Iran
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
...............
RAF Fairford Bomber Fleet Update #FreeIran
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yesterday's arrivals:
C-5M "RCH5038" 87-0029 #AE057A
B-1B "PIKE72" 86-0120 #AE6BFA
Today's arrivals:
C-5M "RCH1884" 85-0001 #AE055E
B-1B "PIKE72" (the second?!) TBC
B-1B "PIKE73" TBC
B-1B "PIKE74" TBC
As I anticipated, the B-1Bs that flew to Iran before heading to RAF Fairford have flown their return journey over Europe, rather than flying the long way round via Gibraltar. I expect this may be the norm moving forward.....
3 of the 4 have flown to Iran overnight to bomb targets before heading to Fairford this morning. The 4th went straight to Fairford yesterday evening.
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yesterday's arrivals:
C-5M "RCH5038" 87-0029 #AE057A
B-1B "PIKE72" 86-0120 #AE6BFA
Today's arrivals:
C-5M "RCH1884" 85-0001 #AE055E
B-1B "PIKE72" (the second?!) TBC
B-1B "PIKE73" TBC
B-1B "PIKE74" TBC
As I anticipated, the B-1Bs that flew to Iran before heading to RAF Fairford have flown their return journey over Europe, rather than flying the long way round via Gibraltar. I expect this may be the norm moving forward.....
3 of the 4 have flown to Iran overnight to bomb targets before heading to Fairford this morning. The 4th went straight to Fairford yesterday evening.
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From: Peripatetic
Another US MQ-9 Reaper UCAV was shot down by IRGC Aerospace Force air defense over Hormozgan province.
Some sources write that this is an Israeli Hermes-900, but this is clearly US MQ-9 with Hellfire missiles
Some sources write that this is an Israeli Hermes-900, but this is clearly US MQ-9 with Hellfire missiles
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From: Peripatetic
...............
The U.S. Navy is preparing to deploy a third carrier strike group to the Middle East near Iran in the coming weeks, according to a report by Fox News, with the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) and her Carrier Strike Group having now completing their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), expected to depart from Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia sometime before the end of March for a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area-of-Responsibility.
However, due to the ongoing hostilities with Iran, it is not known if she will relieve the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), who entered the Red Sea on Thursday and has been deployed now for nearly 11-months, or if she will arrive to further reinforce the U.S. Navy in the Middle East.
However, due to the ongoing hostilities with Iran, it is not known if she will relieve the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), who entered the Red Sea on Thursday and has been deployed now for nearly 11-months, or if she will arrive to further reinforce the U.S. Navy in the Middle East.
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From: Peripatetic
Hopefully someone waiting just outside territorial waters for them to try and leave....
Iranian landing ship in reported in Kochi with "engine problems."
Indian Navy photo.
Indian Navy photo.
IRIS Lavan (514) a Hengam class landing ship is now the second Iranian ship to seek shelter in Neutral countries over the past 48 hours.
This ship in particular is one of Iran's 2022 Drone Carrier Division with demonstrated use and operation of launching OWA-UAVS such as the Shahed-136.
With this ship currently docked in Kochi for "engine problems" it is currently within striking range of Diego Garcia if it is carrying Shahed-136 or the Arash-2.
It is likely the ship is capable of carrying up to 50 drones.
This ship in particular is one of Iran's 2022 Drone Carrier Division with demonstrated use and operation of launching OWA-UAVS such as the Shahed-136.
With this ship currently docked in Kochi for "engine problems" it is currently within striking range of Diego Garcia if it is carrying Shahed-136 or the Arash-2.
It is likely the ship is capable of carrying up to 50 drones.
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From: Peripatetic
Satellite imagery displays multiple destroyed aircrafts in Iran's 'Shahid Dastgheib' International Airport, 'Shiraz', including:
1 x Il-76 Transport Aircraft,
2 x C-130 Transport Aircrafts, and
2 x SU-22 Fighter Jets......
1 x Il-76 Transport Aircraft,
2 x C-130 Transport Aircrafts, and
2 x SU-22 Fighter Jets......
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From: Peripatetic
Tweet from last night with 4 videos of the action.
Iraqi Resistance units are in direct contact with U.S. forces tonight.
An American Apache carried out a strike on the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades in Mosul, with smoke rising from the headquarters and confirmed casualties. A second attack hit PMF units in al-Taji north of Baghdad.
The Brigades returned fire immediately, engaging the Apache with anti-air and small-arms fire as clashes spread along the axis from Erbil toward the capital.
Minutes later, Victoria Base in Baghdad was hit with 5 rockets and 2 drones, triggering the C-RAM(Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar).
The footage you’re about to see is part of this running battle.
An American Apache carried out a strike on the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades in Mosul, with smoke rising from the headquarters and confirmed casualties. A second attack hit PMF units in al-Taji north of Baghdad.
The Brigades returned fire immediately, engaging the Apache with anti-air and small-arms fire as clashes spread along the axis from Erbil toward the capital.
Minutes later, Victoria Base in Baghdad was hit with 5 rockets and 2 drones, triggering the C-RAM(Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar).
The footage you’re about to see is part of this running battle.
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From: Peripatetic
Video:
New footage released by CENTCOM shows the destruction of Sukhoi Su-22M3/M4 fighter jets and Su-22UM3/UM3K combat trainer aircraft belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force inside Seyyed Shohada Air Base at Shiraz International Airport in southern Iran.
The aircraft were destroyed by AGM-114K/L Hellfire air-to-surface missiles launched by MQ-9A Reaper armed drones of the U.S. Air Force operating from Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
The aircraft were destroyed by AGM-114K/L Hellfire air-to-surface missiles launched by MQ-9A Reaper armed drones of the U.S. Air Force operating from Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
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From: Peripatetic
According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense 4 Iranian drones were tracked and intercepted while heading towards the Shaybah Oil Field.
So far, 20 Iranian drones have targeted the highly profitable facility.
So far, 20 Iranian drones have targeted the highly profitable facility.
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From: Peripatetic
https://www.navylookout.com/hms-prin...e-east-crisis/
HMS Prince of Wales placed on five days’ notice to sail in response to Middle East crisis
The Royal Navy is increasing the readiness of the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. The move shortens the time required for the carrier to put to sea, should the government decide additional naval forces are needed.
It should be made clear this change of posture does not mean she will definitely be deployed, but increased readiness offers options if the situation worsens or the UK needs to make a greater effort to protect its interests. Alerting warships to be prepared in response to changing events is normal practice.
Prince of Wales is nearing the end of a maintenance period that followed her return from the 8-month HIGHMAST deployment in December, but she remained the carrier at high readiness. (HMS Queen Elizabeth’s ongoing docking and certification period in Rosyth is now several months behind schedule, and it could be some time before she returns to service.)
Reducing the notice to sail from 14 days to 5 days requires preparations to be accelerated. Final maintenance tasks must be completed, the ship’s company recalled from leave and training courses and all systems checked to ensure the ship is at the highest state of readiness. The ship already has aircraft ordnance and munitions in her magazines that were embarked last year.
Should it be decided to send the carrier to the eastern Med or beyond, the immediate problem would be finding escorts. Although HMS Duncan has been at sea recently, she needs a maintenance period before she goes anywhere; it would have been very high-risk to deploy her instead of HMS Dragon. Duncan’s maintenance period will likely be completed as fast as possible once Dragon sails next week. There is probably a single frigate available to deploy, assuming the TAPS tasking is the priority. As was the case during Operation HIGHMAST last year, there would be a need for European allies to provide additional escorts.
HMS Prince of Wales was slated to join Operation FIRECREST, which was not due to begin until April. This was not planned as one long deployment, and she would return to the UK before going to High North. FIRECREST is now somewhat in doubt. The UK Carrier Strike Group was supposed to sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, and USMC F-35s were also expected to operate from HMS Prince of Wales. The operation was intended to include key allies, including the US, Canada, and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations. US participation is now especially uncertain, even if FIRECREST goes ahead as planned.
6 F-35Bs are deployed at RAF Akrotiri, but it is unclear how many other jets 617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron have immediately available as they regenerate after HIGHMAST and prepare for FIRECREST.
Meanwhile, the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has departed the Mediterranean and is now operating in the Red Sea, potentially her trip will become the longest American carrier deployment since the Vietnam War. USS Abraham Lincoln is currently in the Arabian Sea, launching strike missions against Iran. At the same time, the next US carrier to become available, USS George H.W. Bush, has completed its final pre-deployment certification.
The French carrier, FS Charles de Gaulle, passed through the Strait of Gibraltar yesterday as she was rapidly re-tasked from her planned North Atlantic deployment. The Marine Nationale has also just deployed the assault ship FS Tonnerre and frigate FS Courbet to the eastern Med. FS Languedoc has been sent specifically to contribute to the air defence of Cyprus.
The Royal Navy is increasing the readiness of the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. The move shortens the time required for the carrier to put to sea, should the government decide additional naval forces are needed.
It should be made clear this change of posture does not mean she will definitely be deployed, but increased readiness offers options if the situation worsens or the UK needs to make a greater effort to protect its interests. Alerting warships to be prepared in response to changing events is normal practice.
Prince of Wales is nearing the end of a maintenance period that followed her return from the 8-month HIGHMAST deployment in December, but she remained the carrier at high readiness. (HMS Queen Elizabeth’s ongoing docking and certification period in Rosyth is now several months behind schedule, and it could be some time before she returns to service.)
Reducing the notice to sail from 14 days to 5 days requires preparations to be accelerated. Final maintenance tasks must be completed, the ship’s company recalled from leave and training courses and all systems checked to ensure the ship is at the highest state of readiness. The ship already has aircraft ordnance and munitions in her magazines that were embarked last year.
Should it be decided to send the carrier to the eastern Med or beyond, the immediate problem would be finding escorts. Although HMS Duncan has been at sea recently, she needs a maintenance period before she goes anywhere; it would have been very high-risk to deploy her instead of HMS Dragon. Duncan’s maintenance period will likely be completed as fast as possible once Dragon sails next week. There is probably a single frigate available to deploy, assuming the TAPS tasking is the priority. As was the case during Operation HIGHMAST last year, there would be a need for European allies to provide additional escorts.
HMS Prince of Wales was slated to join Operation FIRECREST, which was not due to begin until April. This was not planned as one long deployment, and she would return to the UK before going to High North. FIRECREST is now somewhat in doubt. The UK Carrier Strike Group was supposed to sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, and USMC F-35s were also expected to operate from HMS Prince of Wales. The operation was intended to include key allies, including the US, Canada, and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations. US participation is now especially uncertain, even if FIRECREST goes ahead as planned.
6 F-35Bs are deployed at RAF Akrotiri, but it is unclear how many other jets 617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron have immediately available as they regenerate after HIGHMAST and prepare for FIRECREST.
Meanwhile, the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has departed the Mediterranean and is now operating in the Red Sea, potentially her trip will become the longest American carrier deployment since the Vietnam War. USS Abraham Lincoln is currently in the Arabian Sea, launching strike missions against Iran. At the same time, the next US carrier to become available, USS George H.W. Bush, has completed its final pre-deployment certification.
The French carrier, FS Charles de Gaulle, passed through the Strait of Gibraltar yesterday as she was rapidly re-tasked from her planned North Atlantic deployment. The Marine Nationale has also just deployed the assault ship FS Tonnerre and frigate FS Courbet to the eastern Med. FS Languedoc has been sent specifically to contribute to the air defence of Cyprus.
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From: Canada
Internment
Should not the Indian authorities, as a neutral power, have to intern the ship after 24 hours as per the Hague convention of 1907 and have a duty to prevent the vessel from carrying out any hostile act until the cessation of hostilities ?
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From: Nottinghamshire
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From: Texas
Yes, if you fly aircraft over someone else's country, they may shoot it down.
Did they actually buy them, or is this one more of those "here, you get it for free" deals like Biden's 14 Billion grant during the first few months of the Gaza war? (And no further off topic digressions).
The THAAD radar got hit: yes, if the enemy shoots back, sometimes they hit what they aim at. Iran knows how important it is to take down an integrated air defense system, just like everyone else knows...
From IndiaToday website:
1. Having been involved in cyclic ops some years ago, the Lincoln repositioning at this point in the ops would not surprise me. The USAF and the Israelis can keep pressure on the IRGC; Lincoln isn't the only asset in the region.
2. The War of Words will continue, of course.
3. Odds that Chinese and Russians are providing locating data when they can: high.
For AR1: that got a laugh out of me.
Did they actually buy them, or is this one more of those "here, you get it for free" deals like Biden's 14 Billion grant during the first few months of the Gaza war? (And no further off topic digressions).The THAAD radar got hit: yes, if the enemy shoots back, sometimes they hit what they aim at. Iran knows how important it is to take down an integrated air defense system, just like everyone else knows...
From IndiaToday website:
What if one of the most powerful warships on Earth… was forced to retreat?
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claims it launched missiles and drones at the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Sea of Oman — and says the carrier fled the area at high speed.
But the U.S. military says none of it ever happened.So… what’s the truth?
Today we’re breaking down a dramatic claim coming out of Iran — one that has sparked intense debate online and raised questions about what’s really happening in the Middle East.
Did Iran really strike a U.S. aircraft carrier?
Or is this part of a growing information war between two rivals?
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claims it launched missiles and drones at the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Sea of Oman — and says the carrier fled the area at high speed.
But the U.S. military says none of it ever happened.So… what’s the truth?
Today we’re breaking down a dramatic claim coming out of Iran — one that has sparked intense debate online and raised questions about what’s really happening in the Middle East.
Did Iran really strike a U.S. aircraft carrier?
Or is this part of a growing information war between two rivals?
2. The War of Words will continue, of course.
3. Odds that Chinese and Russians are providing locating data when they can: high.
For AR1: that got a laugh out of me.
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From: Here 'n' there!
FWIW, "Military chief defends UK response to ME conflict"
"The head of the British military has told the BBC he "completely rejects" criticism that the UK had been ill-prepared for the conflict in the Middle East."
Of course, in a way, he's correct. But what he should say is that "Given the dire straits the UK Armed Forces are in due to a decades-long lack of political will and investment, and the fact the UK Government is totally unable to make an actual decision, we in the Armed Forces have done the best we can given the s**t-show that's been handed to us!".
Of course, that would be quite "career-limiting" if he were to say it. So, yet again, a poor VSO "bailing out" the latest in a series of inept Governments! Given the situation he's in he has my sympathy! But, clearly the Govt have realised that they've been caught without any clothes on yet again and have ordered a VSO to bail them out - yet again!
"The head of the British military has told the BBC he "completely rejects" criticism that the UK had been ill-prepared for the conflict in the Middle East."
Of course, in a way, he's correct. But what he should say is that "Given the dire straits the UK Armed Forces are in due to a decades-long lack of political will and investment, and the fact the UK Government is totally unable to make an actual decision, we in the Armed Forces have done the best we can given the s**t-show that's been handed to us!".
Of course, that would be quite "career-limiting" if he were to say it. So, yet again, a poor VSO "bailing out" the latest in a series of inept Governments! Given the situation he's in he has my sympathy! But, clearly the Govt have realised that they've been caught without any clothes on yet again and have ordered a VSO to bail them out - yet again!
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From: The Roman Empire
Did Knighton need to wear combats for an interview outside MOD main building, or was it an attempt to look more warlike?
Last edited by Biggus; 7th March 2026 at 17:58.
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Biggus
20 Anniversary
Did Knighton need to wear combats for an interview outside MOD main building, as was it an attempt to look more warlike
Knighton is an engineer that morphed into a forensic accountant. He has no operational credibility.
20 Anniversary
Did Knighton need to wear combats for an interview outside MOD main building, as was it an attempt to look more warlike
Knighton is an engineer that morphed into a forensic accountant. He has no operational credibility.
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From: cornwall
Having had a 35 year career as aircrew in the RAF I would like to ask whether people think that our present armed forces are fit for purpose? If not has the Iran conflict exposed our failings and what needs to be done to fix it in a sensible time? To me the HMS Dragon issue seems to show that we aren't really ready to respond to imminent threats but what do you all think please.
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