Michael Herrera served as a U.S. Marine rifleman on disaster relief duty in Sumatra in 2009. He says his unit spotted a massive silent black octagonal craft as unmarked personnel loaded weapons onto it before armed men forced them away.123
Background and Military Service
Herrera grew up in Denver and enlisted in 2007, qualifying as a rifleman with 2nd Battalion 5th Marines. In 2009 his platoon was attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit on regional disaster-relief standby, first in the Philippines and then Sumatra after the Padang earthquake.14
Whistleblower Testimony
After years of silence due to threats, Herrera described the event publicly in 2023 interviews and podcasts, citing whistleblower protections.567
Statements Reducing Credibility
Herrera has repeatedly claimed Indonesia was a "top terrorist country" or the "number two terrorist country" in 2009. Terrorism indexes from that year do not place Indonesia that high.89
Threats and Aftermath
He says unmarked operators disarmed his team, confiscated electronics, and warned them at gunpoint. Days later an Air Force lieutenant colonel allegedly compelled him to sign a Top Secret NDA, threatening prison or death if he spoke.18
Public Disclosures and Media Coverage
Herrera remained silent until 2023, when new whistleblower protections prompted him to testify to AARO and appear on podcasts including the Shawn Ryan Show, Vetted, and American Alchemy. He repeated claims of an octagonal craft, covert U.S. personnel, and possible black-budget trafficking operations.5678
Business Activities
After leaving active duty in 2011, Herrera founded the private security firm Valkyrie Eye and pursued real-estate ventures, framing his public testimony as patriotic duty rather than profit seeking.110