DOW-UAP-D062, Mission Report, Strait of Hormuz, September 2020
This file is a standardized U.S. Military Mission Report (MISREP 4782130) released by the Department of War in its UAP data set. The report records a planned airborne reconnaissance (AREC) ISR mission supporting NAVCENT to characterize Iranian/IRGCN vessels, UAS activity, and pattern-of-life in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. The aircraft took off from ICAO OKAS at 152302ZSEP20 and landed at 161958ZSEP20, logging roughly 20.9 mission hours. During the sortie the crew received multiple guard calls from Iranian Air Defense, experienced two periods of unknown-source electromagnetic interference (EMI) causing lost datalink and flight-path deviations, and observed an IR-15 launcher near Abu Musa Island and possible Houdong fast-attack craft. At 161732ZSEP20 the operator observed a UAP via full-motion video (FMV) in the vicinity of grid 39RVM5, near the Strait of Hormuz. 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 of any object features or performance. The document was declassified on 22 January 2026 by USCENTCOM Chief of Staff MG Richard A. Harrison and posted with a release date of 8 May 2026.
Description
A declassified U.S. military Mission Report (MISREP 4782130) documenting an ISR/reconnaissance sortie over the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman in September 2020, during which a U.S. military operator observed one Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP) at an estimated altitude of ~1,800 feet. Released by the U.S. Department of War as part of a UAP data release; heavily redacted.
Claims
Per the releasing agency, the report's descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and is not conclusive evidence of any object's features or performance.
90%Descriptive language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and is not conclusive as to any object's intrinsic features or performance.
85%The aircraft received multiple guard calls from Iranian Air Defense over the Strait of Hormuz region.
80%The aircraft received three guard calls from Iranian Air Defense during the sortie, with no impact to the mission.
80%The aircraft experienced two periods of unknown-source electromagnetic interference (EMI) causing lost datalink and flight-path deviations.
75%The aircraft experienced two 'lost link' EMI events of unknown type during the mission, each rated as a MEDIUM impact to the mission.
75%A U.S. military operator observed one UAP at an estimated altitude of ~1,800 feet during the mission.
60%A U.S. military operator observed one UAP at 1732Z on 16 September 2020 via full-motion video in the Strait of Hormuz / Arabian Gulf area at an estimated altitude of ~1,800 feet.
60%
Events
Sep 14, 2020
Aircraft takeoff from OKAS
Unmanned ISR aircraft took off at 2302Z (152302Z SEP20).
Sep 15, 2020
UAP observation
At 161732ZSEP20 operator observed a UAP via FMV near grid 39RVM5, altitude ~FL180 (est. 1,800 ft per page context).
Jan 21, 2026
Declassification
Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff.
May 7, 2026
Public release
Posted by Department of War in UAP data release (release 3).
Sep 15, 2020
First Iranian Air Defense guard call
160408ZSEP20 guard call, directive tone, standard orders given, no mission impact.
Sep 15, 2020
EMI lost-link event 1
161248Z–161259Z unknown-source EMI, complete impact, flight-path deviation.
Sep 15, 2020
EMI lost-link event 2
161414Z–161441Z unknown-source EMI, 27 minutes, medium mission impact.
Sep 15, 2020
Aircraft landing at OKAS
Landed 161958ZSEP20; total mission time ~20h56m.
Sep 15, 2020
Guard calls from Iranian Air Defense
Three guard calls received at 0408Z, 0421Z, and 1141Z; standard orders/responses, no mission impact.
Sep 15, 2020
First EMI lost-link event
Lost link from 1248Z to 1259Z (11 minutes) near grid 39RXK0; MEDIUM mission impact.
Sep 15, 2020
Second EMI lost-link event
Lost link from 1414Z to 1441Z (27 minutes) near grid 39RVM9; MEDIUM mission impact.
Sep 15, 2020
Landing at OKAS
Aircraft landed at 1958Z; total mission time ~20 hours 56 minutes.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
People
Phenomena
Extracted text (OCR)
Declassified by MG Richard A. Hanison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified or: 22 January 2026
Misrep 4782130
Narrative
AT 2302Zn::iil]TOOK OFF FROM OK.AS. Af 2313Z,~
HANDED OVER FROM Tl:iE
LRE, FROM 23462 TO l902Z,G1a:JCOLLECi ED SIGINT VIA AIRHANDLER. FROM 03182 TO
1s29zr::;::;J suPPORTEt> NAVCENT FOR 01>ERAT10NI
1.4a
hvo ARABIAN
GULF, STRAI'l OF HORMUZ AND GULF OF OMAN, SEE ISR!LINE 1. AT 04082.! 1.4a !
'RECEIVED A GUARD CALL SEE GUARD CALL LINE 1. AT 042 IZ,[ii;JRECEIVED A GUARD
CALL. SE'E GUARD CALL LINE 2. AT l 141Z.~
RECEIVED A GUARD CALL SEE GUARD
CALL LINE 3. AT 1248Z,~
LOST LINK SEE EMJ LINE 1. AT 14142:J 1.4a !LOST LINK. SEE
EMl LINE 2. AT 1732ZJ 1.4a !OBSERVED A UAP. SE'E OBS LINE L Af I829Z,~
WAS
CLEARED TO RTB, AT 19232,G:;]BANDf:D BACK TO TliS LRE. AT l 958Z,~
LANDED AT
OK.AS. FMV WAS EXPLOITtD BY DGSI. 20.9 MlSSION 1-IO~S. 15.2 IMlNT HOURS. I JMTNT
TASKING PROSECUTED, 19.3 S1GTNT HOURS, 1 SIGINT TAS ING PROSECUTED. 2 TOTAL
TASK1NGS PROSECUTED
Admln
CLASSIFICATION
• Classification:
• Associated Caveats:
• Classification Source (MS ot Classification Guide ID): MUL11IPLE SOURCES
• Declassification Date (YYYYMMDD): 20450301
OPERATION
• Operation~,___ _ _
1.4a
______,
• Domain: AIR
• Operations Center: 609th
• Majo:r -Command (MAJ COM): ACC
• Combatant Command (COCOl\'I): USCENTCOM
MSGID
• Repo:rt Type: IvllSREP
• Originator (Unit or Squadron): 482ATKS
• Submit Date (Auto-generated):
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MRI
01/26/26 001
Declassified by I\ G R1cha d A Harr so
USCENTCOM Chi f o' St ff
D class1fed on 22 J u ry 2026
MSNID
• Tasking Order (ATOE;]
• Mission Type: AREC
• ATO Mission Number:j 1.4a
• Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES
• Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE
I
Poe
POC
• Rank: SSgt
• Full Nam«,...~c-,-(b-)(3_)_
, 1-3-0b-,-(b--,)~)
• Unit: 482ATKS
• Wing: 432 AEW
• Phone Number: -3-.5-c-.,-bl-(6-l~
-1
• Email:~!_ _ _ _ _ _ _3_.5c~(b~)(~6>~-----~
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC
QC
• Rank: Ctr
• Full Name:! 3.Sc, (bl(6l
• Unit: 12AF, Det 3, PAROC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number:! 3.Sc, fbl{6\
• Email:!
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: Other
3.Sc, (b}(6)
APPROVER
• Rank: SrA
• Full Name~c. (b)(3), 130b, (bis)
• Unit: 609th AOC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number:! 3.5c.(b}(6)
• Email:~1_ _ _ __3__.__
sc_....,(.__b),. _(6. . _)_ _ ____,
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC
3 Sc, lb}{§}
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MRO
01/26/26 002
Deel ., ed by MG Richard A Harr so
USCE'NTCOM C'l1ef o'St ff
Declass ed or 22 Ja uary 2026
INGEST
• Rank:
• FuUName:
• Unit:
• Wing:
• Phone Number:
• Email:
• Service:
• Operations Center:
ACEQUIP
ACEQUIP
• 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 Guo Rounds: • Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each: 1.4(a)
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: ANDAS4
• Additional Avionics: AH_GMESH
3.5c b 6
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to M R
01/26/26 003
Declassified by MG R.1cl'ard A. Harnsor,
USCENTCOM Cl' ef of Staff
Declass fled on 22 Jam,ary 2026
• Data Link: • Gentext: -
Timeline
Landing
• Last Land Location (ICAO Code): OKAS
• Last Land Time: 161958:00ZSEP20
• Last Engine Shutdown Time: 162008:00ZSEP20
• Total Mission Time: 20 hours 56 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details: -
Takeoff
• Callsign:!
1.4a
• Number of Aircraft: I
• Asset Type (Aircraft) 1.4a, 1.4g
• Aircraft Tail Number(s)
1.4a
• Takeoff Location (ICAO Code): OK.AS
• Takeoff Time DTG: l 52302:00ZSEP20
• Mode 3 (IFF Codes): • Gentext/Additioual Details: • Mission Canceled:
---
On Station
• Time On Station DTG: 152313:00ZSEP20
• Callsign:!
1.4a
I
• JTAR Number: • Killbox (Location): • Mission Type: AREC
• JTAC Callsign: • Gen text/ Additional Details: • Did not Arrive On Station:
JSR
• Time-on Station DTG: 160318:00ZSEP20
• Time-off Station DTG: 161829:00ZSEP20
1.4
..;.;a;;.______,!
• Aircraft Callsign:._!_ ___,;_;
• Msn Type: AREC
3.5c, (b)(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MRO
01/26/26 004
• Primary Sensor: ANDAS4
• Sensors Available: AH\GMESH
• Tasking Type: PLANNED
• Tasking or Request Number (JTAR#, AEM#, PRI#, or TIC# : • BE Number (ifNTISR): • Tasked Start Point: 40RCQ3@}~1 .4a!
• Activity Description: ISR
• FMV or Image File Name (ifNTISR): -
GENTEXTIISR
• Geotext: (3il i2 JI
1.4a
!COORDINATED
NAVCENT 24 HOURS PRIOR
TO TAKE OFF. PRECOORD WAS SATISFACTORY. AT 03182, 1.4a ARRNED ON STATION ISO
1.4a
~O CH.AR1CTERIZE IRIN\IRGCN VESSELS,
NAVCENT FOR OPERATIC~
UAS ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF PORTS, AND TO E~TABLISH PATTERN OF LIFE.
FROM 03182 TO 18292,~CONDUCTED SCANS IAW Tl-Ir TARGET DECK IN THE
ARABIAN GULF (AG). AT 0930Z~OBSERVED AN IR-!t-5 LAUNCHER IVO
40RCPo:rn~oN ABU MUSA ISLAND. AT 1321Z,I 1.4a ;IBS;ERVED 2X POSSIBLE
HOUDONG WPTG IVO (39RXL6~~ DOCKED PIERSI E. AT 04082,~RECEIVED A
GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 1. AT 04212,0]i] C~IVED A GUARD CALL. SEE
GUARD CALL LINE 2. AT l 141Z~RECEIVED A GUAR.Ip CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 3.
AT 17322,~OBSERVED NOTEWORTHY ACTMTY. SEEIOBS LINE 1. AT 18292, ~ A S
CLEAR.ED OFF TASKING AND RETURNED TO BASE (RTB)
JSR ASSET UTILIZATION
• Supported Unit: NAVCENT
• Supported Operation: OPERATIOl'i
• Precoord Time: 24 HOURS
• Precoord Effectiveness: SATISFACTORY
1.4a
WEATHER
• Weather: (U) WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR
EFFECTIVENESS
• Tasker:
• Intel Gap Filled?: No
• Gentext: Off Station
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MRO]
01/26/26 005
Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrsor
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Deciassmed or. 22 Jtnuary 2026
• Time Off Station DTG: I 6 I923:00ZSEP20
• Tota] Time On Station: 20 hours 10 minutes
GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 160408:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign:!
1.4e
• Ground Station CalJsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7~(jw
• Aircraft Heading: 360T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: • Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: DIRECTIVE
I
GENTEXT/GUARDCALL
• Gentext: --■ AT 0408Z,~WAS HAILED ON G U ~ R E Q BY IRANlAN AIR
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDED WITH THE STANDARD
RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION
GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 160421:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft CaUsign:!
1.4a
• Ground Station CaUsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7~tl1.4a!
• Aircraft Heading: 0I0M
• Aircraft Altitude: FLl80
• Aircraft Airspeed: • Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: I
• Guardc.all Tone: DrRECTIVE
I
GENTEXTIGUARDC'ALL
• Gentext:
AT 042 lZ,~
WAS HAILED ON G U ~ F R E Q BY IRANIAN AIR
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDED
STANDARD
RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION
WJ'ri::fTitE
GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 161141:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign:j
1.4a
I
3.5c. (1>)(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MRO
01/26/26 006
• Ground Station Callsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP2l1.4aBOual
• Aircraft Heading: 277 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL040
• Aircraft Airspeed: • Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: PROFESSIONAL
GENTEXT/GUARDCALL
• Gentext: - - · AT l 141Z,~WAS HAILED ON GU
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDE
IMPACT TO MISSION
243.000 FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR
WITH STANDARD RESPONSE. NO
EM/
• EMI Start DTG: 161248:00ZSEP20
• EMI End DTG: 161259:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign~
1.4a
I
• Type of EMI: UNKNOWN
• EMI Duration: 11 minutes
• Aircraft Location: 39RXK0filalS({w
• Aircraft Heading: 290 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 89 KIAS
• Mission Changed: Flight Path Deviation
• EMI Impact to System: Complete
• EMI Location: 39RXK0~~
• Affected System~
• Frequency Affec~--:.,._1_.4_g_,
• Mission Impact: MEDIUM
GENTEXTIEMI
• Gentext: - - - AT 12482,w;JEXPERIENCED LOST L
TO POSSIBLE!
1.4g
REGAINED LINK AT 12592. THIS RESULTED IN A MEDIUM IMPACT TO TIIE MISSION
1.4a
JSIR ID330412
EM/
• EMI Start DTG: 161414:00ZSEP20
• EMI End DTG: 161441:16ZSEP20
3.5c b 6
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MROI
01/26/26 007
Declassified by MG R.1cl'ard A. Harnsor,
USCENTCOM Cl' ef of Staff
Declass fled on 22 Jam,ary 2026
• Aircraft CaUsign: !
1.4a
• Type of EMI: UNKNO\VN
• EMI Duration: 27 minutes
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM9~~
• Aircraft Heading: 264 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FLI 80
• Aircraft Airspeed: 120:KIAS
• Mission Changed: Flight Path Deviation
• EMI Impact to System: Complete
• EMI Location: 39RVM9~ ~1.4a!
• Affected System ~
.__
ed.,....___1 _
.49_ _,
• Frequency Affectecif
• Mission Impact: MEDIUM
GENTEXTIEMI
• Gentext: --■ AT 1414Z, ~EXPERIENCED LOST LINK TO POSSIBL~L____:1.::..;.
.49= ----_,_1.4_aREGAINED 14412. THIS RESULTED IN A MEDIUM IMPACT TO THE MISSION
JSIR ID3304 l 4
OBSERVATION
• Observation DTG: 161732:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: !
1.4a
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM5J[iAal?(@
• Aircraft Heading: • Aircraft Altitude: FL 180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 90 KIAS
• Relative Bearing or Clock Position: -
I
,
• Range: • KiJlbox & Keypad: • Observed Activity Location : 39RVMs r na1.4al
• Observed Activity Description: UAP
• Method of Observation: FMV
GENTEXTIOBSERVATION
• Gentext:
AT 17322, ~OBSERVED A UAP rvo 39RVM51~
%.4al
WEATHER
3,§c l b}(§}
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MRO
01/26/26 008
Declassr ied by MG Richard A. Harrsor
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Deciassmed or. 22 Jtnuary 2026
• Weather: (U) WEATiffiR WAS NOT A FACTOR
3.5c b 6
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019
Approved for Release to MRI
01/26/26 009
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