DOW-UAP-D055, Mission Report, Syria, November 2016
This declassified mission report, released by the U.S. Department of War as part of a UAP disclosure release, summarizes an observation of an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP) by a U.S. military P-8A maritime patrol aircraft near Latakia, Syria. According to the report, while monitoring KCTG (carrier task group) activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, the P-8A observed via its EO/IR sensor an unidentified low-flying object approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Latakia. The object, initially characterized as a possible missile launch of unknown origin, appeared to be in 'sea skim mode' traveling at approximately 500 knots on a southeasterly heading outbound from the KCTG. The P-8A, positioned about 26 NM south at detection, lost visual contact with the object after roughly two minutes at a point approximately 40 NM northwest of Latakia; the object was observed to pass between the Russian vessel INGUL ARS and one unidentified vessel. Aircrew characterized visibility as clear with no range limitations, and the mission commander assessed the interaction as safe. Though the first such observed occurrence by a P-8A in the Eastern Mediterranean, it was assessed as standard activity consistent with KCTG operations. The releasing agency notes all descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and should not be taken as conclusive about the object's features. The document was declassified by MG Richard A. Hamson, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, and approved for release to AARO.
Description
A declassified U.S. Department of War / USCENTCOM mission briefing describing a P-8A aircraft's EO/IR sensor observation of an unidentified low-flying object northwest of Latakia, Syria, on 18 November 2016.
Claims
A P-8A aircraft observed via EO/IR sensor an unidentified low-flying object approximately 55 NM northwest of Latakia, Syria, on 18 November 2016.
85%A U.S. P-8A observed an unidentified low-flying object of unknown origin about 55 NM northwest of Latakia, Syria on 18 November 2016.
85%The P-8A lost visual contact with the object after approximately two minutes.
85%The object appeared to be in 'sea skim mode' traveling at approximately 500 knots on a southeasterly heading outbound from the KCTG.
80%The object was initially characterized as a possible missile launch of unknown origin.
80%The mission commander characterized the interaction as safe and assessed it to be standard activity consistent with KCTG operations.
80%The object was characterized by the crew as a possible missile in 'sea skim mode' traveling at approximately 500 knots on a southeasterly heading.
80%The mission commander characterized the interaction as safe and assessed the activity as consistent with standard KCTG operations.
80%The object was observed to pass between the Russian vessel INGUL ARS and one unidentified vessel.
75%The object was observed passing between the Russian vessel INGUL ARS and an unidentified vessel.
75%
Events
Nov 17, 2016
P-8A observation of unidentified low-flying object
A U.S. P-8A observed via EO/IR sensor an unidentified low-flying object approx. 55 NM NW of Latakia, Syria, traveling ~500 knots in 'sea skim mode' on a southeasterly heading; visual lost after ~2 minutes.
May 7, 2026
Declassification and release
Document declassified by USCENTCOM Chief of Staff and released by the Department of War as part of a UAP disclosure.
Nov 17, 2016
P-8A UAP observation near Latakia
A U.S. Navy P-8A observed an unidentified low-flying object approximately 55 NM northwest of Latakia, Syria, traveling at ~500 knots on a southeasterly heading; visual contact lost after ~2 minutes.
Mar 26, 2026
Approved for release to AARO
Document approved for release to AARO as indicated by footer stamp.
May 7, 2026
Public release by Department of War
Release date listed on hosting page manifest.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
People
Extracted text (OCR)
Declassified by MG Richard A. Hamson USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 20 M~ 67.1 P-8A OBSERVES UNIDENTIFIED LOW-FLYING OBJECT 55 NM NORTHWEST OF LATAKIA, SYRIA 18 NOV 2016 FLIGHT PATH J!!Jlf: Whtie monitoring KCTG activity In the Ea•tem Mediterranean, P-IA, obe•rved an unidentified low-ftylng object 86 nm northweet of Latakla from an unknown origin, traveling at approx SOOK.TS on a •outheut•rly heading outbound from KCTG, for ~2 minutes. Timeline (Z): (D (°ell P'IEl!sto18/131 OZ: P-8 observed a possible missile launch IVQ 1.4a I from an origin unknown detected via the EO/IR sensor. The possible missile appeared to be in sea skim mode traveling at approximately 500KTS on a southeasterly heading outbound from KCTG. P-8 position 1.4a . was 26NM S of object detection at 16121 F~ f2' (911 P't!I!) 18/13122: - P-8 lost visual of the object IVO ~ 1.4a Iapprox. 40 NM northwest of Latakia. The missile was observed to pass between (RUS) INGUL ARS and 1x U/1 vessel. Weather: Uf P-8 aircrew charactenzeavisioilfty as clear, no range limitations . .~!~ US P-8A Location 13102:-- (RUS) INGUL ARS CTG 67.1 Comment§: The mission commander for P~8 characterized the interaction as safe. VVhile 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 fhe KCTG. Video footage can be found at this link. (b)(6l 81!8PU!!•1~1PU!L ,8 UOilt, UM8 USCENTCOM MOR 26~038 to MOR 26~046 Approved for Release to AARO 03/27/26 000001
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