DOW-UAP-D055, Mission Report, Syria, November 2016
Official description
This document is a mission briefing summarizing an observation of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) by a U.S. military platform near Latakia, Syria. A U.S. military pilot flying a P-8A aircraft reported observing an object via the aircraft’s EO/IR sensor, which they characterized as appearing to be in “sea skim mode,” traveling at approximately 500 knots (575 mph) on a southeasterly heading. The P-8A lost visual contact with the object after two minutes. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
✦ AI summary
Declassified single-page USCENTCOM mission summary titled 'P-8A Observes Unidentified Low-Flying Object 55 NM Northwest of Latakia, Syria,' dated 18 November 2016. A US Navy P-8A Poseidon, while monitoring KCTG (a carrier/combined task group, apparently Russian naval activity in the Eastern Mediterranean) activity, observed via its EO/IR sensor a possible missile launch of unknown origin at 1310Z, appearing to be in 'sea skim' mode and traveling at approximately 500 knots on a southeasterly heading outbound from the KCTG; the P-8 was 26 NM south of the detection point. At 1312Z, the P-8 lost visual of the object about 40 NM northwest of Latakia; it was observed to pass between the Russian ship INGUL and one unidentified vessel. Weather was clear with no visibility limitations. The mission commander characterized the interaction as safe; while this was the first P-8-observed occurrence of possible missile activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, it was assessed as standard activity consistent with the KCTG's known posture. The report notes associated video footage exists at a redacted link. Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, released under USCENTCOM MDR 26-0038 to MDR 26-0046, 03/27/26, approved for release to AARO. Note: despite being filed as a UAP case, the narrative itself describes the object as a likely missile launch rather than a genuinely unexplained aerial phenomenon.
Generated with AI from the official file — may contain errors.
▸Transcript(1 of 1 pages legible)
[PAGE 1] Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff. Declassified on: 20 M[ay 20XX, date partially illegible]. 'P-8A OBSERVES UNIDENTIFIED LOW-FLYING OBJECT 55 NM NORTHWEST OF LATAKIA, SYRIA - 18 NOV 2016' FLIGHT PATH [image/diagram, not extractable] Brief: '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 approx 2 minutes.' Timeline (Z): 18/1310Z: 'P-8 observed a possible missile launch IVO [redacted, FOIA Exemption 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 1312Z.' [Redacted, FOIA Exemption 1.4a] 18/1312Z: 'P-8 lost visual of the object IVO [redacted, FOIA Exemption 1.4a] approx. 40 NM northwest of Latakia. The missile was observed to pass between (RUS) INGUL and 1x U/I [unidentified] vessel.' Weather: 'P-8 aircrew characterized visibility as clear, no range limitations.' [Diagram annotations]: (RUS) INGUL, US P-8A Location, CTG 67.1 Comments: 'The mission commander for P-8 characterized the interaction as safe. While 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 the KCTG. Video footage can be found at this link.' [FOIA Exemption (b)(6)] USCENTCOM MDR 26-0038 to MDR 26-0046. Approved for Release to AARO. 03/27/26 000001
Generated with AI from the official file — may contain errors.
Source: U.S. Department of War / AARO — public domain · war.gov/ufo
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