This is a USCENTCOM Mission Report (MISREP 9381202) documenting an ISR mission conducted on 9 November 2023 under Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, during which the aircrew observed an Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon while returning to base at 2153Z. The UAP was described as bouncy-ball-shaped, assessed as benign, traveling at approximately 424 knots consistently for at least 7 minutes before passing the aircraft and going out of range. The document was approved for release to AARO by USCENTCOM Chief of Staff MG Brandon R. Tegtmeier on 2 June 2025.
Key Findings
→At 2153Z on 9 November 2023, a USCENTCOM ISR aircrew observed one probable UAP shaped like a 'bouncy ball' approaching from the south at near co-altitude while returning to base.
→The UAP was reported to travel at approximately 424 knots consistently for at least 7 minutes before dropping altitude, safely passing the aircraft, and going out of range.
→The observer assessed the UAP as 'Benign' with no RF emissions, no effects on aircrew or equipment, no intelligent control, and no reaction to observer actions.
→The UAP physical state was described as 'Solid' with unknown propulsion means; no sensor interrogation of the UAP was performed and no third-party observers were reported.
→The UAP advanced capabilities field was marked 'YES,' citing the consistent ~424-knot speed and bouncy-ball trajectory over at least 7 minutes; kinetic velocity and altitude figures (170) are noted as estimated, not measured.
Analyst Notes
All kinetic data (velocity 424KN, altitude 170) are explicitly marked as estimated, not measured, limiting precision. No sensor interrogation of the UAP was conducted (field marked NO), meaning no corroborating radar, IR, or SIGINT returns on the object are documented in this report. The observer's identity, aircraft type, tail number, and most callsigns are redacted under 1.4a/1.4g exemptions, preventing independent verification. No third-party observers or reporters are noted. The bouncy-ball shape description and consistent high-speed trajectory could be consistent with a spherical balloon or other conventional object at altitude; the report itself notes 'HC UAP' (possibly high-confidence) but the observer assessment is 'Benign' with no advanced follow-up action taken. Duration of observation (7 minutes) is a positive factor for credibility, but absence of sensor lock limits evidential weight.
Extracted Entities
People
MG Brandon R. Tegtmeier (USCENTCOM Chief of Staff)
Agencies & Organizations
USCENTCOM609th Air Operations Center (609 CAOC)U.S. Air ForceAARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)Operation INHERENT RESOLVE
Locations
37D ST 69 (UAP first coordinate area, Syria/CENTCOM AOR)37S FU 81 (ISR tasking start point)38S MB 48 86 (ISR tasking location)37S ET 34 (friendly aircraft location during UAP event)37S FT 28 (UAP last seen coordinate area)
Redacted ISR aircraft (asset type and callsign withheld under 1.4a/1.4g exemptions)UAP described as bouncy-ball-shaped solid object, traveling ~424KN, no emissions, unknown propulsion
Dates
9 November 2023 (mission date, takeoff 090217Z, UAP contact 092153Z)2 June 2025 (USCENTCOM declassification recommendation date)20481109 (document declassification date)