Iran
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
………….
Pending Movements / Overnight Developments #FreeIran
--- "Operation LION & SUN" ---
Following on from yesterday, we are now aware of or expecting the following tanker movements with known/unknown receivers:
-----------------------
Coronet East 051
6x F-22A "Raptor" jets have arrived at RAF Lakenheath (EGUL) as "TABOR31" to "TABOR36" overnight. Coming into the UK with them was RAF Mildenhall tankers "GOLD54" and "GOLD55", while the rest of the "GOLD5#" flight have returned to the US:
KC-135T "GOLD54" 60-0353 #AE062B
KC-135R "GOLD55" 59-1470 #AE04C3
F-22A (x6) "TABOR31" to "TABOR36"
We are also anticipating 6 more jets from Langley later today, callsigns TBC, accompanied by possibly another 5 tankers, of which we know one:
KC-135R "GOLD64" 57-2605 #AE04FB
----------------------
Coronet East 033
We have the one lone F-22A from yesterday's Lakenheath -> Israel move that had to abort due to a fuel leak. Hopefully once repairs are completed that jet will continue onwards too, maybe with the CE 051 group:
F-22A "TREND66" ?
----------------------
Coronet East 044
As yet unidentified aircraft are expected to be brought over from the US with the help of up to 12 tankers (TBC), of which the following have been identified:
KC-46A "GOLD71" 17-46031 #AE5E0C
KC-135R "GOLD75" 63-7996 #AE038F (arriving into RAF Mildenhall this morning)
KC-46A "GOLD81" 17-46038 #AE5E13
KC-135R "GOLD86" 61-0324 #AE0263 (arrived into RAF Mildenhall yesterday)
---------------------
Coronet East 045
Another as yet unidentified group of aircraft expected to come from the US with a suspected 6 tankers supporting (all of whom have moved to Bangor (KBGR)), the following identified:
KC-46A "GOLD01" 19-46067 #AE5FAE
KC-46A "GOLD02" 21-46088 #AE63C4
KC-46A "GOLD11" 20-46075 #AE63B7
KC-46A "GOLD12" 16-46016 #AE5BC1
KC-135R "GOLD13" 60-0364 #AE0663
--------------------
Coronet East 047
A new appearance on our systems this morning is CE 047, again no identified jets to support for now, but 2 tankers identified with implication of 6 suspected. Notably one of these tankers is already assigned to CE 044 as well as "GOLD81" so unclear if an airframe swap has happened:
KC-46A "CLEAN43" 17-46038 #AE5E13
KC-46A "CLEAN53" 18-46039 #AE5F92
--- "Operation LION & SUN" ---
Following on from yesterday, we are now aware of or expecting the following tanker movements with known/unknown receivers:
-----------------------
Coronet East 051
6x F-22A "Raptor" jets have arrived at RAF Lakenheath (EGUL) as "TABOR31" to "TABOR36" overnight. Coming into the UK with them was RAF Mildenhall tankers "GOLD54" and "GOLD55", while the rest of the "GOLD5#" flight have returned to the US:
KC-135T "GOLD54" 60-0353 #AE062B
KC-135R "GOLD55" 59-1470 #AE04C3
F-22A (x6) "TABOR31" to "TABOR36"
We are also anticipating 6 more jets from Langley later today, callsigns TBC, accompanied by possibly another 5 tankers, of which we know one:
KC-135R "GOLD64" 57-2605 #AE04FB
----------------------
Coronet East 033
We have the one lone F-22A from yesterday's Lakenheath -> Israel move that had to abort due to a fuel leak. Hopefully once repairs are completed that jet will continue onwards too, maybe with the CE 051 group:
F-22A "TREND66" ?
----------------------
Coronet East 044
As yet unidentified aircraft are expected to be brought over from the US with the help of up to 12 tankers (TBC), of which the following have been identified:
KC-46A "GOLD71" 17-46031 #AE5E0C
KC-135R "GOLD75" 63-7996 #AE038F (arriving into RAF Mildenhall this morning)
KC-46A "GOLD81" 17-46038 #AE5E13
KC-135R "GOLD86" 61-0324 #AE0263 (arrived into RAF Mildenhall yesterday)
---------------------
Coronet East 045
Another as yet unidentified group of aircraft expected to come from the US with a suspected 6 tankers supporting (all of whom have moved to Bangor (KBGR)), the following identified:
KC-46A "GOLD01" 19-46067 #AE5FAE
KC-46A "GOLD02" 21-46088 #AE63C4
KC-46A "GOLD11" 20-46075 #AE63B7
KC-46A "GOLD12" 16-46016 #AE5BC1
KC-135R "GOLD13" 60-0364 #AE0663
--------------------
Coronet East 047
A new appearance on our systems this morning is CE 047, again no identified jets to support for now, but 2 tankers identified with implication of 6 suspected. Notably one of these tankers is already assigned to CE 044 as well as "GOLD81" so unclear if an airframe swap has happened:
KC-46A "CLEAN43" 17-46038 #AE5E13
KC-46A "CLEAN53" 18-46039 #AE5F92
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
U.S. Fifth Fleet puts to sea
according to the ap, all american naval vessels stationed at the u.s. Fifth fleet headquarters in bahrain have left port and moved into open waters.
Satellite imagery reportedly shows the harbor now empty.
Satellite imagery reportedly shows the harbor now empty.
Last edited by T28B; 26th February 2026 at 17:31. Reason: Fixed your bracket failure
Thread Starter
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From: Peripatetic
They are moving a lot of aircraft, but how much munitions?
I've seen an Israeli estimate that the US has enough bombs for 2-3 days of sustained combat and maybe a week at a lower pace. A C-17 or even a C-5 only carry a few aircraft bomb loads and with the transit distances can't sustain a prolonged fight. The US does have pre-positioned fleets of freight ships in locations such as Diego Garcia, but I've seen nothing to suggest a maritime support effort is under way.
If they do attack it will have to a short targeted decapitation campaign against the government and IRGC.
Meanwhile, arrivals continue.
I've seen an Israeli estimate that the US has enough bombs for 2-3 days of sustained combat and maybe a week at a lower pace. A C-17 or even a C-5 only carry a few aircraft bomb loads and with the transit distances can't sustain a prolonged fight. The US does have pre-positioned fleets of freight ships in locations such as Diego Garcia, but I've seen nothing to suggest a maritime support effort is under way.
If they do attack it will have to a short targeted decapitation campaign against the government and IRGC.
Meanwhile, arrivals continue.
CORONET EAST 047 - F-35As on the move? #FreeIran!
--- "Operation LION & SUN" --- Actively on the move now are 8x tankers believed to be supporting the move of up to 14x F-35A from Hill AFB in Utah:
Group 1:
KC-135R "CLEAN41" 57-1435 #AE013B
KC-135R "CLEAN42" 63-8026 #AE037C
KC-46A "CLEAN43" 17-46038 #AE5E13
KC-135R "CLEAN44" 58-0016 #AE058D
F-35A (x7) "TREND21" to "TREND27"
Group 2:
KC-135R "CLEAN51" 57-1499 #AE04B4
KC-135R "CLEAN52" 62-3514 #AE0389
KC-46A "CLEAN53" 18-46039 #AE5F92
KC-135R "CLEAN54" 60-0336 #AE0503
F-35A (x7) "TREND31" to "TREND37"
--- "Operation LION & SUN" --- Actively on the move now are 8x tankers believed to be supporting the move of up to 14x F-35A from Hill AFB in Utah:
Group 1:
KC-135R "CLEAN41" 57-1435 #AE013B
KC-135R "CLEAN42" 63-8026 #AE037C
KC-46A "CLEAN43" 17-46038 #AE5E13
KC-135R "CLEAN44" 58-0016 #AE058D
F-35A (x7) "TREND21" to "TREND27"
Group 2:
KC-135R "CLEAN51" 57-1499 #AE04B4
KC-135R "CLEAN52" 62-3514 #AE0389
KC-46A "CLEAN53" 18-46039 #AE5F92
KC-135R "CLEAN54" 60-0336 #AE0503
F-35A (x7) "TREND31" to "TREND37"
USAF United States Air Force - Middle East Activity 25 February -
Coronet East 044/046/047
There are three active Coronet missions this morning. "MO" F-15Es being moved under CE 044, "HL" F-35As under CE 047, and CE 046 with unknown receivers.
CE 045 resulted in two "SJ" F-15Es from Seymour Johnson AFB arriving at RAF Lakenheath yesterday evening.
This is all excluding CE 051, with another six "FF" F-22A Raptors from Langley AFB arriving at Lakenheath late last night.
Coronet East 047
Cell 1:
Boeing KC-46 Pegasus 1x #AE5E13 17-46038 - CLEAN 43
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 4x #AE013B 57-1435 - CLEAN 41 #AE037C 63-8026 - CLEAN 42 #AE058D 58-0016 - CLEAN 44 #AE04FB 57-2605 - CLEAN 45
Cell 2:
Boeing KC-46 Pegasus 1x #AE5F92 18-46039 - CLEAN 53
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 4x #AE04B4 57-1499 - CLEAN 51 #AE0389 62-3514 - CLEAN 52 #AE0503 60-0336 - CLEAN 54 #AE0669 62-3540 - CLEAN 55
What looks like two cells of fighters from Hill AFB have departed this morning. Four groups of tankers have departed from the U.S., with an additional tanker for each cell departing RAF Mildenhall. CLEAN 41/42 and CLEAN 51/52 departed Hill Air Force Base, each likely with six F-35As in tow. To meet them will be CLEAN 43/44 and CLEAN 53/54. Once they cross the atlantic, CLEAN 45/55 from Mildenhall will likely collect the twelve jets.
I'd expect the Hill tankers to return, and most likely at least one of the second group for each cell.
Coronet East 046
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x #AE0591 58-0075 - CLEAN 73 (Beale AFB) #AE05AF 63-8875 - CLEAN 83 (Topeka)
Two KC-135s are positioning to McConnell AFB for CE 046. The receivers here are unknown.
Coronet East 044
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 4x #AE07C4 63-8873 - GOLD 85 (RAF Mildenhall) #AE0263 61-0324 - GOLD 86 (RAF Mildenhall) #AE038F 63-7996 - GOLD 75 (RAF Mildenhall) #AE0241 63-8021 - GOLD 76 (RAF Mildenhall)
Coronet East 044/046/047
There are three active Coronet missions this morning. "MO" F-15Es being moved under CE 044, "HL" F-35As under CE 047, and CE 046 with unknown receivers.
CE 045 resulted in two "SJ" F-15Es from Seymour Johnson AFB arriving at RAF Lakenheath yesterday evening.
This is all excluding CE 051, with another six "FF" F-22A Raptors from Langley AFB arriving at Lakenheath late last night.
Coronet East 047
Cell 1:
Boeing KC-46 Pegasus 1x #AE5E13 17-46038 - CLEAN 43
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 4x #AE013B 57-1435 - CLEAN 41 #AE037C 63-8026 - CLEAN 42 #AE058D 58-0016 - CLEAN 44 #AE04FB 57-2605 - CLEAN 45
Cell 2:
Boeing KC-46 Pegasus 1x #AE5F92 18-46039 - CLEAN 53
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 4x #AE04B4 57-1499 - CLEAN 51 #AE0389 62-3514 - CLEAN 52 #AE0503 60-0336 - CLEAN 54 #AE0669 62-3540 - CLEAN 55
What looks like two cells of fighters from Hill AFB have departed this morning. Four groups of tankers have departed from the U.S., with an additional tanker for each cell departing RAF Mildenhall. CLEAN 41/42 and CLEAN 51/52 departed Hill Air Force Base, each likely with six F-35As in tow. To meet them will be CLEAN 43/44 and CLEAN 53/54. Once they cross the atlantic, CLEAN 45/55 from Mildenhall will likely collect the twelve jets.
I'd expect the Hill tankers to return, and most likely at least one of the second group for each cell.
Coronet East 046
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x #AE0591 58-0075 - CLEAN 73 (Beale AFB) #AE05AF 63-8875 - CLEAN 83 (Topeka)
Two KC-135s are positioning to McConnell AFB for CE 046. The receivers here are unknown.
Coronet East 044
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 4x #AE07C4 63-8873 - GOLD 85 (RAF Mildenhall) #AE0263 61-0324 - GOLD 86 (RAF Mildenhall) #AE038F 63-7996 - GOLD 75 (RAF Mildenhall) #AE0241 63-8021 - GOLD 76 (RAF Mildenhall)
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
VideoUSS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) departs Crete en route to the eastern Mediterranean.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
WSJ: Here the demands US brought to Iran in Geneva:
1) Destroy all 3 nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan,
2) Deliver all enriched uranium to US,
3) No sunset clauses,
4) Zero enrichment, but can keep Tehran reactor,
5) Minimal sanctions relief up front; more if Iran compliant.
1) Destroy all 3 nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan,
2) Deliver all enriched uranium to US,
3) No sunset clauses,
4) Zero enrichment, but can keep Tehran reactor,
5) Minimal sanctions relief up front; more if Iran compliant.
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From: Wythenshawe
WSJ: Here the demands US brought to Iran in Geneva:
1) Destroy all 3 nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan,
2) Deliver all enriched uranium to US,
3) No sunset clauses,
4) Zero enrichment, but can keep Tehran reactor,
5) Minimal sanctions relief up front; more if Iran compliant.
1) Destroy all 3 nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan,
2) Deliver all enriched uranium to US,
3) No sunset clauses,
4) Zero enrichment, but can keep Tehran reactor,
5) Minimal sanctions relief up front; more if Iran compliant.
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From: Land of Oz
How long can they go with both sides saying "progress was made, and we will reconvene next week"?
Such a huge force that has been amassed can only be kept in place on readiness for a limited time, and as the Iranians play the US along, what would be the limit of that time?
The US cannot attack while there is still a chance of ongoing talks.
So the US has to stand up and say talks are going nowhere.
Such a huge force that has been amassed can only be kept in place on readiness for a limited time, and as the Iranians play the US along, what would be the limit of that time?
The US cannot attack while there is still a chance of ongoing talks.
So the US has to stand up and say talks are going nowhere.
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From: Texas
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Land of Oz
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
The US Air Force is building up an aerial refueling tanker fleet at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport.
Roughly a half dozen KC-46 and KC-135 tankers are on the ground at the central Israeli airport at the moment, with another half dozen inbound from the US.
Roughly a half dozen KC-46 and KC-135 tankers are on the ground at the central Israeli airport at the moment, with another half dozen inbound from the US.
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From: Maryland, USA
Seeing images of deployed aircraft clustered out in the open at bases around the Middle East makes me hope that force protection against "non-traditional" threats is being taken quite seriously. We sometimes seem to disregard the fact that a foe can be imaginative and clever.
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From: Glorious Devon
WSJ: Here the demands US brought to Iran in Geneva:
1) Destroy all 3 nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan,
2) Deliver all enriched uranium to US,
3) No sunset clauses,
4) Zero enrichment, but can keep Tehran reactor,
5) Minimal sanctions relief up front; more if Iran compliant.
1) Destroy all 3 nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan,
2) Deliver all enriched uranium to US,
3) No sunset clauses,
4) Zero enrichment, but can keep Tehran reactor,
5) Minimal sanctions relief up front; more if Iran compliant.
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 2,175
From: Texas
Also, what an inane position for you to take. (Quelle surprise).
How many governments have responded favorably to "step down from power or we bomb you" as a position?
Anyone?
Hasn't worked in Ukraine, didn't work in Iraq...have you seen any example of where it did work?
Do you believe that the Iranian power structure would fold based on a threat? If so, why do you believe that?
In the past week or so there have been some well presented assessments on how the current Grand Ayatollah is setting up the succession scheme in depth (thanks in part to how many leaders got whacked last summer).
Last edited by Lonewolf_50; 27th February 2026 at 13:08.
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From: Baston
Irrelevant, if you've bothered to keep up with the news for the past month or so. The early rhetoric about supporting the protests has been overtaken by events, and the issue to hammer out (allegedly) is once again the nuclear weapons thing.
Also, what an inane position for you to take. (Quelle surprise).
How many governments have responded favorably to "step down from power or we bomb you" as a position?
Anyone?
Hasn't worked in Ukraine, didn't work in Iraq...have you seen any example of where it did work?
Do you believe that the Iranian power structure would fold based on a threat? If so, why do you believe that?
In the past week or so there have been some well presented on how the current Grand Ayatollah is setting up the succession scheme in depth (thanks in part to how many leaders got whacked last summer).
Also, what an inane position for you to take. (Quelle surprise).
How many governments have responded favorably to "step down from power or we bomb you" as a position?
Anyone?
Hasn't worked in Ukraine, didn't work in Iraq...have you seen any example of where it did work?
Do you believe that the Iranian power structure would fold based on a threat? If so, why do you believe that?
In the past week or so there have been some well presented on how the current Grand Ayatollah is setting up the succession scheme in depth (thanks in part to how many leaders got whacked last summer).
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From: Northumberland
The UK has temporarily withdrawn staff from its embassy in Tehran, as tensions between the US and Iran prompt warnings from a number of countries to their citizens in the Middle East.
The UK Foreign Office said it was a "precautionary measure" and that its embassy in Iran's capital continued to operate remotely.
Meanwhile,the US embassy in Israel told some non-emergency staff and their familieson Friday that they could leave the country.US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee advised staff who wished to leave to "do so TODAY", the New York Times reported.
It comes a day after Washington and Tehran held talks widely seen as a last ditch effort to avoid a warover Iran's nuclear ambitions.
A number of othercountries including China, India and Canada have told their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible due to the prospectof hostilities.
Huckabee reportedly told embassy staff in an email there was "no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it's important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later".
A statement on the embassy's website said they "may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available".
The UK Foreign Office said it was a "precautionary measure" and that its embassy in Iran's capital continued to operate remotely.
Meanwhile,the US embassy in Israel told some non-emergency staff and their familieson Friday that they could leave the country.US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee advised staff who wished to leave to "do so TODAY", the New York Times reported.
It comes a day after Washington and Tehran held talks widely seen as a last ditch effort to avoid a warover Iran's nuclear ambitions.
A number of othercountries including China, India and Canada have told their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible due to the prospectof hostilities.
Huckabee reportedly told embassy staff in an email there was "no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it's important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later".
A statement on the embassy's website said they "may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available".