View original document (3.5 MB) PDF viewer unavailable in this browser. Download the PDF to view. According to the Department of War document, titled ‘DOW-UAP-D20, Mission Report, Iraq, 2023’, a U.S. military operator reported observing “several bright objects maneuvering quickly” west to east northeast during a mission on March 31, 2023, in Iraq. The operator achieved a track on the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) via an onboard targeting pod for approximately 20 seconds before it dimmed and disappeared from the targeting pod.
The Department of War released this document under the PURSUE archive on May 8, 2026, providing a glimpse into the circumstances surrounding the operation. The Mission Report (MISREP) is a standardized reporting form used by the U.S. Military to record the details of its operations, including encounters with UAP.
The report describes the mission as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, with a 2-ship of F-16CM taking off from Prince Sultan Air Base to conduct a Defensive Counter Air (DCA) mission in the ESSA area. The document outlines the mission’s timeline, including the entry into Iraqi airspace, the observation of multiple possible UAPs, and the subsequent exit from the airspace. The report also provides details on the aircraft’s configuration, including the use of an ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver and an ALQ-184 Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) system.
The Department of War’s release of this document offers a rare insight into the reporting and documentation processes used by the U.S. Military when encountering UAP.
Context and Significance
Per Wikipedia’s entry on the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), this office is responsible for investigating unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and other phenomena in the air, sea, and/or space and/or on land, sometimes referred to as “unidentified aerial phenomena” or “unidentified anomalous phenomena” (UAP). The AARO’s role in collecting and analyzing reports like the one described in the DOW-UAP-D20 document highlights the ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to understand and address the phenomenon of UAP.
The Department of War’s decision to release this document under the PURSUE archive suggests a commitment to transparency and openness regarding UAP encounters. However, the report’s official summary offers limited detail beyond the observation of the UAP and the mission’s timeline, leaving many questions unanswered.
The document’s classification and declassification history, including its approval for release to AARO, underscore the complex and often sensitive nature of UAP reporting and analysis. As the U.S. government continues to release documents related to UAP under the PURSUE archive, readers should watch for future releases that may provide additional insight into the phenomenon.
The AARO’s work in investigating and analyzing UAP encounters, as well as the Department of War’s efforts to document and release information on these events, will likely be crucial in shedding more light on this complex and intriguing topic. With the release of documents like DOW-UAP-D20, the public can gain a better understanding of the U.S. military’s experiences with UAP and the ongoing efforts to understand and address this phenomenon.
Ultimately, the release of the DOW-UAP-D20 document serves as a reminder that the study of UAP is an ongoing and multifaceted effort, involving various government agencies and offices. As more information becomes available, the public will have the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating topic and the ways in which the U.S. government is working to understand and address the phenomenon of UAP.
With the PURSUE archive and the work of the AARO, the U.S. government is taking steps towards greater transparency and openness regarding UAP, and it will be important to follow future developments and releases in this area.
