visited the ranch repeatedly as a BAASS engineer during the 2008–10 AAWSAP contract, collecting sensor logs and biological samples linked to alleged poltergeist activity.2
Post-Task-Force Activities and Criticism
After the Task Force dissolved in 2021, Stratton entered private consulting yet continued to brief selected legislators. Skeptics claim his early exposure to paranormal stories biased later analytic work, while supporters state that his technical discipline restrained speculative claims.