Brief

At 1258Z a U.S. military operator observed a possible UAP in the vicinity of grid 34SDG9041417044 in the Arabian Gulf area of operations. The brief duration of the observation precluded an altitude estimate, but velocity was estimated at 321 knots (369 mph). The GENTEXT records that the object increased speed and changed direction toward the east. Pilot identifying information is withheld under (b)(6); the report was originally classified SECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY.

Metadata

Agency

Department of War

Release

5/8/26

Type

PDF • .pdf

Length

5 pages

Classification

SECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY

Programs

AARO

Tags

Arabian Gulf, 2020, MISREP, 321 knots, speed change, direction change, military operator

Key points

• Observation logged at 1258Z near grid reference 34SDG9041417044.p.5
• Estimated velocity of the UAP was 321 knots (about 369 mph).p.5
• Brief duration of the observation prevented an altitude estimate.p.5
• The object increased speed and changed direction toward the east during the encounter.p.5
• Pilot name is redacted under FOIA exemption (b)(6) (personal privacy).p.5
• Originating classification was SECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY (Five Eyes releasable).p.5

Verbatim

• AT 1258Z, 1.4(a) OBSERVED POSS UAP IVO 34SDG9041417044.

  p.5

• BRIEF OBSERVATION PRECLUDED UAP ALTITUDE ESTIMATES.

  p.5

• VELOCITY ESTIMATED AT 321 KNOTS.

  p.5

• UAP INCREASED SPEED AND CHANGED DIRECTION TOWARDS THE EAST.

  p.5

Most interesting

• The MISREP is a standardized U.S. military reporting form; the GENTEXT section is where qualitative, narrative detail about a UAP encounter lives, separate from the numeric fields elsewhere in the form.
• The grid reference 34SDG9041417044 is a Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) coordinate placing the observation in the Arabian Gulf area of operations.
• The Department of War's own caveat notes that descriptive and estimative language in the report reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and is not a conclusive indication of any intrinsic object characteristics.