Chuck de Caro

Military and Educational Background

Chuck de Caro is a former U.S. Air Force Academy graduate who served in the 20th Special Forces Group. He completed his education at Marion Military Institute in Alabama and the University of Rhode Island, combining military training with academic studies.

Early Journalism Career

De Caro began his journalism career with print outlets including the Providence Journal Bulletin, Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, and New Orleans Vieux Carré Courier before transitioning to television in the mid-1970s. He became a television reporter with WTSP-TV in Tampa, Florida, where he gained prominence for conducting live reporting from inside the eye of Hurricane David aboard a USAF WC-130H Hurricane Hunter aircraft in 1974—a risky assignment demonstrating his willingness to pursue dangerous stories.

CNN Documentary Work and UFO Investigation

In 1984, de Caro and cameraman Ken Kelsch traveled to Suriname to produce exclusive CNN reporting on American mercenaries and regional guerrilla movements seeking to overthrow the Bouterse regime. During his time at CNN, de Caro produced investigative documentaries on subjects ranging from illegal drug operations and foreign espionage to Radio Frequency Weapons and notably the Rendlesham Forest UFO Incident, one of the most famous UFO encounters documented in British military history. These documentaries established him as one of television's early serious journalists investigating UFO phenomena.

Television Consulting and Technical Expertise

In the 1990s, de Caro transitioned to television consulting, serving as a technical advisor and on-air consultant for three prominent TV series: Hard Copy, Sightings, and Encounters—programs that focused on paranormal and unexplained phenomena. He also consulted on dramatic television productions, including technical advisory work for Donald P. Bellisarius Productions on Quantum Leap and JAG.

Pentagon and Cybersecurity Expertise

Following his journalism career, de Caro served as a consultant to the Pentagon's Office of Net Assessment for 24 years, becoming a pioneering figure in information warfare doctrine. He developed the SOFTWAR cybersecurity platform and founded the 1st Joint SOFTWAR Unit (Virtual), bridging military strategic planning with emerging digital security challenges. This background positions de Caro as a rare figure with deep expertise spanning both UFO investigation and national security technology.