{"type":"events","slug":"2017-al-taqaddum-object","title":"Al Taqaddum Object","url":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2017-al-taqaddum-object","description":"Aerostat infrared footage showed clustered balloons drifting near Iraqi air base, matching wind speed and direction","date":"2017-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","tags":["Sighting"],"updated":"2025-06-13T13:26:43.000Z","disclosureRating":6,"status":"resolved","lat":33.4932,"lng":43.7284,"connectionCount":0,"content":{"markdown":"## Aerostat infrared observation\n\nAn aerostat guarding Al Taqaddum Air Base captured **17 minutes** of infrared video of an object behaving like a slow, drifting target. AARO pixel-level analysis revealed multiple partially and fully inflated balloons moving as a loose cluster, their path and speed aligning with upper-air wind data for 1 October 2017. No anomalous kinematics or propulsion signatures were present, leading AARO to assess the source as a consumer balloon group rather than a single rigid craft.[^1]\n\n[Watch the video on DVIDS](https://www.dvidshub.net/video/960331/al-taqaddum-object)\n\n[^1]: AARO – [Al Taqaddam case resolution report](https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/case_resolution_reports/AARO_Al_Taqaddam_Case_Resolution_Final.pdf); DVIDS – [Al Taqaddum Object video](https://www.dvidshub.net/video/960331/al-taqaddum-object)","readingTime":"1 min read"},"relatedRecords":[],"citation":{"canonicalUrl":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2017-al-taqaddum-object","title":"Al Taqaddum Object","publisher":"Disclosdex","retrievedFrom":"https://disclosdex.com/api/v1/events/2017-al-taqaddum-object","license":"CC-BY-4.0"},"witnesses":["US force-protection aerostat crew"],"evidence":["Video"]}