P-8A Tracks Low-Flying Object Near Latakia, 2016
P-8A Poseidon detected unidentified object skimming sea at 500 knots outbound from Russian base.
Nov 18, 2016
Syria
PURSUE Program
AI Disclosure Brief
AI assistedReported Object Read
P-8A aircraft observed an unidentified low-flying object of unknown origin, possibly a missile launch, traveling in sea skim mode at approximately 500 knots on a southeasterly heading outbound from KCTG, detected via EO/IR sensor for about 2 minutes.
Notable Characteristics
- Altitude: low-flying (sea skim)
- Duration: ~2 minutes
- Environment: sky
Reported Motion
- straight southeasterly outbound
Evidence Notes
- EO/IR sensor detection
- Timeline entries at 1310Z and 1312Z
- Clear visibility reported
Declassified report details P-8A EO/IR detection of fast, low-flying object near Russian activity; assessed as possible standard missile but labeled unidentified.
Unclear
EO/IR
90%
Prosaic Leads
- Russian missile launch from KCTG in sea-skim mode
- Standard activity consistent with assessed KCTG operations
Anomalous Indicators
- Unknown origin despite monitoring
- First observed occurrence by P-8 in Eastern Mediterranean
Evidence Gaps
- No shape or size details
- Video link redacted (b)(6)
- Limited duration of observation (~2 min)
Evidence Quotes // source statements
Open archive"P-8A observed an unidentified low-flying object 55 nm northwest of Latakia from an unknown origin, traveling at approx 500KTS on a southeasterly heading outbound from KCTG, for ~2 minutes."
Unknown speaker / USCENTCOM
Event summary
Source"P-8 observed a possible missile launch from an origin unknown detected via the EO/IR sensor. The possible missile appeared to be in sea skim mode."
Unknown speaker / USCENTCOM
Timeline 1310Z
Source"The mission commander for P-8 characterized the interaction as safe."
Unknown speaker, Mission Commander / P-8A Aircrew
67.1 Comments
SourcePattern Mesh // linked sightings
Triple UAP Sighting Over Shaddadi, Syria 2023
F-15E crew observed three possible UAPs during DCA mission, no radar returns.
Same country: Syria
Same source archive
Misshapen White Light Ball Over Syria, 2024
Military operator reported uneven ball of white light with emanating glares in FMV feed.
Same country: Syria
Same source archive
Syria UAP Mission Report, July 2022
U.S. military operator reported one UAP moving north to south in under a minute.
Same country: Syria
Same source archive
DOW-UAP-D14: Unidentified Object Over Syria, May 2022
U.S. military operator tracked one UAP flying north to northeast but could not identify it.
Same country: Syria
Same source archive
Unresolved UAP Report, Syria, October 2024
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five seconds of video footage from a full-motion video (FMV) camera aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D32, described the UAP as consisting of a “misshapen and uneven ball of white light,” and reported that a “light/glare halo effect” occurred at the top of the FMV feed. Video Description: 00:01-00:03: Two semi-transparent, irregularly shaped orange areas overlay the background imagery, persisting for less than two seconds each. 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: Syria
Same source archive
Unresolved UAP Report, Syria, October 2024
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of six seconds of video footage from a full-motion video (FMV) camera aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D32, described the UAP as consisting of a “misshapen and uneven ball of white light,” and reported that a “light/glare halo effect” occurred at the top of the FMV feed. Video Description: 00:02-00:04: An area of irregular color and brightness, mainly consisting of white and red highlights, appears near the center of the top edge of the sensor display. The area extends to a width of approximately one-third of the horizontal frame, with a vertical area comprising approximately one-sixth of the viewing area. Overall, its shape is best described as a horizontally-oriented half-oval bisected along its major axis. 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: Syria
Same source archive
Chronology Trace // before & after
DOW-UAP-D14: Unidentified Object Over Syria, May 2022
Syria
DOW-UAP-D14: Unidentified Object Over Syria, May 2022
Syria
Syria UAP Mission Report, July 2022
Syria
Triple UAP Sighting Over Shaddadi, Syria 2023
Syria
Official Files // source material
1 linkedDOW-UAP-D55, Mission Report, Syria, November 2016
Declassified by MG Richard A. Hamson USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on: 20 M~ 67.1 P-8A OBSERVES UNIDENTIFIED LOW-FLYING OBJECT 55 NM NORTHWEST OF LATAKIA, SYRIA 18 NOV 2016 FLIGHT PATH J!!Jlf: Whtie monitoring KCTG activity In the Ea•tem Mediterranean, P-IA, obe•rved an unidentified low-ftylng object 86 nm northweet of Latakla from an unknown origin, traveling at approx SOOK.TS on a •outheut•rly heading outbound from KCTG, for ~2 minutes. Timeline (Z): (D (°ell P'IEl!sto18/131 OZ: P-8 observed a possible missile launch IVQ 1.4a Ifrom an origin unknown detected via the EO/IR sensor. The possible missile appeared to be in sea skim mode traveling at approximately 500KTS on a southeasterly heading outbound from KCTG. P-8 position . was 26NM S of object detection at 161