Iraq UAP Intrudes Sensors Mid-Strike, 2024
Crew observed unidentified object with significant IR heat signature flying through sensors during AGM-176 release.
Sep 20, 2024
Iraq
PURSUE Program
AI Disclosure Brief
AI assistedReported Object Read
Unidentified object detected by aircraft sensors creating IR lens flare indicative of significant heat source; moved at high speed through field of view during precision-guided munition employment; possible detachment of secondary object before exiting view.
Notable Characteristics
- Environment: sky
Reported Motion
- High speed through sensor FOV; path appeared predetermined
Evidence Notes
- Crew (WSO/CSO) visual observation on MX-20 & MX-25 sensors
- IR signature confirmed
- No reobservation post-event
Declassified Air Force mission report documents brief IR sensor contact with fast-moving heat source during live-fire exercise over Iraq; assessed benign with no effects or response observed.
Unclear
IR (MX-20), IR (MX-25)
90%
Prosaic Leads
- IR lens flare from distant heat source (e.g., munition exhaust, ground flare)
- Sensor artifact or glare during high-speed scan
- Unreported drone or debris in ROZ
Anomalous Indicators
- High-speed transit through FOV mid-munition flight
- Significant IR signature
- Uncertainty re: possible object detachment
Evidence Gaps
- No radar or interrogation returns
- Redacted aircraft type/callsign/location details
- No third-party corroboration
Evidence Quotes // source statements
Open archive"UAP FLEW THROUGH (b)(1)1.4a SENSOR IN BETWEEN MUNITION RELEASE AND MUNITION IMPACT"
Unknown speaker / USCENTCOM
UAP section
"UAP CREATED IR LENS FLARE ON MX-20 & MX-25 SENSORS, INDICATING A SIGNIFICANT HEAT SOURCE."
Unknown speaker / Mission crew
Gentext/UAP description
"'s CREW OBSERVED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENA DURING ITS PGM SHOT (SEE UAP 1)."
Unknown speaker / SOTU 016
Mission narrative summary
"IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME WHETHER AN OBJECT DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE PRIMARY UAP IMMEDIATELY BEFORE LEAVING THE SENSOR FIELD OF VIEW."
Unknown speaker / Mission report
Anomalous characteristics
Pattern Mesh // linked sightings
Unresolved UAP Sighting Iraq Mission 2022
Air Force crew observed possible UAP during ISR mission over Baghdad.
Same country: Iraq
Same source archive
Unresolved UAP Over Iraq, May 2022
ISR drone observed small UAP flying north to northeast during mission.
Same country: Iraq
Same source archive
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
Iraq Mission UAP Pursuit, May 2022
Aircraft 1.4a tracked unidentified object flying north to northeast over Iraq.
Same country: Iraq
Same source archive
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
Unresolved UAP Report, Iraq, December 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon 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-D18, described the UAP as "flying west to east." Video Description: The video depicts an area of contrast moving from the bottom left to the top right of the sensor field-of-view. At approximately six seconds, the area of contrast leaves the sensor field-of-view near the top right corner of the frame. 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.
Same country: Iraq
Same source archive
Chronology Trace // before & after
Official Files // source material
1 linkedDOW-UAP-D28, Mission Report, Iraq, September 2024
SECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY Declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 24 October 2025 Misrep undefined-10431840 Narrative (SECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY) DEPARTED OKAS AT 1740Z TO CONDUCT ARMED OVERW ATCH IVO 38SKC63 2 ARRIVED ON STATION AT APPROXIMATELY 1930Z AND CHECKED IN WITH (b)(1)1.4a(b)(1)1.4 (b)(1)1.4a (b)(1)1.4a (b)(1)1.4a PERFORMED A WEAPONS CALIBRATION, HA VING RELEASED 20x105mm, 101x30mm, 1xAGM-176. 's CREW OBSERVED AN UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENA DURING ITS PGM SHOT (SEE UAP 1). GFC INTENT MET. LANDED AT OKAS AT 0046Z. (b)(1)1.4a (b)(1)1.4a (b)(1)1.4a W AS CLEARED OFF STATION AT 2323Z. (S/RELIDO) Mission Narrative Admin CLASSIFICATION • Classif ication: SECRET • Associated Caveats: REL TO USA, FVEY • Classification Source (MS o