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SF-2026-000200UnverifiedAliens & UAPs

DOW-UAP-D020, Mission Report, Iraq, 2023

This document is a standardized Mission Report (MISREP) used by the U.S. Military to record operational circumstances, in this case reporting Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. According to the report, a 2-ship flight of F-16CM aircraft from the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (378 AEW) took off from Prince Sultan Air Base (OEPS) on 31 March 2023 to conduct Defensive Counter Air (DCA) in the ESSA killbox under Operation Inherent Resolve, coordinating with JTAC callsign KINGPIN. At approximately 2302Z, the flight observed several bright objects maneuvering quickly from west to east northeast of the RLZ, estimating 10–20 possible UAP at altitudes above FL600. The operator obtained a track on a possible UAP via the onboard Sniper targeting pod (TV mode) for approximately 20 seconds before the object dimmed and disappeared from the pod. An analyst comment notes the targeting pod comparison between the possible UAP and a star yielded different results. The releasing agency cautions that all descriptive and estimative language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and should not be read as a conclusive indication of any object features or performance. The report was declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, on 8 October 2025 and released 8 May 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Warwar.gov ↗Incident Mar 31, 2023Released May 8, 2026Discovered Jul 2, 20263.5 MBdocument
sha256:71ca8826db94d6158308…

Description

A declassified U.S. Air Force Mission Report (MISREP) documenting a two-ship F-16CM sortie flown out of Prince Sultan Air Base in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, during which operators observed multiple possible Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena over Iraq on 31 March 2023. Released by the U.S. Department of War and approved for release to AARO. Contains redactions.

Claims

  • The releasing agency states descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and is not conclusive of any object features or performance.

    90%

  • The releasing agency states the descriptive language is the reporter's subjective interpretation and not conclusive evidence of object features or performance.

    90%

  • A 2-ship of F-16CM aircraft observed multiple possible UAP over Iraq on 31 March 2023 during Operation Inherent Resolve.

    85%

  • The operator obtained a track on a possible UAP via the onboard Sniper targeting pod (TV mode) for approximately 20 seconds before it dimmed and disappeared.

    80%

  • An estimated 10 to 20 possible UAP were observed maneuvering quickly, at altitudes above FL600.

    70%

  • An analyst comparison of the targeting pod signature between a possible UAP and a star produced different results.

    70%

  • A U.S. military operator observed several bright objects maneuvering quickly from west to east, northeast of the RLZ, over Iraq on 31 March 2023.

    70%

  • The operator achieved a track on a possible UAP via an onboard SNIPER targeting pod (TV mode) for approximately 20 seconds before the object dimmed and disappeared.

    70%

  • An estimated 10 to 20 possible UAP were sighted, with a reported altitude of FL600+.

    55%

  • A targeting-pod comparison between a possible UAP and a star produced different results, per the analyst comment.

    55%

Events

  1. Mar 31, 2023

    Aircraft landing at OEPS

    Flight landed at OEPS at 010148Z APR23 with engine shutdown at 010215Z; total mission time 6 hours 47 minutes.

  2. Oct 7, 2025

    Declassification

    Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff.

  3. Mar 30, 2023

    F-16CM takeoff from Prince Sultan Air Base

    2-ship of F-16CM took off from OEPS at 311901Z MAR23 ISO Operation Inherent Resolve to conduct DCA in the ESSA.

  4. Mar 30, 2023

    UAP observation

    At approximately 2302Z, flight observed several bright objects maneuvering quickly west to east NE of RLZ; possible 10-20 UAP estimated above FL600; tracked ~20s on Sniper targeting pod before dimming and disappearing.

  5. May 7, 2026

    Public release

    Released by the U.S. Department of War as part of a UAP data release.

  6. Mar 31, 2023

    F-16CM 2-ship takeoff from Prince Sultan Air Base

    Flight took off from OEPS at 311901:00ZMAR23 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to conduct DCA.

  7. Mar 31, 2023

    UAP observation over Iraq

    Beginning ~2302:05Z, the flight observed several bright objects maneuvering quickly, obtaining ~20s of targeting-pod track before objects dimmed and disappeared.

  8. May 7, 2026

    Public release by Department of War

    File released as part of UAP disclosure tranche per source page Release Date 5/8/26.

Dates mentioned

2023-03-312023-04-012025-10-082025-10-172026-05-082048-04-01

Keywords

UAPMISREPmission reportF-16CMOperation Inherent ResolveAAROUSCENTCOMIraqPrince Sultan Air Base77 EFSdeclassifiedDepartment of WarUFOSniper targeting pod

Entities

Extracted text (OCR)
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Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

Misrep undefined-8584059
Narrative
(ff,';lfffltJ 'ffi UM, FV£Y) !ll 19012MAR23 -I
1.4a
l(Ci!ia]FLT), A 2-SHIP OF F-16CM, TOOK
OFF FROM PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE (OEPS) ISO OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE.! 1.4a !
FLT WAS FRAGGED TO CONDUCT DCA IN THE ESSA (2100-0000). MISSION WAS FLOWN AS
FRAGGED.
fl3,','REL lfOUfh\:, Pffl1}20072-! 1.4a !FLT ENTERED I2 AIRSPACE. NFTR.
~i,'JaiiL 'J;Q Oil., f\r.Y) 20582 - ~ FLT ENTERED SY AIRSPACE AND CHECKED ONSTA W/
KINGPIN TO CONDUCT DCA IN THE ESSA.
. fil/~W) 23022 - ~FLT OBSERVED MULTIPLE POSS UAPS. (SEE UAP)

• tf,,1r1Ms 'FO USs:*r, PY~Y~.00002 - ~ FLT CHECKED OFFSTA W/ KINGPIN AND PROCEEDED
TO RTB (OEPS). NSTR.

I

ts,rJ~ $0 'e'61*1;, FYdS¥) 00462 ~ 1.4a FLT EXITED I2 AIRSPACE.
~~14U'5 J:Q YBA, F¥EY) 01482-~FLT LANDED AT OEPS W/ ESD AT 02152. NFTR.//

(SRlELIBffl Mission Narrative

Admin

CLASSIFICATION
• Classification: 8i36RE>f
• Associated Caveats: Wf'8RJ!l
• Classification Source (MS or Classification Guide ID): MS
• Declassification Date (YYYYMMDD): 20480401

OPERATION
• Operation: INHERENT RESOLVE

3.5c. FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 001

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

• Domain: AIR
• Operations Center: 609th
• Major Command (MAJCOM): AFCENT
• Combatant Command (COCOM): USCENTCOM

MSGID
• Report Type: MISREP
• Originator (Unit or Squadron): 77 EFS
• Submit Date:

MSNID
• Tasking Order (ATO): MT
• Mission Type: DCA
• ATO Mission Number:! 1.4a
• Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES
• Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE

Poe

POC
• Rank: lLT
• :FsdhfilNB~ptions (b)f3), 130b, (b)(6)
• Unit: 77 EFS
• Wing: 378 AEW
• Phone Numlt.er;!,...FO_I_A-Ex_e_m-pt-io-,nlb)(6)
• Email~
3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b}(6}
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC

QC
• Rank: SSgt
• F u 8 . ~ 3 0 b , (b)(6)
• Unit: Unavailable
• Wing: 378 AEW
• Phone Numbescl....F_O_IA_E_x-em-p-ti-on-,!h )(6)
• Email:!
3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6}
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 002

•SliJettM.,'tNM8ftH

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

APPROVER
• Rank: TSgt

• Ful~a:lx....e_m_p-tio-ns-(-b)-(3...,)! 130b, (b)(6)
• Unit: Unavailable
• Wing: Other
• Phone Numller~Eo1A Exemptionkb)(6)
• Email:!
3.5c, F0IA Exemption (b}(6)
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC

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

ACEQUIP

ACEQUIP
• Aircraft Callsign: I
1.4a
• Radar Name or Destination:! 1.4a, 1.4g I
• Radar Software Load or Mission Data: 8070 / MMC 7.3
• Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Name or Designator: ALR-56M
• RWR Software Load or Mission Data: 102 / SY0730
• MWS Name or Designator:
• MWS Software Load or Mission Data:
• IRCM Name or Designator:
• IRCM Software Load or Mission Data:
• ECM Name or Designator: ALQ-184
• ECM Software Load or Mission Data: C01856
• CMD Name or Designator: ALQ-213
• Chaff Designator: RR-180
• Num Chaff or Cartridges: 60
• Flare Designator: MJU-53, MJU-66
• Num Flares: 45
• Towed Decoy Name or Designator: ALE-50
3.5c. F0IA Exemption (b}(6}

•lll'11W11t8ftill0M
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 003

Bettm'l'if!fMM!f

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

• Towed Decoy Software Load or Mission Data: MTP AA51
• Num Towed Decoys: 2
• Type of Radar-Guided AAM: AIM-120
• Num Radar-Guided AAM: 2
• Type of IR-Guided AAM: AIM-9X
• Num IR-Guided AAM: 2
• Gun Name or Designator: M61Al
• Num Gun Rounds: 510
• Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each:l.___ _ _1_.4_a_ _ ___,
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: SNIPER LDP
• Additional Avionics: HTS-P R7.85
• Data Link: LINK 16
• Gentext:

ACEQUIP
• Aircraft Callsign:
1.4a
L---,--......,....----,.....r---,
• Radar Name or Destination 1.4a, 1.4g
• Radar Software Load or Mission Data: 8070 / MMC 7.3
• Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Name or Designator: ALR-56M
• RWR Software Load or Mission Data: 102 / SY0730
• MWS Name or Designator:
• MWS Software Load or Mission Data:
• IRCM Name or Designator:
• IRCM Software Load or Mission Data:
• ECM Name or Designator: ALQ-184
• ECM Software Load or Mission Data: C01856
• CMD Name or Designator: ALQ-213
• Chaff Designator: RR-180
• Num Chaff or Cartridges: 60
• Flare Designator: MW-53, Mm-66
• Num Flares: 45
• Towed Decoy Name or Designator: ALE-50
• Towed Decoy Software Load or Mission Data: MTP AA51
• Num Towed Decoys: 2
• Type of Radar-Guided AAM: AIM-120
• Num Radar-Guided AAM: 2
• Type of IR-Guided AAM: AIM-9X
• Num IR-Guided AAM: 2
• Gun Name or Designator: M61Al
• Num Gun Rounds: 510
• Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each:l.___ _ _1_.4_a_ _ _.....
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: SNIPER LDP

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

iECl&ll.il?JrQPQM
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 004

BE!Hl'lfflifMOlt!if

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

• Additional Avionics: HTS-P R7.85
• Data Link: LINK 16
• Gentext:

Timeline
Takeoff
• Callsign~
1.4a
• Number of Aircraft: 2
• Asset Type (Aircraft)~.....1-.4-a,-1.-4g....,I
• Aircraft Tail Number(s):I 1.4a, 1.4g I
• Takeoff Location (ICAO Code): OEPS
• Takeoff Time DTG: 311901 :00ZMAR23
• Mode 3 (IFF Codes): 6266
• Gentext/Additional Details: (U) NSTR.
• Mission Canceled:

Landing
• Last Land Location (ICAO Code): OEPS
• Last Land Time: 010148:00ZAPR23
• Last Engine Shutdown Time: 010215:00ZAPR23
• Total Mission Time: 6 hours 47 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details: (U) NSTR.

On Station
• Time On Station DTG: 312058:00ZMAR23
• Callsign:I
1.4a
I
• JTAR Number: • Killbox (Location): ESSA
• Mission Type: DCA
• JTAC Callsign: KINGPIN
• Gentext/Additional Details: (U) NSTR.
• Did not Arrive On Station:

Off Station
• Time Off Station DTG: 010000:00ZAPR23
• Total Time On Station: 3 hours 2 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details:

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

ilt11Uiii<@l9BCRM

MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 005

SEatE iifWl'11ORL,

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

UAP
• Initial Contact DTG: 312302:05ZMAR23
• MDS Type I Asset Type:l 1.4a, 1.4g
• Tail Numbed 1.4a, 1.4g
• Friendly Aircraft Location: 37SGA1~~
• Friendly Aircraft Altitude/Depth: FL265
• Friendly Aircraft Speed: 293
• Friendly Aircraft State: NIA
• Training Range (If applicable):
• Operational Range: NE OF RLZ
• UAP Physical State:
• Number of UAP Sighted: POSS 10X-20X
• UAP Signatures: No
• UAP RF Frequency:
• UAP RF Duration:
• UAP Effects on Persons: (U) NONE.
• Full Name:! 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b}(6}
• Email:I
3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b}(6)
• Phone Number (VOSIP/S1'E),:fo1A Exemptionl{b){6)
• UAP First Seen Location: DATA MASKED
• UAP Altitude, Depth, Velocity, and Trajectory (indicate estimated or measured): FL600+

I

I

I

GENTEXTIUAP
• UAP Description (e.g., size, shape, color, markings, recognizable features): f9ffl',ff2) STARTING AT
2302:052 ~FLT OBSERVED SEVERAL BRIGHT OBJECTS MANUEVERING QUICKLY
WEST TO EAST NE OF RLZJ 1.4a FLT WOULD OBTAIN POSS UAP ON TARGETING POD (TV
MODE) FOR APPROX 20S BEFORE OBJECT WOULD BECOME DIM AND DISAPPEAR FROM
TARGETING POD. NONE OF THE OBJECTS WERE SEEN IN ANY FORMATIONS AS
PREVIOUSLY SEEN IN PRIOR SORTIES. NFTR.

!

ANALYST COMMENT:! 1.4a IFLT COMPARED TARGETING POD BETWEEN POSS UAP AND
STAR. RESULTS WERE DIFFERENT.

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

IJiJmuil:t::M}I:OIQRI!
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 006

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