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Old 1st March 2026 | 16:45
  #2981 (permalink)  
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From: Peripatetic
I wonder if and when someone will retaliate against Kharg Island….

BREAKING: Iranian sources claim an Emirati oil platform in the Persian Gulf has been targeted by Iranian drones.


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Old 1st March 2026 | 16:57
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………….
​​​​​​​The UAE authorities have stated that they do not intend to “leave unanswered” the missile attacks carried out by the Islamic regime in Iran.

According to Defense Ministry, Iran launched at least 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones at the UAE’s territory over the past day.
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Old 1st March 2026 | 17:29
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Bragging rights for someone.



BV
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Old 1st March 2026 | 17:51
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The decision by Starmer not to allow the use of British air bases will not be forgotten or forgiven by America at the end of the day !

NOR will the lack of vital AWACS support by the UK - due to the early retirement of the Sentry and our inability to replace it sooner!

Re the comment that this ‘illegal’ action by America will make other wars - such as China taking on Taiwan -more likely - I beg to differ ,
China ( and Russia ) have never bothered about the niceties of international law and America - by showing that it can and will take action , when necessary, will act as a deterrent.
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Old 1st March 2026 | 18:22
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A “What’s going on with shipping” report on Commercial Shipping in the Area and rumours flying around of closure of the Straits.
Well done by Sal as usual.

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Old 1st March 2026 | 18:42
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Originally Posted by mahogany bob
The decision by Starmer not to allow the use of British air bases will not be forgotten or forgiven by America at the end of the day !

NOR will the lack of vital AWACS support by the UK - due to the early retirement of the Sentry and our inability to replace it sooner!
Well, looks like it wasn't needed in the end, if those B-2 sorties are anything to go by. And why would we have provided 'vital AWACS support' anyway?
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Old 1st March 2026 | 18:43
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Alas, Sir Kier Hermer.

Sorry, did I get that name right or does it not really matter?
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Old 1st March 2026 | 20:13
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Old 1st March 2026 | 20:31
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqj9g11p1ezo
The UK has agreed to a US request to use British military bases for "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

But the prime minister said it "remains the case" that the UK is not involved in strikes on Iran and will "not join offensive action now".

Sir Keir said the basis of the decision was the "collective self-defence" of allies and protecting British lives, accusing Iran of pursuing a "scorched-earth strategy".

The US will use the bases for the "specific and limited defensive purpose" of hitting missile launch sites or storage depots in Iran, he added.

He said the move is in accordance with international law, and the government would publish a summary of its legal advice.
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Old 1st March 2026 | 20:34
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Another Starmer U-turn....what a shock.
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Old 1st March 2026 | 20:44
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I do wonder unfortunately whether this concentration of US forces in the Gulf will mean that China will see an opportunity with Taiwan - I certainly hope not.


Kind regards
Exeng
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Old 1st March 2026 | 20:49
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Originally Posted by exeng
I do wonder unfortunately whether this concentration of US forces in the Gulf will mean that China will see an opportunity with Taiwan - I certainly hope not.


Kind regards
Exeng
US forces aren't the problem, it's their own forces ability to conduct an operation of that scale that is their problem. Any build up for an operation of that scale would be evident long in advance of it occuring.
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Old 1st March 2026 | 20:52
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So, the UK has now given the USA permission to use two UK basis for their operations - Fairford and Diego Garcia.

Presumably to be used to host B-52 and B-2 flights respectively. Though at this stage it’s questionable they will be of much use.

Last edited by ORAC; 1st March 2026 at 21:06.
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Old 1st March 2026 | 21:11
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Originally Posted by ORAC
So, the UK has now given the USA permission to use two UK basis for their operations - Fairford and Diego Garcia.

Presumably to be used to host B-52 and B-2 flights respectively. Though at this stage it’s questionable they will be of much use.
Are B-2s allowed to operate out of Diego Garcia (i.e. does it have the necessary infrastructure?).
I assumed there is a good reason why most B-2 missions originate from the continental US...
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Old 1st March 2026 | 21:15
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From: Peripatetic
Update on the Iranian navy…

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Konarak Naval Base BDA:

IRIS Jamaran (76) Sunk
IRIS Bayandor (81) sunk
IRIS Naghdi (82) sunk

Not Visible possibly sunk:

1x Ship I have been struggling to identify possibly Delvar Class.
2x Hendijan Class Patrol Boats


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Last edited by Senior Pilot; 1st March 2026 at 21:17. Reason: Quote
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Old 1st March 2026 | 21:30
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Originally Posted by tdracer
Are B-2s allowed to operate out of Diego Garcia (i.e. does it have the necessary infrastructure?).
I assumed there is a good reason why most B-2 missions originate from the continental US...
AI saving me having to type it out, but yes, they can

Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri is the primary, permanent home for the entire B-2 Spirit fleet. While Whiteman is the main operating base, B-2s can be deployed to specialized forward operating locations, including Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, and RAF Fairford in England.
AF.mil +4
Key Locations Handling B-2 Operations:
Whiteman AFB, Missouri: Permanent home, maintenance, and operational base.
Diego Garcia (Indian Ocean): Key forward operating location for missions in the Middle East/Indo-Pacific.
Andersen AFB, Guam: Forward operating location in the Pacific.
RAF Fairford, England: Forward operating location in Europe.
Keflavik Air Base, Iceland: Used for Bomber Task Force missions.
AF.mil +3
These aircraft require specific, high-security hangars with climate control to maintain their specialized stealth coatings.
Early reports now coming in that Akritori has been hit. There was ACARS messages earlier sent to the Voyager asking them to turn off IFF so they weren't visible on FR24.

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Old 1st March 2026 | 21:37
  #2997 (permalink)  
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If reports of a strike on RAF Akritori are confirmed, would this trigger a NATO response? (genuine question, I don't know)
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Old 1st March 2026 | 21:47
  #2998 (permalink)  
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Last I heard (some time ago) B2s needed climate controlled hangarage large enough for the aircraft to be re-painted after every sortie. That was the reason it only ever did flypasts at the Farnborough Airshow, instead flying from Whiteman on 20 hour soties.
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Old 1st March 2026 | 21:52
  #2999 (permalink)  
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From: Nevada, USA
Originally Posted by tdracer
Are B-2s allowed to operate out of Diego Garcia (i.e. does it have the necessary infrastructure?).
I assumed there is a good reason why most B-2 missions originate from the continental US...
Yes - Diego Garcia has 4 of the B2SS deployable, clamshell, environmentally controlled shelters like the single one that used to be at RAF Fairford before it was removed after being damaged in strong winds..
RAF Fairford has a 2 x B-2A bay hangar that is environmentally controlled.
The B-2 Spirit looks full on Flight Of The Navigator when stowed in its B-2 Shelter System (B2SS) while operating abroad.
B-52s Join B-2s On Diego Garcia,10 Bombers Now At Indian Ocean Island
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Old 1st March 2026 | 21:52
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Originally Posted by 750XL
AI saving me having to type it out, but yes, they can



Early reports now coming in that Akritori has been hit. There was ACARS messages earlier sent to the Voyager asking them to turn off IFF so they weren't visible on FR24.

https://x.com/FaytuksNetwork/status/2028231879305150726
Did someone not get the memo?

This is right now.
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