Editing Michael Herrera

{{Infobox_insider_account
| name = Michael Herrera
| image = 
| caption = 
| other_names = 
| role = Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, alleged whistleblower
| affiliation = [[United States Marine Corps]]
| affiliation_in_practice = Alleged covert involvement in UAP-related military operations
| bureaucratic_obfuscation = 
| status = Honorably discharged
| status_date = 2010s
| experience_date = October 8, 2009
| experience_location = Padang, Indonesia
| experience_type = Military encounter with unidentified aerial phenomena
| technology_encountered = Large octagonal hovering craft
| beings_encountered = Unidentified men in unmarked uniforms
| alleged_activities = Witnessing a UFO and covert military operation involving UAP technology
| claims = Unidentified aerial craft sighting, confiscation by unmarked U.S. forces
| physical_evidence = Alleged confiscated equipment and documentation, unverified testimonies
| disclosure_type = Voluntary public testimony
| alleged_retaliation = Unknown
| first_public_account_date = 2020s
| suppression_of_evidence = Claims of documentation and equipment being confiscated by superiors
| suppression_of_account = Official denial, restricted access to records
| suppression_of_corroboration = Unknown
| public_accounts = Interviews, podcasts, congressional briefings
| known_for = Allegations of UFO sighting and covert U.S. operations involving UAP
| notable_contributions = Advocacy for transparency on UAP/UFO phenomena
| notable_works = 
| attempts_to_debunk = Criticism from skeptics for lack of physical evidence
| website = 
| signature = 
| footnotes = 
}}
'''Michael Herrera''' is a former [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] who claimed to see a human-occupied [[craft]] and covert military operation during his service in 2009. Herrera alleges that while deployed in [[Padang]], [[Indonesia]], for humanitarian aid, he encountered a hovering, octagonal craft being loaded with weapons by unmarked U.S. forces.

== Alleged incident ==

On October 8, 2009, Herrera was serving as a corporal with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, providing assistance after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Padang. Herrera claims that he and five other Marines were sent to investigate a supposed weapons cache in a jungle area. Upon arrival, they allegedly observed a large, octagonal-shaped craft levitating silently above the ground. The craft was approximately 100 feet in diameter and emitted a low-frequency hum.

Herrera reports that unmarked U.S. forces were loading large weapon cases onto the craft. When noticed, he and his team were confronted by these men, held at gunpoint, and ordered to surrender their weapons and communications equipment. They were allegedly threatened to remain silent about the incident.

== Public disclosure ==

Years after the event, Herrera began sharing his story publicly. In 2023, he provided a briefing to members of the U.S. Congress regarding his experience. He also appeared on the "Weaponized" podcast hosted by investigative journalists [[Jeremy Corbell]] and [[George Knapp]], where he detailed the encounter and the aftermath.

Herrera asserts that he has faced intimidation and harassment since coming forward, including alleged surveillance and threats aimed at discouraging him from sharing his story.

== Advocacy ==

Herrera is part of a growing group of former military personnel advocating for increased transparency from the government on issues related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). He supports calls for official investigations and public hearings to address and disclose information regarding UAP encounters involving military personnel.

== Reception ==

Herrera's claims have been met with both interest and skepticism. Supporters argue that his military background lends credibility, while critics point out the lack of physical evidence and official documentation to corroborate his story. Skeptics also note the challenges in verifying such accounts due to the secretive nature of military operations and classified information.

== See Also ==

* [[Unidentified Aerial Phenomena]]
* [[Ufology]]
* [[Military UFO sightings]]
* [[Disclosure (ufology)]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External Links ==


[[Category:United States Marines]]
[[Category:Ufologists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People associated with UFOs]]
[[Category:Experiencers]]
[[Category:Whistleblowers]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories]]
[[Category:Extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Military UFO conspiracy theories in the United States]]
[[Category:NHIB Related Claims]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories involving non-human intelligent beings]]
[[Category:Alleged whistleblowers]]