Mission Report on a Strait of Hormuz UAP encounter on 16 September 2020.
First-time release.
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
Declassified by I\ G R1cha d A Harr so
USCENTCOM Chi f o' St ff
D class1fed on 22 J u ry 2026
MSNID
• Tasking Order (ATOE;]
• Mission Type: AREC
• ATO Mission Number:j 1.4a I
• Country Tasked: US - UNITED STATES
• Service Tasked: A - AIR FORCE
Poe
POC
• Rank: SSgt
• Full Nam«,...~c-,-(b-)(3_)_
, 1-3-0b-,-(b--,)~)
• Unit: 482ATKS
• Wing: 432 AEW
• Phone Number: -3-.5-c-.,-bl-(6-l~
-1
• Email:~!_ _ _ _ _ _ _3_.5c~(b~)(~6>~-----~
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC
QC
• Rank: Ctr
• Full Name:! 3.Sc, (bl(6l
• Unit: 12AF, Det 3, PAROC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number:! 3.Sc, fbl{6\
• Email:! 3.Sc, (b}(6)
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: Other
APPROVER
• Rank: SrA
• Full Name~c. (b)(3), 130b, (bis)
• Unit: 609th AOC
• Wing: Other
• Phone Number:! 3.5c.(b}(6)
• Email:~1_ _ _ _3___.sc_....
__ ,(.__b),. _(6. . _)_ _ ____,
• Service: Air Force
• Operations Center: 609 CAOC
3 Sc, lb}{§}
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRO 01/26/26 002
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
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
• Aircraft Callsign:._!_ ___,;_;
1.4 ..;.;a;;.______,!
• Msn Type: AREC
3.5c, (b)(6)
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRO 01/26/26 004
• 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
NAVCENT FOR OPERATIC~ 1.4a ~O CH.AR1CTERIZE IRIN\IRGCN VESSELS,
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 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
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRO] 01/26/26 005
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 I
• 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
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 I
• 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
GENTEXTIGUARDC'ALL
• Gentext: AT 042 lZ,~ WAS HAILED ON G U ~ F R E Q BY IRANIAN AIR
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDED STANDARD WJ'ri::fTitE
RESPONSE. NO IMPACT TO MISSION
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
• 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 243.000 FREQ BY IRANIAN AIR
DEFENSE. STANDARD ORDERS GIVEN.~RESPONDE WITH STANDARD RESPONSE. NO
IMPACT TO MISSION
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 1.4a
REGAINED LINK AT 12592. THIS RESULTED IN A MEDIUM IMPACT TO TIIE MISSION
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
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 ~
• Frequency Affectecif
.__
ed.,....___1.49
_ _ _,
• 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 I
• Aircraft Location: 39RVM5J[iAal?(@
,
• Aircraft Heading: -
• Aircraft Altitude: FL 180
• Aircraft Airspeed: 90 KIAS
• Relative Bearing or Clock Position: -
• 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
Declassr ied by MG Richard A. Harrsor
USCENTCOM Chief of Staff
Deciassmed or. 22 Jtnuary 2026
• Weather: (U) WEATiffiR WAS NOT A FACTOR
3.5c b 6
USCENTCOM MOR 26-0019 Approved for Release to MRI 01/26/26 009