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Multiple Bright UAPs Over Iraq, March 2023

F-16 pilots observed 10-20 fast-moving bright objects at FL600+, distinct from stars.

Event

Mar 31, 2023

Location

Iraq

Source

PURSUE Program

DOW-UAP-D20, Mission Report, Iraq, 2023

AI Disclosure Brief

AI assisted

Reported Object Read

Two F-16CM aircraft observed several bright objects maneuvering quickly west to east northeast of RLZ at approximately FL600+. Objects appeared on targeting pod in TV mode for ~20 seconds before dimming and disappearing. Distinct from stars per pilot comparison. No formations observed.

Notable Characteristics

  • Color: bright
  • Luminosity: bright then dim
  • Altitude: FL600+

Reported Motion

  • maneuvering quickly west to east

Evidence Notes

  • Pilot narrative in MISREP
  • Targeting pod observation
  • Comparison to stars

Official declassified USAF MISREP documents F-16 pilots' visual and targeting pod detection of multiple bright, maneuvering objects at high altitude, behavior inconsistent with stars per onboard comparison.

Shape read

Unclear

Sensors

TARGETING_POD, TV_MODE

AI confidence

90%

Prosaic Leads

  • Distant aircraft
  • High-altitude balloons
  • Sensor artifacts

Anomalous Indicators

  • Rapid maneuvering west-east
  • Brief visibility on TV pod before dimming
  • Distinct pod signature from stars

Evidence Gaps

  • No radar or RWR signatures noted
  • UAP first seen location data masked
  • No imagery from targeting pod retained
External reference status: Unverified

Evidence Quotes // source statements

Open archive
Craft SightingExact quote
"STARTING AT 2302:05Z ~FLT OBSERVED SEVERAL BRIGHT OBJECTS MANUEVERING QUICKLY WEST TO EAST NE OF RLZ"

Unknown speaker / 77 EFS

UAP GENTEXT section

Source
Sensor ContactExact quote
"ANALYST COMMENT: 1.4a FLT COMPARED TARGETING POD BETWEEN POSS UAP AND STAR. RESULTS WERE DIFFERENT."

Unknown speaker, Analyst / 77 EFS

UAP section

Source
Sensor ContactExact quote
"OBSERVED MULTIPLE POSS UAPS. (SEE UAP)"

Unknown speaker / 77 EFS

Timeline entry at 2302Z

Source

Pattern Mesh // linked sightings

Score 65 shared tags

Unresolved UAP Over Iraq, May 2022

Central Command submitted unresolved UAP image showing elongated contrast moving north to northeast.

Same country: Iraq

Same source archive

Score 66 shared tags

Unresolved UAP Sighting Iraq Mission 2022

Air Force crew observed possible UAP during ISR mission over Baghdad.

Same country: Iraq

Same source archive

Score 66 shared tags

Unresolved UAP Over Iraq, May 2022

ISR drone observed small UAP flying north to northeast during mission.

Same country: Iraq

Same source archive

Score 64 shared tags

DOW-UAP-D18 Mission Report, Iraq 2022

U.S. military operator reports possible UAP flying west to east over Iraq.

Same country: Iraq

Same source archive

Score 66 shared tags

Iraq Mission UAP Pursuit, May 2022

Aircraft 1.4a tracked unidentified object flying north to northeast over Iraq.

Same country: Iraq

Same source archive

Score 33 shared tags

Unresolved UAP Report, Iraq, May 2022

The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of ten seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D14, described the UAP as a “probable SU-27/35." Video Description: The video depicts two areas of contrast moving together near the center of the field-of-view throughout the runtime. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: SU-27 and SU-35 are designations for military aircraft operated by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Same country: Iraq

Same source archive

Chronology Trace // before & after

First similar traceMay 20, 2022

Iraq Mission UAP Pursuit, May 2022

Iraq

Earlier relatedDec 1, 2022

DOW-UAP-D18 Mission Report, Iraq 2022

Iraq

Earlier relatedMay 20, 2022

Iraq Mission UAP Pursuit, May 2022

Iraq

Later relatedSep 20, 2024

Iraq UAP Intrudes Sensors Mid-Strike, 2024

Iraq

Official Files // source material

1 linked
Pdf

DOW-UAP-D20, Mission Report, Iraq, 2023

8tleB'fll:N8ifefflf Misrep undefined-8584059 Narrative (ff,';lfffltJ 'ffi UM, FV£Y) !ll 19012MAR23 -I 1.4a l(Ci!ia]FLT), A 2-SHIP OF F-16CM, TOOK OFF FROM PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE (OEPS) ISO OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE.! 1.4a ! FLT WAS FRAGGED TO CONDUCT DCA IN THE ESSA (2100-0000). MISSION WAS FLOWN AS FRAGGED. fl3,','REL lfOUfh\:, Pffl1}20072-! 1.4a !FLT ENTERED I2 AIRSPACE. NFTR. ~i,'JaiiL 'J;Q Oil., f\r.Y) 20582 -~ FLT ENTERED SY AIRSPACE AND CHECKED ONSTA W/ KINGPIN TO CONDUCT DCA IN THE ESSA. . fil/~W) 23022 - ~FLT OBSERVED MULTIPLE POSS UAPS. (SEE UAP) • tf,,1r1Ms 'FO USs:*r, PY~Y~.00002 -~ FLT CHECKED OFFSTA W/ KINGPIN AND PROCEEDED TO RTB (OEPS). NSTR. ts,rJ~ $0 'e'61*1;, FYdS¥) 00462 ~ 1.4a I FLT EXITED I2 AIRSPACE. ~~14U'5 J:Q YBA, F¥EY) 01482-~FLT LANDED AT OEPS W/ E