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← PURSUE Release 5

DOW-UAP-PR122, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021

Gulf of Oman AC-130 infrared video, cellphone copy (2021)

Department of WarVideoVideo ReportNo redactionsPURSUE Release 5
5/10

solid newsworthy item

UAP Insight significance score

Incident date
9/8/2021
Duration
26 seconds
Witnesses
Human + sensor
Released
August 7, 2026

UAP Characteristics

○ Orb

Evidence Types

IR VideoTestimony

Government Programs Referenced

Official Conclusion

Unresolved

Official Description

The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 26 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:05: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:06-00:07: A relatively larger area of contrast transits from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sensor’s field-of-view, then re-enters from the top left to the bottom left of the frame. The relatively smaller area of contrast exits the bottom of the frame, and re-enters from the upper-right quarter of the frame. 00:08-00:26: The sensor adjusts, and an area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top of the frame, and remains generally within the center of the frame. AARO Comment: This video footage significantly overlaps in content with DOW-UAP-PR121. 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.

Key Findings

  • →26-second secondary capture, filmed with a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. SOF AC-130J gunship.
  • →Accompanying Intelligence Information Report DOW-UAP-D101 describes the phenomena as 'cold orbs' approximately four feet in diameter.
  • →Video shows a larger and a smaller area of contrast moving across the frame at 00:06-00:07, exiting and re-entering at different edges.
  • →Footage is part of a contemporaneous set (DOW-UAP-PR117 through PR122) and significantly overlaps with DOW-UAP-PR121.
  • →Footage is not native primary sensor data, and artifacts such as blurring or flickering may be present.
UAP Insight Analysis— AI generated, not official

AARO received a CENTCOM-submitted report consisting of 26 seconds of cellular-device footage filmed off an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. SOF AC-130J gunship over the Gulf of Oman on 9/8/2021. The video shows areas of contrast moving within the sensor field of view; an associated Intelligence Information Report (DOW-UAP-D101) describes the phenomena as 'cold orbs' about four feet in diameter. The footage is a secondary capture and overlaps significantly with DOW-UAP-PR121.

Analyst Notes

Secondary capture via cellular device of an IR display, not native sensor data, so fidelity is limited and screen-recording artifacts are possible. The description is neutral and gives no analytical conclusion, no range or size data, and no sensor metadata. The footage largely duplicates PR121, so it adds little independent evidence. The 'cold orb' characterization comes from a separate report not included here. Mundane explanations such as sensor artifacts or distant objects are not addressed.

Extracted Entities

Agencies & Organizations

United States Central CommandAll-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)U.S. Special Operations ForcesDepartment of War

Locations

Gulf of Oman

Aircraft & Objects

AC-130J Gunship'Cold orbs' approximately four feet in diameterAreas of contrast on infrared sensor display

Dates

9/8/2021

Official video via DVIDS · Open on DVIDS ↗

Open VID in new tab ↗

AI analysis by claude-sonnet-5-5 · November 9, 2026

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