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SF-2026-000242UnverifiedAliens & UAPs

DOW-UAP-D061 Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, August 2020

This is a redacted Mission Report (MISREP) originating from the 482d Attack Squadron (482ATKS), 432 AEW, operating under USCENTCOM/ACC, describing an ISR sortie in support of NAVCENT over the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. The aircraft took off from OKAS at 262307Z AUG20 and conducted SIGINT/IMINT collection to characterize Iranian/IRGCN vessels, UAS activity, and patterns of life. At 270532Z the aircraft received a professional guard call from Iranian Air Defense and gave a standard response. The report's central UAP element is documented in the Observation section: from 1527Z to 1529Z on 27 August 2020, the operator observed via aircraft sensor a 'formation of unknown flying objects' traveling northeast to northwest along the coast, tracking it for approximately two minutes before positive identification (PID) was lost in cloud cover; light cloud coverage prevented continuous tracking. The aircraft was cleared off tasking at 1840Z and landed at OKAS at 272012Z. Per the releasing agency, all descriptive and estimative language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation at the time and should not be read as conclusive about any object features or performance. The document was declassified on 22 January 2026 by MG Richard A. Hamson, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, and published by the Department of War on 8 May 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Warwar.govIncident Aug 27, 2020Released May 8, 2026Discovered Jul 2, 2026856.8 KBdocument
sha256:4ce20fc566edf4a3dcb8

Description

A redacted U.S. military Mission Report (MISREP #4685903) released by the Department of War documenting a reconnaissance sortie over the Arabian Gulf on 26–27 August 2020, during which the aircrew observed a formation of unidentified flying objects along the coast for approximately two minutes.

Claims

  • Positive identification of the formation was lost in cloud cover and could not be regained; light cloud coverage prevented continuous tracking.

    95%
  • Per the releasing agency, the descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and is not conclusive about object features or performance.

    90%
  • The report's descriptive and estimative language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and is not conclusive about any object's features or performance.

    90%
  • A U.S. military operator observed a formation of unknown flying objects traveling northeast to northwest along the coast for approximately two minutes on 27 August 2020.

    85%
  • The observation was made via aircraft sensor during an ISR mission supporting NAVCENT in the Arabian Gulf.

    85%
  • A U.S. military operator observed a 'formation of unknown flying objects' traveling northeast-to-northwest along the coast for approximately two minutes on 27 August 2020.

    85%
  • The aircraft received a professional guard call from Iranian Air Defense at 0532Z with no mission impacts.

    85%
  • The aircraft received a professional guard call from Iranian Air Defense with no mission impact.

    80%
  • The observation was made via sensor during an ISR mission supporting NAVCENT over the Arabian Gulf.

    80%

Events

  1. Aug 26, 2020

    Aircraft takeoff from OKAS

    Aircraft took off at 262307Z AUG20 from ICAO OKAS on an ISR sortie.

  2. Aug 27, 2020

    Guard call from Iranian Air Defense

    At 0532Z the aircraft was hailed on guard frequency by Iranian Air Defense; standard call and response, tone professional, no mission impacts.

  3. Jan 21, 2026

    Declassification

    Declassified by MG Richard A. Hamson, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, on 22 January 2026.

  4. Aug 27, 2020

    UAP observation

    From 1527Z to 1529Z the operator observed a formation of unknown flying objects traveling NE-NW along the coast for approximately two minutes before PID was lost in cloud cover.

  5. Aug 27, 2020

    Aircraft landing at OKAS

    Aircraft landed at OKAS at 272012Z AUG20 after being cleared to RTB.

  6. May 7, 2026

    Public release by Department of War

    File released as part of the DOW UAP records release.

  7. Aug 26, 2020

    Observation of unknown flying object formation

    From 1527Z to 1529Z the operator observed a formation of unknown flying objects traveling NE-NW along the coast, tracked ~2 minutes before PID lost in cloud cover.

  8. Aug 26, 2020

    Return to base / landing

    Aircraft cleared off tasking at 1840Z, landed at OKAS at 272012Z AUG20.

  9. May 7, 2026

    Public release

    File released by the Department of War (Release Date 5/8/26 per source page).

Dates mentioned

2020-08-262020-08-272026-01-222026-05-082045-03-01

Keywords

Entities

Extracted text (OCR)
Dectass1f1ed by MG Richard A. Hamson
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Dectass1fied on 22 January 2026

Misrep 4685903
Narrative
( •
t AT 2307Z,[Mi]TOOK OFF FROM OKAS. AT 2320Zi~
HANDED OVER FROM THE
LRE. FROM 0003Z TO 1917Z, ~ COLLECTED SIGINT VI,} AIRHANDLER. FROM 0041Z TO
1840ZJ 1.4a !SUPPORTED NAVCENT TO OPERATION!
1.4a
!IVO ARABJAN
GULF, STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND GULF OF OMAN. SEE IS~ LINE 1. AT 0532Z,! 1Aa !
RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARDCALL LINE I. AT 15272, ~ OBSERVED IX UNK
I
FORMATION. SEE OBSERVATION LINE 1. AT 1840Z,~
WAS CLEARED TO RTB. AT 1944Z,
~
HANDED BACK TO THE LRE. AT 2012Z, ~LANDIED AT OKAS. FMV WAS
EXPLOITED BY DGS 1. 21 MISSION HOURS, 17.9 lMINT HOURS, I IMINT TASKING
PROSECUTED, 19.2 SlGlNT HOURS, 1 SIGINT TASKING PR SECUTED, 2 TOTAL TASKINGS
PROSECUTED

'

Admin
CLASSIFICATION
• Classification:
• Associated Caveats:
• Classification Source (MS or Classification Guide ID): MUI.: lPLE SOURCES
• Declassification Date (YYYYMMDD): 20450301

OPERATION
• Operation:,__!_ _--=-=
1•c.:..:
4aa..-_ ____.
• Domain: AIR
• Operations Center: 609th
• Major Command (MAJ COM): ACC
• Combatant Command (COCOM): USCENTCOM

MSGID
• Report Type: MISREP
• Originator (Unit or Squadron): 482ATKS
• Submit Date (Auto-generated):

MSNID

3.5c

b 6
I

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRI

01 /26/26 001

Declass fiea by MG Rae ard A. Harnso
USCFN fCOM C ef of St ff
Declass fi a on 22 January 2026

I

• Tasking Order (ATO)I 1.4a
• Mission Type: AREC
• ATO Mission Numbed 1Aa
• Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES

• Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE

Poe

POC
• Rank: Ist Lt
• Full Nansm....,-(b-)(3_)_,1-30-b-,(-,it{6)
• Unit: 482ATKS
• Wing: 432 AEW
• Phone Number:-!-3.-Sc-,-,b-)(-6)-

• Emaild

3.Sc, (b)(6)

• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC

QC
• Rank: Ctr
• Full Name:
3.Sc, (b)(6)
• Unit: 12AF, Det 3, PAROC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number:! 3.Sc, (bl{6)

I

• Email:._1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _3_.s_c""',(....
b}""-(6..,_)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___,
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: Other

APPROVER
• Rank: Ist Lt
• Full Namey~c. (b)(3). 130b, (b)(~)

• Unit: 609th AOC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number~

3.5c,(b}(6)

• Email:._l_ _ _ _3_._5c..;...,_(b.;,,;){--'6)'-------'
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC

INGEST
3.5c, (b)(6)

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRO

01 /26/26 002

:Jec:lass1fied by MG R1ct-ard A, Hamsor
uSCENTCOM Ct- ef of Staff
Dec:lass1fieel on 22 Jam.ary 2026

• Rank:
• Full Name:
• Unit:
• Wing:
• Phone Number:
• Email:
• Service:
• Operations Center:

ACEQUIP
ACEQUJP
• Aircraft Callsign:,_!__1.;.;..4a.;.;:;..._ _,
• Radar Name or Destination: • Radar Software Load or Mission Data: • Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Name or Designator: • RWR Software Load or Mission Data: • MWS Name or Designator: • MWS Software Load or Mission Data: • IRCM Name or Designator: • IRCM Software Load or Mission Data: • ECM Name or Designator: • ECM Software Load or Mission Data: • CMD Name or Designator: • Chaff Designator: • Num Chaff or Cartridges: • Flare Designator: • Num Flares: • Towed Decoy Name or Designator: • Towed Decoy Software Load or Mission Data: • Num Towed Decoys: • Type of Radar-Guided AAM: • Num Radar-Guided AAM: • Type of IR-Guided AAM: • Num IR-Guided AAM: • Gun Name or Designator: • Num Gun Rounds: • Air-to-Ground Wpn to lnclnde Num of Each: 1.4(a)
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: ANDAS4
• Additional Avionics: AH_GMESH
• Data Link: -

3.5c b 6

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to AAR

01/26/26 003

Declassified by MG R1ct-ard A, Hamsor
USCENTCOM Ct- ef of Staff
Dec:lass1fieel on 22 January 2026

• Gentext: -

Timeline
landing
• Last Land Location (ICAO Code): OKAS
• Last Land Time: 272012:00ZAUG20
• Last Engine Shutdown Time: 272022:00ZAUG20
• Total '.\iission Time: 21 hours 5 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details: -

Takeoff
• Callsign:I
1.4a
• Number of Aircraft: l
,------,
• Asset Type (Aircraft): 1.4a, 1.4g
• Aircraft Tail Number(s): 1.4a
• Takeoff Location ((CAO Code): OKAS
• Takeoff Time DTG: 262307:00ZAUG20
• Mode 3 (IFF Codes): • Gentext/Additional Details: • Mission Canceled:

On Station
• Time On Station DTG: 262320:00ZAUG20
• CaUsign:I
1.4a
I
• JTAR Number: • Killbox (Location): • Mission Type: AREC
• JTAC Callsign: • Gentext/Additional Details: • Did not Arrive On Station:

JSR
• Time-on Station OTG: 270041 :00ZAUG20

• Time-off Station DTG: 27 l 840:00ZAUG20
1.4a
• Aircraft Callsign:I
• Msn Type: AREC
• Primary Sensor: ANDAS4

I

3.5c, (b )(6)

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRO

01 /26/26 004

:Jec:lass1fied by MG R1ct-ard A, Hamsor
uSCENTCOM Ct- ef of Staff
Dec:lass1fieel on 22 Jani.ary 2026

• Sensors Available: AH\GMESH
• Tasking Type: PLANNED
• Tasking or Request Number (JTAR#, AEM#, PRI#, or TIC#): • BE Number (if NTISR): • Tasked Start Point: 39RUN46~~1.4a!
• Activity Description: ISR
• FMV or Image File Name (if NTISR): -

GENTEXTIISR
• Gentext: (
JI
1.4-a
!COORDINATED W1
NAVCENT 24 HOURS PRIOR
TO TAKE OFF. PRECOORD WAS SATISFACTORY. AT 004IZ, 1.4a ARRIVED ON STATION ISO
NAVCENT TO OPERATIO~
1.4a
~O CHARA TERlZE IRIN\IRGCN VESSELS,
UAS ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF PORTS, AND TO E TABLISH PATTERN OF UFE.
FROM 0041Z TO 1840Z,~CONDUCTED SCANS JAW T
TARGET DECK IN THE
I CALL. SEE GUARDCALL LINE 1.
ARABIAN GULF (AG). AT 05322,~RECEJVED A GU
AT 061 lZ,~OBSERVED ONE SMALL VESSEL DOCKED AT GREATER TUNB NAVAL PORT
JVO 40RCQ3~(i1.4al AT 15272,~OBSERVED IX
FORMATION. SEE OBSERVATION
LINE I. AT l 742Z,~OBSERVED IX PROB NASER WAP SESIDES AN M\T VESSEL IYO
39RUN4~1 J1:iAi1 BOTII VESSELS WERE DEAD IN WATERl(DIW) JVO GRIDS.
ADDITIONALLY, 2X ADULT MALES (ADMS) WERE OBSER'fED ON THE REAR DECK OF THE
PROB NASER WAP. AT 07002,~OBSERVED 1X POSS 14_76 CANDID AT ABU MUSA
ISLAND AFLD IVO 40RCP0~~1.4a! AT 18402,~WAS CLEARED OFF TASKING AND
RETURNED TO BASE (RTB).

/SR ASSET UTILIZATION
• Supported Unit: NAVCENT
• Supported Operation: OPERATIO~
• Precoord Time: 24 HOURS
• Precoord Effectiveness: SATISFACTORY

1.4-a

WEATHER
• Weather: LIGHT CLOUD COVERAGE PREVENTED CONT
EVENT

UOUS TRACKJNG OF UAP

EFFECTIVENESS
• Tasker:
• Intel Gap Filled?: No
• Geotext: -

3.5c, b 6

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MR

01 /26/26 005

Declass fiea by MG Ric ard A. Harnsor
USCFN fCOM C f of St ff
Declass fi a on 22 January 2026

O.ffStation
• Time Off Station DTG: 27 l 944:00ZAUG20
• Total Time On Station: 20 hours 24 minutes

GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 270532:00ZAUG20
1.4a
• Aircraft Callsignd
• Ground Station Callsign: IRANlAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7~~
• Aircraft Heading: 018 M
• Aircraft Altitude: FLI 50
• Aircraft Airspeed: • Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: PROFESSIONAL

I

GENTEXTIGUARDCALL
• Gentext: - - · AT 0532Z,~WAS HAILED ON GUARD! 1.4g !FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR
DEFENSE. ORDERS GrVEN: STANDARD CALL.~GAVE A STANDARD RESPONSE. NO
MJSSJON IMPACTS

OBSERVATION
• Observation DTG: 271527:00ZAUG20
1.4a
I
• Aircraft Callsign: I
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM3~Q1.4a!
• Aircraft Heading: • Aircraft Altitude: • Aircraft Airspeed: • Relative Bearing or Clock Position: • Range: • Killbox & Keypad: • Observed Activity Location: 39RVM8~~1.4a!
• Observed Activity Description: FORMATION OF UNK FLYING OBJECTS
• Method of Observation:~SENSOR

GENTEXTIOBSERVATION
• Gentext: (St/REL) FROM 1527Z TO 1529Z,~OBSERVED A FORMATION OF FLYING
OBJECTS TRAVELING NE-NW ALONG THE COAST IYO 39RVM8ij1.4af)~~WAS
TRACKING THIS FORMATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES BEFORE PID WAS LOST IN

3.5c, (b)(6)

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRO

01/26/26 006

:::iectass fiea by MG R1e; rd A. Harnso
\JSCE-N fCOM C ef of St ff
Declass fi a on 22 J m. rv 2026

CLOUD COVER. AIRCREW WAS UNABLE TO GAIN PIO AGAIN ON THIS FORMATION

WEATHER
• Weather: LIGHT CLOUD COVERAGE PREVENTED THE C I NTINOUS TRACKING OF THE
FORMATION

3.5c, b 6

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MR

01 /26/26 007



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