The Man Behind the Mission
Niels Alan Cortes
Combat Veteran Former Nurse MUFON Experiencer Father Husband Follower of Jesus



Military Service
U.S. Army & Air Force 1997-2010

Afghanistan, 2002
U.S. Army
2/187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division the Rakkasans. The same unit depicted in Band of Brothers. I served with the Raider Rakkasans as one of the first units deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11. First chalk. First plane. We landed January 3rd, 2002.
Schools & Qualifications
- •Air Assault
- •Combat Lifesaver
- •PLDC (Ft Campbell, 101st Airborne Division) Class Leader
Assignments included Fort Drum, 503rd Infantry in Korea, and the MFO peacekeeping mission. Earned my Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) and Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).
Selected in-country to train foreign special forces soldiers on American weapons systems. Developed innovations for zeroing night vision devices and laser designators that were submitted to Department of the Army to create official SOPs documented in my NCOER.
U.S. Air Force
Transitioned to Air Force as a 2W0 (Munitions Systems). Reached Staff Sergeant (SSgt).
Won the Air Force Leadership Awardin PLDC as class cadet commander. Graduated as class commander. Airman of the Cycle runner-up.
Final assignment: Munitions Inspection then Resource Advisor at Osan AFB, Korea before ETS.

With the squad
After the Military
Used my GI Bill to become a registered nurse. Spent 16 years in healthcare ICU, psych, detox, med-surg, and long-term care. I witnessed both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. That career taught me the importance of practical knowledge and being prepared for the unexpected.
Back injuries ended my nursing career. But every ending is a new beginning. I started three businesses: It's In The Fan LLC, Peach State Social (marketing), and Peachy and Polished (lifestyle). I now own and operate all three from Georgia.
The Phenomenon
I'm a MUFON certified experiencer. I've had encounters that most people would call impossible. I've seen things that don't fit neatly into conventional explanations.
I believe I'm currently undergoing what's known as "downloads"