Department of War PURSUE File
DOW-UAP-D7, Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, 2020
Editorial summary
A U.S. military operator in the Arabian Gulf region reported observing an unidentified anomalous phenomenon in 2020, according to a Department of War Mission Report released May 8, 2026. The operator described the object as resembling a balloon and noted its similarity to previously reported UAP sightings from the 48th Fighter Wing. The object was tracked at approximately 31,000 feet mean sea level and was observed traveling in alignment with wind patterns.
The operator conducted a visual identification of the UAP using onboard thermal infrared (TFLIR) sensor imagery after maneuvering into an optimized position relative to the track. The report classifies the track as "weapons quality," military terminology indicating confidence in the detection and tracking data. The specific location and exact date of the incident remain redacted in the declassified file.
The Department of War notes that all descriptive language in the report reflects the operator's subjective interpretation at the time of the event and should not be read as conclusive evidence of any particular object characteristics or performance capabilities. This Mission Report is now part of the public record through the U.S. Department of War PURSUE Release 01.
Editorial summary written by govweird from the declassified document text. The official government description follows below.
Government description
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP, describing it as “look[ing] like a balloon.” The report describes the UAP as “traveling with the winds at approximately 31,000 ft.” The visually tracked the UAP via onboard infrared sensor. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
Caption issued by the U.S. Department of War on war.gov/ufo. Verbatim, unedited.
Originating agency
Department of War
Record type
Incident date
Unspecified
Incident location
Unspecified
Release tranche
Release 01 (May 8, 2026)
Distribution
Cleared for public release