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Range Fouler Debrief Form
Helicopter crew from HSM-73 observed 3x possible unidentified small air contacts at low altitude (310 ft) with round shape and wings/airframe heading westerly. No IFF, no radar track. Lost sight behind cloud, then 2 additional contacts appeared.
Analysis
Something doing 500 knots in sea-skim mode passed between a Russian naval vessel and an unidentified ship, 55 NM northwest of Latakia, Syria. A P-8A maritime patrol aircraft tracked it for two minutes on EO/IR on November 18, 2016, heading southeast. It looked like a possible missile, but nobody could identify the origin. It was the first time a P-8 crew had observed possible missile activity in the Eastern Mediterranean. CTG 67.1 assessed the activity as consistent with the Russian carrier task group's normal operations.
Key Findings
- Unidentified low-flying object detected via EO/IR sensor traveling at approximately 500 knots in sea-skim mode
- Object observed for approximately two minutes, outbound from a foreign carrier task group
- Object passed between a Russian naval vessel (INGUL ARS) and an unidentified vessel
- Described as a possible missile, but origin was unknown
- First observed occurrence of possible missile activity by P-8 aircraft in the Eastern Mediterranean
- CTG 67.1 assessed the activity as consistent with the carrier task group's normal operations
Page Extractions 1 pages
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doc_typereport
classificationSECRET//NOFORN (declassified); Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff; Declassified on 20 May 2026; USCENTCOM MDR 26-0038 to MDR 26-0046, Approved for Release to AARO
page_descriptionUSCENTCOM mission report documenting a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft observation of an unidentified low-flying object traveling at 500 knots northwest of Latakia, Syria on November 18, 2016.
dates
- 2016-11-18 | Date of observation
- 18/1310Z | Time of initial detection (November 18, 1310 UTC)
- 18/1312Z | Time of visual loss, approximately 40 NM northwest of Latakia
people
- P-8 aircrew | Observer | United States Navy | Witnesses
- Mission commander, CTG 67.1 P-8 | Assessed interaction as safe | CTG 67.1 | Assessment authority
- MG Richard A. Harrison | USCENTCOM Chief of Staff | USCENTCOM | Declassification authority
organizations
- USCENTCOM | U.S. Central Command
- CTG 67.1 | Carrier Task Group conducting operations
- U.S. Navy P-8A | Maritime patrol aircraft
- AARO | All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (recipient of release)
locations
- Latakia, Syria | Reference location, 55 NM and 40 NM from object
- Eastern Mediterranean | Region of operations
- KCTG | Foreign military activity being monitored
- (RUS) INGUL ARS | Russian vessel, object passed between this vessel and U/I vessel
- P-8 position at detection: 26 NM south of object | Aircraft position reference
observationsUnidentified low-flying object observed 55 nm northwest of Latakia from unknown origin; traveling at approximately 500 knots on southeasterly heading; described as possible missile in sea skim mode; traveled in sea skim mode outbound from KCTG; duration approximately 2 minutes; detected via EO/IR sensor; visible object passed between Russian naval vessel (INGUL ARS) and unidentified vessel; visibility characterized as clear with no range limitations by aircrew
sensor_details
- EO/IR sensor | Electro-optical/Infrared sensor detection method
- P-8 position at 26 NM south of object detection at 16121 ft altitude | Sensor platform location
assessments
- Possible missile launch from origin unknown | Initial assessment
- First observed occurrence of possible missile activity by P-8 aircraft in Eastern Mediterranean | Mission commander assessment
- Assessed to be standard activity consistent with the assessed activity of KCTG | CTG 67.1 assessment
- Interaction characterized as safe | CTG 67.1 mission commander assessment
references
- KCTG activity monitoring mission | Context for observation
- Video footage reference at classified link | Evidence documentation
redactions
- "1.4a" redactions appear throughout | Classified coordinate/position information
- "(b)(6)" redaction in video footage link | Classified repository location
- Specific vessel identities for U/I vessel partially marked | Foreign and unidentified vessel information
- Coordinates/positions marked with "1.4a" | Classified position data
quotes
- "While monitoring KCTG activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, P-8A, observed an unidentified low-flying object 55 nm northwest of Latakia from an unknown origin, traveling at approx 500KTS on a southeasterly heading outbound from KCTG, for ~2 minutes." | BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) summary
- "The mission commander for P-8 characterized the interaction as safe. While this was the first observed occurrence of possible missile activity by P-8 aircraft in the Eastern Mediterranean it is assessed to be standard activity consistent with the assessed activity of the KCTG." | CTG 67.1 assessment