CASE FILE C-17
A Disc Hovered Over an Airport. The CIA Told the White House - Case C-17
2026-09-04 · Declassified UAP records
On the afternoon of 2 July 2008, an unidentified object hovered at an undetermined altitude directly over Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe. It was observed from the ground and, according to the reporting, possibly on radar as well. At one point, "beams" were seen emanating from it.
Observers described a disc-like shape with a hollow center and a series of rotating lights on the underside. After a period under observation, the rotating lights shifted colors and the object quickly ascended to higher altitude and out of visual range.
Those aware of the incident debated whether it was an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign government or an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origin. Regardless of its origin, the report states, the incident led to the decision to place the Zimbabwe [redacted] on high alert.
The CIA distributed this Information Report — explicitly "not finally evaluated intelligence" — the next day, 3 July 2008, to the White House Situation Room, the DNI, the Joint Staff, the FBI, the FAA and dozens of other commands. It was classified SECRET//NOFORN and released in 2026 under the FY2024 NDAA.
The source and the specific body placed on alert are redacted; the description of the object is not. Below is the CIA report itself, followed by the full narration transcript and the location.
The Document
SECRET//NOFORN 3 July 2008
CIA Information Report — Unidentified Object Over Harare International Airport (2 July 2008)
- Country: ZIMBABWE · DOI: early July 2008 · Report class: SECRET//NOFORN
- Subject: PLACEMENT ██████ ON HIGH ALERT DUE TO PERCEIVED AGGRESSIVE FOREIGN POSTURING
1. ██████
2. As of early July 2008, ██████ was reporting from Zimbabwe ██████ regarding an unidentified object hovering at high altitude over the Harare International Airport. This object was observed, possibly by both radar and optical means, in the skies above Harare during the afternoon of 2 July 2008. Reporting ██████ indicated that the object hovered at an undetermined altitude directly over the Harare airport. At one point during observation, "beams" were observed emanating from the object ██████.
3. Individuals ██████ who were aware of the incident had debated whether the object was an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign government, or whether the object was an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origins. According to observers ██████ the object was disc-like in shape with a hollow center, and had a series of rotating lights on the underside of the airframe. After a period under observation from the ground, the rotating lights under the object shifted colors and the object quickly ascended to higher altitudes and out of visual range. Regardless of the origins, this incident, ██████ had resulted in the decision to place the Zimbabwe ██████ on high alert.
██████ END OF MESSAGE SECRET
CIA Information Report (not finally evaluated intelligence), DIST 3 July 2008. Approved for release 2026 under Section 1842 of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act — redactions preserved. · Central Intelligence Agency (CIA-UAP-017); addressed to the White House Situation Room, DNI, SecState, DIA, Joint Staff, CNO, CSAF, FBI, US Secret Service, NCTC, FAA, DHS, USAFRICOM and others
Where It Happened
Full Transcript
In July 2008, something hovered over an international airport in Africa, shot beams of light from its body, and rose out of sight. The CIA sent the report straight to the White House Situation Room.
July 2nd, 2008, in the afternoon. Harare International Airport, Zimbabwe. An unidentified object hovered directly over the airport at an undetermined altitude, watched from the ground, and possibly tracked on radar.
Observers described a disc with a hollow center and a series of rotating lights on its underside. At one point, beams were seen coming from the object. Then the lights shifted colors, and it climbed quickly out of visual range.
The people who knew about it debated two possibilities: an advanced reconnaissance device from a foreign government, or an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origin. Either way, the report says, Zimbabwe placed, and the next word is blacked out, on high alert.
A CIA information report, marked Secret, No Foreign Nationals, and released in 2026. The agency itself calls it not finally evaluated. Spy drone, or something else? Search Case C-17 at ufodata.org. Subscribe to UFO Data.
Sources
All documents and footage are authentic, public-domain U.S. government releases. Narration is AI-generated text-to-speech.