DOW-UAP-D101, Intelligence Information Report, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
According to the releasing agency, this Intelligence Information Report (IIR) — the standardized unevaluated-intelligence format used by the Department of War and Intelligence Community — documents an observation by the aircrew of a U.S. Special Operations Forces (USSOF) AC-130 Gunship on September 8, 2021 during a nighttime live-fire training exercise over the Gulf of Oman. After dropping a water-activated flare, the aircrew reported first observing two unidentified anomalous phenomena described as stationary, roughly four feet in diameter, and 0–20 feet above the water's surface. Over the sortie, the crew reported approximately 25 instances of similar phenomena seen via infrared sensor and described as 'cold orbs,' with visual speed estimates ranging from 250 to 1,300 mph. The report characterizes the UAP as maneuvering aggressively, flying in various formations, and appearing to react to deployments of the aircraft's onboard weapons systems. The crew stated they could not capture video because the aircraft's digital video recorder was not functioning. The document notes all descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and should not be read as conclusive evidence of any object features or performance characteristics. The record was declassified on 20 March 2026 and released on war.gov on 7 August 2026; portions are redacted.
Description
A U.S. Department of War Intelligence Information Report (IIR) documenting a September 8, 2021 observation by the aircrew of a USSOF AC-130 Gunship of approximately 25 instances of unidentified anomalous phenomena during a nighttime live-fire training exercise over the Gulf of Oman. Released as part of the war.gov UAP disclosure (release 5), the report accompanies footage pairings DOW-UAP-PR117 through PR122.
Claims
The report is unevaluated intelligence and its descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation, not conclusive findings.
85%A USSOF AC-130 Gunship aircrew observed approximately 25 instances of UAP during a live-fire exercise over the Gulf of Oman on 8 September 2021.
70%An AC-130 Gunship aircrew observed approximately 25 instances of UAP described as 'cold orbs' over the Gulf of Oman on 8 September 2021.
60%The UAP were observed via infrared as 'cold orbs,' roughly four feet in diameter, 0–20 feet above the water's surface.
60%Visual estimates put the UAP's apparent speed between 250 and 1,300 miles per hour.
60%The aircrew could not capture video footage because the aircraft's digital video recorder was not functioning.
60%The aircraft's digital video recorder was not functioning, so no video footage of the phenomena was captured.
55%The UAP maneuvered aggressively, flew in various formations, and appeared to react to the aircraft firing its main weapons.
55%The observed UAP had apparent speeds estimated between 250 and 1,300 mph and were seen maneuvering aggressively and flying in formations.
50%The UAP appeared to react to deployments of the aircraft's onboard weapons systems.
40%
Events
Aug 6, 2026
Public release
File released by the Department of War as part of UAP disclosure release 5.
Sep 7, 2021
Gulf of Oman AC-130 UAP observation
AC-130 aircrew reported observing ~25 instances of 'cold orb' UAP during a nighttime live-fire training exercise over the Gulf of Oman.
Mar 19, 2026
Declassification of IIR
Document declassified on 20 March 2026 per record metadata.
Sep 7, 2021
AC-130 Gunship UAP observation
USSOF AC-130 aircrew observed approximately 25 instances of UAP ('cold orbs') during a nighttime live-fire training exercise over the Gulf of Oman.
Mar 19, 2026
Declassification
Record declassified on 20 March 2026.
Dates mentioned
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Extracted text (OCR)
e122, 14:23AM Record Prevew ? Document View XML - e Declassiied on-20 March 2026 EEE IR - Intelligence Information Report ° xo Core Metadata. sr nuMBeR: ‘COLLECTOR OVERALL CLASSINCATON: = EE PRBUARY KEY ‘VERSION MUMBER ‘ondonwariNG sysTEM NAME ‘onJoINATING SYSTEMIO LAST MODIFICATION SYSTEM: ‘OREATE DATE LAST CHANGE OATE [MESSAGE FROM ADDRESS, ore are. me: Summary: NOSE Rircom wor26-0040 MOR 26-0081 Release to ARO (06) zarzau2rT1929:179812 2072.0427713-1821087010000%0000 HEEB s:inctox oc1mrsoc HuRLoURT FLD FLAFSOCY TNS2EZAPRA2 20204272, ‘Mutiple Undertiied Aerial Prenomenon ‘bared Manewveng Lata and In Fomaion Ow ut ot Gran Dung A190 Gunsh> uve Fie Trang on 8 Soptemeer 2021 -Antachment (On September 2021 a USSOF AC-130 Gunship cbserved approximately 25 instances of UAPS hie conducng a ne fee exercise inthe GUF of Oman, The UAPs were chserves as cok ‘te yng at ower aitudes between 250 to 1300 MPH in ferent frmatone ae well 26 ‘maneuvering aggressively UAPS aso appeared io react tthe avcra fing main | portion Mark: county: OM Non State Ent Portion Mark: Pr Fuce TECH cis08 e220. Fecis0A, 0328726 000001
Related files
Connected through the network
SF-2026-001458