5 UAP observed during ISR mission — Middle East, May 2022

During an ISR/XCAS mission under Operation Inherent Resolve on 6 May 2022, a single aircraft from 432 AEW observed 5 UAP in its FMV field of view between 1514Z and 1934Z near MGRS 38SMC53. The first UAP was described as a possible missile visrecce; the remaining 4 were assessed as possibly birds but could not be positively identified. Dust conditions hindered FMV ground collection throughout.

“"FROM 1514Z to 1934Z, [REDACTED] OBSERVED 5X UAP FLY ACROSS THE SCREEN. AT 1514Z OBSERVED A UAP WITH THE [REDACTED] VISRECCE OF A POSSIBLE [REDACTED] MISSILE FLY ACROSS THE FOV IVO 38SMC531.4a961.4a [REDACTED] PROCEEDED TO SEE 4X OTHER UAPS IN THEIR FOV UNTIL 1934Z. ALL 4X REMAINING UAP FIT CLOSER TO THE PROFILE OF POSSIBLE BIRDS."”

Heavy redaction (FOIA b)(1)1.4a) obscures aircraft type, exact MGRS grid coordinates, and unit identifiers. Aircraft altitude and speed redacted. First UAP assessed as possible missile; latter 4 possibly birds — only 1 out of 5 is clearly anomalous. Location approximated to Iraq/central CENTCOM theater centroid. OCR quality is fair; some field values garbled. Mission report number: USCENTCOM MDR 25-0093.