Matt Kellison, the state director for the Florida chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), recently spoke with Saucers and Saints about the organization's mission, the wave of recent sightings in Florida, and the evolving landscape of UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) investigations. As national attention grows amid ongoing U.S. congressional hearings on UFO disclosure, Kellison provided an insider perspective on how local reports and investigations contribute to the broader quest for transparency.
Founded in 1969, just as the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book was winding down, MUFON has grown into a global network of about 7,000 members, with approximately 800 field investigators worldwide. "Each state has its own MUFON chapter," Kellison explained. "I'm the state director for the Florida chapter." He emphasized the organization’s history of gathering tens of thousands of sighting and contact cases, noting, "It’s been an incredible organization for all these years." The Florida chapter, he said, is particularly active, with specialized teams to handle both standard sightings and more complex cases involving close encounters or alleged abductions.
Kellison described the unique role of MUFON’s Experiencer Resource Team (ERT), a group of highly trained members who handle reports from individuals claiming direct contact with non-human entities. "We treat those cases a little differently than regular sighting cases," Kellison noted, likening the team’s approach to the strict confidentiality of medical professionals under HIPAA. "We're really there to help, not to investigate. But along the lines, we gather a ton of data about what's going on, especially with the contactees. That's where the real juice is." The ERT includes professionals with advanced degrees in psychology and medicine, and its director is Dr. George Medich, Kellison added.
The interview also touched on Kellison’s background, which includes a 30-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard, primarily as a search and rescue air crewman. Despite his extensive time flying over open water, Kellison reported that he never personally witnessed any unexplained aerial phenomena during his service. "I never saw anything weird," he said. "We have all these stories about Navy pilots chasing tic tacs and that kind of stuff. I never saw anything like that." However, he recounted a childhood experience in rural Virginia in 1987, hinting at the personal stories that often motivate MUFON investigators and community members alike.
The conversation underscored the importance of public involvement in reporting sightings. Kellison encouraged individuals to come forward, whether they witness a mysterious object in the sky or have more direct experiences. These grassroots reports, he said, are vital to building a credible database that can inform researchers and policymakers as interest in UAPs continues to build at the federal level.
As the national conversation on UFOs shifts from fringe topic to legitimate subject of inquiry, organizations like MUFON remain crucial bridges between the public, scientific communities, and government officials. By prioritizing careful investigation, confidentiality, and support for experiencers, Kellison and his team are at the forefront of a movement seeking answers to one of humanity’s most enduring mysteries.
