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On September 8, 2021, a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130 gunship conducting live fire training in the Gulf of Oman observed approximately 25 instances of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). The crew recorded the objects as cold orbs on infrared sensors, flying at speeds between 250 and 1300 miles per hour, sometimes in formation and sometimes maneuvering erratically. The objects appeared to react when the aircraft fired its main cannon.
What exactly did the crew observe?
The AC-130's Combat Systems Officer first spotted two four-foot diameter cold orbs hovering 0 to 20 feet above the water near a flare the aircraft had dropped as a mock target. The orbs remained stationary for about 15 seconds. When the officer pulled the trigger to fire the 105mm cannon, the pair of UAPs rapidly flew away from the flare without changing altitude. Over the course of the training exercise, the crew observed approximately 25 total instances of UAPs.
How fast were these objects moving?
The Combat Systems Officer used the aircraft's TACTOOL system to calculate the UAPs' speeds. The maximum observed maneuvering speed was 1300 miles per hour, and the minimum observed maneuvering speed was 250 miles per hour. The report notes that no means of propulsion were observed.
What formations did the UAPs fly in?
The crew observed the objects in several different patterns. Two UAPs were seen flying in a loose but coordinated formation, increasing and decreasing altitude in a wave-like motion while maneuvering around, over, and under each other. A source comment in the report states "They [The UAPs] knew they were flying together." The crew also separately observed UAPs flying in a formation of three and flying erratically with aggressive maneuvering.
Why is the video evidence incomplete?
The AC-130 crew attempted to save the entire infrared video footage of the UAP observations, but the aircraft's Digital Video Recorder inexplicably failed and the video data became corrupted. The report includes a PowerPoint attachment containing six embedded videos of the September 8, 2021 UAPs captured via the AC-130's sensors.
Full Document Text
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Do.cument View XML
- Int Iii enc Information R port O Pnnl Clo
~ Core Metada.t a - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
JR NUMBER: 3024(1)
COLLECTOR COLLECTO NU BER
AFSOC A2OX - MOTHERSHIP 6600
OVERALL CLASSIFICA.TION:
PRIMARVl<EV 50005165458
VERSION NUM6ER
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. ~ __ I Multiple 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 differentformatio1:1 s as well as
maneuvering aggressively. UAPs also appeared to react to the airer.aft firing its main
cannon.
TARGET:
PortiornMarlc
Country: OM
Non State Entify :
TOPICS:
Portion Mark:
NIPF FMCC
TECH
Fence IFC 150B
IFC220L
IFC150A
l<EYWORO
N·~ ~ ~--· T
, - - - - -'__---....... _C
____.....,..__......___
OM MDR 26--0049 "'" MDR
.........c. . '"lo__ _________...,....
26-006 ·........,_
1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _..,_._.pr
Ap ._ov..... ror Release to MRO
.... ed... 03/26/26 000001
(b)(6) I
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JR OOt: 2021!-0!UISZ
REQUIREMENT NU B~: NTRt200AJ002421
SOURCE:
(S#Nf-) Source had dired a.ccess to
the ,reported info,ma ion via the oo
nduct or official dulie ,
1.4(c),130b Source was s.ware information woul
d be provided to the US gowrnmen
l
MESSAGE: !- INITIAL OBSERVAllON. On 8 September 2021 a United States Special Operations
Forces (lJSSOF)AC-130 Gunship was conducting live fire training the Gulf of Oman in the
\licinity of (IVO) //MGRS: 40REN6 I during period of darkness, The AC-130 first
observed Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAPs) when the aircraft dropped a
water-activated Rare to use as a mock target. The AC-130 entered an otl>it around the
flare and the Combat Systems Officer (CSO) conducted collateral scans with the aircraft's
Electro Opticall1nfrared (EO/IR) sensor IVO the flare. When tile CSO slewed the sensor in
IR mode back to the !1are they observed two approximately four.foot diameter cold orbs
between o to 20 feet above the surface of the water stat onary over tlle 11are for
approximately 15 seconds. After those 15 seconds passed, the CSO puled lhe trigger
firing the aircraft's 105mm C9nnon. Immediately upon puling the trigg r, during th
sight delay between trigger pull and the cannon's recoil, the CSO obseNed the pair o
UAPs rapidly lly away from the flare and out of the sensor eed without chang ng
altitude,
- SUBSEQUENT OBSERVATIONS. The AC-130 crew observed approximately 2.5 ii stances of
UA'Ps viewed in IR as C<lld oms In both white-1$-hot an blaek-1$-hol mode during the
sortie. Two UAPs were observed ffying in a loose but coordinated formation increasing and
decreasing a • de llike a wave whle•maneuvering a.round , over, and under each other in a
manner similar to how dolphins playfully swim in a pod. (SOURCE COMMENl: They [The UAPs]
knew they were flying together). UAPs were also separately observed llylng In a formation
of three and sep ately observed flying erratically and maneuvering aggressively. The
attached videos depict a i.moothly slewing EOllR sen1,0r or a stationary EO/IR sensor with
multiple UAPsdaltlng around the sensor feed . The AC-130's crew attelTIQted to save
entirety of the EO/IR footage of the UAP obServations but the aircraffs Digital Video
ReC()rder (DVR) inexp ·cably fa iled and the 11ideo data became corrupted.
- ESTIMATED SPEED. The CSO calculated tne UAP's approximate 5peeds using lhe
aircraft's TACTOOL and clbcl(ed their rnaxirnum observed R\Bneu11arin9 speed at 1300 mdes per
hour (MPH) and the UAPs minimum observed manewering speed at 250 MPH. No means of
propulsion were observed.
COhNENT: _ _..__ ___Jca,,,...__ _~ s the tag line for AFSOC personnel conducting [ 1.4c
debriefing,.
(UI- ThJS HR was coordinated With USDAO Muscat and SOCCE J2X without oommenl
(U) Source A Is available for recontact about ·nrormation in lhis .report.
~I Geographic coordinates were derived ffomAC-130 sensor feed GPS data.
(U equests concerning foreign disclosure and release of the informa ·on contai ned
in s repo s •ould' be sent to the AFSOC FOO a ....._,,.,.,..---,--➔~""""....,.,__,....____.
Include the justification, serial number, subject line of the report and the proposed
request In 1he Initial corre.sponaence.
(Ul4 I I I IIR Evaluatlo s and Source Direct.ed Requirements rog:arding this report are
highly encouraged to assist in assessin. g collection efforts~ ments. Evalu
. alions
and Source Directed R ufrements can be created using -
L - - - -- - ~-:A.lll."'-- - - - ' Any questions concerning this report should be
.-----..a.
u..a.~~-'-
scEN 1'"-''COM
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M"-"""'""'"-~"""'
26-0049""' 10..,;.M
"-'"-_ 26--0061 - - - - - - - - - " -
DR ""'--"-'.a.... Ap
..f!,_.-"-;..;~
oved ror Release to MRO 031'26'26 000002
3.5c. (b)(s> I 2fl
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directed ""-- - ~ ~--~.....u-- - - ~Plea re AR n1.m r long IMth
any fina l product or brief the IIR information was utilz.ed.
FULL MESSAGE TEXT! R2 R22
FM SHNGTON DCI/AFSOC HURLBURT FLD FUAFSOC//
TO AFIAAAMHS BOLLING AFB DC
AFSOC HURLBURT FLO FL
AMC I CEN SCOTT AFB IL
AMEMBASSV MUSCAT
CDR AOG FT GEORGE G MEADE MD
CDR FORSCOM DCS G2 ANALYSIS DIV FT BRAGG C
CDR FORSCOM DCS G2 OPS DIV FT BRAGG NC
CDR JSOC FT BRAGG C
CDR SOTF FT BRAGG C
CDR USCENTCOM MACOLL AFB FL
CDR USSOCOM MACDILLAFB FL
CDR USTRANSCOM INTEL CELL SCOTT AFB IL
CO SCOM ACO FT GEORGE G MEADE MD
CORI SCOM FT BELVOIR VA
CORI SCOMIOC FT BELV R VA
CDRNGIC CHAR OTTESv'ILLE VA
6.2(d) NASHINGTON DC
CJCS NMCC WASHINGTO DC
CJSOTF
CM0513THMIBOE FT GORDON GA
CNO WAS GTON DC
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC
COMSOCCENT NTEL MACDI LAFB FL
COMSOCCENT 2 NACDILLAFB FL
COMSOCCENT 3 NACDILLAFB FL
COMSOCCENT JSIUACDI L AFBF
COMSOCCENT TASK FORCE MACDILLAFB FL
CSG SOCOM MACDILLAFB Fl
DAAMHS WASHINGTON DC
DCDR USCENTCOM MACDILLAFB FL
DEFENSE J C WASHINGTON DC
DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MSHINGTON DC
DEPT OF STATE WASHNGTON DC
DIA WASHINGTON DC
DI MSIC REDSTO ARS NALAL
DIR CMI FT DETRICK MD
DIR SA FT GEORGE G MEAD MD
DIR SA FT MEADE MD
DNI WASHINGTON DC
FBI WASHI GTON DC
FORSCOM ACE FT MCPHERSON GA
HQ AFOSI QUANTICO VA
HQ AFSOC A2. HURLBURT FLO FL
HQ AFSOC A3 HURLBURT FLO FL
HQ AFSOC HURLBURT FLO FL
HQ AfSOC INTEL HURLBURT FLO FL
HQ ICE I L W SHINGTON DC
HQ INSC G2)( FT B LV IR VA
HQ SCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
HQ USSOCOM MACDILLAFB FL
HQOAAOC G2 INTEL WATCH DAMI W SHINGTON DC
USCENTCOM DR 26-0049 k> MOR 26-0061 Ap~ ~ b ' ~ S HI GTON DC 03/26/26 000003
,------------ 3.-
Sc-,(b
_ )(_6_) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , 3f7
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6/1/22, 11:.23 AM Record Preview
HODA DIR G2X WASHINGTON DC
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AC MO ESWORTH UK
JICCEN , MACO AFB FL
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
JPRA FT SELVOIR VA
JWAC DAHLGREN VA
NASIC WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH
NCTC WASHINGTON DC
NGA WASHINGTON DC
NGIC INTEL OPS CHARLOTTESVILLE VA
NGIC SRD FT GEORGE G MEADE 11.40
ONI WASHINGTON DC
PENTAGON WASHINGTON DC
USASOC I TEL CTR FT BRAGG C
USCENTCOM CCJ2 MACDILLAFB FL
USCENTCOM CCJ3 MACDILLAFB FL
USCENTCOM JOC MACDILL AFB FL
USSOCOM J2 INTEL MACDILLAFB Fl
USSOCOM J3 OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE MACDILLAFB FL
USSOCOM J5 STRATEGY PLANS AND POLICY MACDILL AFB FL
USSOCOM JTF DEPLOYED
USSOCOM SOFM MACDILLAFB FL
USSTRATCOM :INTEL DIRECTORATE OFFUTT AFB1
INFO .VASHINGTON DC
CIA WASHINGTON DC
~H
QQQQ
SERIAL: ( 1.4-c
DATE OF PIUBLICATION: 271329ZAPR 22.
US Air Force
INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGE CE
COUNTRY OR NQbl.SDJE.EbCDnt.lLU.Cmaii.U::IMtllL _ _ ___,
SUBJECT: (6/IN~ 1.4c Multiple
Unidentlfied Aerial Phenomenon Observed Maneuvering ErraUcaly and
In Formation Over Gulf of Oman D ring AC-130 Gunship Live Fire
Training on 8 September 2021 - Atlaehment
DATE OF tlFORMATl ON: (U) 08 SEP 2021.
CUTOFF: (U) 08 Sep 2021.
SUMMARY: (SIINr) On S September 2021 a USSOF AC•130 Gunship observed
approximately 25 instances of UAPs while conducting a Ive fire
exercise in the Gulf of Oman. The UAPs were ob erved as cokl orbs
llyfng al lower altitudes between 250 to 1300 MPH in different
formations as wel as maneuvering aggressively. UAPs also appeared to
react to the aircraft firing its main ca
" "n""-n=o n
=.' - - - - -
SOURCE NUMBER A: (U/~
informatio Via the C()nduci of cfficiaJ duties. Source was aware
informatio would be provided lo the US govemmenL
USCENTCOM MOR 26-004 9 lo MOR 26-006 1 Appr~~~~~~'OsI'i'JS~ INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED 03/2SJ2S 000004
--1
. . - - - - - - - - - - - -3-.S-c,-(b-)(6_)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-:...:.
.
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6/1/22, 11:.23 AM Recotd Previ.ew
INTELLIGENCE. REPORT CLASSIFIED SECRET/INOFOR D
TEXT. (U)
INITIAL OBSERVAllON. On 8 Septe ber 2021 a United States
Special Operations orces (USSOF) AC-130 Gunship was conducting live
fire training the Gulf a( Oman in Uie vicinity of (IVO) //MGRS.
◄0REN6 I during period of darkness. The AC-130 first
observed Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAPs) when the ·rcraft
dropped a waler-activated flare to use as a mock target. TheAC-130
entered an orbit around the flare and the Comba Systems Officer
(CSO) conducted collateral scans wrth the aircraft's EJectro
Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) $e0$or IVO Ule flare, When the CSO $lewed
th sen o r in IR mode back to the flare they observed two
approximately four-foot diameter cold orbs between O to 20 feet above
the suliace of the water stationary over the flare for approximately
15 seconds. After those 15 seconds passed, the CSO pul ed the trigger
fir ng the aircraft's 105mm cannon. Immediately upon puUin9 the
trigger, d uring the slight delay between trigger pull and the
cannon's reool, Ute CSO observed the pair or UAP rapidly rty away
from the flare and ou of the sensor feed without changing altitude.
• uaSEQUENT OBSERVATIONS. The AC-130 crew observed
approx11nate1y 25 Instances of UAPs vie.....ed ,n IR as cold orl)s in both
white,.,i:,,-hot an black-1$-<hot mode during e wrtie, Two UAP$ were
observed fly,ing in a loose but coordinat d forma ion increasing and
decreasing altitude !l ike a wave whJe maneuvering aroirnd , over. and
under each other in a manner similar to how dolphins playfully sv.im
in a pod. (SOURCE COMMENT: They [The UAPsJ knew they were flying
togelher), UAPs were also separately observed llylng In a formation
of three and separately obser,,ed flying erratically ancl maneuvering
aggressively, The attached videos depid: a smoothly slewing EO/IR
sensor or a stationary EO/IR sensor with ukiple UAPs darting around
the $8nsor feed. TheAC-130's crew attempted to save entirety ofU,e
EO/IR fOotage of the UAP ot:iservauons b t the aircraft's Digital
Video Recorder (DVR) ine,xpficably failed and thl!I vldi,o data became
corrupted.
- ESTIMATED SPEED. The CSO calculated the UAP's approximate
SPfldS using the aircraft's TACTOOL and clocked their maximum
observed maneuvering speed at 1300 miles per hour (MPH) and e UAPs
m nmum observed maneuvering speed at 250 MPH. No means of propulsion
were, observed.
COMMENTS: 1. (Field Conment) (S/IN! ll 1.4c !i
the tao line
for A~SOC 7 rsonnel conducting[ 1.~ jdebriefing.
2. (U Th is UR was coordinated with USDAO Muscat and SOCCEN
J2X without comment.
3. (U) Source A is available ror recontact about information in thi
report.
4. (U. . . Geograph ic coordinates were derived komAC-130 sensor
feed GPS data.
S. (U/. . . . Requests concerning foreign d sclosure and release of
tne i'oriiiation contained In this re rt should be sent to the .AFSOC
FOO a . ncludo the justification,
serial number, subject lme of the report and the proposed reques1 In
the initial correspondence.
6. (U/- - IIR Evaluations and Source Directed Requirements
regard~ report are hig Iv encouraged to assis in assessing
collection efforts and requirements. Evaluations and Sou~ Directed
USCENTCOM MDR 26-0049 to MOR 26-0061 ApPf~:~'/ Jt'Mmra~1J'W~led using - 031'26126 000005
------------------------..:....:..----,1
3.5c, (b)(6) . sn
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6112:2, 11:23 AM Record Preview
rep r o
Please reference IIR number along with any
IIR infonnation was utiized.
ATTACHMENTS: (U) To rollow • 1 ATTAC MENTS,
. Vldoo, 8 Soptomb r 2021 UAP2 [ ), Poworpoinl containg six
embedded \lideos of 8 September 2021 UAPs captured via AC- 130
(SECRE,:.1;1/WOFQRHJ,
TOPIC: (U) FMCC; TECH.
FUNCTIONAL. CODE: (U) I C1508; I C.220l; I C150A.
REQUIREMENT: (U) NTRl200AJ002◄21 ,
MGT CODE: (U) BG; BK: RD; DF; DG.
INSTR: (U U.S. NO.
PREP; (U) 3.~
OIN:T RE : one.
DATE OF ACQUISITION: (U/,...., 20220407 ; USA, Cannon AFB, New M xlco
POC: (U// Diroct all quostlona to AF SOC A2H, Hul'liurt Fiold FL
at SVOIP or TSVOI w..i:...i.w.11&110.r ema to
S IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED
R POR CLASSI IEO S CR IINO ORN.
• ·• ••••••••--•••----• 11111 --•••••.DISSEMII--IATION•••--•••-••----•••---•••
AG NCV: (U) Central In elligence Agency (CIA); Defense lntellig nee
Age cy (DIA): De nse Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA): De1>a11ment of
Defense; Federal Aviation Administration (FM):. National Aeronautics
.and Space Administration (NASA); US Air F°'ce, US Army; US Marine
Corps; US Navy.
U.S. MISSION: (U) Nono.
MILITARY: (U) Air Forc.e: CENTCOM: SOCOM: avy: Armi,; Marine Corps.
STATEA.OCAL: (U) None.
----- CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFI D BY: A SOCA2OH
DERIVED FROM , DO SCG JUL2017
DECLASSIFY ON: 50X1-HUM
,IOOOO
COLLECTION MANAGEMENT CODE: BG
BK
RD
OF
DG
u.s.cmzEN: U,S.NO
cton
B
REPORTER:
Extended Metadata - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PUBLIC NOTE:
INTERNAL NOTES:
BE NUMBER:
----~- - -____
~ M~_ -6-0049
_ __k>_ MDR
_ _ _ 26-0061
_ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.....__
Ap proved
_ _ for Release to AARO 03/26126 000006
3.Sc.(b)(6} I 6'7
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La ud l on ,tud on
UTM:
ENCL NOTE:
USCEN1'COM MDR 26-0049 lo MDR 26-0061 Approved. for Release to MRO 031'26'26 000007
3.Sc. (b)(6) I m View the official fileFrequently Asked Questions
What was the AC-130 doing when it observed the UAPs?
The AC-130 gunship was conducting live fire training in the Gulf of Oman during a period of darkness. The crew first observed the UAPs when the aircraft dropped a water-activated flare to use as a mock target. The AC-130 entered an orbit around the flare, and the Combat Systems Officer conducted scans with the aircraft's infrared sensor.
What did the crew see when the cannon was fired?
Two four-foot diameter cold orbs were hovering 0 to 20 feet above the water, stationary over the flare for approximately 15 seconds. When the Combat Systems Officer pulled the trigger to fire the 105mm cannon, the pair of UAPs rapidly flew away from the flare and out of the sensor feed without changing altitude.
What did the source comment mean about the UAPs knowing they were flying together?
A source comment in the report states "They [The UAPs] knew they were flying together" in reference to two UAPs observed flying in a loose but coordinated formation, increasing and decreasing altitude like a wave while maneuvering around, over, and under each other in a manner similar to how dolphins playfully swim in a pod. This is commentary from the source or witness, not an objective finding by the report.
Why is the video evidence incomplete?
The AC-130 crew attempted to save the entire infrared video footage of the UAP observations, but the aircraft's Digital Video Recorder inexplicably failed and the video data became corrupted. However, the report includes a PowerPoint attachment containing six embedded videos of the September 8, 2021 UAPs captured via the AC-130's sensors.
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)