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Department of War PDF Tier 2 · Documented firsthand report Partially redacted Balloon

Mission Report, Syria, February 21, 2023

DOW-UAP-D019 · Release 01 (5/8)
AgencyDepartment of War
Document typePDF
Sighting typeBalloon
LocationSyria (CENTCOM/Middle East)
Incident date2/21/23
ReleaseRelease 01 (5/8)
Evidence tierTier 2 · Documented firsthand report

What the document says

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.
📄 View the original document on war.gov →

Document text

Auto-extracted from the original PDF · may contain extraction artifacts. The source document above is authoritative.

SB@M1fi'f:rtffl.'Ol\.U Misrep undefined-8353978 Narrative ***MSN AMENDS:~/ DCA I ESSA I 0000-0334z v 0000-0300z / +0+34 extension d2 WL81 CANX I EE Ops, KN, KT, AL, EN APPV'D*** (St&FL iQ TJ8,t1, Fl½LY123202-! 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. ES,r,4YM., ':f0:US!!i::, Pffl!,23382-~FLT C2 CHECK IN W/ KINGPIN. ~&llliltQHSt'r; FYi&Y)23452-~FLT AIR REFUELED W/! 1.4a !RECEIVING 37KLBS (COMBINED TOTAL) OF FUEL (MOM TRACK). ES,1,m!h Ir() 8&\., FW1l) 00032- ~ FLT CHECKED ON STATION W/ KINGPIN AND PROCEEDED TO CONDUCT DCA IVO ESSA. ~&~~W~ 90212-00242 -~RECEIVED MFT RADAR JAMMING IVO SHADDADI d 1.4a I 1.4a I AT FL270. NTFR. ES!'.'>W) 00252-~OBS 3X POSS UAP IVO SHADDADI .... I ___ 1_.4a __ ___,!AT FL240. WSV PRODUCED. NFTR. • tS,',4&:: 'F8 ti&\. FiWf) 01342-~FLT AIR REFUELED W/! 1.4a !RECEIVING 33.5K LBS (COMBINED TOTAL) OF FUEL (GANDER TRACK). €&~ 1tQ Yi/1, ¥\Qi¥) 01352-~OBS IX POSS BALLOON IVO SHADDADI .... I _....._1.4=a _ _. I 1.4a I AT FL210. WSV PRODUCED. NFTR. ~i(UL '.J;Q WA. FMIJ 02262-~AIR REFUELED W/~CEIVING 1 lK LBS FUEL (GANDER TRACK). ~,(~ls 'P9 USt•t~ Ptr£Y) 03402- ~FLT CHECKED OFF STATION W/ KINGPIN. €it.UL +Q Uli.,t1gFWs¥) 03402- ~FLT C2 CHECK OUT W/ KINGPIN AND RTB. ~lir(!P&. J:Q GSA, F¥.E¥) 04252- ~FLT LANDED AT OJMS W/ BSD AT 04352. NSTR. (iRlEl51BO, Mission Narrative 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) S!HS!fWiWJ'8POM AARO Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 001 Approved for Release to Sllf!lt1ft¥1'.H8PONif 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 Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 002 Approved for Release to AARO • Phone Numller~FOIA Exemption tb)(6) • Email~ 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) • Service: Air Force • Operations Center: 609 CAOC QC • Rank: SrA • FUlliN imct~,...xe_m_p-tio-ns_(_b )-(3-,)J 130b, (b )(6) • Unit: A2 • Wing: 332 AEW • Phone Numbt.c:,...IF_O_IA_E_x-em_p_t-io-,n lb)(6) • Email~ 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) • Service: Air Force • Operations Center: Other APPROVER • Rank: lLT • Fall:~ 130b, (b)(6) • Unit: 89 ATKS • Wing: 432 AEW .---------, • Phone Nunww, FOIA Exem tion 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) Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 003 Approved for Release to AARO 811f!Jl!lftWNell10Nif • Aircraft Callsign I 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) Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 004 Approved for Release to AARO • 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 • C allsign I 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 t DCA / ESSA I 0000-0334z v 0000-0300z / +0+34 extension d2l 1.4a !CANX / EE Ops, KN, KT, AL, EN APPV'D*** 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 Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 005 Approved for Release AARO 811@-ft'l','f!lfMO!\N • 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-! 1.4a fLT CHECKED OFF STATION W/ KINGPIN. • Did not Arrive On Station: 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 I • 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: 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 006 Approved for Release to AARO 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 1.4a IR£CEIVING 33.5K LBS (COMBINED TOTAL) OF FUEL (GANDER TRACK). RECEIVER • Receiver Callsign:I 1.4a • Receiver Aircraft Type:~ .4a, 1 Ad • Scheduled Offload (lbs): - • Actual Offload (lbs): • Receiver Remarks: AIR REFUEL 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) 81il@Ml'i'l/:N8t10RN . . Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 007 Approved for Release to AARO .8ECltEI1'UerOitl ◄ • Air Refuel DTG: 210226:00ZFEB23 • Tanker Commander:! 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: 1 lK LBS • Fuel Dumped (lbs): - • Dump Reason: • ROBE Equipped: • ROBE Required : • Tanker Track Location: GENTEXT/AIR REFUEL • Gentext: tBf,~ 'f0 t,8;1r:; F1lEY)0226Z~ REFUELED W !I 1.4a ~CEIVING 1 lK LBS FUEL (GANDER TRACK). RECEIVER • Receiver Callsign I 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 ... I ___ 1_.4_a __ ___, • 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 Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 008 Approved for Release to AARO • 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 I • Altitude: FL240 • Duration: • Lateral CPA: • Horizontal CPA: • Aircraft Type: 3x POSS UAP • Aircraft Number: • Country of Origin: 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 • Coords Start ... I ___ 1.4_a __ ____. 3.5c, FOIA Exemption (b)(6) iililmtll:t.Wli&MitRJf Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 009 Approved for Release to AARO • 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 • Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 8 October 2025 MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S 10/17/25 010 Approved for Release to AARO

Context

This is one of 171 Department of War records in the declassified archive, and one of 4 cases describing a balloon, reported in the CENTCOM/Middle East region. It was published in Release 01 (5/8).

Evidence tiers describe the type of record (sensor capture vs. written report vs. administrative file) · not a claim about its conclusions. UFO Papers reports only what the documents state.

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