This is a military mission report from an Air Force reconnaissance flight over the Arabian Gulf in August 2020. The aircraft conducted surveillance for the Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and observed various maritime activity. During the mission, the crew spotted a formation of unidentified flying objects traveling along the coast, but lost visual contact after about two minutes due to cloud cover.
What was the mission's main purpose?
The aircraft was tasked to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in support of NAVCENT. The crew was assigned to characterize Iranian vessels, monitor unmanned aircraft activity, observe activity outside ports, and establish patterns of life in the Arabian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz region.
What unidentified objects were observed?
At 1527Z on August 27, 2020, the aircraft observed a formation of flying objects traveling northeast to northwest along the coast. The crew tracked the formation for approximately two minutes before losing identification (PID). The objects could not be reacquired due to light cloud coverage that prevented continuous tracking.
How long was the mission?
The aircraft took off at 2307Z on August 26 and landed at 2012Z on August 27, for a total mission time of 21 hours and 5 minutes. The crew spent 20 hours and 24 minutes on station conducting surveillance operations.
What other activity did the crew document?
During the mission, the aircraft observed one small vessel docked at Greater Tunb Naval Port, a probable Iranian naval vessel with two adult males on the rear deck, and a possible military aircraft at Abu Musa Island. The crew also received a professional radio call from Iranian Air Defense at 0532Z, which had no impact on the mission.
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Dectass1f1ed by MG Richard A. Hamson
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Dectass1fied on 22 January 2026
Misrep 4685903
Narrative
( • t AT 2307Z,[Mi]TOOK OFF FROM OKAS. AT 2320Zi~ HANDED OVER FROM THE
LRE. FROM 0003Z TO 1917Z, ~ COLLECTED SIGINT VI,} AIRHANDLER. FROM 0041Z TO
1840ZJ 1.4a !SUPPORTED NAVCENT TO OPERATION! 1.4a !IVO ARABJAN
GULF, STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND GULF OF OMAN. SEE IS~ LINE 1. AT 0532Z,! 1Aa !
RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARDCALL LINE I. AT 15272, ~ OBSERVED IX UNK
I
FORMATION. SEE OBSERVATION LINE 1. AT 1840Z,~ WAS CLEARED TO RTB. AT 1944Z,
~ HANDED BACK TO THE LRE. AT 2012Z, ~LANDIED AT OKAS. FMV WAS
'
EXPLOITED BY DGS 1. 21 MISSION HOURS, 17.9 lMINT HOURS, I IMINT TASKING
PROSECUTED, 19.2 SlGlNT HOURS, 1 SIGINT TASKING PR SECUTED, 2 TOTAL TASKINGS
PROSECUTED
Admin
CLASSIFICATION
• Classification:
• Associated Caveats:
• Classification Source (MS or Classification Guide ID): MUI.: lPLE SOURCES
• Declassification Date (YYYYMMDD): 20450301
OPERATION
• Operation:,__!_ _--=-=
1•c.:..:
4a:a..-_ ____.
• Domain: AIR
• Operations Center: 609th
• Major Command (MAJ COM): ACC
• Combatant Command (COCOM): USCENTCOM
MSGID
• Report Type: MISREP
• Originator (Unit or Squadron): 482ATKS
• Submit Date (Auto-generated):
MSNID
3.5c b 6
I
USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRI 01 /26/26 001
--- PAGE 2 ---
Declass fiea by MG Rae ard A. Harnso
USCFN fCOM C ef of St ff
Declass fi a on 22 January 2026
• Tasking Order (ATO)I 1.4a I
• Mission Type: AREC
• ATO Mission Numbed 1Aa
• Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES
• Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE
Poe
POC
• Rank: Ist Lt
• Full Nansm....,-(b-)(3_)_,1-30-b-,(-,it{6)
• Unit: 482ATKS
• Wing: 432 AEW
• Phone Number:-!-3.-Sc-,-,b-)(-6)-
• Emaild 3.Sc, (b)(6)
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC
QC
• Rank: Ctr
• Full Name: I
3.Sc, (b)(6)
• Unit: 12AF, Det 3, PAROC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number:! 3.Sc, (bl{6)
• Email:._1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _3_.s_c""',(....
b}""-(6..,_)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___,
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: Other
APPROVER
• Rank: Ist Lt
• Full Namey~c. (b)(3). 130b, (b)(~)
• Unit: 609th AOC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number~ 3.5c,(b}(6)
• Email:._l_ _ _ _3_._5c..;....,_(b.;,,;){--'6)'-------'
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC
INGEST
3.5c, (b)(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRO 01 /26/26 002
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:Jec:lass1fied by MG R1ct-ard A, Hamsor
uSCENTCOM Ct- ef of Staff
Dec:lass1fieel on 22 Jam.ary 2026
• Rank:
• Full Name:
• Unit:
• Wing:
• Phone Number:
• Email:
• Service:
• Operations Center:
ACEQUIP
ACEQUJP
• 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 Gun Rounds: -
• Air-to-Ground Wpn to lnclnde Num of Each: 1.4(a)
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: ANDAS4
• Additional Avionics: AH_GMESH
• Data Link: -
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USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to AAR 01/26/26 003
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Declassified by MG R1ct-ard A, Hamsor
USCENTCOM Ct- ef of Staff
Dec:lass1fieel on 22 January 2026
• Gentext: -
Timeline
landing
• Last Land Location (ICAO Code): OKAS
• Last Land Time: 272012:00ZAUG20
• Last Engine Shutdown Time: 272022:00ZAUG20
• Total '.\iission Time: 21 hours 5 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details: -
Takeoff
• Callsign:I 1.4a
• Number of Aircraft: l
,------,
• Asset Type (Aircraft): 1.4a, 1.4g
• Aircraft Tail Number(s): 1.4a
• Takeoff Location ((CAO Code): OKAS
• Takeoff Time DTG: 262307:00ZAUG20
• Mode 3 (IFF Codes): -
• Gentext/Additional Details: -
• Mission Canceled:
On Station
• Time On Station DTG: 262320:00ZAUG20
• CaUsign:I 1.4a I
• JTAR Number: -
• Killbox (Location): -
• Mission Type: AREC
• JTAC Callsign: -
• Gentext/Additional Details: -
• Did not Arrive On Station:
JSR
• Time-on Station OTG: 270041 :00ZAUG20
• Time-off Station DTG: 27 l 840:00ZAUG20
• Aircraft Callsign:I 1.4a I
• Msn Type: AREC
• Primary Sensor: ANDAS4
3.5c, (b )(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRO 01 /26/26 004
--- PAGE 5 ---
:Jec:lass1fied by MG R1ct-ard A, Hamsor
uSCENTCOM Ct- ef of Staff
Dec:lass1fieel on 22 Jani.ary 2026
• Sensors Available: AH\GMESH
• Tasking Type: PLANNED
• Tasking or Request Number (JTAR#, AEM#, PRI#, or TIC#): -
• BE Number (if NTISR): -
• Tasked Start Point: 39RUN46~~1.4a!
• Activity Description: ISR
• FMV or Image File Name (if NTISR): -
GENTEXTIISR
• Gentext: ( JI 1.4-a !COORDINATED W1 NAVCENT 24 HOURS PRIOR
TO TAKE OFF. PRECOORD WAS SATISFACTORY. AT 004IZ, 1.4a ARRIVED ON STATION ISO
NAVCENT TO OPERATIO~ 1.4a ~O CHARA TERlZE IRIN\IRGCN VESSELS,
UAS ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF PORTS, AND TO E TABLISH PATTERN OF UFE.
FROM 0041Z TO 1840Z,~CONDUCTED SCANS JAW T TARGET DECK IN THE
ARABIAN GULF (AG). AT 05322,~RECEJVED A GU I CALL. SEE GUARDCALL LINE 1.
AT 061 lZ,~OBSERVED ONE SMALL VESSEL DOCKED AT GREATER TUNB NAVAL PORT
JVO 40RCQ3~(i1.4al AT 15272,~OBSERVED IX FORMATION. SEE OBSERVATION
LINE I. AT l 742Z,~OBSERVED IX PROB NASER WAP SESIDES AN M\T VESSEL IYO
39RUN4~1 J1:iAi1 BOTII VESSELS WERE DEAD IN WATERl(DIW) JVO GRIDS.
ADDITIONALLY, 2X ADULT MALES (ADMS) WERE OBSER'fED ON THE REAR DECK OF THE
PROB NASER WAP. AT 07002,~OBSERVED 1X POSS 14_76 CANDID AT ABU MUSA
ISLAND AFLD IVO 40RCP0~~1.4a! AT 18402,~WAS CLEARED OFF TASKING AND
RETURNED TO BASE (RTB).
/SR ASSET UTILIZATION
• Supported Unit: NAVCENT
• Supported Operation: OPERATIO~ 1.4-a
• Precoord Time: 24 HOURS
• Precoord Effectiveness: SATISFACTORY
WEATHER
• Weather: LIGHT CLOUD COVERAGE PREVENTED CONT UOUS TRACKJNG OF UAP
EVENT
EFFECTIVENESS
• Tasker:
• Intel Gap Filled?: No
• Geotext: -
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USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MR 01 /26/26 005
--- PAGE 6 ---
Declass fiea by MG Ric ard A. Harnsor
USCFN fCOM C f of St ff
Declass fi a on 22 January 2026
O.ffStation
• Time Off Station DTG: 27 l 944:00ZAUG20
• Total Time On Station: 20 hours 24 minutes
GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 270532:00ZAUG20
• Aircraft Callsignd 1.4a I
• Ground Station Callsign: IRANlAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7~~
• Aircraft Heading: 018 M
• Aircraft Altitude: FLI 50
• Aircraft Airspeed: -
• Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: PROFESSIONAL
GENTEXTIGUARDCALL
• Gentext: - - · AT 0532Z,~WAS HAILED ON GUARD! 1.4g !FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR
DEFENSE. ORDERS GrVEN: STANDARD CALL.~GAVE A STANDARD RESPONSE. NO
MJSSJON IMPACTS
OBSERVATION
• Observation DTG: 271527:00ZAUG20
• Aircraft Callsign: I 1.4a I
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM3~Q1.4a!
• Aircraft Heading: -
• Aircraft Altitude: -
• Aircraft Airspeed: -
• Relative Bearing or Clock Position: -
• Range: -
• Killbox & Keypad: -
• Observed Activity Location: 39RVM8~~1.4a!
• Observed Activity Description: FORMATION OF UNK FLYING OBJECTS
• Method of Observation:~SENSOR
GENTEXTIOBSERVATION
• Gentext: (St/REL) FROM 1527Z TO 1529Z,~OBSERVED A FORMATION OF FLYING
OBJECTS TRAVELING NE-NW ALONG THE COAST IYO 39RVM8ij1.4af)~~WAS
TRACKING THIS FORMATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES BEFORE PID WAS LOST IN
3.5c, (b)(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRO 01/26/26 006
--- PAGE 7 ---
:::iectass fiea by MG R1e; rd A. Harnso
\JSCE-N fCOM C ef of St ff
Declass fi a on 22 J m. rv 2026
CLOUD COVER. AIRCREW WAS UNABLE TO GAIN PIO AGAIN ON THIS FORMATION
WEATHER
• Weather: LIGHT CLOUD COVERAGE PREVENTED THE C I NTINOUS TRACKING OF THE
FORMATION
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USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MR 01 /26/26 007 View the official fileFrequently Asked Questions
What exactly did the crew observe?
From 1527Z to 1529Z, the aircraft observed a formation of flying objects traveling northeast to northwest along the coast. The crew tracked this formation for approximately two minutes before losing identification in cloud cover and was unable to regain contact.
Why couldn't the crew continue tracking the objects?
Light cloud coverage prevented continuous tracking of the formation. The weather conditions made it impossible for the aircrew to regain identification once contact was lost.
LIGHT CLOUD COVERAGE PREVENTED THE C I NTINOUS TRACKING OF THE FORMATION
What was the aircraft's primary mission?
The aircraft was tasked to conduct ISR operations in support of NAVCENT to characterize Iranian vessels, monitor unmanned aircraft activity, observe activity outside ports, and establish patterns of life in the Arabian Gulf.
Did the observation of unidentified objects fill an intelligence gap?
No. The mission report indicates that the intelligence gap was not filled by the observation.
Congressional Context
No confirmed links between this file and the congressional record yet. Connections are added only when the source text supports them, never inferred.