Iran
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Are US aircraft flying from any other European base other than the UK? If not then Starmer's agreement to do so is flawed imo.
However the UK is, as far as I am aware, the only European state hosting bombers flying missions into Iran.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Greek media reporting that the USS Gerald R. Ford will leave the Red Sea and return to port in Crete next week. Seems that the fire may have been arson.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/politic...k-sources-say/
https://www.ekathimerini.com/politic...k-sources-say/
Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to return to Crete next week, sources say
The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford which is currently deployed in the Middle East amid the US and Israeli war on Iran is expected to return to NATO’s naval base on Crete next week, Kathimerini understands.
The ship will return for refueling, but possibly also for an investigation into the large fire that broke out aboard the vessel on March 12, according to a source.
The New York Tines reported that the fire started in the ship’s main laundry area on Thursday. By the time it was over, more than 600 sailors and crew members had lost their beds and have since been bunking down on floors and tables, officials said.
The aircraft carrier is now entering its 10th month of deployment, the report said, adding that crew members have been told that their deployment will probably be extended into May, which would put them at an entire year at sea, twice the length of a normal aircraft carrier deployment.
Kathimerini understands that one scenario being examined is that the blaze may have been deliberately caused by crew members to terminate their extended mission.
The vessel spent four days at the Souda Bay base on Crete last February resupplying, before heading for the eastern Mediterranean.
The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford which is currently deployed in the Middle East amid the US and Israeli war on Iran is expected to return to NATO’s naval base on Crete next week, Kathimerini understands.
The ship will return for refueling, but possibly also for an investigation into the large fire that broke out aboard the vessel on March 12, according to a source.
The New York Tines reported that the fire started in the ship’s main laundry area on Thursday. By the time it was over, more than 600 sailors and crew members had lost their beds and have since been bunking down on floors and tables, officials said.
The aircraft carrier is now entering its 10th month of deployment, the report said, adding that crew members have been told that their deployment will probably be extended into May, which would put them at an entire year at sea, twice the length of a normal aircraft carrier deployment.
Kathimerini understands that one scenario being examined is that the blaze may have been deliberately caused by crew members to terminate their extended mission.
The vessel spent four days at the Souda Bay base on Crete last February resupplying, before heading for the eastern Mediterranean.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
HMS Dragon has berthed at Gibraltar, presumably to pick up a full load of weapons and other stores before continuing on to Cyprus.
Joined: Feb 2002
Aviation Qualifications: AME
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 1,096
From: UK
Edit: According to Wikipedia, the Bone can only do Max Mach of M1.25.
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 2,175
From: Texas
(Last time I was on a CV that had a major fire on it was over 30 years ago; one fatality, plenty of damage).
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Looks like the overnight attacks on the Basij/IRGC knocked out more than just a few of the leadership....
Around 300 Basij commanders and field officials were killed in a wave of overnight strikes on key command and operational centers of Iran’s Basij forces, Iran International has learned.
The strikes appeared to hit the logistics and command structure of a force long used to suppress dissent and confront anti-government protests.
In one of the most critical attacks, a Basij support unit’s repair and maintenance center was hit. The site housed hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles used in street operations and neighborhood patrols. Initial reports said the fleet was destroyed.
Facilities linked to the Mohammad Rasoulollah Corps, the IRGC unit responsible for the greater Tehran area, were struck.
The Imam Hadi security unit, a strategic command center in Tehran, was also heavily damaged.
The Imam Ali security battalions, which have played a central role in cracking down on protests, also suffered heavy personnel and equipment losses.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603175489
The strikes appeared to hit the logistics and command structure of a force long used to suppress dissent and confront anti-government protests.
In one of the most critical attacks, a Basij support unit’s repair and maintenance center was hit. The site housed hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles used in street operations and neighborhood patrols. Initial reports said the fleet was destroyed.
Facilities linked to the Mohammad Rasoulollah Corps, the IRGC unit responsible for the greater Tehran area, were struck.
The Imam Hadi security unit, a strategic command center in Tehran, was also heavily damaged.
The Imam Ali security battalions, which have played a central role in cracking down on protests, also suffered heavy personnel and equipment losses.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603175489
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 2,175
From: Texas
They'll probably have a few of those motorcycles up and running by next week.
When people say "destroyed" in a military targeting context, there is quite often some stuff left over that is usable.
When people say "destroyed" in a military targeting context, there is quite often some stuff left over that is usable.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 326
From: Royal Berkshire
Was the same for the F-111 strikes on Libya back in 86, had to go the long way around for same reason.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 326
From: Royal Berkshire
UK news programmes this morning first thing were stating that Dragon was due to arrive off the coast of Cyprus today after its journey from UK, so if its sitting in Gib, its still 3 or 4 days away from Cyprus from whenever its departure from Gib will be.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
I think there is a lot of unreported damage and pain out there....
High resolution satellite imagery obtained via @SoarAtlas shows extensive damage to Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE following recent Iranian drone and missile strikes.
Several American aircraft/drone shelters, hangars, warehouses, and troop barracks were hit, some sustaining heavy damage and others completely destroyed.
A hangar used by the UAE Air Force to house Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft has also been confirmed to be severely damaged.
Several American aircraft/drone shelters, hangars, warehouses, and troop barracks were hit, some sustaining heavy damage and others completely destroyed.
A hangar used by the UAE Air Force to house Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft has also been confirmed to be severely damaged.
Joined: Jan 2019
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 803
Likes: 642
From: Cumbria
Obviously Fake News, Orac, as I have it on good authority that Iran's Air Force, Navy, Girl Guides etc totally obliterated.
This news just in (haven't seen it so far on the thread), "Top US Counterterrorism official" Joe Kent has resigned in protest at the War, and DJT's handling thereof;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4g66r3z40o
The off-ramp for this episode might just be a Regime Change, but those ousted might not be native Farsi speakers.
This news just in (haven't seen it so far on the thread), "Top US Counterterrorism official" Joe Kent has resigned in protest at the War, and DJT's handling thereof;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4g66r3z40o
The off-ramp for this episode might just be a Regime Change, but those ousted might not be native Farsi speakers.
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 10,564
Likes: 798
From: Northumberland
In one of the most critical attacks, a Basij support unit’s repair and maintenance center was hit. The site housed hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles used in street operations and neighborhood patrols. Initial reports said the fleet was destroyed.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 330
Likes: 136
From: Cluedo
Trump confirms he doesn’t need any help from any other countries, and never did
https://www.independent.co.uk/bullet...-b2940306.html
Also confirms that Irans Military has been decimated.
Thank goodness for that. Hopefully this war will be over in super quick time now then
https://www.independent.co.uk/bullet...-b2940306.html
Also confirms that Irans Military has been decimated.
Thank goodness for that. Hopefully this war will be over in super quick time now then
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Reference the attack on Al Dhafra:
Reports claim UAE has lost a Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, one of its most advanced and expensive surveillance platforms (valued at ~$400-500M each) destroyed by an Iranian kamikaze drone strike at Al Dhafra Air Base.
Joined: Dec 2020
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 1,379
From: Over the rainbow
We need a tote board of friendly losses. Not to gloat but to demonstrate to Trump what a folly this war is.
That's one 1.5 Billion radar installation, 3 x F15's. 1 x KC Tanker and now an AWACS. That's a lot of dollars.
Drones are going to kill us. Putin might be our saviour as they have inadvertently trained Ukraine how use and deal with them.
That's one 1.5 Billion radar installation, 3 x F15's. 1 x KC Tanker and now an AWACS. That's a lot of dollars.
Drones are going to kill us. Putin might be our saviour as they have inadvertently trained Ukraine how use and deal with them.
Joined: Dec 2020
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 1,379
From: Over the rainbow
Can warships survive a transit through the Strait? Doesn't look like anyone thinks so, what with air and sea born drones, speedboats and missiles just off the coast. Especially as the latest NATO exercises with Ukraine they were able to sink some of our ships.
The Strait makes a good `kill zone` for the unwary.
The Strait makes a good `kill zone` for the unwary.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
We need a tote board of friendly losses. Not to gloat but to demonstrate to Trump what a folly this war is.
That's one 1.5 Billion radar installation, 3 x F15's. 1 x KC Tanker and now an AWACS. That's a lot of dollars.
Drones are going to kill us. Putin might be our saviour as they have inadvertently trained Ukraine how use and deal with them.
That's one 1.5 Billion radar installation, 3 x F15's. 1 x KC Tanker and now an AWACS. That's a lot of dollars.
Drones are going to kill us. Putin might be our saviour as they have inadvertently trained Ukraine how use and deal with them.
That's just off the top of my head.
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 2,119
From: Glorious Devon
Trump confirms he doesn’t need any help from any other countries, and never did
https://www.independent.co.uk/bullet...-b2940306.html
Also confirms that Irans Military has been decimated.
Thank goodness for that. Hopefully this war will be over in super quick time now then
https://www.independent.co.uk/bullet...-b2940306.html
Also confirms that Irans Military has been decimated.
Thank goodness for that. Hopefully this war will be over in super quick time now then
Will someone please explain decimated to Donald?
