P-8A Observes Unidentified Low-Flying Object 55 NM Northwest of Latakia, Syria, 18 Nov 2016

[page 1]
Declassified by MG Richard A.  Hamson
USCENTCOM Chief of  Staff
Declassifiedon: 20 M~

# 67.1 P-8A OBSERVES UNIDENTIFIED LOW-FLYING OBJECT 55 NM NORTHWEST OF LATAKIA, SYRIA

## 18 NOV 2016

BLUF: While monitoring KCTG activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, P-8A, observed an unidentified low-flying object 55 nm northwest of Latakia from an unknown origin, traveling at approx 500KTS on a southeasterly heading outbound from KCTG, for 2 minutes.

## Timeline (Z):

1 (S/REL) 18/1310Z: P-8 observed a possible missile launch
IVO 1.4a from an origin unknown detected via
the EO/IR sensor. The possible missile appeared to be in
sea skim mode traveling at approximately 500KTS on a
southeasterly heading outbound from KCTG. P-8 position
was 26NM S of object detection at 16121 FT 1.4a

(ORELY 18/1312Z: - P-8 lost visual of the object IVO 1,4a approx. 40 NM northwest of Latakia. The missile was observed to pass between (RUS) INGULARS and 1x U/I vessel.

## Weather:

(U) P-8 aircrew characterized visibility as clear, no range limitations.

# 67.1 P-8A OBSERVES UNIDENTIFIED LOW-FLYING OBJECT 55 NM NORTHWEST OF LATAKIA, SYRIA (cont.)

## Weather: (cont.)

**Key Entities and Observations:**

*   **US P-8A Aircraft:** Its location is marked at 1310Z with a descriptor "1.4a".
*   **KTG (Point 1):** Located at 1310Z, also associated with a descriptor "1.4a".
*   **Observation Point (Point 2):** Located at approximately 1312Z, with a descriptor "1.4a".
*   **Russian Vessels:** Several Russian vessels are identified by their names (e.g., "RUS KIROV CON 099", "RUS UDALOY GD-619", "RUS KUZNETSOV-DV-063", "RUS CHILKIN KOR", "RUS KALININGRADNEFT AD", "RUS INGUL ARS").
*   **Imagery:** Two inset images show a white object, potentially the observed missile activity. Red lines are present above and below these objects.
*   **Scale:** A distance marker indicates "26 NM".
*   **North Arrow:** Indicates the direction.

CTG67.1Comment§: The mission commander for P~8 characterized the interaction as safe. VVhile this was the first observed occurrence of possible missile activity by P-8 aircraft in the Eastern Mediterranean it is assessed to be standard activity consistent with the assessed activity of fhe KCTG. Video footage canbefoundat this link. (b)(6l

# 67.1 P-8A OBSERVES UNIDENTIFIED LOW-FLYING OBJECT 55 NM NORTHWEST OF LATAKIA, SYRIA (cont.)

## Weather: (cont.)

SECRETARIEL TO UGA, NATO

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0038 to MDR 26-0046

Approved for Release to AARO

03/27/26  000001