THE UAP MAPCASE FILE← ALL CASES

Route Jackson / Al-Dora corridor, southern Baghdad, Iraq (claimed), Iraq

The Baghdad Power Plant Disc Photograph

A sharp daylight image of a small lens-shaped disc near a Baghdad power-station skyline is attributed to an anonymous U.S. soldier and claimed to date from May 2006. The earliest traceable public appearance located in the current pass is a 12 March 2007 web post. No photographer, original-resolution

Date2006-05-claimed
LocationRoute Jackson / Al-Dora corridor, southern Baghdad, Iraq (claimed), Iraq
TierTier 3
Evidence Score1/10
Media Score9/10

Why This Case Matters

A textbook provenance case: a highly displayable wartime photograph whose evidential value collapses because the source chain begins with an anonymous internet caption.

Chronology

  • May 2006 claimed capture
  • 12 Mar 2007 earliest located web posting
  • UFO photo archives mirror image/backstory
  • no named photographer or official case file located

The Witnesses

Anonymous alleged U.S. soldier/photographer
no verified identity and reportedly did not notice object while taking photograph

Evidence

The following evidence types are documented for this case:

Evidencesingle circulated digital photograph
Evidenceidentifiable industrial setting
Evidencederivative caption history
Evidenceno original file, metadata, direct testimony or corroboration

Conventional explanations: Digital composite, staged/thrown model, bird/object close to camera, optical artifact or genuine distant object all remain possible. Available copies cannot discriminate reliably.

What Remains Unresolved

Key Takeaways

Sources

Primary and secondary sources for this case file: