This is a declassified CIA intelligence report from July 2008 describing an incident in Zimbabwe where an unidentified object was observed hovering at high altitude over Harare International Airport. The sighting prompted officials to place Zimbabwe on high alert due to concerns about the object's origin and intent.
What was observed?
On the afternoon of July 2, 2008, an unidentified object was reported hovering at high altitude over Harare International Airport. According to observers, the object was disc-like in shape with a hollow center and had a series of rotating lights on the underside. During the observation, "beams" were seen emanating from the object. After the rotating lights shifted colors, the object quickly ascended to higher altitudes and left visual range.
How was the object detected?
The object was observed possibly by both radar and optical means in the skies above Harare. Multiple individuals were aware of the incident and witnessed or had knowledge of the sighting.
What was the debate about the object's origin?
Individuals who were aware of the incident debated whether the object was an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign government or an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origins. The report does not resolve this question.
What was the response?
Regardless of the object's origins, the incident resulted in the decision to place Zimbabwe on high alert.
Full Document Text
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Trident https://www.trident.cia/DispJayDocument.do?documentView=original
Approv e d for Release 202 6 Under S e cti o n 18 42 o f the
Na t io na l Defense Autho ri z at io n Act fo r F i sca l Yea r 2024
8E8fU!.?MNOFORN
SECRETNOFORN
03171OZ CIA WASHINGTON DC 455482
TO: WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM WASHINGTON DC, DNI WASHINGTON DC, SECSTATE
WASHINGTON DC//INR/DSITA//, NGA NAVY YARD WASHINGTON DC, DIA WASHINGTON DC,
JOlNT STAFF WASHINGTON DC, DA AMHS WASHINGTON DC, DA WASHINGTON DC, ONI
WASHINGTON DC, CNO WASHlNGTON DC, DTRNAVCRIMINVSERV WASHINGTON DC// ATAC
/0022//, CMC WASHINGTON DC, CSAF WASHINGTON DC, AFIAAAMHS BOLLING AFB DC,
JWAC DAHLGREN VA//J2//, DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD, ANCHORY FT GEORGE G
MEADE MD, DEPT OF lREASURY WASHINGTON DC, FBI WASHINGTON DC, US SECRET
SERVICE WASHINGTON DC//ID//, NCTC WASHINGTON DC, FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON
DC, DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC//S-60//, HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER
WASHINGTON DC, TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC, DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC, CDR
USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE//J-2//, JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK//OOA//,
US SURVEY DIV SHAPE BE, CDRUSAREUR DCSINTHEIDELBERG GE//AEAGB-IAD//, UTAIS
RAMSTEIN AB GE//INO//, COMSIXTHFLT, SRJOIC NAPLES IT, CTF 67, CTF 69, COMSOCEUR
V AIHINGEN GE, HQ USJFCOM NORFOLK VA, COMUSFLTFORCOM NORFOLK VA,
COMMARFORCOM, ACC IN LANGLEY AFB VA, CJTF 6 FT BLISS TX//FCJT-J2//,
COMSECONDFLT, USSTRATCOM INTEL DIRECTORATE OFFUTT AFB NE, CDR USTRANSCOM
INTEL CELL SCOTT AFB ·IL, USSOCOM INTEL MACDILL AFB FL, COMJSOC FT BRAGG
NC//J2//, HQ lJSAFRTCOM STI JTTGARTGE
I I
PASS: DrA FOR TERRORISM .
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE
WARNING: SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS
INVOLVED. ANY TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF THIS
INFORMATION IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTIIORIZED PERSON
IS PROHIBITED. VIOLATORS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL
PROSECUTION, INCLUDING UNDER 11-IE ESPIONAGE LAWS OF
TH E UNITED STATES.
REPORT CLASS S EC RE T --NOFORN
DIST: 3 JULY 2008
COUNTRY: ZIMBABWE
TOPIC: DEPS/FMCC__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
SUBJ: PLACEMEN'Ij'-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _pN HIGH
ALERT DUE TO PERCEIVED AGGRESSIVE FOREIGN POSTURING
DOI· EARLY JULY 2008
SUMMARY· NONI-'.
TEXT:1.I
2 . As of early July 2008, I
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SEGRE I /lrJOflOI\I~
~ - - - - - - - - - - - -______Jw.as reporting from Zimbabwe
!regarding an unidentified object
~h~o=v~e~r~1=n~g~a~.t~=h1~g~h~~a~T~r~1~tude over the Harare International
Airport. This object was observed, possibly by both radar
and optical means, in the skies abo;;z.ec__li.ar_a_r_,e_ru;LLLna_-1:Jie__~
afternoon of 2 July 2008. Reporting
a e o Jee a an un e erm1
directly over the Harare airport. At one point
during observation ''beams'' were observed emanating from
the ob'ec
3. Individuals~~==~~~~=~~~==~~~~ ho were
aware of the incident ha e object was
'an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign
government, or whether the object was an unidentified
flying object of extraterrestrial origins. According to
observers ~----~the object was disc-like in shape with
a hollow center, and had a series of rotating lights on
the underside of the airframe. After a period under
observation from the ground, the rotating lights under
the object shifted colors and the object quickly ascended
to higher altitudes and out of visual ranue. Reuardless
of the orinins. this incident.I l
I
~"u~~~:L.LE'-'L~~·ted in the decision to place the Zimbabwe
Ion hi h alert.
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SEGRE I JJIQOFORN
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END OF MEc,c,AUE
SE8RET,i'l46FO~l4
3 of3 6/15/2009 2:05 PM View the official fileFrequently Asked Questions
What did the object look like?
According to observers, the object was disc-like in shape with a hollow center. It had a series of rotating lights on the underside of the airframe. During observation, beams were seen emanating from the object, and the rotating lights shifted colors before the object rapidly ascended.
According to observers ~----~the object was disc-like in shape with a hollow center, and had a series of rotating lights on the underside of the airframe. After a period under observation from the ground, the rotating lights under the object shifted colors and the object quickly ascended to higher altitudes and out of visual ranue.
When and where was the object sighted?
The object was observed on the afternoon of July 2, 2008, hovering at high altitude over Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe.
This object was observed, possibly by both radar and optical means, in the skies abo;;z.ec__li.ar_a_r_,e_ru;LLLna_-1:Jie__~ afternoon of 2 July 2008.
What were the two competing theories about the object's origin?
Individuals who were aware of the incident debated whether the object was an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign government or whether it was an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origins. The report does not determine which explanation was correct.
Individuals~~==~~~~=~~~==~~~~ ho were aware of the incident ha e object was 'an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign government, or whether the object was an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origins.
What action did the sighting prompt?
Regardless of the object's origins, the incident resulted in the decision to place Zimbabwe on high alert.
Congressional Context
Where this record connects to the congressional record and the people in it.
- Referenced in LegislationNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024Connected through Unidentified Flying Object
- Referenced in LegislationNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024Connected through Unidentified Flying Object
- Referenced in LegislationUSA ActConnected through Unidentified Flying Object
- Discussed in HearingUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the TruthConnected through Unidentified Flying Object