Operation Inherent Resolve: two reconnaissance crews report small UAPs in the target area on the same day
Two separate U.S. Air Force mission reports dated 5 May 2022 record that reconnaissance crews repeatedly observed UAPs of about one to two metres in their target area, travelling at 80 to 180 miles per hour. The reports, still images and videos were released in September 2026.
Background
The first report (DOW-UAP-D109, observation from 05:24 Zulu) describes how, during target development between 05:24Z and 07:04Z, the crew repeatedly saw UAPs flying sporadically within the target area and moving south-west; it reacquired them whenever it slewed the sensor back to the original points of observation. Dust storms partly affected collection. The second report (DOW-UAP-D106, 20:26Z) describes in almost the same words UAPs flying “sporatically” (sic) within the target area. Both give 80 to 180 mph, a size of about one to two metres and an altitude that could not be determined — and both note that the mission was not hindered.
The documents do not say whether both crews saw the same phenomenon. Aircraft type, call signs, locations, sensors and, in one report, the number of objects are redacted; neither report names the country, and “Iraq” appears only in the title and official description. One form field lists the activity as “UAS” while the free text speaks of UAPs. The official description of DOW-UAP-D109 evidently reproduces the content of a different report; the document is authoritative here. As AARO stresses, the figures are the reporters’ estimates in the moment, not a finding about the objects.