DOW-UAP-D42, Range Fouler Debrief, Japan, 2023
▮ AI SYNOPSIS · Sonnet 4.6
DOW-UAP-D42 is a Range Fouler Debrief Form completed by a U.S. Navy O-2 pilot assigned to squadron 482 ATKS, dated August 31, 2020, at dusk. The incident occurred in the Arabian Gulf (USCENTCOM area of responsibility) at approximately 18,000 feet altitude. The pilot reported observing an initial object pass through the sensor screen, then being overtaken by a second object of the same size and shape but at significantly higher speed. At one point, three objects were observed simultaneously maneuvering relative to one another. The document was declassified under USCENTCOM MDR 26-0028 and approved for release to AARO.
The report is notable for describing multiple objects exhibiting apparent speed differential and coordinated or interactive movement, observed during an active military mission. Several fields are redacted under exemptions b(1) and b(6), including contact coordinates and contact information. The record title references Japan, though the incident location is the Arabian Gulf, suggesting a possible filing or administrative discrepancy. No sensor trackfile data, imagery, or corroborating documentation is included in this release.
▮ TOP WORDS IN THIS DOCUMENT
Redactions present in this record. Black bars protect identities of eyewitnesses, locations of facilities, or non-UAP-related sensitive material.
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief Form, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences.
A U.S. military operator reported observing an “object fly through the screen.” The observer described a second object surpassing the first, at a higher speed. The report describes a total of three UAP “moving amongst each other.”
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.
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Declassified by MG Richard A
lease, do not use the puro darisor
USCE
Range Fouler Debrief Form
Sit Con eve, mane ay
1 FOU (see below).
Please complete this form to the best of your ability. If you do not have the requested information,
please leave the field blank. If there was more than one "group," please report each on a separate
form for data collection purposes. You should receive a response within 5 business days.
Last Name, First Name
Rank
0-2
Squadron
482 ATKS
SIPR Email Address
Crew Position
Pilot
This information is for contact only. SPEAR sanitizes all reports of identifying information.
Absolutely no identifying information for aircrew or squadron will be recorded for analysis.
08/31/20
Date (mm/ddy)
Dusk
Day / Night
ISR
No
Time of detection
(hh: mm:ss Z)
Side No.
Buno
Mission Description (CAS, 8FM, etc)
LFE?
(b)(1)1, ta
Contact Working Area
Contact Latitute
N/S
Contact Longitude
(Ex: W-72 1A)
EW
(DD: MM:SS)
(DD:MM:SS)
Please attempt to determine a Lat / Long for the contact at initial detection. We recommend
using JMPS to reference the sensor-derived bearing and range relative to the bullseye you had
in use. If that method is not available, any reasonable derivation of location will work, but please
be as specific as possible and make a note in the comments section. These locations may be
used to cue other means of tracking.
18000
Contact Altitude
(Ex: 22000)
Yes
Altitude
Constant?
Wind Dir at
Contact Alt
(From)
Was the contact moving?
Wind
Speed
Yes
Radar Equipped: Other
Stable Trackfile?:
# of Contacts in "Group":
EA Indications (Check all that apply):
AIM-9x Self-Track:
ATFLIR Autotrack:
• Tally Achieved:
ECM
Arc
Letter
Identifier
False
Trackfiles
Other/
Ambiguous
Direction/Speed
150/230
(Ex. 090/15)
Please check all that apply:
Round:
Moving Parts:
Square:
Metallic:
Balloon-shaped:
Markings:
Wings/Airframe.
Translucent:
Other Shape:
Opaque:
Apparent Propulsion.
Reflective:
Please use the field below to describe the contact and any interaction in your own words with as much
detail as possible. Please be sure to include any detail not included in questions above.
MGRS Grid of initial contact: 39RWL2(@(1)1.04)(1)14 a
Saw the initial object fly through the screen and started tracking it. Initial object was surpassed by another
object of same size and shape but much higher speed. At one point during tracking the objects, there were
three on the screen at the same time moving amongst each other.
Don't use the purple "submit" button! Save this form with filename "Date_Squadron_RF.pdf" and email
it to
3.5c, (b)(6)
](Also in the global), For troubleshooting, call [ 3.5c, (b)(6)
Thank you for your time. Please ensure all display tapes are ripped for the entire time of interaction and
saved as a .wmv (Example: 4 May VFA-106 HUD.wmv). Squadron intel personnel shall upload those files
to the repository located at
this link.
3.5c, (b)(6)
USCENTCOM MDR 26-0028
Approved for Release to AARO - FOUO / PA applies
03/16/26 000001