Iran
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From: Coltishall
For anybody who has not found it yet.......This Iranian gentleman is giving good and credible latest updates. YouTube search: Tousi TV. Click on the latest live streams
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
The A-10s have been there for a long while and are used, in conjunction with the Jordanian Air Force, for attacks on ISIS and related groups in central and southern Syria.
With Israel attacking Hezbollah targets such as missile stores, to limit any response in support of Iran if and when a war occurs, the A-10s could also attack and response from Iranian supported groups in Syria.
With Israel attacking Hezbollah targets such as missile stores, to limit any response in support of Iran if and when a war occurs, the A-10s could also attack and response from Iranian supported groups in Syria.
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From: Over the rainbow
Does everyone want a democratic Iran? Yes. Will the USA achieve that? No. Churn up a lot of dirt, kill a few people, create a void? Probably.
Iran potentially poses a threat if it acquires nukes although the biggest threat to Iran is Iran itself.
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From: Peripatetic
……………
And possibly a third, unless they got the airframe number wrong - 76-1605.
At least 2 further E-3G "Sentry" AWACS are scheduled to depart, and their supporting tankers have begun moving:
E-3G "SHUCK84" 76-1506 #AE11DC (awaits)
E-3G "SHUCK85" 79-0001 #AE11E7 (awaits)
KC-46A "DECOR21" 21-46091 #AE63C7 (airborne)
KC-46A "ETHYL31" 21-46061 #AE5FA8 (awaits)
KC-46A "FIAT41" 21-46088 #AE63C4 (awaits)
(+ possibly a 4th tanker TBC)
This would bring the total in Europe to 4 airframes tomorrow.
E-3G "SHUCK84" 76-1506 #AE11DC (awaits)
E-3G "SHUCK85" 79-0001 #AE11E7 (awaits)
KC-46A "DECOR21" 21-46091 #AE63C7 (airborne)
KC-46A "ETHYL31" 21-46061 #AE5FA8 (awaits)
KC-46A "FIAT41" 21-46088 #AE63C4 (awaits)
(+ possibly a 4th tanker TBC)
This would bring the total in Europe to 4 airframes tomorrow.
Another E-3 “Sentry” Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft has appeared just now on flight tracking off the eastern coast of Canada and is preparing to cross the Atlantic towards Europe.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Seems Coronet East 030 is via Lajes
video
video
12 x F-16CJs from South Carolina’s 169th Fighter Wing stopped at Lajes Field in the Azores en route to Rota, Spain, before heading to the Middle East.
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From: surfing, watching for sharks
`Your` mainland being threatened is not a reason not to go to war. It's always preferable to go to war before that happens.
Does everyone want a democratic Iran? Yes. Will the USA achieve that? No. Churn up a lot of dirt, kill a few people, create a void? Probably.
Iran potentially poses a threat if it acquires nukes although the biggest threat to Iran is Iran itself.
Does everyone want a democratic Iran? Yes. Will the USA achieve that? No. Churn up a lot of dirt, kill a few people, create a void? Probably.
Iran potentially poses a threat if it acquires nukes although the biggest threat to Iran is Iran itself.
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From: Germany
post 2648 (ORAC)
(One of the?) exercise(s) starts already tomorrow, Thursday.
https://middle-east-online.com/en/ir...drill-thursday
Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of Russia and Chairman of the State Maritime Council announced that Iranian, Russian, and Chinese warships have been dispatched to the Strait of Hormuz to conduct the "Maritime Security Belt 2026" exercise.
https://middle-east-online.com/en/ir...drill-thursday
Iran and Russia will conduct navy drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported, a few days after Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz.
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From: Peripatetic
I note from his table that there are now 10 x KC-46A located at Lajes.
For the significance see post 2654: Iran
For the significance see post 2654: Iran
US Military Operation to #FreeIran
- Tanker Fleet Update 1 - 18/02/2026 @ 1100Z
I've now compiled all the tankers I can find moving overnight (35) and added them to the tankers that moved in the last 48hrs and were already in Europe / Middle East prior to that. "RED" tankers are inside CENTCOM, "ORANGE" tankers are nearest by at strategic locations, "GREEN" tankers are Europe, and "BLUE" tankers are en-route with an as yet unconfirmed destination.
My current count is 85 tankers.
- Tanker Fleet Update 1 - 18/02/2026 @ 1100Z
I've now compiled all the tankers I can find moving overnight (35) and added them to the tankers that moved in the last 48hrs and were already in Europe / Middle East prior to that. "RED" tankers are inside CENTCOM, "ORANGE" tankers are nearest by at strategic locations, "GREEN" tankers are Europe, and "BLUE" tankers are en-route with an as yet unconfirmed destination.
My current count is 85 tankers.
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From: Peripatetic
U.S. Navy Ford class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has turned on their AIS as they approach the Strait of Gibraltar.
Once the strait transit is complete, at an average speed of 20kts, they will arrive in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in about 4 days.
Once the strait transit is complete, at an average speed of 20kts, they will arrive in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in about 4 days.
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From: Peripatetic
In the past 24 hours, 6 USAF E-3G Sentry AWACS aircraft have been observed deploying from the U.S. to Europe:
• 2x E-3Gs (DENALI 01 & 02) from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska to RAF Mildenhall, UK
• 4x E-3Gs (SHUCK 83, 84, 85 & 86) from Tinker AFB, Oklahoma to Ramstein AFB, Germany.
• 2x E-3Gs (DENALI 01 & 02) from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska to RAF Mildenhall, UK
• 4x E-3Gs (SHUCK 83, 84, 85 & 86) from Tinker AFB, Oklahoma to Ramstein AFB, Germany.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
"Cleared to Press, Go to War, Guns Up."
x12 492nd Bolars departed Lakenheath heading to warmer climates due to rising tensions.
x12 492nd Bolars departed Lakenheath heading to warmer climates due to rising tensions.
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From: Texas
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened on Tuesday to sink U.S. warships amid continuing nuclear talks between the Middle Eastern nation and the U.S. “The Americans constantly say that they’ve sent a warship toward Iran,” Khamenei posted on the social platform X. “Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware.”
“However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea,” he added. This stark warning comes as officials from both the U.S. and Iran met for a second round of discussions about Iran’s nuclear program in Geneva on Tuesday. President Trump expressed his hope for the negotiations to reporters on Friday, warning that if the two countries fail to reach an agreement, it would be a “bad day for Iran, very bad.” The president also confirmed that the U.S. is deploying the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East. The vessel and its escort ships will join American warships currently positioned in the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) area.
“However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea,” he added. This stark warning comes as officials from both the U.S. and Iran met for a second round of discussions about Iran’s nuclear program in Geneva on Tuesday. President Trump expressed his hope for the negotiations to reporters on Friday, warning that if the two countries fail to reach an agreement, it would be a “bad day for Iran, very bad.” The president also confirmed that the U.S. is deploying the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East. The vessel and its escort ships will join American warships currently positioned in the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) area.
Also, that's CENTCOM (all caps)...journos keep getting it wrong...FFS, go to the CENTCOM homepage...
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From: Peripatetic
The USS Georgia is reported to be in the area - presumably she will have one or more Los Angeles class around as an escort.
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From: Royal Berkshire
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From: London
Actually I was wondering if/when the Buffs may come in play. No signs of any imminent arrivals at Fairford AFAIK.
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From: London