Location file
Arabian Gulf
MISREP 4871281 records that a U.S. military operator took off from OKAS on 1 October 2020 and, during a 21-hour NAVCENT support mission over the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, observed 1X UAP at 1829Z on 2 October 2020. The report references OBSERVATION LINE 1 for UAP details, but that section is not present in the released text. The document was declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, on 16 March 2026 under MDR 26-0028 and approved for release to AARO.
Map coordinates
26.5000, 52.0000
2020-01-01 / unresolved
A U.S. military operator reported observing one probable UAP in the vicinity of grid reference 3SKT4255899519 in the Arabian Gulf at 1246Z in 2020. The report states no mission impact occurred and the operator continued original tasking. The operator's identity is redacted under the 1.4(a) exemption, and pages 1 through 6 of the MISREP are not reproduced in the available source text.
1x probable UAP (PROB UAP); no further physical description available due to redaction
2020-01-01 / unresolved
A U.S. military Mission Report from 2020 documents two UAP observations in the Arabian Gulf. At 1354Z, a redacted observer reported 1 UAP traveling at 40 knots between FL160 and FL170 at constant speed. At 2243Z, the same or another redacted observer reported 2 possible UAPs with an estimated velocity of 278 knots that increased speed and changed direction towards the south. Pages 1 through 4 are not reproduced in the available source text.
1x UAP observed at 1354Z, velocity 40 knots, altitude FL160 to FL170, speed remained constant
2020-01-01 / unresolved
A U.S. military operator reported observing a possible UAP near grid coordinate 34SDG9041417044 in the Arabian Gulf at 1258Z in 2020. The brief observation prevented any altitude estimate; velocity was estimated at 321 knots. The operator reported the UAP "increased speed and changed direction towards the east." Pages 1 through 4 are withheld under exemption 1.4(a), and the pilot's identity is redacted under b(6).
Possible UAP (POSS UAP); altitude not estimated due to brief observation; velocity estimated at 321 knots; increased speed and changed direction towards the east
2020-01-01 / unresolved
A U.S. Air Force operator filed MISREP 8799515, classified SECRET, reporting four UAP observed in the Arabian Gulf area of operations in 2020 under AFCENT. The GENTEXT records sequential sightings at 17:36:22Z, 17:36:30Z, and 17:36:49Z, with cloud coverage obstructing a clear visual. The manifest describes the objects as "a line of dots followed by a trailing dot." The UAP Advanced Capabilities And/Or Materials field is answered "NO"; most other UAP attribute fields are redacted under (b)(1)1.4a.
4X UAP observed flying in [redacted] FOV
2020-01-01 / unresolved
A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP over the Arabian Gulf in 2020, describing it as looking "like a balloon, similar to previously reported UAP from 48FW." The report states the UAP was traveling with the winds at 31,000 ft MSL and was tracked as a Weapons Quality 1 track. The operator visually identified the UAP using a TFLIR sensor. The operator's identity is redacted under exemption 1.4(a).
Balloon-like UAP; traveling with the winds at 31,000 ft MSL; observed as a Weapons Quality 1 track; visually identified via TFLIR (targeting forward-looking infrared) sensor; described as similar to previously reported UAP from 48FW
2020-08-31 / unresolved
A U.S. Navy O-2 pilot assigned to 482 ATKS filed a Range Fouler Debrief Form reporting that on August 31, 2020, during a dusk ISR mission over the Arabian Gulf, an object flew through the sensor screen and was then surpassed by a second object of the same size and shape but at much higher speed. At one point three objects were visible simultaneously on the screen, moving amongst each other, at a constant altitude of 18,000 feet on a heading of 150 degrees at 230 knots. The form was declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison and approved for release to AARO on March 16, 2026.
First object flew through the sensor screen; shape described as 'Other' (non-standard)
2020-11-02 / unresolved
A U.S. Air Force aircraft from the 482nd Attack Squadron filed MISREP 5039166 reporting two UAP observed on November 2, 2020, over the Arabian Gulf area during a NAVCENT support mission. The first UAP was observed at 2143Z; the second was observed at 2148Z traveling northwest, captured via Full Motion Video while the aircraft flew at FL220. The document was declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, on 16 March 2026.
UAP (OBS LINE 1): Observed at 2143Z; altitude unknown; method of observation not specified in OBS LINE 1 text; location partially redacted.