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DOW-UAP-D062 — Mission Report, Strait of Hormuz, September 2020

File
DOW-UAP-D062
Agency
Department of War
Incident date
9/16/20
Location
Strait of Hormuz
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 UAP at an estimated altitude of 1,800 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

At 1,800 feet, even the altitude needed a waiver.

  • Mission Report (MISREP) dated 9/16/20, authored by MG Richard A. Hanison, Dept. of War, Strait of Hormuz.
  • Operator observed a single UAP at roughly 1,800 ft during ISR sortie with guard calls and comm loss.
  • No official conclusion in the file

AI summary

This is a mission report from September 2020, authored by MG Richard A. Hanison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, and declassified on 22 January 2026. It details an aerial mission over the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf. The report notes multiple guard calls from Iranian air defense, periods of lost communication, and an observation of a UAP at 1732Z. The mission involved ISR activities and was conducted by the 482ATKS unit. The aircraft returned to base after the observation.

Full text

Page 1

Declassified by MG Richard A. Hanison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified or: 22 January 2026

Misrep 4782130
Narrative
AT 2302Zn::iil]TOOK OFF FROM OK.AS. Af 2313Z,~
HANDED OVER FROM Tl:iE
LRE, FROM 23462 TO l902Z,G1a:JCOLLECi ED SIGINT VIA AIRHANDLER. FROM 03182 TO
1s29zr::;::;J suPPORTEt> NAVCENT FOR 01>ERAT10NI
1.4a
hvo ARABIAN
GULF, STRAI'l OF HORMUZ AND GULF OF OMAN, SEE ISR!LINE 1. AT 04082.! 1.4a !
'RECEIVED A GUARD CALL SEE GUARD CALL LINE 1. AT 042 IZ,[ii;JRECEIVED A GUARD
CALL. SE'E GUARD CALL LINE 2. AT l 141Z.~
RECEIVED A GUARD CALL SEE GUARD
CALL LINE 3. AT 1248Z,~
LOST LINK SEE EMJ LINE 1. AT 14142:J 1.4a !LOST LINK. SEE
EMl LINE 2. AT 1732ZJ 1.4a !OBSERVED A UAP. SE'E OBS LINE L Af I829Z,~
WAS
CLEARED TO RTB, AT 19232,G:;]BANDf:D BACK TO TliS LRE. AT l 958Z,~
LANDED AT
OK.AS. FMV WAS EXPLOITtD BY DGSI. 20.9 MlSSION 1-IO~S. 15.2 IMlNT HOURS. I JMTNT
TASKING PROSECUTED, 19.3 S1GTNT HOURS, 1 SIGINT TAS ING PROSECUTED. 2 TOTAL
TASK1NGS PROSECUTED

Admln
CLASSIFICATION
• Classification:
• Associated Caveats:
• Classification Source (MS ot Classification Guide ID): MUL11IPLE SOURCES
• Declassification Date (YYYYMMDD): 20450301

OPERATION
• Operation~,___ _ _
1.4a
______,
• Domain: AIR
• Operations Center: 609th
• Majo:r -Command (MAJ COM): ACC
• Combatant Command (COCOl\'I): USCENTCOM

MSGID
• Repo:rt Type: IvllSREP
• Originator (Unit or Squadron): 482ATKS
• Submit Date (Auto-generated):

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRI

01/26/26 001

Page 3

Deel ., ed by MG Richard A Harr so
USCE'NTCOM C'l1ef o'St ff
Declass ed or 22 Ja uary 2026

INGEST
• Rank:
• FuUName:
• Unit:
• Wing:
• Phone Number:
• Email:
• Service:
• Operations Center:

ACEQUIP
ACEQUIP
• Aircraft Callsign~
1.4a
• Radar Name or Destination: • Radar Software Load or Mission Data: • Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Name or Designator: • RWR Software Load or Mission Data: • 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: • Chaff Designator: • Num Chaff or Cartridges: • Flare Designator: • Num Flares: • Towed Decoy Name or Designator: • Towed Decoy Software Load or Mission Data: • Num Towed Decoys: • Type of Radar-Guided AAM: • Num Radar-Guided AAM: • Type of IR-Guided AAM: • Num IR-Guided AAM: • Gun Name or Designator: • Num Guo Rounds: • Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each: 1.4(a)
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: ANDAS4
• Additional Avionics: AH_GMESH
3.5c b 6
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to M R

01/26/26 003

Page 4

Declassified by MG R.1cl'ard A. Harnsor,
USCENTCOM Cl' ef of Staff
Declass fled on 22 Jam,ary 2026

• Data Link: • Gentext: -

Timeline

Landing
• Last Land Location (ICAO Code): OKAS
• Last Land Time: 161958:00ZSEP20
• Last Engine Shutdown Time: 162008:00ZSEP20
• Total Mission Time: 20 hours 56 minutes
• Gentext/Additional Details: -

Takeoff
• Callsign:!
1.4a
• Number of Aircraft: I
• Asset Type (Aircraft) 1.4a, 1.4g
• Aircraft Tail Number(s)
1.4a
• Takeoff Location (ICAO Code): OK.AS
• Takeoff Time DTG: l 52302:00ZSEP20
• Mode 3 (IFF Codes): • Gentext/Additioual Details: • Mission Canceled:

---

On Station
• Time On Station DTG: 152313:00ZSEP20
• Callsign:!
1.4a
I
• JTAR Number: • Killbox (Location): • Mission Type: AREC
• JTAC Callsign: • Gen text/ Additional Details: • Did not Arrive On Station:

JSR
• Time-on Station DTG: 160318:00ZSEP20
• Time-off Station DTG: 161829:00ZSEP20
1.4
..;.;a;;.______,!
• Aircraft Callsign:._!_ ___,;_;
• Msn Type: AREC

3.5c, (b)(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRO

01/26/26 004

Page 5

• Primary Sensor: ANDAS4
• Sensors Available: AH\GMESH
• Tasking Type: PLANNED
• Tasking or Request Number (JTAR#, AEM#, PRI#, or TIC# : • BE Number (ifNTISR): • Tasked Start Point: 40RCQ3@}~1 .4a!
• Activity Description: ISR
• FMV or Image File Name (ifNTISR): -

GENTEXTIISR
• Geotext: (3il i2 JI
1.4a
!COORDINATED
NAVCENT 24 HOURS PRIOR
TO TAKE OFF. PRECOORD WAS SATISFACTORY. AT 03182, 1.4a ARRNED ON STATION ISO
1.4a
~O CH.AR1CTERIZE IRIN\IRGCN VESSELS,
NAVCENT FOR OPERATIC~
UAS ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF PORTS, AND TO E~TABLISH PATTERN OF LIFE.
FROM 03182 TO 18292,~CONDUCTED SCANS IAW Tl-Ir TARGET DECK IN THE
ARABIAN GULF (AG). AT 0930Z~OBSERVED AN IR-!t-5 LAUNCHER IVO
40RCPo:rn~oN ABU MUSA ISLAND. AT 1321Z,I 1.4a ;IBS;ERVED 2X POSSIBLE
HOUDONG WPTG IVO (39RXL6~~ DOCKED PIERSI E. AT 04082,~RECEIVED A
GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 1. AT 04212,0]i] C~IVED A GUARD CALL. SEE
GUARD CALL LINE 2. AT l 141Z~RECEIVED A GUAR.Ip CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 3.
AT 17322,~OBSERVED NOTEWORTHY ACTMTY. SEEIOBS LINE 1. AT 18292, ~ A S
CLEAR.ED OFF TASKING AND RETURNED TO BASE (RTB)

JSR ASSET UTILIZATION
• Supported Unit: NAVCENT
• Supported Operation: OPERATIOl'i
• Precoord Time: 24 HOURS
• Precoord Effectiveness: SATISFACTORY

1.4a

WEATHER
• Weather: (U) WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR

EFFECTIVENESS
• Tasker:
• Intel Gap Filled?: No
• Gentext: Off Station

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRO]

01/26/26 005

Page 6

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrsor
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff

Deciassmed or. 22 Jtnuary 2026

• Time Off Station DTG: I 6 I923:00ZSEP20
• Tota] Time On Station: 20 hours 10 minutes

GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 160408:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign:!
1.4e
• Ground Station CalJsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7~(jw
• Aircraft Heading: 360T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: • Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: DIRECTIVE

I

GENTEXT/GUARDCALL
• Gentext: --■ AT 0408Z,~WAS HAILED ON G U ~ R E Q BY IRANlAN AIR
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDED WITH THE STANDARD
RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION

GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 160421:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft CaUsign:!
1.4a
• Ground Station CaUsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7~tl1.4a!
• Aircraft Heading: 0I0M
• Aircraft Altitude: FLl80
• Aircraft Airspeed: • Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: I
• Guardc.all Tone: DrRECTIVE

I

GENTEXTIGUARDC'ALL
• Gentext:
AT 042 lZ,~
WAS HAILED ON G U ~ F R E Q BY IRANIAN AIR
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDED
STANDARD
RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION

WJ'ri::fTitE

GUARDCALL
• GUARDCALL DTG: 161141:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign:j
1.4a

I

3.5c. (1>)(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRO

01/26/26 006

Page 7

• Ground Station Callsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP2l1.4aBOual
• Aircraft Heading: 277 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL040
• Aircraft Airspeed: • Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: PROFESSIONAL

GENTEXT/GUARDCALL
• Gentext: - - · AT l 141Z,~WAS HAILED ON GU
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDE
IMPACT TO MISSION

243.000 FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR
WITH STANDARD RESPONSE. NO

EM/
• EMI Start DTG: 161248:00ZSEP20
• EMI End DTG: 161259:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign~
1.4a
I
• Type of EMI: UNKNOWN
• EMI Duration: 11 minutes
• Aircraft Location: 39RXK0filalS({w
• Aircraft Heading: 290 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 89 KIAS
• Mission Changed: Flight Path Deviation
• EMI Impact to System: Complete
• EMI Location: 39RXK0~~

• Affected System~
• Frequency Affec~--:.,._1_.4_g_,
• Mission Impact: MEDIUM

GENTEXTIEMI
• Gentext: - - - AT 12482,w;JEXPERIENCED LOST L
TO POSSIBLE!
1.4g
REGAINED LINK AT 12592. THIS RESULTED IN A MEDIUM IMPACT TO TIIE MISSION

1.4a

JSIR ID330412

EM/
• EMI Start DTG: 161414:00ZSEP20
• EMI End DTG: 161441:16ZSEP20

3.5c b 6

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MROI

01/26/26 007

Page 8

Declassified by MG R.1cl'ard A. Harnsor,
USCENTCOM Cl' ef of Staff
Declass fled on 22 Jam,ary 2026

• Aircraft CaUsign: !
1.4a
• Type of EMI: UNKNO\VN
• EMI Duration: 27 minutes
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM9~~
• Aircraft Heading: 264 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FLI 80
• Aircraft Airspeed: 120:KIAS
• Mission Changed: Flight Path Deviation
• EMI Impact to System: Complete
• EMI Location: 39RVM9~ ~1.4a!
• Affected System ~
.__
ed.,....___1 _
.49_ _,
• Frequency Affectecif
• Mission Impact: MEDIUM

GENTEXTIEMI
• Gentext: --■ AT 1414Z, ~EXPERIENCED LOST LINK TO POSSIBL~L____:1.::..;.
.49= ----_,_1.4_a­
REGAINED 14412. THIS RESULTED IN A MEDIUM IMPACT TO THE MISSION

JSIR ID3304 l 4

OBSERVATION
• Observation DTG: 161732:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: !
1.4a
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM5J[iAal?(@
• Aircraft Heading: • Aircraft Altitude: FL 180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 90 KIAS
• Relative Bearing or Clock Position: -

I

,

• Range: • KiJlbox & Keypad: • Observed Activity Location : 39RVMs r na1.4al
• Observed Activity Description: UAP
• Method of Observation: FMV

GENTEXTIOBSERVATION
• Gentext:

AT 17322, ~OBSERVED A UAP rvo 39RVM51~

%.4al

WEATHER

3,§c l b}(§}

USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019

Approved for Release to MRO

01/26/26 008

Previous: DOW-UAP-D061 — Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, August 2020 · Next: DOW-UAP-D063 — Mission Report, Strait of Hormuz, October 2020

Same topic: title & summary match

Same period: 2020

Same release: Release 01

Same agency: Department of War