Iran
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 844
From: Here 'n' there!
Mmmmmmm - this popped up in a news-feed today and is reported on by a number of news outlets. Seems a bit of a "blame-game" starting up. As well as Generals (poss x 3) there is the Attorney General........... though most outlets are linking her departure to mishandling of the Epstein files but, of course, there may be an "Iran" link there too.
"Military" and "Legal" advice running contra to the desired "Truth Social" narrative? I suspect the idea to go in and dig up the Uranium stockpiles is attracting some polarised views...........
Meanwhile, on the ground, the US and Israelis will pick away at things. I wonder what the Gulf States are thinking, rather than saying, since, if the US go for the Power Stations I suspect the Gulf will see the lights going out too.
You know, in these "interesting times", H 'n' H can't help feeling that the old "non-ideal" status-quo was actually a better result than what appears to be unraveling. But, of course, I'm just a simple chap so what do I know....................
"Military" and "Legal" advice running contra to the desired "Truth Social" narrative? I suspect the idea to go in and dig up the Uranium stockpiles is attracting some polarised views...........
Meanwhile, on the ground, the US and Israelis will pick away at things. I wonder what the Gulf States are thinking, rather than saying, since, if the US go for the Power Stations I suspect the Gulf will see the lights going out too.
You know, in these "interesting times", H 'n' H can't help feeling that the old "non-ideal" status-quo was actually a better result than what appears to be unraveling. But, of course, I'm just a simple chap so what do I know....................
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 696
From: Brit living in Malaysia
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,254
From: Peripatetic
Bomber Mission 52 - BUFFs go it alone #FreeIran!
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yesterday's (2nd April 2026) only bomber mission from RAF Fairford (EGVA) was a pair of B-52H "Stratofortress" bombers carrying stand-off cruise missiles underwing. Initially both due to depart at 1400Z, one airframe had to abort takeoff and use it's chute, resulting in a delay of 30 minutes before another bomber took it's place on the mission.
Contrary to some reporting, these bombers DID fly through France on their way to Iran.
Mission aircraft:
Mission LII
B-52H "CASS25" 60-0023 #AE587C "Bomber Barons"
B-52H "?" 60-0060 #AE5895 "Iron Butterfly" (Aborted)
B-52H "CASS26" 60-0012 #AE5875 "Heavy Hauler"
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yesterday's (2nd April 2026) only bomber mission from RAF Fairford (EGVA) was a pair of B-52H "Stratofortress" bombers carrying stand-off cruise missiles underwing. Initially both due to depart at 1400Z, one airframe had to abort takeoff and use it's chute, resulting in a delay of 30 minutes before another bomber took it's place on the mission.
Contrary to some reporting, these bombers DID fly through France on their way to Iran.
Mission aircraft:
Mission LII
B-52H "CASS25" 60-0023 #AE587C "Bomber Barons"
B-52H "?" 60-0060 #AE5895 "Iron Butterfly" (Aborted)
B-52H "CASS26" 60-0012 #AE5875 "Heavy Hauler"
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,254
From: Peripatetic
Does this relate to the reported shoot down near the start of the campaign and US and IDF SF CSAR infiltration to rescue? Iran
BREAKING: The Iranian air defense force has definitely shot down a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from 494th Fighter Squadron OF RAF Lakenheath over western Iran.
Parts of the wreckage that did not burn have been found by locals, including sections from the vertical stabilizer, wingtip, and other surviving components. An impact crater was also observed at the crash site, where the aircraft hit, exploded, and burned.
The crew has definitely been rescued inside Iranian territory. CENTCOM has not released any information about it, and it appears they are hiding it. The exact time of the shootdown remains unknown.
Parts of the wreckage that did not burn have been found by locals, including sections from the vertical stabilizer, wingtip, and other surviving components. An impact crater was also observed at the crash site, where the aircraft hit, exploded, and burned.
The crew has definitely been rescued inside Iranian territory. CENTCOM has not released any information about it, and it appears they are hiding it. The exact time of the shootdown remains unknown.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,254
From: Peripatetic
EVEN MORE TANKERS! #FreeIran!
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yet another stream of new tanker arrivals into the region overnight, as well as some in the UK or Germany moving forward towards the Middle East - this will take my list to over 200 easily.
New arrivals include:
KC-135T "?" 59-1467 #AE0385
KC-135R "RCH893" 63-8036 #AE014F
KC-135R "RCH438" 57-1469 #AE0266
KC-135T "?" 59-1460 #AE0596
KC-135R "RCH128" 61-0317 #AE0667
KC-135R "RCH273" 63-8040 #AE0674
KC-135T "?" 58-0077 #AE035E
KC-135R "RCH155" 62-3550 #AE07B9
KC-135R "RCH172" 63-8032 #AE048B
KC-135R "RCH199" 62-3500 #AE05A4
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yet another stream of new tanker arrivals into the region overnight, as well as some in the UK or Germany moving forward towards the Middle East - this will take my list to over 200 easily.
New arrivals include:
KC-135T "?" 59-1467 #AE0385
KC-135R "RCH893" 63-8036 #AE014F
KC-135R "RCH438" 57-1469 #AE0266
KC-135T "?" 59-1460 #AE0596
KC-135R "RCH128" 61-0317 #AE0667
KC-135R "RCH273" 63-8040 #AE0674
KC-135T "?" 58-0077 #AE035E
KC-135R "RCH155" 62-3550 #AE07B9
KC-135R "RCH172" 63-8032 #AE048B
KC-135R "RCH199" 62-3500 #AE05A4
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,254
From: Peripatetic
First replacement KC-135 out of the Boneyard. Only placed in storage at the Boneyard on 22nd December 2025 and was destined for reclamation.
Video
Video
KC-135 58-0011 being flown from the boneyard over to Tinker AFB to be restored into service. Explains why the landing gear was down for most of the flight.
Joined: Aug 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 609
Likes: 386
From: EDLB
We will see the next giant fiasco of an USA military intervention with the upcoming ground operation. One theme is the obvious underestimation of the enemy resilience. Bombing is ineffective if the enemy is prepared and dispersed his armor. Iran will learn quick in ground operations and use weapons and tactics developed in the Ukraine war with technologic support from Russia and China. The US population will not allow the inevitable mounting body count. That operation will look a lot different from the older Irak and Afghanistan operations and I do not think that the WH is aware of this.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 844
From: Here 'n' there!
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,254
From: Peripatetic
At last we have a name for the Arleigh-Burke destroyer taking down the missiles aimed at Incirlik in Turkey.
Video
Video
Footage of the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Bulkeley engaging Iranian ballistic missiles last Friday using its SM-3 interceptors.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,254
From: Peripatetic
USS Ford has departed Split in Croatia. No news as to whether they're going to head east towards the Gulf or west back towards the USA.
https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/...split-croatia/
https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/...split-croatia/
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,254
From: Peripatetic
EA-37Bs moved forward from the UK to the Gulf yesterday.
New Electronic Warfare birds move forward #FreeIran!
-- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Two new EA-37B "Compass Call II" electronic warfare jets that arrived into the UK a few days ago are currently airborne en-route towards CENTCOM!
EA-37B "AXIS41" 19-1587 #AE17CD
EA-37B "AXIS43" 17-5579 #AE142E
New Electronic Warfare birds move forward #FreeIran!
-- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Two new EA-37B "Compass Call II" electronic warfare jets that arrived into the UK a few days ago are currently airborne en-route towards CENTCOM!
EA-37B "AXIS41" 19-1587 #AE17CD
EA-37B "AXIS43" 17-5579 #AE142E
Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 36,137
Likes: 5,738
From: Falling off the end of the thread
If you are winning a war, you don’t fire the head of the army who is prosecuting it. Looks like they found excuses to carry them out.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...rge-rcna266491
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...rge-rcna266491
Flashes from the Archives of Oblivion
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 189
From: 03 ACE
Joined: Apr 2010
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 958
Likes: 1,239
From: Herefordshire
The US isn’t winning the war, it’s just bombing stuff that is no threat to them. They appear to be mostly causing self-inflicted damage to the USA.
