This is a USCENTCOM Mission Incident Report (MISREP) documenting a ISR/reconnaissance mission conducted on 24 October 2023, during which a U.S. Air Force asset operating under Operation Spartan Shield observed two separate UAP incidents. The aircraft, operated by the 50th Attack Squadron (50ATKS) under the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, departed Al Dhafra Air Base (OMAM) and spent approximately 17 hours on station conducting SIGINT and IMINT collection. Two UAP sightings were logged at 0241Z and 0322Z respectively, both assessed as benign with solid physical state and no intelligent control observed.
Key Findings
→Two separate UAP incidents were officially documented during the same mission: the first at 0241Z and the second at 0322Z on 24 October 2023, both assessed as 'Benign' by the observer.
→The first UAP displayed a thermal signature described as 'COLD' and an estimated kinetic velocity of 320 MPH; no maneuverability observations were recorded.
→The second UAP had an estimated kinetic velocity of 440 MPH with no additional signature data available; both UAPs were described as having a solid physical state.
→The observing aircraft also received a guard call from Iranian Air Defense at 0145Z instructing it to 'MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCE FROM BORDER,' to which it responded it was a coalition aircraft in international airspace.
→The aircraft collected SIGINT via airhandler and conducted IMINT in support of NAVCENT under Operation Spartan Shield; FMV footage was exploited by DGS-2 post-mission.
Analyst Notes
Both UAP descriptions are largely 'UNK' across nearly all characterization fields (size, shape, color, propulsion, trajectory), limiting analytical value. Velocities of 320 and 440 MPH are noted as 'estimated' accuracy. The observer assessed both objects as 'Benign' with no intelligent control, suggesting a mundane interpretation was considered plausible. Aircraft type and tail numbers are redacted. No independent sensor corroboration is documented within this report, and no third-party observers are confirmed. The accompanying IR video description suggests the sensor was tracking a simple area of thermal contrast that moved erratically due to sensor motion rather than object maneuverability, which is a significant credibility limitation.
Extracted Entities
People
MG Richard A. Harrison (USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, declassifying authority)
Agencies & Organizations
USCENTCOMNAVCENT609th CAOC (Combined Air Operations Center)50th Attack Squadron (50ATKS)432nd Air Expeditionary Wing (432 AEW)Air Combat Command (ACC)AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)DGS-2PAROCIranian Air Defense
Locations
Al Dhafra Air Base (OMAM), United Arab EmiratesGrid reference 39RYJ (UAP Line 1 area)
24 October 2023 (0015Z takeoff to 2058Z landing)240241:00ZOCT23 (UAP Line 1 initial contact)240322:00ZOCT23 (UAP Line 2 initial contact)Declassified 12 September 2025