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5000 DEFENSE PENTAGON 
WASHINGTON, DC  20301 -5000 
INTELLIGENCE 
AND SECURITY 
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD 
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office | Department of War 
Subject: All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Witness Debrief: Unidentified 
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Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Observation, 
2026. 
Interviewers: 
Primary Interviewees: 
- (SOURCE 1): 
(SOURCE 2): 
Additional Corroborating Witness: (SOURCE 3): 
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OVERVIEW: 
This report reflects the reporter’ s 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. 
On approximately 
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 2026, at 2023L, federal law enforcement agents documented an 
unidentified craft presenting as a matte black triangular shape of extremely low aspect ratio that 
was nonreflective under the observed lighting conditions.  It had an estimated thirteen-to-fifteen-
foot wingspan, apparent six-to-nine-foot fuselage length, and a maximum vertical thickness of 
roughly one to two feet.  The unidentified craft maintained a completely fixed horizontal 
alignment with did not tilt, sway, or wobble during the controlled vertical ascent of 
approximately ten seconds.  It climbed to an altitude of an estimated 200 to 300 feet above the 
local ridge line.  Upon reaching this altitude, the craft instantaneously arrested all vertical motion 
and entered a stable hover for an estimated twenty seconds.  It then reportedly transitioned from 
a zero-velocity state directly into high-speed horizontal flight, executing a fluid banking 
maneuver and terrain-hugging descent into a canyon drainage in approximately two to three 
seconds, with speed the observers described to be as fast as a fighter jet.  Under banking angle, 
the craft’s silhouette appeared to flatten and present as a more triangle. 
The unidentified craft generated no detectable acoustic signature throughout the entire 
engagement. It did not produce engine roar, rotor hum, aerodynamic friction, or air-displacement 

  
  
 
 
 
 
                                                
 
                                                 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 
5000 DEFENSE PENTAGON 
WASHINGTON, DC  20301 -5000 
INTELLIGENCE 
AND SECURITY 
sound despite velocities of conventional military fighter aircraft.  In the infrared spectrum it 
displayed a spatially uniform thermal signature across the entire airframe without localized 
thermal concentrations, exhaust gradients, or discrete heat sources associated with propulsion. 
The exterior presented as a continuous (seamless), featureless surface lacking any discernible 
structural discontinuities, propulsive apertures, intake structures, aerodynamic control effectors, 
or cockpit features.  No physiological effects were reported by the agents.  
CHRONOLOGICAL NARRATIVE OF EVENTS: 
: SOURCE 1 and SOURCE 2 were positioned at the primary observation post 
conducting routine observation support.  Weather conditions were highly favorable for both 
visual and electro-optical collection, with unrestricted line of sight, negligible cloud cover, and 
late-dusk illumination.  The sun had dropped entirely below the western horizon, eliminating 
direct solar glare. A residual sunset gradient provided a high-contrast backdrop against the 
western ridge lines while the deeper valley floors and canyon cuts were rapidly falling into 
shadow.  Primary optical and tripod-mounted sensor systems were initially oriented eastward. 
At 2023L, SOURCE 3, positioned at the secondary observation post scanning westward with 
long-range thermal equipment, detected an elevated object transiting over the ridge line and 
called out the contact to SOURCE 1 and SOURCE 2.  Upon receipt of the radio alert, SOURCE 
1 and 2 reportedly immediately relocated across the peak to establish a westward visual line of 
sight.  Terrain conditions precluded quick relocation of the primary tripod-mounted thermal 
system.  SOURCE 2 noted he advanced with binoculars and a handheld thermal monocular; 
SOURCE 1 followed seconds later. SOURCE 2 reported acquiring the unidentified craft with the 
unaided eye as it silhouetted against the residual western sky illumination.  Binoculars were 
employed for initial tracking and then passed to SOURCE 1.  SOURCE 2 purportedly powered 
the handheld thermal monocular and began concurrent infrared observation. 
Phase I – Vertical Ascent (Duration: ~10 seconds) 
Upon initial visual acquisition the unidentified craft was executing a slow, controlled, perfectly 
vertical ascent directly over the ridge line. The craft climbed approximately two to three 
hundred feet while maintaining a completely static orientation without tilting, swaying, or 
wobbling.  The non-reflective, matte black exterior presented a continuous, featureless profile 
with.  No propulsive apertures, rotating elements, rivets, panels, windows, canopy, cabin 
structures, and no protrusions or structural features were observed. The ascent occurred in 
absolute acoustic silence.  Range to the object was bounded between approximately 1.4 and 3.2 
miles west of the primary observation post by terrain cross-reference. 
Phase II – Station-Keeping Hover (Duration: ~20 seconds) 
Upon reaching approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ridge line, the unidentified craft 
instantaneously arrested all vertical motion and entered a stable hover.  It remained in this 
station-keeping attitude for approximately twenty seconds with no observable drift or oscillation. 
The exterior remained uniformly featureless. Under infrared observation the entire airframe 
presented a spatially uniform thermal signature with no localized hot spots, engine heat 
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OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 
5000 DEFENSE PENTAGON 
WASHINGTON, DC  20301 -5000 
INTELLIGENCE 
AND SECURITY 
signature, or exhaust plumes.  No heat shimmer, vapor trail, or particulate discharge was 
detected. The surface did not exhibit cloaking, optical shifting or distortion, or shimmering 
properties, remaining matte black throughout.  There was no thermal fluctuation or expansion 
independently of the physical profile of the craft.  The transition from stable hover to high-speed 
horizontal flight occurred without observable acceleration ramp, gradual pitching or momentum.  
Phase III – Terminal Maneuver and Loss of Contact (Duration: ~2-3 seconds) 
Immediately following the hover, the unidentified craft appeared to transition from a stationary 
position to rapid horizontal flight. Approximated by the distance made along the ridge before 
visual contact was lost, the SOURCES estimated that its speed was compared to that as a 
military fighter jet.  No instrumented speed measurement was obtained.  
It executed a fluid banking turn and steep, terrain-conforming descent into the canyon with 
drainage similar in appearance to low-altitude terrain-masking flight. The unidentified craft did 
not wobble, oscillate, or drift in the wind during any part of its transit, and as it banked to follow 
the canyon's path, its physical profile shifted relative to the observers.  The entire horizontal 
transition, bank, and descent lasted approximately two to three seconds before the craft 
disappeared behind intervening terrain.  Under banking angle, the silhouette flattened and 
presented as a more symmetrical isosceles triangle. Absolute acoustic silence persisted 
throughout the high-velocity phase.  Infrared tracking was lost due to the sudden acceleration 
exceeding the narrow field of view of the handheld monocular; subsequent unaided visual 
tracking confirmed the craft’s disappearance into the canyon shadows.  No impact signature, 
smoke, dust, or physical disturbance was observed.  A ground survey of the canyon drainage 
conducted the following morning located no wreckage, ground scarring, or vegetation damage. 
Collector Note: SOURCE 1 and SOURCE 2 have extensive operational experience working 
and regularly observe conventional aircraft operating around the observation site. 
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alongside government agencies and academic studies utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) 
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They noted that on this hilltop, 
even a conventional Group 1 drone, high-torque quadcopter motor, or rotary-wing aircraft 
operating at a distance of 1.4 miles would have been clearly audible. The SOURCES established 
a spatial, elevation, and speed bounding for the unidentified craft based on prominent local 
terrain features.  SOURCE 1 and 2 compared the physical outline of the craft against the trees 
along the ridge line behind it providing a reliable physical scale reference. 
The two primary witnesses reported no physiological effects. There were no reports of (but not 
limited to) disorientation, nausea, headache, dermal sensation, visual disturbance, memory gap, 
or other anomalous sensory phenomena.  No anomalous odors were noted.  No electromagnetic 
interference, signal degradation, or anomalous sensor readings were recorded on personal or 
agency equipment. 
REPORT PREP ARED BY: 
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All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) | 
Official Record of Joint Witness Debrief 