Intelligence Information Report, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021

U.S. Department of War · 2021-09-08 · 7 pages · text from the file's own layer

This declassified U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Intelligence Information Report, dated 27 April 2022, describes events of 8 September 2021 over the Gulf of Oman. During live fire training, a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130 gunship crew saw about 25 instances of UAPs on its infrared sensor. They appeared as cold orbs moving between 250 and 1300 MPH, some in formation. A pair appeared to fly off when the 105mm cannon fired, and the aircraft's video recorder failed.

From the source: Release of 2026-08-07 Released with redactions. This document is an Intelligence Information Report (IIR), the primary standardized format utilized by the Department of War, military services, and the broader Intelligence Community to disseminate unevaluated intelligence information derived from human sources (HUMINT), open sources, and field collection activities. IIRs are not finished intelligence products; they serve as inputs for subsequent all-source intelligence assessments. This report accompanies the footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122. This report documents an observation by the aircrew of a U.S. Special Operations Forces (USSOF) AC-130 Gunship on September 8, 2021, during a nighttime live-fire training exercise over the Gulf of Oman. The aircrew reported first observing two unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) after dropping a water-activated flare. The report describes the UAP as stationary, approximately four feet in diameter, 0-20 feet above the water’s surface. Throughout the training sortie, the aircrew reported observing approximately 25 instances involving similar phenomena via infrared sensor, describing them as “cold orbs.” Aircrew visual estimates of the UAP’s apparent speed range from 250 to 1,300 miles per hour. The report characterizes the UAP’s behavior as “maneuvering aggressively,” “flying in various formations,” and appearing to react to deployments of the aircraft’s onboard weapons systems. The aircrew stated that they were unable to capture video footage of the phenomena because the aircraft’s digital video recorder was not functioning during the incident. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.

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DOW-UAP-PR117 · video · 2021-09-08 Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021 The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 16 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:16: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. 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. Download (20.0 MB)

DOW-UAP-PR118 · video · 2021-09-08 Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021 The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 30 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:30: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view, momentarily exiting the bottom of the frame. 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. Download (23.2 MB)

DOW-UAP-PR119 · video · 2021-09-08 Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021 The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of two seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:02: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. 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. Download (2.0 MB)

DOW-UAP-PR120 · video · 2021-09-08 Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021 The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 13 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:08: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:08-00:13: The sensor changes modalities twice and the area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. 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. Download (9.8 MB)

DOW-UAP-PR121 · video · 2021-09-08 Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021 The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 34 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:12: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:13-00:18: A relatively larger area of contrast transits from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sensor’s field-of-view, then re-enters from the top left to the bottom left of the frame. The relatively smaller area of contrast exits the bottom of the frame, and re-enters from the upper-right quarter of the frame. 00:19-00:34: The sensor adjusts, and an area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top of the frame, and remains generally within the center of the frame. AARO Comment: This video footage significantly overlaps in content with DOW-UAP-PR122. 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. Download (22.8 MB)

DOW-UAP-PR122 · video · 2021-09-08 Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021 The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 26 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:05: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:06-00:07: A relatively larger area of contrast transits from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sensor’s field-of-view, then re-enters from the top left to the bottom left of the frame. The relatively smaller area of contrast exits the bottom of the frame, and re-enters from the upper-right quarter of the frame. 00:08-00:26: The sensor adjusts, and an area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top of the frame, and remains generally within the center of the frame. AARO Comment: This video footage significantly overlaps in content with DOW-UAP-PR121. 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. Download (15.9 MB)

6/1/22, 11:.23 AM Record Preview
Do.cument View XML
- Int Iii enc Information R port O Pnnl Clo
~ Core Metada.ta-------------------------------------------------
JR NUMBER:
COLLECTOR
3024(1)
AFSOC A2OX - MOTHERSHIP 6600
COLLECTO NU BER
OVERALL CLASSIFICA.TION:
PRIMARVl<EV
VERSION NUM6ER
50005165458
OftlGINAnNo s YSTEM NAME
ORIGINATING SYSTEM ID
LAST MODIFICATION SYSTEM:
CREATE DATE 2022-o4-27T13:29:17.651Z
LA.ST CHANGE DATiE 2022-04-27T13:18:21.087040000+00:00
MESSAGE FROM ADDRESS: ~ SHINGTON OC/IAFSOC HURLBURT FlD fiL/AFSOCr/
OTG 271329ZAPR22
DATE 2022-04-272
TITLE: [ __~ 1.~__ IMultiple Unidentified Aerial P enomenon
Observed Maneuvering Er:ratically and In Formation Over Gulf or Oman During AC-130 Gunship
- live Fire Training on 8 September 2021 -Attachment
SUMMARY: On 8 September 2021 a USSOF AC-i30 Gunship observed approximately 25 instances of UAPs
while conducting a live lire exercise in the Gulf or Oman, The lJAPs were obseived as coJcl
- orbs flying at lower akitudes between 250 to 1300 MPH in differentformatio 1:1s as well as
maneuvering aggressively. UAPs also appeared to react to the airer.aft firing its main
cannon.
TARGET:
TOPICS:
PortiornMarlc
Country: OM
Non State Entify :
Portion Mark:
NIPF FMCC
TECH
Fence IFC 150B
IFC220L
IFC150A
l<EYWORO
,-----'__---....... ·T ____.....,..__......___.........c....'""'" MDR 26-006·........,________..,_._.pr ....ed ror Release to MRO 03/26/26 000001N·~ ~ ~--_COM MDR 26--0049 lo___________...,.... 1 Ap ._ov........
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Report, from the pursue collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 7 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.