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Originally Posted by Ninthace
(Post 12061135)
Right in the saucer.
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A storm in the proverbial teacup….
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And there is more burnt out US aircraft.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran...-base-11282161 https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....40951e84a.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e43b3b0e6.jpeg |
Originally Posted by NutLoose
(Post 12061166)
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Originally Posted by k3k3
(Post 12061106)
I was surprised to see the US aircraft so neatly parked in box to make it easier for the Iranians to hit them. Have they forgotten about dispersals?
The US only have/had 14/15 active E-3 aircraft. |
Originally Posted by DaveReidUK
(Post 12061172)
The destroyed E-3 was not parked alongside other aircraft.
Spoiler
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Originally Posted by Geriaviator
(Post 12060858)
@ artee
Listen colonial chappie, I'll have you know that Lord Hermer is British Attorney General and a Very Important Panjandrum in the UK government. He keeps us all right on international law and was mainly behind the UK's kind donation of the Chagos Islands plus a small donation of £35 billion to Mauritius to help smooth out past injustices imposed by England a few centuries back. It is reported that he is already planning strict measures on every possible woke legal procedure to delay any action whatever. These Iranians had better prepare for him to launch a very strong solicitor's letter warning the Iranians to cease and desist from blocking the Strait of Hormuz under penalty of severe writs being fired in their direction. |
I doubt the USAF is overly worried about losing a few 65-year-old KC-135s.
The E-3 AWACS is a different story... As k3k3 notes, they don't have many to start with, and IIRC, that $100 million price tag was when they were new (in 1980's money) - replacements will be much, much more. |
It’s what you get when you think you are invulnerable. Just look at the parking.
Worryingly though is taking out Iranian comms has side effects Overnight, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a statement apologizing for attacks this past week against neighboring countries, claiming that some attacks were carried out independently by regional commanders without directive due to loss of communication, further stating that the Temporary Leadership Council has ordered a halt to attacks on these countries unless their territory is used to attack Iran. |
Originally Posted by NutLoose
(Post 12061185)
Overnight, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a statement apologizing for attacks this past week against neighboring countries, claiming that some attacks were carried out independently by regional commanders without directive due to loss of communication, further stating that the Temporary Leadership Council has ordered a halt to attacks on these countries unless their territory is used to attack Iran.
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The entire USAF E-3 fleet is supposed to be retired by the end of the current decade. From reading online there appear to be 15 left in service from a fleet of 31 with the others having already been retired. The E-7 will be the replacement.
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Originally Posted by Ronald Reagan
(Post 12061216)
The entire USAF E-3 fleet is supposed to be retired by the end of the current decade. From reading online there appear to be 15 left in service from a fleet of 31 with the others having already been retired. The E-7 will be the replacement.
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Originally Posted by GlobalNav
(Post 12061225)
Considering the Air Force's recent lack of enthusiasm for the E-7, I hope they can pull E-3 replacements from the boneyard, or build their own E-2D.
I might be recalling this in the presumably different context of (iirc) GMTI, Ground Moving Target Identification capability. The point isn't that the E-3 turned out to be, uh, vulnerable indeed. The previous discussion as I recall it was focused on lack of stealth characteristics. In any event, if the Warning and Control System capabilities provided by the E-3 AWACS aircraft can actually be provided instead by space systems, one has to wonder to what degree are such space-based capabilities classified? In other words, losing an E-3's capacity might not be so significant but the reason why not isn't available in the public domain. |
Originally Posted by DogTailRed2
(Post 12060434)
Maybe I got that wrong. Can you use it to take out boats, planes and the like?
If you are an inanimate object then you should be very very concerned. In the military, you know you are an inanimate object if you wake up and find that you have been painted white. |
Israeli forces reportedly struck Iran’s Tabriz Petrochemical Plant tonight, setting the facility ablaze. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d6492edab.jpeg |
I seem to recall that the basis for canceling the E-7 program, which was stated by those favoring cancelation, was that space systems will provide (or already are providing) the capability. Plus, airborne platforms have become too vulnerable, they also said. I noted previously that they deployed at least 5 x E-2Ds into theatre nearly 2 weeks ago. https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...l#post12053734 |
Originally Posted by GlobalNav
(Post 12061225)
I hope they can pull E-3 replacements from the boneyard
I don't see that happening. |
Originally Posted by WillowRun 6-3
(Post 12061234)
The point isn't that the E-3 turned out to be, uh, vulnerable indeed. The previous discussion as I recall it was focused on lack of stealth characteristics.
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FT: https://archive.is/20260330014146/ht...b-23b7884031f5
Donald Trump says US could ‘take the oil in Iran’ Donald Trump has said he wants to “take the oil in Iran” and could seize the export hub of Kharg Island, as the US sends thousands of troops to the Middle East. The US president told the FT in an interview on Sunday that his “preference would be to take the oil”, comparing the potential move to Venezuela where the US intends to control the oil industry “indefinitely” following its capture of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro in January. The president’s comments come as the US-Israeli war against Iran has thrust the Middle East into crisis and sent the price of oil surging by more than 50 per cent in a month. Brent crude rose above $116 a barrel on Monday morning in Asia, near its highest level since the conflict began. Trump said: “To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people.” Such a move would involve seizing Kharg Island through which most of Iran’s oil is exported. Trump has been beefing up US forces in the region, with the Pentagon ordering the deployment of 10,000 troops trained to seize and hold land. About 3,500 troops arrived in the region on Friday, including roughly 2,200 Marines. Another 2,200 Marines are en route, while thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division have also been ordered to the region. But an assault on the export hub would be risky, raising the chances of more US casualties and extending the cost and duration of the war. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump told the FT. “It would also mean we had to be there [in Kharg Island] for a while.” Asked about the state of Iranian defence on Kharg Island he said: “I don’t think they have any defence. We could take it very easily.”....... |
Ain't taking anything other than casualties. Strategic genius. |
Originally Posted by B Fraser
(Post 12060767)
If China has designs on Taiwan, it's now or never.
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Originally Posted by tdracer
(Post 12061184)
I doubt the USAF is overly worried about losing a few 65-year-old KC-135s.
The E-3 AWACS is a different story... As k3k3 notes, they don't have many to start with, and IIRC, that $100 million price tag was when they were new (in 1980's money) - replacements will be much, much more. Lucky they committed to a fleet of e7s a couple of years ago. If not they'd be waiting years for the supply chain to spool up. |
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BREAKING: The Israeli and U.S. air forces are now targeting Iran’s oil infrastructure in Abadan–Khorramshahr, with confirmed strike activity against the Abadan refinery and petrochemical complex early this morning. According to multiple incoming reports, the airstrikes began at approximately 07:25 local time, with continuous and sequential explosions reported for at least 10–15 minutes. Eyewitnesses in Abadan reported: 07:30: Ongoing explosions originating from the direction of the Abadan refinery 07:33: At least 10 explosions, with windows shaking across nearby neighborhoods (including areas near Falakeh Alfi) 07:39: Up to 10–11 extremely loud detonations assessed to be from the Abadan petrochemical facilities. Additional reports from Khorramshahr confirm repeated, rapid successive explosions (“barrage-style”), with at least 7–10 heavy detonations heard, suggesting multiple strike packages or follow-on targeting within the same complex. The intensity, repetition, and proximity of the blasts indicate direct hits on core refinery and petrochemical infrastructure, likely targeting processing units, storage facilities, or pipeline nodes within one of Iran’s most critical oil hubs. The Abadan refinery—one of the largest and most strategic in Iran—along with adjacent petrochemical facilities, forms a central pillar of the country’s fuel production and export network. The scale and sequencing of these strikes suggest a deliberate effort to disrupt Iran’s energy backbone. |
Originally Posted by Wyntor
(Post 12061324)
Alternatively...."we could put a couple of thousand guys into artillery range to secure an oil loading area 300 miles from a closed transit Strait."
Ain't taking anything other than casualties. Strategic genius. |
Israeli TV video
EXCLUSIVE: THE "HOSTAGE PRESIDENT" Senior Iran Analyst Dror Balazada (@DBalazada) reveals explosive leaked details of a deepening rift between President Pezeshkian and the Revolutionary Guards. In a heated confrontation, Pezeshkian reportedly lashed out at the IRGC Commander-in-Chief, warning: "You are ruling the country like suicidals... if this continues for another three weeks, the economy will collapse". The sources reveal a presidency under total siege: .
"I feel like a hostage," Pezeshkian reportedly claimed. "The only job I have is to read your crazy scripts". These leaks confirm the IRGC now holds absolute control, steering Iran toward an increasingly extreme and dangerous path. |
For how many Tankers of Oil should the RAAF Lend/Lease some Wedgetails for? :E
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Looks like the Chinese and other operators aren't being allowed, or not risking, to transit through the Gulf.
Sal Mercogliano: The Strait of Hormuz just hit double digits transits since the beginning of March, a total of 11 on March 27 & 28. It should be noted that these numbers are largely due to bulk carriers delivering food to Iran. In the meantime, Iranian tankers are running the Strait dark*. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....c728123f57.png * Ukraine secured an agreement with Gulf states to supply naval drones, Zelensky said. |
Originally Posted by larssnowpharter
(Post 12061336)
One suspects the talk on an invasion of Kharg Island is all misdirection. As I've said before it makes little military sense.
Re Kharg Island, I'd imagine the Iranians are busy fortifying it and making it an absolute nightmare for any invasion force: IEDs galore, pre-targeted drones and ballistic missiles etc. If they do feel its likely to be lost then there's various armageddon options e.g. them setting the whole place ablaze, pumping millions of pumping millions of gallons of crude into the Gulf and setting that alight etc. I wouldn't discount anything if they feel they're really under the cosh. One dilemma for Iran is that its not their oil as soon as its despatched, its whoever purchased it (hence why none of their tankers are being intercepted), which could explain the US's focus on it. |
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Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity says Iran attacked one of its water distillation facilities overnight. Ministry (of Electricity): Service building in one of the power stations and water desalination plants damaged due to an immoral Iranian attack on the State of Kuwait. - The Ministry's official spokesperson, Fatima Hayat: "The technical teams and emergency units have immediately commenced their operations in accordance with the approved emergency plans to address the repercussions of the incident and ensure the continuity of operational efficiency". - She emphasized that the safety and stability of the electricity and water systems represent the utmost priority, and that all technical teams are working around the clock with high efficiency in preparation for any emergency. |
Originally Posted by Birocracy
(Post 12061333)
Yes - they're precious and not to be taken for granted. It's not so much the money td (closer to 1b a piece for e7s?) it's the lead time.
Lucky they committed to a fleet of e7s a couple of years ago. If not they'd be waiting years for the supply chain to spool up. They cancelled it over a year ago. Goes to show I have my finger on the pulse. At this rate i could get a job in the oval office. |
Originally Posted by Birocracy
(Post 12061367)
Whoops
They cancelled it over a year ago. Goes to show I have my finger on the pulse. At this rate i could get a job in the oval office. So I believe they are still be built and will sent to UK for final fitout |
I think I may have heard of 2-3 E7s perhaps with a shorter lead time.
"Nice little runners. Never raced or rallied. Delivery mileage only. Owned by a lady and latterly her son." Buyer collects - on a flat bed... (Sorry mods, couldn't resist.) |
Originally Posted by ORAC
(Post 12061249)
The cancellation of the E-7 was supposed to be accompanied with the purchase of up another 90 x E-2Ds on the basis that a handful of E-7s would be to vulnerable to deploy in a high risk scenario, whilst you could risk a few E-2Ds.
I noted previously that they deployed at least 5 x E-2Ds into theatre nearly 2 weeks ago. https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...l#post12053734 Australia deploys E-7A to Middle East amid Iranian attacks – FlightGlobal |
Video presumably recorded over the weekend. Stripper says she doesn't want to spread disinformation, but some of the marines mentioned deploying next week - which presumably now means this week.
I literally briefed this morning on the strip clubs on Bragg Blvd in Fayetteville are a real indicator of troop movements ... and here we are. Stripper says troops who “look like fetuses” are blowing their money ahead of deployment |
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Tehran was loading five (5!!!) oil tankers simultaneously yesterday at Kharg Island, as the US-Israel-Iran war enters into its fifth week. Sentinel-2 L2A @CopernicusEU (It feels like Iran is trolling the White House via Kharg) |
US GROUND OPERATION INCOMING? >Pizza Index is exploding . >Gay bars are suddenly empty. >Suspicious wallets just placed $200,000+ on this. Potential payouts now over $1,000,000 NEW SUSPICIOUS BET A fresh wallet just placed over $170,000 on US forces entering Iran before March 31. >Joined in March 2026 >Just 7 predictions >Potential payout: $777,000+ All signs point to a US invasion of Iran by March 31 ->Friday: Mar-a-Lago fundraiser is postponed. >Saturday: Trump cancels CPAC (first time in 10 years)...... |
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"->Friday: Mar-a-Lago fundraiser is postponed."
It is getting serious, It could workout, the US sharpened themselves on Vietnam, A'Stan and Iraq |
Here come the A-10s.
USAF United States Air Force - Coronet East Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 8x #AE015E 59-1512 - BORA 21 #AE065F 60-0346 - BORA 22 #AE0501 59-1504 - BORA 23 #AE0687 60-0349 - BORA 24 #AE0650 58-0049 - BORA 31 #AE0504 60-0345 - BORA 32 #AE047B 58-0117 - BORA 33 #AE0377 63-0522 - BORA 34 + TABOR 71-76 flt 6x A-10s + TABOR 81-86 flt 6x A-10s Eight KC-135s from Bangor ANGB and RAF Mildenhall are supporting the move of twelve A-10 Thunderbolt II’s from Pease Air National Guard Base to RAF Lakenheath. TABOR 71 and TABOR 81 departed ~30 mins apart, and should arrive just after sunset this evening. BORA 21/22 were travelling at just 300kts. These A-10s are from the 107th Fighter Squadron. There are a further 6x from the 190th Fighter Squadron due to follow them this week. |
Photos
BIG: Satellite images show fires at two pumping stations on the Habshan–Fujairah oil pipeline, which carries crude from Abu Dhabi to the port of Fujairah, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran may be targeting alternative export routes used by U.S. allies to avoid Hormuz. Iran has targeted Habshan–Fujairah oil pipeline. The United Arab Emirates can no longer bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Only Saudi's East-West Pipeline remains active. |
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