Middle East / Gulf series, 2020
The 2020 Middle East video titles are broad, so Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Arabian Sea, and Iran reports are grouped together.
Source files
Analysis & sources
Source-grounded notes for the files in this case, each linked back to its official record.
DVIDS official page text
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of two minutes and 17 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. An accompanying Range Fouler report, DoW-UAP-D38, described the UAP as a solid white object making erratic movements above the water.
Official page text
- Video description: 00:05: An area of contrast briefly enters the sensor field-of-view from the left side of the screen. 00:06-00:18: The sensor pans away from the scene’s initial subject matter while cycling contrast settings and zoom levels. 00:19: The area of contrast re-enters the sensor field-of-view from near the center of the top edge of the screen. 00:20-01:15: The area of contrast remains generally within the sensor field-of-view. 01:16: The sensor narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 01:56: The sensor further narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 02:10: A blue reticle briefly appears on screen but does not acquire a lock on the area of contrast. 02:15-02:17: The sensor switches to a different modality and loses track of the area of contrast.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
DVIDS official page text
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of nine seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation.
Official page text
- Video description: 00:06-00:08: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom left quarter of the screen, follows a generally linear path from the bottom of the screen to the top, and exits from the top left quarter.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
DVIDS official page text
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation.
Official page text
- Video description: 00:03-00:05: A faint area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom half of the right edge of the screen, proceeds from right to left across the corner of the frame, and exits the scene from near the center of the bottom edge of the screen.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
DVIDS official page text
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and three seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The original reporter digitally altered the imagery by pausing the video playback and adding a white line encircling an area of interest at timestamp 00:10, annotated with the phrase “U/I SMALL THERMAL SIGNATURE.” AARO did not edit the originally reported material, and this media is presented as received.
Official page text
- Video description: 00:00-00:09: An area of contrast brightens within the sensor field-of-view, becoming increasingly distinct against the background. 00:10-00:14: Playback pauses to display a white line encircling an area of interest, annotated with the phrase “U/I SMALL THERMAL SIGNATURE.” 00:15-01:03: Playback resumes, with the sensor panning to track the area of contrast against the background, generally maintaining the area of contrast’s position within the top third of the display area. During this period, the sensor cycles through several contrast and zoom settings.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
DVIDS official page text
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and 34 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation.
Official page text
- Video description: 00:01: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom third of the left side of the screen. 00:02-01:34: The sensor pans from left to right, tracking the area of contrast and keeping it generally centered within the field-of-view.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
DVIDS official page text
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of four minutes and 53 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation.
Official page text
- Video description: 00:00-00:12: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom left corner of the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the lower left quadrant of the frame. 00:13-00:40: The area of contrast intermittently loses distinctiveness against the background, seeming to disappear and reappear irregularly. 00:41: The sensor narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 00:42-00:52: An area of contrast exits the sensor field-of-view from the left half of the top of the frame, after which the sensor pans up and to the left. 00:53-02:09: The sensor pans erratically, with an area of contrast appearing in a relatively fixed position to the left and slightly below the center of the frame. 02:09-02:29: The sensor switches imaging modalities, and the area of contrast appears to the right and slightly above the center of the frame. 02:30-04:53: The sensor switches imaging modalities again, and the area of contrast returns to its previous position to the left and slightly below the center of the frame.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
DVIDS official page text
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five minutes and 11 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation.
Official page text
- Video description: This video features incidentally recorded audio, which does not relate to the visual content described below. 00:00-00:30: No content. 00:31-03:24: The sensor pans down and to the right to focus on an area of contrast. The sensor tracks the area of contrast against the background for approximately three minutes, panning to maintain its position generally within the center of the frame. The sensor cycles contrast and zoom levels several times throughout, appearing as brief, bright white flashes across the frame. 03:25-04:23: The sensor cycles through reticles of various sizes while continuing to track the area of contrast. Between 04:20 and 04:23, the area of contrast briefly leaves the center of the sensor field-of-view. 04:24-04:50: The sensor field-of-view widens to zoom out from the scene, continuing to track the area of contrast. 04:50-04:54: The sensor stops tracking the area of contrast, at which point it exits the frame from the top left quadrant of the screen. 04:55-05:11: No content.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
DVIDS official page text
The Department of the Air Force submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 58 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation.
Official page text
- Video description: 00:00-00:03: The sensor tracks an area of contrast acquiring a reticle lock. 00:04-00:30: The area of contrast gradually increases in distinctiveness against the background. 00:31: The sensor narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 00:32-00:56: The area of contrast increases in apparent size and distinctiveness. 00:57-00:58: The area of contrast leaves the center of the frame and passes out of the sensor field-of-view, exiting the scene in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- AARO comment: The area of contrast’s apparent increase in size is likely to be at least partially attributable to the U.S. platform closing the distance between itself and the source of the detection.
- The title marks this as unresolved, so the page should not present it as conclusively attributed.
Official note
- This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
Sources
Document summary
A heavily redacted USCENTCOM mission report (MISREP) from 2020 linked to the Arabian Gulf. The readable GENTEXT/UAP section records that around 1736Z the aircrew observed four UAPs flying within the sensor field of view; cloud coverage prevented following them or getting a clear visual.
Official page text
- Four UAPs were observed near 1736Z — one at 17:36:22, two side by side at 17:36:30, and one at 17:36:49.
- Cloud coverage obstructed the aircrew from following the objects or getting a clear visual.
Official note
- Almost the entire report is redacted; only the brief UAP description block is legible.
- This summary is AI-generated from the limited readable text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A brief, heavily redacted USCENTCOM mission report extract from 2020 linked to the Arabian Gulf. At 1258Z the aircrew observed a possible UAP; the observation was too brief to estimate altitude, but velocity was estimated at 321 knots, and the object increased speed and changed direction toward the east.
Official page text
- A possible UAP was observed at 1258Z, estimated at ~321 knots.
- The object increased speed and changed direction toward the east; the brief observation precluded an altitude estimate.
Official note
- Only a short GENTEXT/UAP extract is legible; no shape or size is described.
- This summary is AI-generated from the limited readable text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A brief, heavily redacted USCENTCOM mission report extract from 2020 linked to the Arabian Gulf, recording two UAP observations. At 1354Z one UAP was seen at ~40 knots holding a constant speed at FL160–170; at 2243Z two possible UAPs were seen at ~278 knots that increased speed and turned south.
Official page text
- 1354Z: one UAP at ~40 knots, constant speed, FL160–170.
- 2243Z: two possible UAPs at ~278 knots that increased speed and changed direction to the south.
Official note
- Only short GENTEXT/UAP extracts are legible; no shape or size is described.
- This summary is AI-generated from the limited readable text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A very brief, heavily redacted USCENTCOM mission report extract from 2020 linked to the Arabian Gulf. At 1246Z the aircrew observed one probable UAP; there was no mission impact and the aircrew continued its original tasking.
Official page text
- One probable UAP was observed at 1246Z.
- There was no mission impact; the aircrew continued the original tasking.
Official note
- The legible text is a single short sentence with no description of the object.
- This summary is AI-generated from the limited readable text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A brief, heavily redacted USCENTCOM mission report extract from 2020 linked to the Arabian Gulf. The aircrew observed a weapons-quality radar track of a UAP drifting with the winds at about 31,000 ft; the object looked like a balloon, similar to a UAP previously reported by the 48th Fighter Wing.
Official page text
- The UAP looked like a balloon and was drifting with the winds at ~31,000 ft.
- The aircrew generated a weapons-quality track and visually identified the object on the targeting FLIR.
- It was noted as similar to a previously reported 48th Fighter Wing UAP.
Official note
- Only a short extract is legible; most identifying details are redacted.
- This summary is AI-generated from the limited readable text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A completed "Range Fouler Debrief" form for a 14 May 2020 night ISR mission. The crew reports that a solid white object flew through the sensor field of view; it was briefly lost then re-acquired, and was followed as it made erratic movements above the water before being lost due to poor track placement.
Official page text
- A solid white, round object flew through the sensor field of view at ~20,000 ft.
- It made erratic movements above the water; the crew got a 4x zoom before losing the track.
Official note
- This is a brief aircrew self-report form; identifying information is sanitized and detail is limited.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A completed "Range Fouler Reporting" form for a 15 October 2020 daytime ISR mission over the Gulf of Aden. At about 19,000 ft the crew tracked a round, cold object in infrared travelling on a heading of ~319 degrees at roughly 20 mph; it made a few abrupt directional changes during the one-minute contact.
Official page text
- A round, cold object was tracked in IR over the Gulf of Aden, heading ~319 degrees at ~20 mph.
- It made a few abrupt directional changes during the ~1-minute contact; on the black-hot IR setting it appeared bright white.
Official note
- This is a brief aircrew self-report form; identifying information is sanitized and detail is limited.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A completed "Range Fouler Debrief" form for a 24 August 2020 night mission by a naval helicopter squadron (HSM-73) in the North Arabian Sea. The aircrew observed three possible unidentified small air contacts with no electronic, radar or IFF returns; one was tracked first, then two more appeared due east, and all three held a consistent course, speed and altitude.
Official page text
- Three small unidentified air contacts were observed with negative ES, radar and IFF returns.
- One contact was tracked, lost behind a cloud, then re-acquired with two additional contacts to its east.
- All three appeared to hold a relative westerly course, speed and altitude; the form checks 'Wings/Airframe' for shape.
Official note
- This is a brief aircrew self-report form; distance and speed were unknown and identifying information is sanitized.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A completed "Range Fouler Reporting" form for a 4 September 2020 night ISR mission over the Gulf of Aden. At about 23,800 ft the crew tracked a round, cold object in infrared travelling on a heading of ~168 degrees at roughly 277 mph; it made a few abrupt directional changes during the eight-minute contact.
Official page text
- A round, cold object was tracked in IR over the Gulf of Aden, heading ~168 degrees at ~277 mph.
- It made a few abrupt directional changes during the ~8-minute contact; on the black-hot IR setting it appeared bright white.
Official note
- This is a brief aircrew self-report form; identifying information is sanitized and detail is limited.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A completed "Range Fouler Debrief" form for a 27 October 2020 night defensive counter-air mission. Directed to identify an unknown contact, the crew obtained a radar lock and targeting-pod video but could not close within 16.9 nm; the pod showed two infrared contacts, one circling the other, that vanished within about a thirtieth of a second.
Official page text
- Two IR-significant contacts were tracked, one circling the other, before disappearing in roughly 1/30th of a second.
- The crew could not get closer than 16.9 nm for a better identification; a visual 'tally' showed two red blinking strobes.
- Noise jamming was received during the engagement; the form checks 'metallic', 'balloon-shaped' and 'reflective'.
Official note
- This is a brief aircrew self-report form; identifying information is sanitized and the objects were not identified.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A declassified USCENTCOM mission report (MISREP) for a 2020 ISR sortie supporting NAVCENT over the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. From 1527Z to 1529Z the aircrew observed a formation of unidentified flying objects travelling along the coast and tracked it for about two minutes before positive identification was lost.
Official page text
- A formation of unidentified flying objects was observed travelling NE–NW along the coast.
- The aircrew tracked the formation for roughly two minutes before losing positive identification.
Official note
- No shape, size or count for the individual objects is given, and most identifying details are redacted.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A declassified USCENTCOM mission report (MISREP) for a 2020 ISR sortie. Amid a long log of routine collection and several radio guard calls, the report records that at 1732Z the aircrew observed a UAP in the vicinity of a coordinate over the Arabian Gulf region.
Official page text
- At 1732Z the aircrew observed a UAP during an ISR mission over the Arabian Gulf region.
- The UAP entry is a brief observation log line with no shape, size or behavior described.
Official note
- The UAP description is minimal and most identifying details are redacted.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
Document summary
A declassified USCENTCOM mission report (MISREP) for a 2020 ISR sortie supporting NAVCENT over the Arabian Gulf. The report records two UAP observations: at 2143Z one UAP with an unknown altitude and a bearing of 080 true, and at 2148Z an additional UAP travelling north-west. The mission also included open-water scans for an unmanned underwater vehicle.
Official page text
- At 2143Z one UAP was observed with unknown altitude and a bearing of 080 true.
- At 2148Z a second UAP was observed travelling north-west.
- The same sortie conducted open-water scans for a UUV, with no UUV identified.
Official note
- No shape or size is given for either UAP, and most identifying details are redacted.
- This summary is AI-generated from the document text for navigation purposes only and is not an official analysis or conclusion.
Sources
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