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DOW-UAP-D62, MISSION REPORT, STRAIT OF HORMUZ, SEPTEMBER 2020

This mission report details an ISR flight operation involving U.S. Air Force assets in the Strait of Hormuz. The document records multiple guardcall events from Iranian Air Defense, electromagnetic interference incidents, and a specific UAP observation. Technical data regarding aircraft avionics and mission timelines is included to support the incident analysis.

AGENCY
AIR FORCE
TYPE
MISSION_REPORT
INCIDENT DATE
2020-09-01
LOCATION
STRAIT OF HORMUZ, ARABIAN GULF
PAGES
9
EXTRACTED
9 / 9
STATUS
READY

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> PAGE TEXT

PAGE 1

report

This is a mission report (MISREP) detailing a flight operation in the Strait of Hormuz in September 2020, which included the observation of a UAP.

Misrep 4782130

Narrative

[REDACTED] AT 2302Z, 1.4a TOOK OFF FROM OKAS. AT 2313Z, 1.4a HANDED OVER FROM THE LRE. FROM 2346Z TO 1902Z, 1.4a COLLECTED SIGINT VIA AIRHANDLER. FROM 0318Z TO 1829Z, 1.4a SUPPORTED NAVCENT FOR OPERATION [REDACTED] 1.4a IVO ARABIAN GULF, STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND GULF OF OMAN. SEE ISR LINE 1. AT 0408Z, 1.4a RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 1. AT 0421Z, 1.4a RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 2. AT 1141Z, 1.4a RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 3. AT 1248Z, 1.4a LOST LINK. SEE EMI LINE 1. AT 1414Z, 1.4a LOST LINK. SEE EMI LINE 2. AT 1732Z, 1.4a OBSERVED A UAP. SEE OBS LINE 1. AT 1829Z, 1.4a WAS CLEARED TO RTB. AT 1923Z, 1.4a HANDED BACK TO THE LRE. AT 1958Z, 1.4a LANDED AT OKAS. FMV WAS EXPLOITED BY DGS1. 20.9 MISSION HOURS, 15.2 IMINT HOURS, 1 IMINT TASKING PROSECUTED, 19.3 SIGINT HOURS, 1 SIGINT TASKING PROSECUTED, 2 TOTAL TASKINGS PROSECUTED

Admin

CLASSIFICATION

• Classification: [REDACTED]
• Associated Caveats: [REDACTED]
• Classification Source (MS or Classification Guide ID): MULTIPLE SOURCES
• Declassification Date (YYYYMMDD): 20450301

OPERATION

• Operation: [REDACTED] 1.4a
• Domain: AIR
• Operations Center: 609th
• Major Command (MAJCOM): ACC
• Combatant Command (COCOM): USCENTCOM

MSGID

• Report Type: MISREP
• Originator (Unit or Squadron): 482ATKS
• Submit Date (Auto-generated):

[REDACTED] 3.5c. (b)(6) [REDACTED]

PAGE 2

form

This page provides administrative mission identification (MSNID) details, including points of contact (POC), quality control (QC), and approver information for a UAP mission report.

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 2026

[REDACTED]

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

Poc

POC
• Rank: SSgt
• Full Name: [REDACTED]
• Unit: 482ATKS
• Wing: 432 AEW
• Phone Number: [REDACTED]
• Email: [REDACTED]
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC

QC
• Rank: Ctr
• Full Name: [REDACTED]
• Unit: 12AF, Det 3, PAROC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number: [REDACTED]
• Email: [REDACTED]
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: Other

APPROVER
• Rank: SrA
• Full Name: [REDACTED]
• Unit: 609th A0C
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number: [REDACTED]
• Email: [REDACTED]
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC

[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019
Approved for Release to AARO
01/26/26 002

PAGE 3

form

This page is a technical data collection form (INGEST/ACEQUIP) for recording aircraft mission equipment and avionics configurations.

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 2026

[REDACTED]

INGEST
• Rank:
• Full Name:
• 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 Gun Rounds: -
• Air-to-Ground Wpn to Include Num of Each: 1.4(a)
• TGT Pod Name or Designator: ANDAS4
• Additional Avionics: AH_GMESH

[REDACTED]

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019
Approved for Release to AARO
01/26/26 003

PAGE 4

report

This page provides a timeline of mission data for a specific aircraft, including landing, takeoff, on-station, and ISR mission details for September 2020.

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 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: 1
• Asset Type (Aircraft): 1.4a, 1.4g
• Aircraft Tail Number(s): 1.4a
• Takeoff Location (ICAO Code): OKAS
• Takeoff Time DTG: 152302:00ZSEP20
• Mode 3 (IFF Codes): -
• Gentext/Additional Details: -
• Mission Canceled:

On Station

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

ISR

• Time-on Station DTG: 160318:00ZSEP20
• Time-off Station DTG: 161829:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: 1.4a
• Msn Type: AREC

3.5c, (b)(6)

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019
Approved for Release to AARO
01/26/26 004

PAGE 5

report

This page is a mission report detailing ISR activities in the Arabian Gulf, including sensor data, coordination with NAVCENT, and observations of military vessels and equipment near Abu Musa Island.

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 2026

[REDACTED]

• Primary Sensor: ANDAS4
• Sensors Available: AH\GMESH
• Tasking Type: PLANNED
• Tasking or Request Number (JTAR#, AEM#, PRI#, or TIC#): -
• BE Number (if NTISR): -
• Tasked Start Point: 40RCQ3[1.4a]05[1.4a]
• Activity Description: ISR
• FMV or Image File Name (if NTISR): -

GENTEXT/ISR

• Gentext: [REDACTED] [1.4a] COORDINATED WITH NAVCENT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO TAKE OFF. PRECOORD WAS SATISFACTORY. AT 0318Z, [1.4a] ARRIVED ON STATION ISO NAVCENT FOR OPERATION [1.4a] TO CHARACTERIZE IRIN\IRGCN VESSELS, UAS ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF PORTS, AND TO ESTABLISH PATTERN OF LIFE. FROM 0318Z TO 1829Z, [1.4a] CONDUCTED SCANS IAW THE TARGET DECK IN THE ARABIAN GULF (AG). AT 0930Z, [1.4a] OBSERVED AN IR-SA-5 LAUNCHER IVO 40RCP03[1.4a] [1.4a] ON ABU MUSA ISLAND. AT 1321Z, [1.4a] OBSERVED 2X POSSIBLE HOUDONG WPTG IVO (39RXL60[1.4a] [1.4a] DOCKED PIERSIDE. AT 0408Z, [1.4a] RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 1. AT 0421Z, [1.4a] RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 2. AT 1141Z, [1.4a] RECEIVED A GUARD CALL. SEE GUARD CALL LINE 3. AT 1732Z, [1.4a] OBSERVED NOTEWORTHY ACTIVITY. SEE OBS LINE 1. AT 1829Z, [1.4a] WAS CLEARED OFF TASKING AND RETURNED TO BASE (RTB)

ISR ASSET UTILIZATION

• Supported Unit: NAVCENT
• Supported Operation: OPERATION [1.4a]
• Precoord Time: 24 HOURS
• Precoord Effectiveness: SATISFACTORY

WEATHER

• Weather: (U) WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR

EFFECTIVENESS

• Tasker:
• Intel Gap Filled?: No
• Gentext: -

Off Station

[REDACTED] 3.5c. (b)(6) [REDACTED]

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019 Approved for Release to AARO 01/26/26 005

PAGE 6

report

This page contains a log of three separate guardcall events involving Iranian Air Defense communications with a U.S. aircraft in September 2020.

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 2026

[REDACTED]

• Time Off Station DTG: 161923:00ZSEP20
• Total Time On Station: 20 hours 10 minutes

GUARDCALL

• GUARDCALL DTG: 160408:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: [REDACTED] 1.4a
• Ground Station Callsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7[REDACTED]1.4a9[REDACTED]1.4a
• Aircraft Heading: 360T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: -
• Number of Calls Nototed from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: DIRECTIVE

GENTEXT/GUARDCALL

• Gentext: [REDACTED] AT 0408Z, 1.4a WAS HAILED ON GUARD 1.4g FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN. [REDACTED] 1.4a RESPONDED WITH THE STANDARD RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION

GUARDCALL

• GUARDCALL DTG: 160421:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: [REDACTED] 1.4a
• Ground Station Callsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP7[REDACTED]1.4a9[REDACTED]1.4a
• Aircraft Heading: 010M
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: -
• Number of Calls Nototed from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: DIRECTIVE

GENTEXT/GUARDCALL

• Gentext: [REDACTED] AT 0421Z, 1.4a WAS HAILED ON GUARD 1.4g FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN. [REDACTED] 1.4a RESPONDED WITH THE STANDARD RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION

GUARDCALL

• GUARDCALL DTG: 161141:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: [REDACTED] 1.4a

[REDACTED] 3.5c, (b)(6) [REDACTED]

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019 Approved for Release to AARO 01/26/26 006

PAGE 7

report

This page details mission reports regarding electromagnetic interference (EMI) and guardcall communications involving an aircraft and Iranian Air Defense in September 2020.

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 2026

[REDACTED]

• Ground Station Callsign: IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE
• Aircraft Location: 40RCP2[1.4a][1.4a]
• Aircraft Heading: 277 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL040
• Aircraft Airspeed: -
• Number of Calls Noted from the Same Agency: 1
• Guardcall Tone: PROFESSIONAL

GENTEXT/GUARDCALL

• Gentext: [REDACTED] AT 1141Z, [1.4a] WAS HAILED ON GUARD 243.000 FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN. [1.4a] RESPONDED WITH STANDARD RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION

EMI

• EMI Start DTG: 161248:00ZSEP20
• EMI End DTG: 161259:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: [REDACTED] 1.4a
• Type of EMI: UNKNOWN
• EMI Duration: 11 minutes
• Aircraft Location: 39RXK0[1.4a][1.4a]
• Aircraft Heading: 290 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 89 KIAS
• Mission Changed: Flight Path Deviation
• EMI Impact to System: Complete
• EMI Location: 39RXK0[1.4a][1.4a]
• Affected System: 1.4g
• Frequency Affected: [REDACTED] 1.4g
• Mission Impact: MEDIUM

GENTEXT/EMI

• Gentext: [REDACTED] AT 1248Z, [1.4a] EXPERIENCED LOST LINK TO POSSIBLE [REDACTED] 1.4g [1.4a] REGAINED LINK AT 1259Z. THIS RESULTED IN A MEDIUM IMPACT TO THE MISSION

JSIR ID330412

EMI

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

[REDACTED] 3.5c (b)(6)

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019 Approved for Release to AARO 01/26/26 007

PAGE 8

report

This page contains a mission report detailing an EMI event and a UAP observation occurring in September 2020, including technical flight data and brief narrative descriptions.

Declassified by MG Richard A, Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 2026

[REDACTED]

• Aircraft Callsign: [REDACTED]
• Type of EMI: UNKNOWN
• EMI Duration: 27 minutes
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM9[REDACTED]
• Aircraft Heading: 264 T
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 120KIAS
• Mission Changed: Flight Path Deviation
• EMI Impact to System: Complete
• EMI Location: 39RVM9[REDACTED]
• Affected System: [REDACTED]
• Frequency Affected: [REDACTED]
• Mission Impact: MEDIUM

GENTEXT/EMI

• Gentext: [REDACTED] AT 1414Z, [REDACTED] EXPERIENCED LOST LINK TO POSSIBLE [REDACTED] REGAINED 1441Z. THIS RESULTED IN A MEDIUM IMPACT TO THE MISSION

JSIR ID330414

OBSERVATION

• Observation DTG: 161732:00ZSEP20
• Aircraft Callsign: [REDACTED]
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM51[REDACTED]
• Aircraft Heading: -
• Aircraft Altitude: FL180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 90 KIAS
• Relative Bearing or Clock Position: -
• Range: -
• Killbox & Keypad: -
• Observed Activity Location: 39RVM51[REDACTED]
• Observed Activity Description: UAP
• Method of Observation: FMV

GENTEXT/OBSERVATION

• Gentext: [REDACTED] AT 1732Z, [REDACTED] OBSERVED A UAP IVO 39RVM51[REDACTED]

WEATHER

[REDACTED]

[REDACTED]

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019
Approved for Release to AARO
01/26/26 008

PAGE 9

report

This is the final page of a mission report, stating that weather was not a factor in the incident.

Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Declassified on: 22 January 2026

[REDACTED]

• Weather: (U) WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR

[REDACTED]

[REDACTED]

USCENTCOM MDR 26-0019

Approved for Release to AARO

01/26/26 009