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DOW-UAP-D019 — Mission Report, Syria, February 21, 2023

File
DOW-UAP-D019
Agency
Department of War
Incident date
2/21/23
Location
Syria
Released in
Release 01 (2026-05-08)
File type
PDF

Topics: Mission reports (MISREPs)

This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report.

A U.S. military operator reported observing one “possible balloon” at approximately 2,100 feet.

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.

Open original file · WAR.GOV page

TL;DR

February 21st: the only thing that rose higher than the mission was the balloon’s ego.

  • DOW-UAP-D019 Mission Report, Department of War, 21 Feb 2023, Syria
  • Operator saw one possible balloon ~2,100 ft; three UAP at FL240, radar‑silent
  • No official conclusion in the file

Full text

Page 1

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025
Misrep undefined-8353978
Narrative
***MSN AMENDS:1.4a / DCA / ESSA / 0000-0334z v 0000-0300z / +0+34 extension d2 WL81
CANX / EE Ops, KN, KT, AL, EN APPV'D***
1.4a FLT, A 2-SHIP OF F-15E, TOOK OFF FROM
MUWAFFAQ SALTI AIR BASE (OJMS) ISO OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE TO CONDUCT
DCA IVO ESSA. MISSION WAS NOT FLOWN AS FRAGGED D2 MSN AMENDS.
EY 2338Z-1.4aFLT C2 CHECK IN W/ KINGPIN.
2345Z-1.4aFLT AIR REFUELED W/1.4a RECEIVING 37K LBS
(COMBINED TOTAL) OF FUEL (MOM TRACK).
0003Z- 1.4aFLT CHECKED ON STATION W/ KINGPIN AND
PROCEEDED TO CONDUCT DCA IVO ESSA.
S/NF) 0021Z-0024Z -1.4a RECEIVED MFT RADAR JAMMING IVO SHADDADI ( 1.4a
1.4a AT FL270. NTFR.
S/NF) 0025Z- 1.4a OBS 3X POSS UAP IVO SHADDADI 1.4a AT FL240. WSV
PRODUCED. NFTR.
0134Z-1.4aFLT AIR REFUELED W/1.4a RECEIVING 33.5K LBS
(COMBINED TOTAL) OF FUEL (GANDER TRACK).
FVEX-0135Z- 1.4a OBS 1X POSS BALLOON IVO SHADDADI 1.4a
1.4a AT FL210. WSV PRODUCED. NFTR.
(SUREL L TO USA. FVEY) 0226Z-1.4aAIR REFUELED W/1.4a RECEIVING 11K LBS FUEL
(GANDER TRACK).
(S/REL TO USA, FVEY) 0340Z- 1.4a FLT CHECKED OFF STATION W/ KINGPIN.
(S/REL TO-USA, FVEY) 0340Z- 1.4aFLT C2 CHECK OUT W/ KINGPIN AND RTB.
S/UDDLTOLISA , FVEY) 0425Z- 1.4a FLT LANDED AT OJMS W/ESD AT 0435Z. NSTR.
Mission Narrative
3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 001
Approved for Release to AARO

Page 2

Sllf!lt1ft¥1'.H8PONif

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

Admin
CLASSIFICATION
• Classification: SECRET
• Associated Caveats: Mffl~
• Classification Source (MS or Classification Guide ID): MULTIPLE SOURCES
• Declassification Date (YYYYMMDD): 20480120

OPERATION
• Operation: INHERENT RESOLVE
• Domain: AIR
• Operations Center: 609th
• Major Command (MAJCOM): AFCENT
• Combatant Command (COCOM): USCENTCOM

MSGID
• Report Type: MISREP
• Originator (Unit or Squadron): 389 EFS
• Submit Date:

MSNID
• Tasking Order (ATO): LG
• Mission Type: DCA
• ATO Mission Number:! 1.4a
• Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES
• Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE

Poe

POC
• Rank: 1st Lt
• Full Naaet....o-lA_E_x_em-p-ti-on_s_(b-)(-3)-,-13-0b...,j (b)(6)

• Unit: 389 EFS
• Wing: 332 AEW
3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

SllGJlllM18110ftPi

MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 002

Page 3

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
M7AOTVIN Declassified on: 8 October 2025
Phone Numbor,FOlA Exemption(b)(6)
Email 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
Service: Air Force
•Operations Center: 609 CAOC
QC
Rank: SrA
•FulbName xemptions (b)(3)130b, (b)(6)
Unit: A2
Wing: 332 AEW
Phone Number;FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
Email 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
Service: Air Force
Operations Center: Other
APPROVER
Rank: 1LT
FaHcNamexemptions (b)(3) 130b, (b)(6)
Unit: 89 ATKS
Wing: 432 AEW
Phone Numbsr,FOIA Exemption (b)6)
Email 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
Service: Air Force
•Operations Center: 609 CAOC
INGEST
Rank:
Full Name:
Unit:
Wing:
Phone Number:
Email:
Service:
Operations Center:
ACEQUIP
ACEQUIP
3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 003
Approved for Release to AARO

Page 4

811f!Jl!lftWNell10Nif

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

I

• Aircraft Callsign
1.4a
'-----.:!---~
• Radar Name or Destination~ 1.4a, 1.4g
• Radar Software Load or Mission Data: SUITE 9.1
• Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Name or Designator: ALR-56C
• RWR Software Load or Mission Data: IRSWA PACER WARE
• MWS Name or Designator:
• MWS Software Load or Mission Data:
• IRCM Name or Designator:
• IRCM Software Load or Mission Data:
• ECM Name or Designator:
• ECM Software Load or Mission Data:
• CMD Name or Designator: ALE-45
• Chaff Designator: RR-180
• Num Chaff or Cartridges: 120
• Flare Designator: MW-51/53
• Num Flares: 24
• Towed Decoy Name or Designator:
• Towed Decoy Software Load or Mission Data:
• Num Towed Decoys:
• Type of Radar-Guided AAM: 2X AIM-120D
• Num Radar-Guided AAM: 2
• Type of IR-Guided AAM: AIM-9X
• Num IR-Guided AAM: 2
• Gun Name or Designator: M61Al
• Num Gun Rounds: 510
• Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each~_ _ _ _ _ _ _1_.4_a_ _ _ _ _ __
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: SNIPER-SE
• Additional Avionics:
• DataLink:
• Gentext:

ACEQUIP
• Aircraft Callsign
1.4a
' - - - - - - - -.....
• Radar Name or Destination: 1.4a, 1.4g
• Radar Software Load or Mission Data: SUITE 9.1
• Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Name or Designator: ALR-56C
• RWR Software Load or Mission Data: IRSWA PACER WARE
• MWS Name or Designator:
• MWS Software Load or Mission Data:
• IRCM Name or Designator:
• IRCM Software Load or Mission Data:
• ECM Name or Designator:

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 004

Page 5

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

• ECM Software Load or Mission Data:
• CMD Name or Designator: ALE-45
• Chaff Designator: RR-180
• Num Chaff or Cartridges: 120
• Flare Designator: MJU-51/53
• Num Flares: 24
• Towed Decoy Name or Designator:
• Towed Decoy Software Load or Mission Data:
• Num Towed Decoys:
• Type of Radar-Guided AAM: 2X AIM-120D
• Num Radar-Guided AAM: 2
• Type of IR-Guided AAM: AIM-9X
• Num IR-Guided AAM: 2
• Gun Name or Designator: M61Al
• Num Gun Rounds: 510
• Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each:l.___ _ _ _ _ _1._4a_ _ _ _ _ __.
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: SNIPER-SE
• Additional Avionics:
• DataLink:
• Gentext:

Timeline
Takeoff

I

• C allsign
1.4a
• Number of Aircraft: 2
• Asset Type (Aircraft):~-.4-a-,1-.4-d
• Aircraft Tail Number(s): 169, 188
• Takeoff Location (ICAO Code): OJMS
• Takeoff Time DTG: 202330:00ZFEB23
• Mode 3 (IFF Codes):
• Gentext/Additional Details: ***MSN AMENDS! 1.4a DCA / ESSA I 0000-0334z v 0000-0300z /
1.4a !CANX / EE Ops, KN, KT, AL, EN APPV'D***
+0+34 extension

d2l

t

EiJl.l&i• +Q Qi th, i'Hi'.¥) 2320Z~

1.4a
IFLT, A 2-SHIP OF F-15E, TOOK OFF FROM
MUWAFFAQ SALTI AIR BASE (OJMS) ISO OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE TO CONDUCT
DCA IVO ESSA. MISSION WAS NOT FLOWN AS FRAGGED D2 MSN AMENDS.
• Mission Canceled:

Landing

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

. ill'1Ilili<'ttTWOR:rtt

MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release AARO

10/17/25 005

Page 6

811@-ft'l','f!lfMO!\N

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

• Last Land Location (ICAO Code): OJMS
• Last Land Time: 210425:00ZFEB23
• Last Engine Shutdown Time: 210435:00ZFEB23
• Total Mission Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details: €8/,'REL'F0ti8ff, PYfl"fJ 0425Z-l 1.4a fLT LANDED AT OJMS W/
ESD AT 0435Z. NSTR.

On Station
• Time On Station DTG: 210003 :OOZFEB23
• Callsign I
1.4a
I
• JTAR Number:
• Killbox (Location): ESSA
• Mission Type: DCA
• JTAC Callsign: KINGPIN
• Gentext/Additional Details: EBl,fRcBL 'J.al8 ii&I*t, flM3Y) ()003Z- [!;]FLT CHECKED ON STATION
W/ KINGPIN AND PROCEEDED TO CONDUCT DCA IVO ESSA.

Ell,'~ 'PQ 'EiFSA, FWY) 0340Z-!
• Did not Arrive On Station:

1.4a

fLT CHECKED OFF STATION W/ KINGPIN.

Off Station
• Time Off Station DTG: 210340:00ZFEB23
• Total Time On Station: 3 hours 37 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details:

AIR REFUEL
• Air Refuel DTG: 202345:00ZFEB23
• Tanker Commander:! 1.4a
• Tanker Track: MOM
• Scheduled Flight Duration:
• Actual Flight Duration: • Fuel Weight on Ramp (lbs): • Fuel Weight on Offstation (lbs): • Actual Onload Fuel as Receiver: 37K LBS
• Fuel Dumped (lbs): • Dump Reason:
• ROBE Equipped:
• ROBE Required :
• Tanker Track Location:

I

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 006

Page 7

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

SIH:fltlfflHfflPOttn:.

GENTEXTIAIR REFUEL
• Gentext: fBf,'REL 'i'O ~ . ,v:t!fl) 2345Z~ 1.4a FLT AIR REFUELED W~CEIVING
37K LBS (COMBINED TOTAL) OF FUEL (MOM TRACK).

RECEIVER
• Receiver Callsign~
1.4a
• Receiver Aircraft Typd1 .4a, 1.4~
• Scheduled Offload (lbs): • Actual Offload (lbs):
• Receiver Remarks:

AIR REFUEL
• Air Refuel DTG: 210134:00ZFEB23
• Tanker Commander: I 1.4a I
• Tanker Track: GANDER
• Scheduled Flight Duration:
• Actual Flight Duration: • Fuel Weight on Ramp (lbs): • Fuel Weight on Offstation (lbs): • Actual Onload Fuel as Receiver: 33.5K LBS
• Fuel Dumped (lbs): • Dump Reason:
• ROBE Equipped:
• ROBE Required :
• Tanker Track Location:

GENTEXTIAIR REFUEL
• Gentext: tB,'JMh'PE) U9/r. FVEY' 0134Z~ 1.4a fLT AIR REFUELED WI
33.5K LBS (COMBINED TOTAL) OF FUEL (GANDER TRACK).

1.4a

IR£CEIVING

RECEIVER
• Receiver Callsign:I
1.4a
• Receiver Aircraft Type:~ .4a, 1Ad
• Scheduled Offload (lbs): • Actual Offload (lbs):
• Receiver Remarks:

AIR REFUEL

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

81il@Ml'i'l/:N8t10RN.
.

MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 007

Page 8

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

.8ECltEI1'UerOitl ◄

• Air Refuel DTG: 210226:00ZFEB23
• Tanker Commander:! 1.4a
• Tanker Track: GANDER
• Scheduled Flight Duration:
• Actual Flight Duration: • Fuel Weight on Ramp (lbs): • Fuel Weight on Offstation (lbs): • Actual Onload Fuel as Receiver: 1lK LBS
• Fuel Dumped (lbs): • Dump Reason:
• ROBE Equipped:
• ROBE Required :
• Tanker Track Location:

I

GENTEXT/AIR REFUEL
• Gentext: tBf,~ 'f0 t,8;1r:; F1lEY)0226Z~ REFUELED W!I
LBS FUEL (GANDER TRACK).

1.4a

~CEIVING 1lK

RECEIVER

I

• Receiver Callsign
1.4a
• Receiver Aircraft Type~ .4a, 1.4J
• Scheduled Offload (lbs): • Actual Offload (lbs):
• Receiver Remarks:

EMI
• EMI Start DTG: 210021 :OOZFEB23
• EMI End DTG: 210024:00ZFEB23
• Aircraft Callsign:I
1.4a
I
• Type of EMI: RADAR JAMMING
• EMI Duration: 3 minutes
• Aircraft Location ...
1_.4_a_ ____,

I___

• Aircraft Heading:
• Aircraft Altitude: FL270
• Aircraft Airspeed:
• Mission Changed: None
• EMI Impact to System: PARTIAL
• EMI Location:!
1.4a
• Affected System: APG-82
• Frequency Affected: 8.8-9.9GHZ

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

ill~/fUB.iONf
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 008

Page 9

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

• Mission Impact: NONE
• JSIR Report ID: 340377
• Global Campaign Plan:

GENTEXT/EMI
• Gentext: tBONF) 0021Z-0024Z ~CEIVED MFT RADAR JAMMING IVO SHADDADI
I
1.4a
I AT FL270. NTFR.

tSilNf} '!'HIS EVENT IS STANDARD ON AZIMUTH, MFT RADAR JAMMING EXPERIENCED BY
AIRCREW NORTH OF SHADDADI. OUR WORKING THEORY IS THAT IT IS AN ABRA OF
EFFECT TURKISH X-BAND JAMMER ON OR ACROSS THE SYR/TUR BORDER INTO TURKEY.

AIRSIGHT
• DTG: 210025:00ZFEB23
• Coords Start: I.....---1-.4a-----.l
• Coords End:I
1.4a
• Altitude: FL240
• Duration:
• Lateral CPA:
• Horizontal CPA:
• Aircraft Type: 3x POSS UAP
• Aircraft Number:
• Country of Origin:

I

GENTEXTIAIRSIGHT
• Gentext: f:G,r,trw, 0025Z~ 1.4a bBS 3X POSS UAP IVO SHADDADI._I_ _ _
1.4_a_ ____,~T
FL240. WSV PRODUCED. NFTR.
\8'0m~AS CRUSING IN CAP AT FL270. NO RADAR RETURNS RECEIVED FROM UAP.
NO HEALTH EFFECTS EXPERIENCED BY AIRCREW. 2 WHITE OBJECTS IR SIGNIFICANT.
NFTR.

WEATHER
• Weather: CLOUDY.

AIRSIGHT
• DTG: 210135:00ZFEB23

I ___

• Coords Start ...

1.4_a_ _____.

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

iililmtll:t.Wli&MitRJf
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 009

Page 10

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 8 October 2025

• Coords End~._____1_.4_a_ _ __,
• Altitude: FL210
• Duration:
• Lateral CPA:
• Horizontal CPA:
• Aircraft Type: BALLOON
• Aircraft Number:
• Country of Origin:

GENTEXTIAIRSIGHT
• Gentext: S//REL TO USA, FVEY) 0135Z~ 1.4a pBS lX POSS BALLOON IVO SHADDADil1.4al
1.4a
AT FL210. WSV PRODUCED. NFTR.

WEATHER
• Weather: CLOUDY

3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6)

SileJIBll¥1'i8li8Nf •
MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S
Approved for Release to AARO

10/17/25 010

Previous: DOW-UAP-D018 — Mission Report, Iraq, December 2022 · Next: DOW-UAP-D020 — Mission Report, Iraq, 2023

Same topic: title & summary match

Same location: Syria

Same period: 2023

Same release: Release 01

Same agency: Department of War