Iran
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
First B-52 mission?
Bomber Mission XVII & XVIII - 3rd Dual Missions #FreeIran!
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yesterday (15th March 2026) the US bomber fleet at RAF Fairford (EGVA) launched 2 bombing missions with 2 different bomber types to Iran, one that departed around 0930Z and another that departed around 1230Z. Both missions arrived back at RAF Fairford overnight - 2 separate maps today because of the two different bomber types:
Mission XVII
B-52H "SPIT45" ?
B-52H "SPIT46" 60-0023 #AE587C "Bomber Barons"
KC-135 (x4?) ? (Likely from Ramstein, unconfirmed)
KC-135R "FIST34" 63-7976 #AE038D
KC-135R "FIST35" 63-8000 #AE0671
KC-135R "FIST36" 59-1521 #AE0598
KC-135T "FIST37" 58-0071 #AE0654
Mission XVIII
B-1B "CORIA35" 85-0072 #AE6BD6 "Polarized"
B-1B "CORIA36" ?
KC-135R "FIST25" 61-0315 #AE0237 (From RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135T "FIST26" 59-1464 #AE0659 (From RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135T "FIST27" 59-1470 #AE04C3 (From RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135R "FIST28" 63-8008 #AE048A (Spare, did not launch, from RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135R "FIST47" 62-3564 #AE07BC (From Sofia)
KC-135R "FIST48" 59-1459 #AE04C2 (From Sofia)
KC-135R "FIST49" 58-0092 #AE025D (From Sofia)
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yesterday (15th March 2026) the US bomber fleet at RAF Fairford (EGVA) launched 2 bombing missions with 2 different bomber types to Iran, one that departed around 0930Z and another that departed around 1230Z. Both missions arrived back at RAF Fairford overnight - 2 separate maps today because of the two different bomber types:
Mission XVII
B-52H "SPIT45" ?
B-52H "SPIT46" 60-0023 #AE587C "Bomber Barons"
KC-135 (x4?) ? (Likely from Ramstein, unconfirmed)
KC-135R "FIST34" 63-7976 #AE038D
KC-135R "FIST35" 63-8000 #AE0671
KC-135R "FIST36" 59-1521 #AE0598
KC-135T "FIST37" 58-0071 #AE0654
Mission XVIII
B-1B "CORIA35" 85-0072 #AE6BD6 "Polarized"
B-1B "CORIA36" ?
KC-135R "FIST25" 61-0315 #AE0237 (From RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135T "FIST26" 59-1464 #AE0659 (From RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135T "FIST27" 59-1470 #AE04C3 (From RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135R "FIST28" 63-8008 #AE048A (Spare, did not launch, from RAF Mildenhall)
KC-135R "FIST47" 62-3564 #AE07BC (From Sofia)
KC-135R "FIST48" 59-1459 #AE04C2 (From Sofia)
KC-135R "FIST49" 58-0092 #AE025D (From Sofia)
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: UK/Philippines/Italy
India appears to have met an accommodation with Iran re transit through the SoH;
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...-gulf-of-oman/
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...-gulf-of-oman/
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Photos
Israeli Air Force jets bombed and destroyed the Iranian government’s state Airbus A340 (EP-IGA) at Mehrabad International Airport overnight.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Video
We might have the FIRST FOOTAGE of U.S BUNKER BUSTERS IN ACTION.
This footage from Al-Jazeera is from Isfahan, Iran and it shows two small ground explosions and then THE ENTIRE WORLD SHAKES! INSANE! (video comes back clean from AIs).
This footage from Al-Jazeera is from Isfahan, Iran and it shows two small ground explosions and then THE ENTIRE WORLD SHAKES! INSANE! (video comes back clean from AIs).
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Confident enough that there are no MANPAD around to do a strafing run?
Impossible to confirm the date and time of the footage.
Impossible to confirm the date and time of the footage.
Video footage of a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), making low passes and strafing a target in or near the city of Chabahar in Southeastern Iran, near the border with Pakistan, using its M61A2 Vulcan Rotary Cannon.
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Austria
There is only little enthusiasm around the world for Mr Trumps idea of having other nations lie in the bed he made around the Strait of Hormuz.
From Japan, I hear that the "legal requirements for sending Japanese ships are rather high", which is a clear No if I understand their traditions right.
Korea has stated that they are observing the situation closely.
Great Britain is of the opinion that this is not a NATO mission and never was going to be one.
Germany also stated that NATO is not responsible for the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia has shown no interest either.
China stated that they were in contact with all parties and called for de-escalation.
The general feeling seems to be that the US have brought this on themselves and there is no need for other worldwide armies to come and stay a little back also in this war.
From Japan, I hear that the "legal requirements for sending Japanese ships are rather high", which is a clear No if I understand their traditions right.
Korea has stated that they are observing the situation closely.
Great Britain is of the opinion that this is not a NATO mission and never was going to be one.
Germany also stated that NATO is not responsible for the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia has shown no interest either.
China stated that they were in contact with all parties and called for de-escalation.
The general feeling seems to be that the US have brought this on themselves and there is no need for other worldwide armies to come and stay a little back also in this war.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 345
From: UK
There is only little enthusiasm around the world for Mr Trumps idea of having other nations lie in the bed he made around the Strait of Hormuz.
From Japan, I hear that the "legal requirements for sending Japanese ships are rather high", which is a clear No if I understand their traditions right.
Korea has stated that they are observing the situation closely.
Great Britain is of the opinion that this is not a NATO mission and never was going to be one.
Germany also stated that NATO is not responsible for the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia has shown no interest either.
China stated that they were in contact with all parties and called for de-escalation.
The general feeling seems to be that the US have brought this on themselves and there is no need for other worldwide armies to come and stay a little back also in this war.
From Japan, I hear that the "legal requirements for sending Japanese ships are rather high", which is a clear No if I understand their traditions right.
Korea has stated that they are observing the situation closely.
Great Britain is of the opinion that this is not a NATO mission and never was going to be one.
Germany also stated that NATO is not responsible for the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia has shown no interest either.
China stated that they were in contact with all parties and called for de-escalation.
The general feeling seems to be that the US have brought this on themselves and there is no need for other worldwide armies to come and stay a little back also in this war.
But we have had our butt kicked, help … how can I get out of this mess (it's made by 'you', Israel, everyone else's fault).
Loss of face (nothing to lose) vs committing the fleet to action.
What is the practicality of US boats in the Persian Gulf; can air power alone provide safety, or is it boots on the ground?
An interesting time for war studies.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eliza...cB7hU2U_S8Iv3k
Last edited by safetypee; 16th March 2026 at 14:42.
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: 3rd Rock, #29B
Wait until he asks Putin for help. … "Net"; high oil price helps Russia
But we have had our butt kicked, help … how can I get out of this mess (it's made by 'you', Israel, everyone else's fault).
Loss of face (nothing to lose) vs committing the fleet to action.
What is the practicality of US boats in the Persian Gulf; can air power alone provide safety, or is it boots on the ground?
An interesting time for war studies.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eliza...cB7hU2U_S8Iv3k
But we have had our butt kicked, help … how can I get out of this mess (it's made by 'you', Israel, everyone else's fault).
Loss of face (nothing to lose) vs committing the fleet to action.
What is the practicality of US boats in the Persian Gulf; can air power alone provide safety, or is it boots on the ground?
An interesting time for war studies.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eliza...cB7hU2U_S8Iv3k
Two historical events come to mind... the dutch fire ships on the Thames that messed up the RN rather well, and the whole saga of the Russian fleets debacle from departing St Pete's and points north and blundering their way towards Port Arthur, to meet their destiny in the straits of Tsushima.
Plonking the USN in an area that requires the SoH to be open within range of every munition the Iranians own seems to be a gift to the recently departed ayatollah. Russia has shown how many drones Iran could produce for export let alone their own defence. Hope the USN has lots of reloads of their SMs and phalanx ammo and a means to get it to the
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Wiltshire
The last couple of days there has been some heavy noise (different to the usual commercial stuff) overhead me in deepest Wiltshire, but unable to see anything due to cloud cover. However one day FR24 showed a single B-1 and yesterday were 3 KC135s' circling around. The B-1 associated noise has been heard again but no longer shows on FR24 surprisingly.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
As noted later on another thread, two KC-135s and accompanying B-1s came over south eastern London on Saturday morning, the second B-1 was busy taking on four star and leaving a narrow stream of vapour in its wake. Quite a sight over a suburban area - rather noisy too; a 135 and three or four F-15s went right over the top a week or two earlier and seemed quieter - though they were higher and above cloud...
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From: Canada
What is going on with shipping.
Latest update from Sal who has been doing a great job reporting on the Commercial Shipping.aspect of the “War”, “Military Operation” or “Excursion”. ( pick one or make up your own )
For those who wish too I highly recommend subscribing to his You Tube page
Commercial Shipping is vital, something that seems to have escaped the attention of folks in certain lofty positions of power.
Remember Winston Churchill’s statement in his memoirs, “The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.”
Without the needed cargo, fuel, food and troops WW2 may have been lost or greatly lengthened.
Latest update from Sal who has been doing a great job reporting on the Commercial Shipping.aspect of the “War”, “Military Operation” or “Excursion”. ( pick one or make up your own )
For those who wish too I highly recommend subscribing to his You Tube page
Commercial Shipping is vital, something that seems to have escaped the attention of folks in certain lofty positions of power.
Remember Winston Churchill’s statement in his memoirs, “The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.”
Without the needed cargo, fuel, food and troops WW2 may have been lost or greatly lengthened.
Last edited by albatross; 16th March 2026 at 22:13.
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From: Everett, WA
BBC headline this morning:
Donald Trump says it would be "very bad for the future of Nato" if allies don't help secure the Strait of Hormuz - a critical waterway for global oil shipping
More threats from Trump!
Donald Trump says it would be "very bad for the future of Nato" if allies don't help secure the Strait of Hormuz - a critical waterway for global oil shipping
More threats from Trump!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 110
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From: Bournemouth
I think I can sum up the Iran "expedition" from the European perspective as follows:
Week 1: We've won, we don't need any assistance"
Week 2: "We're still winning, we're the greatest"
Week 3: "Send help immediately"
A cynical view might be that assistance in keeping the Straits of Hormuz open is potentially exponentially more dangerous than anything that the US has carried out so far as it's been done entirely from the air and / or with stand-off missiles. So Trump's cunning plan is to put other nations assets and personnel directly into the firing line because any US casualties would seriously lose him support at home. Because after all the "we're winning / we've won" rhetoric, Iran is seemingly still able to fire missiles and drones at complete will and the narrow Straits of Hormuz would easily become a bloodbath.
So the card of "you need to do more, we've always been here for you" to other nations is being played so US assets and personnel are not in the front line and any casualties will not be American. Call us Europeans cynical....but many are much smarter than he seems to think.
Week 1: We've won, we don't need any assistance"
Week 2: "We're still winning, we're the greatest"
Week 3: "Send help immediately"
A cynical view might be that assistance in keeping the Straits of Hormuz open is potentially exponentially more dangerous than anything that the US has carried out so far as it's been done entirely from the air and / or with stand-off missiles. So Trump's cunning plan is to put other nations assets and personnel directly into the firing line because any US casualties would seriously lose him support at home. Because after all the "we're winning / we've won" rhetoric, Iran is seemingly still able to fire missiles and drones at complete will and the narrow Straits of Hormuz would easily become a bloodbath.
So the card of "you need to do more, we've always been here for you" to other nations is being played so US assets and personnel are not in the front line and any casualties will not be American. Call us Europeans cynical....but many are much smarter than he seems to think.
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From: Over the rainbow
Two questions.
1. Why can't shipping go around?
2. If we are to commit ships to opening the Strait how well equipped are they at defending against mines and mass drone attacks?
It's not like the old days where a few Destroyers and Mine Sweepers can keep a shipping lane open. We are fighting an enemy that is going to use asymmetric warfare against us. Carriers with aircraft isn't going to do a lot against mass repeated drone attacks.
1. Why can't shipping go around?
2. If we are to commit ships to opening the Strait how well equipped are they at defending against mines and mass drone attacks?
It's not like the old days where a few Destroyers and Mine Sweepers can keep a shipping lane open. We are fighting an enemy that is going to use asymmetric warfare against us. Carriers with aircraft isn't going to do a lot against mass repeated drone attacks.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
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From: Wiltshire
May I suggest the simple act of "looking at a map" ...... 
This might help you understand the statement... "The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world's most strategically important choke points."
This might help you understand the statement... "The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world's most strategically important choke points."
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From: Herefordshire
Would it be rude of me to point out that the Strait of Hormuz would be open right now if the US hadn't crashed in to the region uninvited and unilaterally started a war?
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From: Over the rainbow
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: London
If we are to commit ships to opening the Strait how well equipped are they at defending against mines and mass drone attacks?
Trump has clearly had this explained to him, hence his desire to get others involved to share the burden (AKA take a hit for Uncle Sam).
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 110
Likes: 146
From: Bournemouth
Any western warships entering the Straits will be undoubtedly get the undivided attention of the Iranian regime, who would go all out to sink one.
Trump has clearly had this explained to him, hence his desire to get others involved to share the burden (AKA take a hit for Uncle Sam).
Trump has clearly had this explained to him, hence his desire to get others involved to share the burden (AKA take a hit for Uncle Sam).
Last edited by Bonkey; 16th March 2026 at 21:35.
