USS Trepang (SSN-674) — UAP Photos over Arctic (March 1971)

In March 1971, the US Navy submarine USS Trepang (SSN-674) photographed multiple unidentified objects in the Arctic Ocean between Iceland and the Norwegian Jan Mayen Island during a joint military and scientific mission. Officer John Klika first spotted the objects through the periscope. On-board Admiral: Dean Reynolds Sackett.

THE PHOTOS: Black-and-white photographs show disc-shaped, cylindrical, and triangular objects — some hovering above the water, others emerging from or entering the water. Three photos bear stamps: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH. NOT TO BE RELEASED. CT' and 'Unauthorized Disclosure Subject. Security Certificat SSN 674. Criminal Sanction.'

PUBLICATION: The photos remained classified for over 40 years. In 2015, the French paranormal magazine 'Top Secret' published the images, received from an anonymous source. Investigator Alex Mistretta (Black Vault) researched the case and contacted Admiral Sackett and Officer Klika.

WITNESS STATEMENTS: Admiral Sackett said by phone: 'I only saw ice.' He could not identify the objects in the photographs. Officer Klika confirmed being aboard the Trepang in March 1971 but said he saw nothing unusual. Neither man could confirm or deny that the photos were taken from the Trepang.

ASSESSMENT / CONTROVERSY: PRO: Military stamps suggest genuine US Navy photographs. Objects show unusual shapes and movement patterns. CON: Anonymous source, no official confirmation. Possible explanations: Soviet surveillance balloons, US Navy test equipment (drones, balloons), image manipulation. Investigator Mistretta: 'The photos remain a mystery — the investigation is far from over.' Some photos were identified as possibly photoshopped. The origin of the photos from the Trepang itself is not confirmed — another submarine, USS Skate (USN-578), was in the same region one month earlier.