Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities.

[Thunder]

If they do,it won't be FF,WITH Rait due soon,more like moron

Pretty sure if it all goes “Pete Tong”, RIAT will be canned. FFD is there to be used as a FOB first and foremost, the RIAT circus is just that.

[Blackcat1]

If they do,it won't be FF,WITH Rait due soon,more like moron

Pretty sure if it all goes “Pete Tong”, RIAT will be canned. FFD is there to be used as a FOB first and foremost, the RIAT circus is just that.

FUBAR exactly

[Finty]

Not seen any solid proof of those alleged F-35I downing so will dismiss until evidence comes to light.

Footage now doing the round of two F-14s being destroyed on the ground but debate going on as to whether they are mock-ups or grounded airframes.

[Finty]

but said the UK could play a military role defending Israel from ongoing Iranian attacks.

The final sentence from Rachel says a lot.

wouldn’t be the first time as RAF Typhoons downed 3 drones launched by Iran during their April 2024 attack on Israel.

German chancellor has said that Iran should not have nuclear weapons (my words)

Sounds like picking sides...

Whether it was an issue with tracking sites I don’t know but a German A400 appeared over Israeli airspace, fuelling discussing/wibble about it refuelling Israeli aircraft.

[nashwa]

Rumblings on the grape vine of an F-22 and F-35 deployment to the middle east started today, now with KC-135 GOLD24 heading NE out of Salt Lake City, it seems likely. Again another slightly worrying sign, here’s to hoping it’s only intimidation/precautionary positioning, but Trumps been doing a lot of talking the past couple of days…

[Finty]

Rumblings on the grape vine of an F-22 and F-35 deployment to the middle east started today, now with KC-135 GOLD24 heading NE out of Salt Lake City, it seems likely. Again another slightly worrying sign, here’s to hoping it’s only intimidation/precautionary positioning, but Trumps been doing a lot of talking the past couple of days…

I assume whichever F-35 squadron of HL's 388th Fighter Wing is still deployed in the Middle East? I've seen nothing about them heading back stateside. At some point the 495th is expected to deploy there but obviously not just yet as the tanker support wouldn't be from CONUS.

Speaking of tankers, it had passed me by that Iran was the operator of the sole KC-747. This has now been destroyed and is seen during 'better times' in this rather nice shot posted on X. The USA may be the great Satan but they don't half make some nice planes!


https://x.com/BabakTaghvaee1/status/1934270699922755728

[Finty]

Further to Nashwa's post, I've just seen this on X. Looks like a good account.

https://x.com/CoronetEast/status/1934721955237613734

[nashwa]

Adding on to myself from last night, there’s a lot more GOLD flights about this morning, F-35s are deploying from Lakenheath, and apparently Vermont ANG F-35s (some say Lakenheath birds are going instead), and Langley Raptors.

[STN RAMP RAT]

I have just given the thread a tidy, please remember this is the mess and the following rule applies

“A forum for discussing all things related to MILITARY AVIATION including Military Aviation news. No off-topic discussions here please.”

[david14]

Also seen reports of F16s from Aviano

[Finty]

Also seen reports of F16s from Aviano

Aye.

viewtopic.php?f=342&t=254936

[STRATO2003]

So we got AV 16's on the way ,Laken' 15's and 35's
What do we suspect is being tanked from Moron ?

[KevinJ]

In summary then, USAF units that are thought to be in the region, or heading there are:
389thFS F-15E
391stFS F-15E
494thFS F-15E
31stFW F-16CM
388thFW F-35A
493rdFS F-35A
134th FS F-35A?
1stFW F-22A

[jamesg23]

In summary then, USAF units that are thought to be in the region, or heading there are:
389thFS F-15E
391stFS F-15E
494thFS F-15E
31stFW F-16CM
388thFW F-35A
493rdFS F-35A
134th FS F-35A?

are the b2s and b52s still based at Deigo garcia?

[F4JPhantomII]

In summary then, USAF units that are thought to be in the region, or heading there are:
389thFS F-15E
391stFS F-15E
494thFS F-15E
31stFW F-16CM
388thFW F-35A
493rdFS F-35A
134th FS F-35A?
1stFW F-22A

Having a look through the coronet page, there seems to be 20th FW F-16s, 52nd FW F-16s and 124th FW A-10s in the region as well.

[KevinJ]

Thanks, now I do remember the A-10s going over, so that's quite some build up.

[sschofield]

In summary then, USAF units that are thought to be in the region, or heading there are:
389thFS F-15E
391stFS F-15E
494thFS F-15E
31stFW F-16CM
388thFW F-35A
493rdFS F-35A
134th FS F-35A?
1stFW F-22A

Having a look through the coronet page, there seems to be 20th FW F-16s, 52nd FW F-16s and 124th FW A-10s in the region as well.

Has the Coronet page moved? I have it bookmarked but the link no longer works?

[david14]

Worth adding to that list of assets the air wing for one carrier, with another heading that way

[Finty]

In summary then, USAF units that are thought to be in the region, or heading there are:
389thFS F-15E
391stFS F-15E
494thFS F-15E
31stFW F-16CM
388thFW F-35A
493rdFS F-35A
134th FS F-35A?

are the b2s and b52s still based at Deigo garcia?

I was under the impression the six B-2s hadn’t returned since being pulled back, following their deployment back in April. I may be wrong. I also since found out it’s the 34th FS that were out there.

Back in April, deployed forces included A-10s of the 74th, 190th and 303rd FS as well as the 90th FS F-22s. I don’t know when the raptors returned to AK or what the current disposition of A-10s is.

[Finty]

Worth adding to that list of assets the air wing for one carrier, with another heading that way

As per USNI fleet tracker, USS Nimitz with CSG11, Carrier air wing 17 with the following squadrons:

The “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.

The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA 94 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The “Kestrels” of VFA 137 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA 146 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.

The “Bluetails” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 121 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.

The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 Det. – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.

The “BattleCats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

The “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

In addition to CSG1, USS Carl Vinson with carrier air wing 2:

The “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.

The “Stingers” of VFA-113 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The “World Famous Golden Dragons” of VFA-192 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The “Warhawks” of VFA-97 – F-35C – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.

The “Black Eagles” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.

The “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 – CMV-22Bs – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

The “Black Knights” of Helicopter Sea Squadron (HSC) 4 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

The “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island.

https://news.usni.org/2025/06/16/usni-n ... ne-16-2025