On March 31, 2023, two F-16CM fighter jets from Prince Sultan Air Base flew a defensive counter-air mission over Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. During the mission, the flight crew observed between 10 and 20 possible unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) maneuvering quickly from west to east. The objects appeared bright, moved rapidly, and disappeared from the aircraft's targeting pod after about 20 seconds of observation.
What was the mission?
The two-ship F-16 flight took off from Prince Sultan Air Base (OEPS) on March 31, 2023, at 19:01 UTC. The mission was tasked as a defensive counter-air (DCA) operation in the ESSA killbox (a designated geographic area). The flight checked on station with a controller callsign KINGPIN at 20:58 UTC and remained on station for 3 hours and 2 minutes before returning to base.
What did the crew observe?
Starting at 23:02 UTC on March 31, the flight observed several bright objects maneuvering quickly from west to east northeast of the restricted landing zone (RLZ). The crew obtained possible UAP on the aircraft's targeting pod in television mode for approximately 20 seconds before each object became dim and disappeared from the targeting pod. The flight reported observing between 10 and 20 possible UAP. No effects on personnel were reported.
How did the objects behave?
The crew noted that none of the objects were seen in any formations as previously seen in prior sorties. The analyst compared targeting pod imagery between the possible UAP and a star. The results were different.
What equipment was on the aircraft?
Each F-16CM carried advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and targeting pods. The aircraft were equipped with SNIPER targeting pods, LINK 16 data link systems, and various air-to-air weapons including AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles.
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--- PAGE 1 ---
Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
8tleB'fll:N8ifefflf 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 10/17/25 001
Approved for Release to AARO
--- PAGE 2 ---
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 10/17/25 002
Approved for Release to AARO
--- PAGE 3 ---
Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
•SliJettM.,'tNM8ftH 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
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Approved for Release to AARO
--- PAGE 4 ---
Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Bettm'l'if!fMM!f 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 10/17/25 004
Approved for Release to AARO
--- PAGE 5 ---
Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
BE!Hl'lfflifMOlt!if 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 10/17/25 005
Approved for Release to AARO
--- PAGE 6 ---
Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
SEatE iifWl'11ORL, Declassified on: 8 October 2025
UAP
• Initial Contact DTG: 312302:05ZMAR23
• MDS Type I Asset Type:l 1.4a, 1.4g I
• Tail Numbed 1.4a, 1.4g I
• 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} I
• 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+
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 10/17/25 006
Approved for Release to AARO View the official fileFrequently Asked Questions
What was the mission and when did it occur?
Two F-16CM fighter jets took off from Prince Sultan Air Base on March 31, 2023, at 19:01 UTC to conduct a defensive counter-air mission over Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. The flight checked on station at 20:58 UTC and remained on station for 3 hours and 2 minutes.
How many objects did the crew observe and what did they look like?
The flight observed between 10 and 20 possible UAP. Starting at 23:02 UTC, the crew observed several bright objects maneuvering quickly from west to east northeast of the restricted landing zone. The crew obtained possible UAP on the targeting pod in television mode for approximately 20 seconds before each object became dim and disappeared from the targeting pod.
How did these objects differ from previous observations?
The crew noted that none of the objects were seen in any formations as previously seen in prior sorties.
NONE OF THE OBJECTS WERE SEEN IN ANY FORMATIONS AS PREVIOUSLY SEEN IN PRIOR SORTIES.
What did the analyst find when comparing the objects to stars?
The analyst compared targeting pod imagery between the possible UAP and a star. The results were different.
Congressional Context
Where this record connects to the congressional record and the people in it.
- Involves OrganizationAARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)
- Referenced in LegislationNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024Connected through AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)
- Referenced in LegislationJames M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023Connected through AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)
- Referenced in LegislationServicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025Connected through AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)
- Referenced in LegislationTo terminate the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.Connected through AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)
- Discussed in HearingSenate Armed Services Subcommittee UAP HearingConnected through AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)