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Misrep 4592219
AREC mission from 482ATKS. Collected SIGINT and supported NAVCENT operations in Arabian Gulf/Strait of Hormuz/Gulf of Oman.
Analysis
An object streaked through the targeting sensors between the moment a munition left the aircraft and the moment it hit the ground. The WSO and CSO both saw it on the MX-20 and MX-25 pods -- moving fast enough to create an IR lens flare, meaning it was putting out serious heat. Its path looked predetermined, not reactive to the aircraft. Just before it left the sensor field of view, something may have separated from it, though the crew couldn't confirm. September 20, 2024, at Ayn Al Asad's restricted operating zone. The crew maintained laser designation throughout, and the munition still hit its target.
Key Findings
- UAP flew through aircraft targeting sensors between munition release and munition impact during weapons calibration
- Object created IR lens flare on both MX-20 and MX-25 sensors, indicating a significant heat source
- UAP moved at a high rate of speed through the sensor field of view
- Path of movement appeared "predetermined and not in response to [aircraft's] detection"
- Unknown whether an object detached from the primary UAP immediately before leaving the sensor FOV
- Friendly aircraft at FL130 (13,000 feet), 170 KIAS, heading 096 degrees
- No third-party observers reported additional aircraft in the airspace
- Observer (Captain) assessed UAP as benign; no advanced capabilities observed
- No effects on persons or equipment; no engagement attempted
- Aircraft maintained laser designation and munition impacted desired target despite UAP transit
Page Extractions 6 pages
Page 1
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typereport
classificationSECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY
page_descriptionCover page of a declassified military mission report documenting a weapons calibration flight during which an unidentified aerial phenomena was observed.
dates
- 2025-10-24 | declassification date
- 1740Z | departure time from OKAS
- 1930Z | arrival on station
- 2323Z | clearance off station
- 0046Z | landing at OKAS
peopleMG Richard A. Harrison | USCENTCOM Chief of Staff | declassifying authority
organizations
- USCENTCOM | Combatant Command
- AFSOC | Major Command (MAJCOM)
- 609th | Operations Center
- SOTU 016 | Unit or Squadron (originator)
locations
- OKAS | departure/landing base
- 38SKC63 | coordinates of mission area (referenced as IVO 38SKC63)
observations
- Crew observed an unidentified aerial phenomena during PGM shot (reference to UAP 1 for details)
- Weapons calibration released: 20x105mm, 101x30mm, 1xAGM-176
assessmentsGFC INTENT MET | mission objective achieved
references
- UAP 1 | referenced for detailed UAP observation
- USCENTCOM MDR 25-0100 through 25-0103 | document tracking numbers
- JS-250710-TM8S | additional tracking number
redactions
- Multiple instances of (b)(1)1.4a redactions throughout the narrative text
- 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) marked at bottom
quotes
- "DEPARTED OKAS AT 1740Z TO CONDUCT ARMED OVERWATCH IVO 38SKC63 2 ARRIVED ON STATION AT APPROXIMATELY 1930Z" | classified text from narrative
- "PERFORMED A WEAPONS CALIBRATION, HAVING RELEASED 20x105mm, 101x30mm, 1xAGM-176" | mission narrative
Page 2
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doc_typereport
classificationSECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY
page_descriptionAdministrative details page listing mission identifiers, tasking order information, and points of contact for the armed overwatch mission, with most names redacted under FOIA exemptions.
dates2025-10-24 | declassification date
people
- CAPT [name redacted] | Point of Contact (POC) | 16 SOS / 27 SOW | Air Force
- SrA [name redacted] | Quality Control (QC) | 1 SOW | Air Force
- SSgt [name redacted] | Approver | ACF / 379 AEW | Air Force
organizations
- 16 SOS | Special Operations Squadron
- 27 SOW | Special Operations Wing
- 1 SOW | Special Operations Wing
- ACF | Air Combat Force
- 379 AEW | Airborne Early Warning
- 609 CAOC | Combat Air Operations Center
references
- USCENTCOM MDR 25-0100 through 25-0103 | document tracking
- JS-250710-TM8S | tracking number
redactions
- ATO Mission Number (b)(1)1.4a, (b)(1)1.4g
- Full Name entries for POC, QC, and Approver marked with 3.5c, FOIA Exemptions (b)(3), 130b, (b)(6)
- Phone Numbers and Emails marked with 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) throughout
- Bottom of page contains 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) redaction
quotes
- "Tasking Order (ATO): HM" | mission parameter
- "Mission Type: ARMED OVERWATCH" | mission classification
- "Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES" | tasking parameter
- "Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE" | service designation
Page 3
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doc_typereport
classificationSECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY
page_descriptionAircraft equipment and avionics inventory page detailing radar systems, electronic countermeasures, weapons, and mission-specific systems carried on the armed overwatch aircraft.
dates2025-10-24 | declassification date
organizationsINGEST section | data ingestion entry (personnel fields blank)
observations
- Aircraft equipped with AN/APN-241 radar system
- Radar Warning Receiver (RWR): ALR-56M with AAR-47 software
- Electronic Countermeasures (ECM): AAQ-24B with ALE-47 software
- Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM): AN-AAQ-24
- Chaff: RR180 designator, 716 cartridges carried
- Flares: MJU-71, MJU-66, M206 designators, 240 flares total
- Guns: 30MM and 105MM designations
- Targeting Pod: MX-25
- Additional avionics: GPS/SADL
- No towed decoys, radar-guided AAMs, or IR-guided AAMs specified
redactions
- Aircraft Callsign marked with (b)(1)1.4a redaction
- Num Gun Rounds marked as 1.4(a) at bottom
- Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each marked as 1.4(a)
- 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) at bottom of page
- INGEST section personnel information fields blank (not redacted, but unpopulated)
quotes
- "Radar Name or Destination: AN/APN-241" | equipment specification
- "Gun Name or Designator: 30MM, 105MM" | weapon system designation
- "Additional Avionics: GPS/SADL" | navigation and data link systems
Page 4
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doc_typereport
classificationSECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY
page_descriptionMission timeline page detailing takeoff, landing, time-on-station, and duration information for the armed overwatch flight.
dates
- 2025-10-24 | declassification date
- 2024-09-20 at 1740Z | takeoff time (201740:00ZSEP24)
- 2024-09-20 at 1930Z | time on station (201930:00ZSEP24)
- 2024-09-20 at 2323Z | time off station (202323:00ZSEP24)
- 2024-09-21 at 0046Z | last land time (210046:00ZSEP24)
- 2024-09-20 at 0101Z | last engine shutdown time (200101:00ZSEP24)
locations
- OKAS | takeoff location (ICAO Code)
- OKAS | last landing location (ICAO Code)
observations
- Single aircraft mission (Number of Aircraft: 1)
- Total mission time: 7 hours 6 minutes
- Total time on station: 3 hours 53 minutes
- Data Link: GATEWAY (IF BOTH)
- Gentext: 1020x30mm / 80x105mm (weapons loadout notation)
- Mission Type: ARMED OVERWATCH
redactions
- Callsign (both takeoff and on-station) marked with (b)(1)1.4a
- Asset Type (Aircraft) marked with (b)(1)1.4a, (b)(1)1.4g
- Aircraft Tail Number(s) marked with (b)(1)1.4a, (b)(1)1.4g
- JTAR Number field blank (not redacted, unpopulated)
- Killbox (Location) field blank
- JTAC Callsign field blank
- Mode 3 (IFF Codes) field blank
- 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) at bottom
quotes
- "Takeoff Location (ICAO Code): OKAS" | mission start point
- "Mission Type: ARMED OVERWATCH" | mission designation
- "Total Mission Time: 7 hours 6 minutes" | mission duration
- "Total Time On Station: 3 hours 53 minutes" | operational duration
Page 5
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doc_typereport
classificationSECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY
page_descriptionDetailed UAP incident report documenting a close-range encounter between an armed overwatch aircraft and an unidentified aerial phenomena that flew through the sensor field between munition release and impact.
dates
- 2025-10-24 | declassification date
- 2024-09-20 at 2027:59Z | initial contact DTG (202027:59ZSEP24)
- 2024-09-20 at 2027Z | UAP event serial number timestamp (202027ZSEP2024-CENTCOM)
peopleCAPTAIN [name redacted] | observer/reporter | FOIA Exemptions (b)(3), 130b, (b)(6)
locations
- 38SKC55 | friendly aircraft location
- 38SKC59 | first coordinate (UAP location)
- 38SKC59 | last coordinate (UAP location)
- AYN AL ASAD ROZ RAINDROP | operational range
observations
- UAP Event Type: UAP Incident
- UAP Maneuverability: UAP flew through [redacted] sensor in between munition release and munition impact
- UAP Physical State: Solid
- UAP Signatures: IR signature detectable by MX-20 & MX-25 targeting pods
- Friendly Aircraft Altitude: FL130 (flight level 13,000 feet)
- Friendly Aircraft Trajectory: 096 degrees, straight and level
- Friendly Aircraft Speed: 170 KIAS
- UAP Response to Observer Actions: None observed
- Training Range (applicable): YES
- Number of UAP Sighted: [blank]
- UAP Propulsion Means: [blank]
- UAP Payload: [blank]
- UAP Under Intelligent Control: [blank]
- Third-party Observers: NO PARTIES REPORTED AN ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT IN THE AIRSPACE WITH [redacted]
assessments
- Observer Assessment of UAP: Benign
- UAP Advanced Capabilities And/Or Materials: None observed
- UAP Effects on Persons: NO
- UAP Effects on Equipment: NONE
- UAP Objects/Material Recovered: NO
- Observer Engagement of UAP: NO
- Observation Interrogation of UAP: NO
references
- MX-20 | targeting pod with IR capability
- MX-25 | targeting pod with IR capability
- First Seen Radius: [blank]
- Last Seen Radius: [blank]
- Last Accuracy: Precise
- Kinetic Altitude Accuracy: Estimated
redactions
- MDS Type / Asset Type (b)(1)1.4a, (b)(1)1.4g
- Tail Number (b)(1)1.4a, (b)(1)1.4g
- Friendly Aircraft Location continuation (b)(1)1.4a(b)(1)1.4a
- UAP Maneuverability Observations - sensor designation (b)(1)1.4a
- Third-party Observers text (b)(1)1.4a
- Full Name: 3.5c, FOIA Exemptions (b)(3), 130b, (b)(6)
- Email: 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
- Phone Number: 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
- First Coordinate portion (b)(1)1.4a(b)(1)1.4a
- Last Coordinate portion (b)(1)1.4a(b)(1)1.4a
quotes
- "UAP FLEW THROUGH [SENSOR] IN BETWEEN MUNITION RELEASE AND MUNITION IMPACT" | UAP maneuverability observation
- "IR SIGNATURE DETECTABLE BY MX-20 & MX-25" | UAP signature characteristics
- "NONE OBSERVED" | UAP advanced capabilities assessment
- "Benign" | observer assessment of UAP threat level
Page 6
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doc_typereport
classificationSECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY
page_descriptionFinal narrative page of the UAP incident report providing detailed description of the encounter, sensor observations, crew actions, and anomalous characteristics of the unidentified object.
dates
- 2025-10-24 | declassification date
- 2024-09-21 at 0000Z | UAP Date of DoD Acquisition (210000:00ZSEP24)
- 1930Z | aircraft entered AYN AL ASAD AIRBASE's restricted operating zone
- 2025Z | call for fire received / AGM-176 employment order
locationsAYN AL ASAD AIRBASE (AAAB) | restricted operating zone (ROZ) RAINDROP
observations
- UAP created IR lens flare on MX-20 & MX-25 sensors
- Significant heat source detected
- UAP moved at high rate of speed through sensor field of view
- Unidentified object "flew" through aircraft sensors
- Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) and Combat Systems Officer (CSO) observed the object
- Path of movement appeared predetermined and not in response to aircraft detection
- Unknown whether an object detached itself from primary UAP before leaving sensor field of view
assessments
- UAP Reaction to Observation, Interrogation, Engagement: NONE OBSERVED; PATH OF MOVEMENT APPEARED PREDETERMINED AND NOT IN RESPONSE TO [AIRCRAFT] DETECTION
- UAP Anomalous Characteristics/Behaviors: IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME WHETHER AN OBJECT DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE PRIMARY UAP IMMEDIATELY BEFORE LEAVING THE SENSOR FIELD OF VIEW
- Aircraft did not reobserve the UAP after initial encounter
- Crew maintained laser energy until munition impacted desired target
references
- MX-20 sensor | targeting pod
- MX-25 sensor | targeting pod
- AGM-176 | weapon employed
redactions
- UAP Reaction text continues with (b)(1)1.4a redaction
- Gentext (UAP Event Description) - aircraft callsign (b)(1)1.4a throughout
- Additional (b)(1)1.4a redactions in event narrative
- Call Sign field marked with (b)(1)1.4a
- UAP First Seen Location field blank/redacted
- UAP Last Seen Location field blank/redacted
- Kinetic measurements (altitude, depth, velocity, trajectory) all blank
- 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) at bottom
quotes
- "UAP CREATED IR LENS FLARE ON MX-20 & MX-25 SENSORS, INDICATING A SIGNIFICANT HEAT SOURCE. THE UAP MOVED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THROUGH THE SENSOR FIELD OF VIEW." | UAP description
- "THE CREW MAINTAINED LASER ENERGY UNTIL THE MUNITION IMPACTED ITS DESIRED TARGET." | crew actions during encounter
- "PATH OF MOVEMENT APPEARED PREDETERMINED AND NOT IN RESPONSE TO [AIRCRAFT]'s DETECTION" | UAP behavior assessment
- "IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME WHETHER AN OBJECT DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE PRIMARY UAP IMMEDIATELY BEFORE LEAVING THE SENSOR FIELD OF VIEW" | anomalous characteristics
- "(S//REL TO USA, FVEY) [AIRCRAFT] ENTERED AYN AL ASAD AIRBASE's (AAAB) RESTRICTED OPERATING ZONE (ROZ) RAINDROP AT APPROXIMATELY 1930Z TO CONDUCT A WEAPONS CALIBRATION" | mission context
- "AFTER WEAPONS RELEASE, THE WEAPONS SYSTEMS OFFICER (WSO) AND COMBAT SYSTEMS OFFICER (CSO) OBSERVED AN UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT 'FLY' THROUGH THE AIRCRAFT SENSORS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED" | crew observation
- "(S//REL) UAP EVENT SERIAL NUMBER IS CORRECT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 'CCMD ASSIGNED NUMERICAL SEQUENCE,' WHICH IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME" | serial number notation caveat