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Misrep 4782130
AREC mission from 482ATKS. Received multiple guard calls, experienced lost link events, lost EMI, and observed a UAP at 1732Z.
Analysis
A formation of unknown objects traveled along the coast, northeast to northwest, at 1527Z on August 27, 2020. The 482nd Attack Squadron crew tracked them on sensor for about two minutes before light cloud cover swallowed the contacts. They couldn't regain a positive ID after that. The 21-hour SIGINT/IMINT mission was focused on characterizing Iranian naval assets in the Strait of Hormuz area. Iranian Air Defense issued a guard call earlier in the flight at 0532Z -- professional tone, no impact on the mission.
Key Findings
- Formation of unknown flying objects observed at 1527Z traveling NE-NW along the coast
- Objects tracked via sensor for approximately 2 minutes before PID lost in cloud cover
- Aircrew was unable to regain positive identification after initial loss
- Light cloud coverage prevented continuous tracking
- Guard call received from Iranian Air Defense at 0532Z (professional tone, no mission impact)
- Also observed: small vessel at Greater Tunb Naval Port, probable Naser-class WAP with M/T vessel (both dead in water), possible IL-76 at Abu Musa Island airfield
- Total mission hours: 21; IMINT hours: 17.9; SIGINT hours: 19.2
Page Extractions 7 pages
Page 1
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typereport
classificationRedacted (struck through)
page_descriptionMission report cover page documenting an intelligence collection mission in the Persian Gulf region with observation of an unknown formation and SIGINT collection.
dates
- 2026-01-22 | declassification date
- 2045-03-01 | future declassification date marker
observations
- Unknown formation observed (1X UNK FORMATION) at 1527Z
- SIGINT collection via AIRHANDLER from 0003Z to 1917Z
- Support to NAVCENT operations in Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman
- Guard call received at 0532Z
- Full motion video exploited by DGS 1
- Total mission hours: 21
- IMINT hours: 17.9
- IMINT taskings prosecuted: 1
- SIGINT hours: 19.2
- SIGINT taskings prosecuted: 1
- Total taskings prosecuted: 2
peopleMG Richard A. Harrison | Chief of Staff | USCENTCOM | declassifier
organizations
- USCENTCOM | military command
- ACC | Major Command (Air Combat Command)
- 609th | Operations Center
- 482 ATKS | Air Task Squadron, originator unit
- NAVCENT | Naval Central Command
- LRE | liaison/handover unit (mentioned in narrative)
- DGS 1 | exploitation agency
- AARO | release approval authority
locations
- OKAS | takeoff and landing location (ICAO code)
- Arabian Gulf | operational area
- Strait of Hormuz | operational area
- Gulf of Oman | operational area
references
- ISR LINE 1 | intelligence surveillance reconnaissance details
- GUARDCALL LINE 1 | guard call details
- OBSERVATION LINE 1 | observation details
redactions
- Classification field struck through in red
- Associated caveats struck through in red
- Narrative opening line struck through in red
- Operation name redacted under (b)(1)1.4a (appears multiple times)
- Crew/observer identity redacted under (b)(1)1.4a (appears multiple times)
- IMINT tasking count field appears partially illegible
- Classification and footer struck through in red
quotes
- "AT 2307Z, TOOK OFF FROM OKAS." | mission start
- "FROM 0003Z TO 1917Z, COLLECTED SIGINT VIA AIRHANDLER." | collection type
- "SUPPORTED NAVCENT TO OPERATION [REDACTED] IVO ARABIAN GULF, STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND GULF OF OMAN." | mission area
- "AT 0532Z, RECEIVED A GUARD CALL." | guard call event
- "AT 1527Z, OBSERVED 1X UNK FORMATION." | observation event
- "21 MISSION HOURS, 17.9 IMINT HOURS, 1 IMINT TASKING PROSECUTED, 19.2 SIGINT HOURS, 1 SIGINT TASKING PROSECUTED, 2 TOTAL TASKINGS PROSECUTED" | mission statistics
Page 2
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typereport
classificationRedacted
page_descriptionMission report administrative and personnel contact information page with tasking details, mission type, and points of contact.
people
- 1st Lt [NAME REDACTED] | Air Force officer | 482ATKS unit, 432 AEW wing | point of contact (POC)
- Ctr [NAME REDACTED] | Contractor rank | 12AF Det 3, PAROC unit, other wing | quality control (QC)
- 1st Lt [NAME REDACTED] | Air Force officer | 609th AOC unit, other wing | approver
organizations
- 482ATKS | Air Task Squadron
- 432 AEW | Airborne Early Warning wing
- 609 CAOC | Combined Air Operations Center
- 12AF Det 3 PAROC | Air Force unit with detention and Pacific Air Operations Center component
- 609th AOC | Air Operations Center
redactions
- Full names of POC, QC, and Approver redacted under FOIA exemptions (b)(3), 130b, (b)(6)
- Phone numbers redacted under FOIA exemption (b)(6)
- Email addresses redacted under FOIA exemption (b)(6)
- Tasking Order (ATO) redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- ATO Mission Number redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- Header struck through in red
- INGEST section field redacted under FOIA exemption (b)(6)
quotes
- "Mission Type: AREC" | airborne reconnaissance mission type
- "Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES" | tasking authority
- "Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE" | service branch
- "Rank: 1st Lt" | POC rank
- "Unit: 482ATKS" | POC unit
- "Wing: 432 AEW" | POC wing
Page 3
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doc_typereport
classificationRedacted
page_descriptionAircraft and equipment configuration page documenting targeting pod, avionics systems, and weapons loadout specifications.
observations
- Aircraft equipped with AN/DAS-4 targeting pod (SNIPER variant)
- Additional avionics: AH_GMESH
- Data Link: [blank/dashes]
- Air-to-ground weapons redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
redactions
- Aircraft callsign redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- INGEST personnel section entirely blank
- All radar systems fields marked with dashes (no data)
- All RWR system fields marked with dashes
- All MWS system fields marked with dashes
- All IRCM system fields marked with dashes
- All ECM system fields marked with dashes
- All CMD system fields marked with dashes
- All chaff/flare system fields marked with dashes
- All towed decoy system fields marked with dashes
- All AAM (air-to-air missile) fields marked with dashes
- All gun systems fields marked with dashes
- Air-to-ground weapons redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- Data link field marked with dashes
- Header struck through in red
- Footer struck through in red
quotes
- "TGT Pod Name or Designator: ANDAS4" | targeting equipment (note: appears as ANDAS4, likely AN/DAS-4)
- "Additional Avionics: AH_GMESH" | avionics suite
Page 4
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doc_typereport
classificationRedacted
page_descriptionMission timeline page documenting takeoff, landing, on-station times, and primary sensor designation.
dates
- 2020-08-26 23:07:00Z | aircraft takeoff time
- 2020-08-27 20:12:00Z | last landing time
- 2020-08-27 20:22:00Z | last engine shutdown time
- 2020-08-26 23:20:00Z | time on station start
- 2020-08-27 00:41:00Z | ISR time on station start
- 2020-08-27 18:40:00Z | ISR time off station
observations
- Single aircraft mission
- Total mission time: 21 hours 5 minutes
- Takeoff location: OKAS (ICAO code)
- Landing location: OKAS (ICAO code)
- Mission type: AREC (Airborne Reconnaissance)
- Primary sensor: ANDAS4 (AN/DAS-4 targeting pod)
- Mode 3 IFF codes: [blank/dash]
- ISR time on station: 270041:00ZAUG20 to 271840:00ZAUG20
redactions
- Aircraft callsign redacted under (b)(1)1.4a (appears multiple times)
- Asset type (aircraft type) redacted under (b)(1)1.4a, (b)(1)1.4g
- Aircraft tail number redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- JTAR number field blank
- Killbox location field blank
- JTAC callsign field blank
- Gentext/additional details fields blank
- Did not arrive on station field blank
- Header struck through in red
quotes
- "Last Land Location (ICAO Code): OKAS" | landing location
- "Total Mission Time: 21 hours 5 minutes" | mission duration
- "Takeoff Location (ICAO Code): OKAS" | takeoff location
- "Mission Type: AREC" | mission classification
- "Primary Sensor: ANDAS4" | primary collection system
Page 5
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doc_typereport
classificationRedacted
page_descriptionISR operations details page documenting naval support collection, vessel observations, and weather impacts on UAP tracking.
dates
- Precoordination: 24 hours prior to takeoff
- 2020-08-27 00:41Z | arrival on station
- 2020-08-27 05:32Z | guard call received
- 2020-08-27 06:11Z | vessel observation
- 2020-08-27 15:27Z | UNK formation observation
- 2020-08-27 17:42Z | probable Naser class WAP observation
- 2020-08-27 07:00Z | possible IL-76 candidate observation
- 2020-08-27 18:40Z | cleared off tasking, return to base
observations
- Sensors available: AH\GMESH
- Tasking type: PLANNED
- Tasked start point: 39RUN46 [partially redacted]
- Activity description: ISR
- Primary mission: Support NAVCENT to characterize Iranian/IRCN vessels, UAS activity, activity outside of ports, and establish pattern of life
- Operations area: Arabian Gulf (AG)
- At 0041Z: Arrived on station
- At 0532Z: Received guard call
- At 0611Z: Observed one small vessel docked at Greater Tunb Naval Port
- At 1527Z: Observed 1X UNK formation
- At 1742Z: Observed 1X probable Naser-class WAP (Whidbey Island-class amphibious warfare ship) besides M/T vessel; both vessels dead in water (DIW); 2X adult males observed on rear deck of probable Naser WAP
- At 0700Z: Observed 1X possible IL-76 candidate at Abu Musa Island airfield
- At 1840Z: Cleared off tasking, returned to base
organizations
- NAVCENT | Naval Central Command, supported unit
- Operation name redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
weatherLight cloud coverage prevented continuous tracking of UAP event
assessments
- Precoord effectiveness: Satisfactory
- Intel gap filled: No
- Tasker field blank
redactions
- Opening gentext line partially struck through in red
- Crew/observer identity redacted under (b)(1)1.4a (appears multiple times)
- Tasked start point grid coordinates partially redacted
- Supported operation redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- Grid references redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- Island airfield grid reference redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- Gentext effectiveness field blank
- Header struck through in red
- Footer struck through in red
quotes
- "Sensors Available: AH\GMESH" | surveillance system
- "Activity Description: ISR" | mission type
- "COORDINATED WITH NAVCENT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO TAKE OFF. PRECOORD WAS SATISFACTORY." | mission coordination
- "TO CHARACTERIZE IRANIAN/IRCN VESSELS, UAS ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF PORTS, AND TO ESTABLISH PATTERN OF LIFE." | collection objectives
- "FROM 0041Z TO 1840Z, CONDUCTED SCANS IAW THE TARGET DECK IN THE ARABIAN GULF (AG)." | surveillance operations
- "AT 0532Z, RECEIVED A GUARD CALL." | guard call event
- "AT 0611Z, OBSERVED ONE SMALL VESSEL DOCKED AT GREATER TUNB NAVAL PORT" | vessel observation
- "AT 1527Z, OBSERVED 1X UNK FORMATION." | unknown formation observation
- "AT 1742Z, OBSERVED 1X PROB NASER WAP BESIDES AN M/T VESSEL... BOTH VESSELS WERE DEAD IN WATER(DIW)" | vessel status
- "ADDITIONALLY, 2X ADULT MALES (ADMS) WERE OBSERVED ON THE REAR DECK OF THE PROB NASER WAP." | personnel observation
- "AT 0700Z, OBSERVED 1X POSS IL-76 CANDID AT ABU MUSA ISLAND AFLD" | possible aircraft observation
- "Weather: LIGHT CLOUD COVERAGE PREVENTED CONTINUOUS TRACKING OF UAP EVENT" | weather impact on observation
Page 6
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doc_typereport
classificationS//REL (Secret//Release)
page_descriptionGuard call and observation report documenting Iranian air defense contact and formation of unknown flying objects.
dates
- 2020-08-27 05:32:00Z | guard call time
- 2020-08-27 15:27:00Z | observation time start
- 2020-08-27 15:29Z | observation time end
- 2020-08-27 19:44:00Z | time off station
observations
- Total time on station: 20 hours 24 minutes
- Guard call received from Iranian Air Defense on guard frequency at 0532Z
- Aircraft location during guard call: 40RCP7 [grid coordinates, partially redacted]
- Aircraft heading during guard call: 018 M (magnetic)
- Aircraft altitude during guard call: FL150 (flight level 15,000 feet)
- Number of calls noted from same agency: 1
- Guardcall tone: Professional
- Observation: Formation of unknown flying objects
- Observation location: 39RVM8 [grid coordinates, partially redacted]
- Aircraft location during observation: 39RVM3 [grid coordinates, partially redacted]
- Observed activity description: Formation of unknown flying objects traveling NE-NW along the coast
- Method of observation: Sensor (SENSOR designation)
- Observation duration: From 1527Z to 1529Z (approximately 2 minutes)
- Tracking duration before loss: Approximately 2 minutes before PID (Positive Identification) was lost
assessmentsGuard call assessment: No mission impacts
redactions
- Aircraft callsign redacted under (b)(1)1.4a (appears multiple times)
- Grid coordinates partially redacted under (b)(1)1.4a
- Guard call frequency designation redacted under (b)(1)1.4g
- Observer identity redacted under (b)(1)1.4a (appears multiple times)
- Gentext header line struck through in red
- Observation classification header marked as (S//REL) then struck through
quotes
- "Ground Station Callsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE" | calling party
- "Aircraft Heading: 018 M" | aircraft heading during contact
- "Aircraft Altitude: FL150" | aircraft altitude
- "Guardcall Tone: PROFESSIONAL" | communication quality
- "AT 0532Z, WAS HAILED ON GUARD [FREQUENCY] FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE. ORDERS GIVEN: STANDARD CALL. GAVE A STANDARD RESPONSE. NO MISSION IMPACTS" | guard call narrative
- "Observed Activity Description: FORMATION OF UNK FLYING OBJECTS" | observation summary
- "FROM 1527Z TO 1529Z, OBSERVED A FORMATION OF FLYING OBJECTS TRAVELING NE-NW ALONG THE COAST IVO 39RVM8... WAS TRACKING THIS FORMATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES BEFORE PID WAS LOST IN" | observation narrative
Page 7
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doc_typereport
classificationRedacted
page_descriptionConclusion of observation narrative with weather impact assessment, documenting loss of tracking due to cloud cover.
observations
- Aircrew was unable to gain positive identification (PID) again on the formation after initial loss
- Light cloud coverage prevented continuous tracking of the formation
weather
- Conditions: Light cloud coverage
- Impact: Prevented the continuous tracking of the formation observed
assessmentsTracking outcome: Formation lost due to cloud cover interference
quotes
- "CLOUD COVER. AIRCREW WAS UNABLE TO GAIN PID AGAIN ON THIS FORMATION" | tracking loss narrative
- "Weather: LIGHT CLOUD COVERAGE PREVENTED THE CONTINUOUS TRACKING OF THE FORMATION" | weather assessment