ISR Mission Report: UAP Observation Over the Eastern Mediterranean, May 2022

Source file: dow-uap-d14-mission-report-iraq-may-2022.pdf Originating agency: Department of Defense / DoD Modern UAP / USCENTCOM Date range: 29–30 May 2022 Page count: 9 (all reviewed) High-significance pages: 1 (primary narrative, UAP observation), 8 (UAP details), 9 (SU-27/35 landing observation)

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Official Blurb (from war.gov)

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 one UAP flying north to northeast. The observer reported following the UAP for as long as possible but was unable to positively identify it. 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.

Summary

This is a classified Mission Report (MISREP) filed by the 50 ATKS squadron under the command of the 432 AEW, describing an extended ISR mission of roughly 20 hours and 30 minutes over the eastern Mediterranean and the Syria–Lebanon area. During the mission, a single small and "possible" unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) was observed, which could not be positively identified. The American aircraft was also reacted to by 1–3 aircraft, including a possible Russian SU-30, and a probable SU-27/35 was observed landing. The document was released to the public on October 8, 2025 following a FOIA request, with multiple redactions.

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Research Article

Introduction

Three years after the mission, and following the release of the secret document DOW-UAP-D14 by USCENTCOM under the authority of MG Richard A. Harrison, Chief of Staff, it is possible for the first time to examine the details of a UAP incident that occurred in the skies over the eastern Mediterranean during a night in late May 2022. The document, originally classified SECRET/REL TO USA, FVEY, is part of a historic series of U.S. government releases on unexplained aerial phenomena.

Mission background

An ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) mission, designated MISREP undefined-7561279, launched on May 29, 2022 at 1355Z from Sigonella Air Base (LICZ) in Sicily, Italy. The mission was flown by a single aircraft whose type is classified (redacted under FOIA exemption 1.4a), operating on behalf of the U.S. Air Force under USEUCOM/ACC command, through the 603 AOC operations center.

The aircraft transferred to LRE (Local Range Extension) control at 1424Z and entered operating area 41EMD at 1551Z. From there it began collecting SIGINT through the AIRHANDLER system and conducting IMINT observations. Total time on station was 14 hours and 25 minutes, until 0616Z on May 30. The aircraft landed back at LICZ at 1025Z after a total mission of 20 hours and 30 minutes.

Objectives and intelligence collection

The mission was directed at collecting intelligence on 39 distinct targets, including Syrian naval and land facilities. Among the notable objectives cited in the report:

• Syrian naval operations — several maritime activity areas in the Mediterranean
• Latakia naval base — including ship monitoring and operational routines
• Port of Tartus — maritime activity monitoring
• BASSEL AL ASSAD INTL AFLD facility — an international airfield
• Tartus base — the Russian naval port in Syria
• Facilities in Beirut — including military installations, army bases, and possible terror-organization sites
• Coastal facilities — coastal defense positions, observation stations, and monitoring sites

An impressive volume of data was collected: 10 EEIs (Essential Elements of Information) were confirmed as observed, although the report notes that the Intel Gap was not filled.

The Russian patrol incident

In one of the mission's significant events, at 2147Z on May 29, an intercept reaction by 1–3 aircraft was identified. Among the aircraft, a possible SU-30 belonging to the Russian Air Force (RFAF) was identified, as confirmed through an NTIG source.

According to the detailed narrative in the report, at 2147Z the Russian aircraft approached from the west off the Syrian coast, passed directly beneath the American aircraft's orbit (FL190 versus FL243), flew south roughly 10 nautical miles, and then returned westward. The minimum distance between the two aircraft was about 5 nautical miles. No weapons were employed and no countermeasures were activated. The American aircraft did not gain direct visual contact with the Russian aircraft but continued the mission as planned with no operational impact.

The UAP incident

This is the central part of the report from the standpoint of public interest. At 0117Z on May 30, 2022, while the American aircraft was operating at FL240 and a speed of 142 KIAS, a single small and "possible" unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) was observed.

The technical particulars recorded:

• Initial location: MGRS 37SBV28[REDACTED]9[REDACTED]
• American aircraft location: MGRS 36SXD99[REDACTED]98[REDACTED]
• Number of UAPs observed: 1
• UAP signatures: none found (no electromagnetic, RF, or other signature recorded)
• RF frequency: not measured
• Effects on crew: none reported
• Physical condition of the UAP: not recorded

Per the detailed UAP narrative in the report: the aircraft's screener observed the UAP flying north to northeast at 0117Z and followed it for as long as possible. The screener could not obtain a positive identification (Positive ID) of the UAP.

Observed Russian naval data

During the night patrol, hundreds to thousands of records of Russian maritime activity were collected. The most notable:

• 1745Z: a Slava-class cruiser observed moving eastward at 35SPU35
• 1808Z: a Gorshkov-class frigate observed moving eastward at 36STD29
• 2104Z: a possible radar generator or dish observed at 36SYE67
• 2120Z: an A-50U Mainstay D and 2 parked IL-38 aircraft observed
• 0006Z: an active IL-76 observed
• 0011Z: a probable SU-27/35 observed landing
• 0029Z: a probable SU-27/35 observed taking off southward
• 0344Z: a Gorshkov FFG, hull 461, observed moving eastward
• 0405Z: an Udaloy I DD, hull 626, observed moving eastward
• 0411Z: a Slava CG, hull 055, observed moving eastward
• 0530Z: an Udaloy I DD, hull 564, observed moving westward

Significance

The UAP incident in this document carries research significance for several reasons.

First, this was an observation made during an active operational mission, by an advanced intelligence aircraft carrying high-quality sensors. Even so, the screener could not identify the UAP.

Second, the absence of signatures: the UAP produced no electromagnetic signature, no effect on the crew was recorded, and its size, shape, color, or motion could not be characterized in detail. These particulars are redacted under FOIA exemption 1.4a.

Third, the geopolitical context: the mission was conducted in an area where Russian forces operate, as do Israeli and Iranian forces (eastern Mediterranean, Syria). A UAP observed in this region could be a weapons test, an unfamiliar surveillance asset, or a phenomenon with no known explanation.

Fourth, the report was included in a series of releases by AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office) as part of the UAP transparency trend that began in the U.S. from 2023 onward.

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Key People

Person	Role
MG Richard A. Harrison	Chief of Staff, USCENTCOM; signed the document release on October 8, 2025
Primary point of contact (POC)	Rank A1C, unit 50 ATKS, 432 AEW wing, Air Force service, 609 CAOC operations center (name redacted under FOIA exemptions b(3), b(6))
Approver	Rank SSgt, 603 AOC operations center (name redacted)
Secondary point of contact	Rank Ctr, unit 12 AF PAROC (name redacted)

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Locations

Location	Description
LICZ – Sigonella Air Base, Sicily	Base from which the mission launched and recovered
Area 41EMD – eastern Mediterranean	Primary mission operating area
Latakia, Syria	Syrian–Russian naval base and airfield
Tartus, Syria	The Russian naval port in Syria
Beirut, Lebanon	Observed military facilities
Al-Asad base, Iraq	SU-27/35 landing observed at 0011Z
LRCT	Additional landing base for FMV exploitation

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Incidents

Incident	Date	Location	Pages
Mission takeoff	29.05.2022 – 1355Z	LICZ, Sicily	1, 4
On Station	29.05.2022 – 1551Z	Area 41EMD	4, 5
ISR/IMINT begins	29.05.2022 – 1938Z	eastern Mediterranean	1, 5
Russian SU-30 reaction	29.05.2022 – 2147Z	FL190/FL243, Mediterranean	1, 7, 8
Small, possible UAP observation	30.05.2022 – 0117Z	37SBV28, Mediterranean	1, 8
SU-27/35 landing observation	30.05.2022 – 0011Z	36SYE68 (Al-Asad base?)	1, 9
Released from mission (RTB)	30.05.2022 – 0230Z	Area 41EMD	1, 5
Off station	30.05.2022 – 0616Z	--	1, 5
Landing	30.05.2022 – 1025Z	LRCT	1, 4

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Notable Quotes

On the UAP (page 8, GENTEXT/UAP):

"[REDACTED] OBSERVED A UAP AT 0117Z FLY NORTH TO NORTH EAST AND FOLLOWED AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. [REDACTED] SCREENER COULD NOT GET A POSITIVE ID ON THE UAP."

On the Russian aircraft reaction (page 8, GENTEXT/REACTION):

"AT 2147Z, [REDACTED] WAS REACTED TO BY 1-3 ACFT, INCLUDING 1X POSS RFAF SU-30, THAT GOT APPROXIMATELY 5NM FROM [REDACTED] THE ACFT APPROACHED WESTWARD FROM THE SYRIAN COAST, FLEW DIRECTLY UNDER [REDACTED] ORBIT (FL190, VS [REDACTED] FL243) FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MIN, FLEW SOUTH FOR ABOUT 10NM, AND THEN RETURNED WEST. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE MISSION."

On the SU-27/35 observation (page 9, GENTEXT/OBSERVATION):

"AT 0011Z, [REDACTED] OBSERVED ONE PROBABLE SU-27/35 LANDING IVO 36SYE68[REDACTED]"

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The document was released under MDR 25-0094 thru MDR 25-0099 / JS-250710-TM8S. Approved for release to AARO. Release date: October 8, 2025. Processing date: October 17, 2025.