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nope. its pretty clear that that is being used to justify the bombing of Iran. several folk have said similar.
You clearly believe that Iran isn't a problem, whereas I very much do. We're never going to agree so let's leave it there.
deleted as per crisl post
I’m rapidly loosing faith in the EU, when will they have the balls to speak out against the actual aggressors?
https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/2039591233148928352?s=20
They have. But Iran's "defensive" actions that close the Strait of Hormuz are also a problem, and the EU, and UK, and others all across the world will want those actions to stop as well. Iran are not the "good guys" here, and the USA and Israel are wrong to be attacking them... both are true, and our politicians will still need to organise and respond... ideally diplomatically... to Iran's actions. I still think it'll have to be China/****stan/India that'll have to do the hard work though, Europe and the Gulf States will not be trusted by Iran.
Hegseth has fired the top US general
either because he was upset at the punishment of the ****s that flew apache gunships on a flypast kidrocks house
or because he's not insane enough to send ground troops into iran.....
They have. But
Wringing of hands and tut-tutting against the U.S acti9ns is worth the sum of **** all, and Israel’s actions in Lebanon/iran do not get called out in the slightest, sanction every single settlement and inhabitant along with making it illegal to support/raise funds in this country/the E.U. for settlements
Hegseth has fired the top US general
IIRC I think that’s the 15th he’s fired.
I can’t wait to see the equivalent of Generation Kill, a few years down the line, when it exposes the truth about what happens when you get rid of all the actual experienced military personnel and put a Fox News presenter and Christian crusader loon in charge of running your military instead.
Trump keeps bragging about annihilating the Iranians. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if they’d dropped most of that ordnance on the desert
Guess who killed the negotiator who was trying to temper down hostilities ?
https://bsky.app/profile/timothysnyder.bsky.social/post/3mika6luxkc23
But Iran's "defensive" actions that close the Strait of Hormuz are also a problem, and the EU, and UK, and others all across the world will want those actions to stop as well. Iran are not the "good guys" here, and the USA and Israel are wrong to be attacking them... both are true, and our politicians will still need to organise and respond... ideally diplomatically... to Iran's actions.
I can't see any other way of proceeding on this but to both open negotiations directly with Iran for safe passage of vessels through the Strait, and simultaneously agree to pay in Chinese Yuan for the transit. Trump and Hegseth's craziness has managed to cost the USA more than 200 billion dollars in direct costs alone, and the loss of the petrodollar link will probably be more damaging than the whole war.
The idea of Iran having a capable nuclear weapon that needed immediate action is laughable, emphasised by the fact that Israel is spending all their time Gaza-fying Beirut. I assume they know where all the radioactive stuff is, because you don't need viable material to make a bomb that would turn the centre of any major US city into a no-go area for the next century - and they've just been given both reason and legitimacy for doing so.
Trump has helped his genocidal pal Putin though by lifting sanctions and doubling oil prices, so that's good.
Guess who killed the negotiator who was trying to temper down hostilities ?
This is what happens when you use an AI targeting system (Maven) to allocate strike mission but don't have a sufficiently clear, reliable update intelligence loop built in. I'd bet money that he's "a name on a list" rather than an actual assassination .
This is what happens when you use an AI targeting system (Maven) to allocate strike mission
There's nothing wrong with using AI, it speeds things up massively as Ukraine is demonstrating having used a cut-down version of Project Maven since 2024 (without access to full US intel updates on other theatres).
The trick is not to be pressured to act because you have a choice pop-up within minutes, rather than hours or days
I'd bet money that he's "a name on a list" rather than an actual assassination .
Of course. I can't believe that Israel would be deliberately trying to prolong the war just at the point where their goon state is looking to pull out.
The idea of Iran having a capable nuclear weapon that needed immediate action is laughable
It was never about Iran having nuclear weapons. It was all about Trumps ego trying to portray himself as a tough guy like his idol Putin.
China recently raised concerns that Japan have enough weapons grade nuclear material already to have more nuclear bombs than even Russia. Pretty sure South Korea and other Asian countries will be looking at getting them asap too.
Iran saying they've shot down an F35, tho picture of wreckage apparently likely f15
https://bsky.app/profile/aramshabanian.bsky.social/post/3mil52tbyds2g
theres also very unconfirmed tumours of black hawks searching the area and being targeted by Iran
captured pilots or even pictures of a dead one will be inflammatory
https://bsky.app/profile/ubewe-xibef.mastodon.lithium03.info.ap.brid.gy/post/3milmle6bjgl2
some unverified claims of pilots captured
https://bsky.app/profile/osintradar.bsky.social/post/3milm5qofus2w
Tim Marshall, who's take is always worth listening too on anything geopolitical, was just 5 Live this morning with his analysis of whats happening. He thinks theres a 50/50 chance of either of these things:
1. Trump declaring this whole thing the bigliest victory ever, because he's bored now and this isn't working out the way he'd been told it would by Hegseth and co. and moves on to Cuba
2. He goes in with ground troops and massive bombing on the island and the coast to try and cut off Irans oil export facilities completely
Obviously he said that Trump is insane, so its anyones guess. The major factor here, in his opinon, is that as Iran is a proxy of Russia and China, if the regime is still in power and everyone has to pay them to travel through the straits, then its not just a victory for Iran, but also for China and Russia too, which will piss Trump right off!
Marshall outlined the worse case scenrio (which isn't that unlikely) where Trump has a massive hissy fit and wipes out Irans oil infrastructure, who retaliate by going all out on the oil facilities and desalination plants of all their Gulf neighbours. Oil prices instantly go ballistic and pass $200 a barrel, ushering in a global recession the like of which we've never seen before.
Something to look forward to, eh?
Another thing mentioned was that... as everyone suspected... the latest General was sacked by Hegseth for telling him what he didn't want to hear, namely that boots on the ground in Iran would be madness and would likely end very, very badly indeed for everyone on the planet (see above).
Another thing mentioned was that... as everyone suspected... the latest General was sacked by Hegseth for telling him what he didn't want to hear, namely that boots on the ground in Iran would be madness and would likely end very, very badly indeed for everyone on the planet (see above).
is this something Tim Marshall said or is there any other sourcing? It's probably right but I havent seen anything overly reliable on why the general was sacked
the F15 was from Lakenheath
is this something Tim Marshall said or is there any other sourcing? It's probably right but I havent seen anything overly reliable on why the general was sacked
It was mentioned during the discussion that that was the word coming out of Washington. Lets be honest, Trump doesn't accept any responsibility for anything, I doubt Cowboy Pete does either, so its just a case of when, not if, you get thrown under the bus.
They inhabit their own little fantasy world and they don't want anything as inconvenient as facts or knowledge getting in the way of their insanity
It was mentioned during the discussion that that was the word coming out of Washington. Lets be honest, Trump doesn't accept any responsibility for anything, I doubt Cowboy Pete does either, so its just a case of when, not if, you get thrown under the bus.
If Americans are successful in bombing infrastructure, schools, etc, then they’re the best, the biggliest, the strongest fighting force the world has ever seen, if any get shot down then they’re cowards and losers.
the F15 was from Lakenheath
So, “defensive” then.
they moved their f15s from Lakenheath to Jordan in January
https://simpleflying.com/why-usaf-transport-fly-f-15s-middle-east/
sounds like an the Americans have recovered one of the pilots, im guessing the other never ejected?
sounds like an the Americans have recovered one of the pilots, im guessing the other never ejected?
Those Pedro boyos are pretty swept up with that sort of thing, seen them at work up close a couple of times.
Obvs making assumptions but combat search and rescue is their thing usually unless they have other units covering it.
You clearly believe that Iran isn't a problem, whereas I very much do. We're never going to agree so let's leave it there.
So let's just bomb the **** out of them* because they deserved it.
FFS.
My gf has family in Iran not a single one of them supports the regime and all of them wish for change but not like this.
The US and Israel started this shite and any consequences are on them.
*Civilians
So let's just bomb the **** out of them* because they deserved it.
Ironically, everyone - including the US(*) and Israel - would be better off now if Iran had nukes.
(* well, I guess except the ones making a fortune from insider trading)
And trump being compared to Christ in the oval office.....
Remind me again who the ****ing fanatical religious nutters are.....
lots of BS about it all on social media, but some reports a rescue black hawk was hit, but made it back safely
Of course. I can't believe that Israel would be deliberately trying to prolong the war
Most things can be ascribed to cock up rather than conspiracy. The Israleis are going to do what they want regardless of any diplomatic efforts by individual Iranian ex-foreign ministers
The trick is not to be pressured to act
I read that in joint exercises the UK FACs and FOOs found that their US counterparts often chose speed over deliberateness.
The Israleis are going to do what they want regardless of any diplomatic efforts by individual Iranian ex-foreign ministers
Possibly but their life is easier if Trump is along for the ride
Who'd of though a demented old man desperate for a distraction would be so easily persuaded? I've just read he wants 1.5Trn for the defence budget next year...it's grotesque.
NYT saying an A10 shot down as well, pilot safe
Who'd of though a demented old man desperate for a distraction would be so easily persuaded? I've just read he wants 1.5Trn for the defence budget next year...it's grotesque.
Not to mention further cuts to services that the poor will miss and the rich won't. Going to go down like a lead balloon in the midterms, especially as the true economic cost of this war will have hit the US and the world by then.
I think Trump has become his own worst enemy now. Full on Hitler in the bunker style.
So, within a week, major attacks on water desalination plants and energy infrastructure by all 3 belligerents?
Once that happens all bets are of surely.
in that case 2 pedros were hit, but both landed safely
https://bsky.app/profile/artisticpundit.bsky.social/post/3mimjulkezc27
some talk on twitter that the 2nd f15 airman is alive and has made contact but that place is so full of fake videos and made up nonsense, that im reminded why i don't go on there!
Second thoughts. CBA.
Ironically, everyone - including the US(*) and Israel - would be better off now if Iran had nukes.
Really?
another aircraft lost last night- this one on a US base in kuwait
https://bsky.app/profile/faredalmahlool.bsky.social/post/3minq5knkx22l
I saw a stat that over 300 American servicemen have been wounded so far. That’s a lot more than I would’ve thought. The Iranians are clearly hitting pretty hard with their missile/drone strikes
It all seems to be, somewhat predictably, spiraling out-of-control
Lyce Doucet was on Radio 4 this morning saying that another purge is due in the Pentagon, getting rid of anyone who is still anchored anywhere near reality, to be replaced with more nodding dogs.
She then quoted one of the ‘hawks’* who are in the ascendancy and have the ear of Hegseth. They are now advocating breaking out the B52s and commencing carpet bombing of Iran, targeting power and desalination plants.
* I do wish the media would stop using this term and use something more accurate like ‘barking mad, murderous, war-mongering bastards!’
Ironically, everyone - including the US(*) and Israel - would be better off now if Iran had nukes.Really?
I've heard this alot, mostly from NATO BAD peeps, but also some 'realpolitik' types. Logic is that if Iran had the bomb, nobody would mess with them. They'd still be merryily repressing their own people, but there wouldnt be any conflicts like the one going on now. The current conflict is mostly stupid, serving almost noone except bibi personally, therefrore it not happening would also be better for US and Israel proper.
Further extrapolations include...because the Iranian regime wouldnt feel threatened, it would play more nicely with everyone (except its own youth, who it would continue to hang from cranes)
The 'Axis of Evil' were Iran, Iraq and North Korea.
The only one not to have been attacked is NK, the one who does actually have nuclear weapons. I know it's not a nice place to live but it's also not an active warzone.They have what, maybe a fifty nuclear weapons? Attacking NK is pretty much unthinkable i assume, the threat of them lashing out at their neighbours like Iran has, SK, Japan, but almost certainly not China, should be enough to keep them safe.
The chances of them disarming after all this in Iran are smaller than they ever were
I saw a stat that over 300 American servicemen have been wounded so far. That’s a lot more than I would’ve thought. The Iranians are clearly hitting pretty hard with their missile/drone strikes
the thing about the shaheds is that they are directed by gps so to target a helicopter at an airbase- they need up to date satellite info, that implies Russia are giving Iran live satellite info to kill Americans and destroy their equipment and Trump & co seem not to care
Ironically, everyone - including the US(*) and Israel - would be better off now if Iran had nukes.
The Saudis are on record saying if Iran gets the bomb, they'll start developing one too. Not sure where that fits in to the calculus?
The Saudis are on record saying if Iran gets the bomb, they'll start developing one too. Not sure where that fits in to the calculus?
MAD. It apparently works for the existing nuclear powers and is the reason the UK retains its capability.
She then quoted one of the ‘hawks’* who are in the ascendancy and have the ear of Hegseth. They are now advocating breaking out the B52s and commencing carpet bombing of Iran, targeting power and desalination plants.
In a madly optimistic world one could say this presents Trump with the opportunity to take an off-ramp - fire Hegseth and his henchmen and pretend to be the voice of sanity. I know, I know - time to lie down quietly somewhere.
The Saudis are on record saying if Iran gets the bomb, they'll start developing one too. Not sure where that fits in to the calculus?
They don’t need to bother. I’m sure Donnie would send them some for a suitable personal fee
I was reading earlier about the attempts to rescue the F15 airman who is still missing and the absolute pledge that no one gets left behind. I wonder hope that squares with a Commander in Chief who is on record, when taking about John McCain, saying that he doesn’t regard someone as a date someone as a hero if they’ve been shot down.
They are now advocating breaking out the B52s and commencing carpet bombing of Iran, targeting power and desalination plants.
With planes being shot down where the US have "air superiority" they might want to rethink that.
I saw a stat that over 300 American servicemen have been wounded so far. That’s a lot more than I would’ve thought. The Iranians are clearly hitting pretty hard with their missile/drone strikes
the thing about the shaheds is that they are directed by gps so to target a helicopter at an airbase- they need up to date satellite info, that implies Russia are giving Iran live satellite info to kill Americans and destroy their equipment and Trump & co seem not to care
Not necessarily. They've likely had the grid reference of the ramp parking spots for some time.
There's a plethora of open source aerodrome documents and charts out there as well.
I was reading earlier about the attempts to rescue the F15 airman who is still missing and the absolute pledge that no one gets left behind. I wonder hope that squares with a Commander in Chief who is on record, when taking about John McCain, saying that he doesn’t regard someone as a date someone as a hero if they’ve been shot down.
A draft dodger would say that though. I've read conflicting reports that they have made contact with the rear seater, but nothing verifiable. There's a lot of bullshit floating about on the internet.
Stressful time for that aviator for sure. Trying to remver your SERE training but for real. **** that.
I watch the analysis by (prof) Michael Clarke on sky - partly because he was a politics Prof that taught my wife at Newcastle University many years ago - his analysis was - Iran will hold on - keeping some advance weaponry back until defense's had been saturated defending attacks by Iran's cheap drones - and then Iran just needs to "get lucky" - seems like Iran are getting lucky. And the longer the US remain increases Irans chances of something bigger than an F15.
They are now advocating breaking out the B52s and commencing carpet bombing of Iran, targeting power and desalination plants.
With planes being shot down where the US have "air superiority" they might want to rethink that.
It doesn't mean zero losses. There was complete air domination in Afghanistan and Iraq and aircraft were still lost.
the thing about the shaheds is that they are directed by gps
The footage i saw of a helicopter on the ground being targeted by a drone looked like it got to the area and was then 'looking' for the aircraft. It didn't fly straight line, and isn't that the point. It's a kamikaze attack but with the pilot several 10s or 100s of miles distant, and it's the cost of a cheap camera rather than the human, who can fly dozens of unsuccessful missions until they manage to exhaust or evade the defence.
Can they be sent by GPS but coordinates changed en masse once a visual is achieved, sort of a hybrid?
the thing about the shaheds is that they are directed by gps
The footage i saw of a helicopter on the ground being targeted by a drone looked like it got to the area and was then 'looking' for the aircraft. It didn't fly straight line, and isn't that the point. It's a kamikaze attack but with the pilot several 10s or 100s of miles distant, and it's the cost of a cheap camera rather than the human, who can fly dozens of unsuccessful missions until they manage to exhaust or evade the defence.
Can they be sent by GPS but coordinates changed en masse once a visual is achieved, sort of a hybrid?
It could be that you saw the drone overcome electronic countermeasures and re-aquire it's original target.
There's a couple of good articles floating around the web about the improvements Iran/Russia have made to the Shaheed series to remain effective when being (jammed).
There is rumoured to be a model with sensors so it could also be that.
It could be that you saw the drone overcome electronic countermeasures and re-aquire it's original target.
Potentially enabled with AI? Sent to the location then targets anything that looks like a target.
Maybe things like those planes getting shot down will make Congress or whoever start asking tougher questions about what exactly they're doing there.
It could be that you saw the drone overcome electronic countermeasures and re-aquire it's original target.
Potentially enabled with AI? Sent to the location then targets anything that looks like a target.
No idea. Could be, but that and sensors would push the cost up so using it to strike a troop carrying rotary platform on a dispersal seems a bit of a waste.
If it is equipped with electro-optic (EO) sensors it'll likely have a IR option. Could be launched in the direction then switch to a seeker option to find a nice source and kit it. After a day in the sun those aircraft will be bright.
The Russians have fitted theirs with some tech that is designed to work despite ECM interception. Some kind of burst transmitter/receiver that enables the UAV to maintain accuracy. No doubt the Russians would share this with their allies.
rotary platform
I’m guessing that’s what normal people call a helicopter?
I know you live for being a bellend and jumping on my posts. How's about you have a day off?
I'll call it what I like, in whatever professional parlance I choose.
I'll call it what I like, in whatever professional parlance I choose.
Crack on, I find it highly amusing.
rotary platform
I’m guessing that’s what normal people call a helicopter?
I know you live for being a bellend and jumping on my posts. How's about you have a day off?
I'll call it what I like, in whatever professional parlance I choose.
Rather than use such specific terminology which can appear nonsensical to the average layperson with zero knowledge of the military perhaps tame down your descriptions so that others may understand and appreciate your stance and position as a former military combatant
fire Hegseth and his henchmen and pretend to be the voice of sanity.
I think it's a given that Hegseth will be the one thrown under the bus first. He is probably only still there now to absorb as much of this mess whilst Trump wishes for an acceptable off ramp to appear.
Even Trumps previous biggest critics would not have expected him to cause this level of mess in his first 18mths .. from bad to worse every day
They've likely had the grid reference of the ramp parking spots for some time.
There was a KC135 hit the other week. Which rather suggests that the Iranians are aiming at grids on a map and hoping something's parked there rather than actively aiming at 'the thing parked at grid ref X'
Possibly covered already in the thread, but how come if I lose my phone I can track it to about 5 yards of its location. Likewise I have a 300 quid drone that if it malfunctions and lands a km away in a field I can find it due to tracking functionality
So how come they can't find an airman within 10 min? Obviously finding him and extracting him are different things...
Possibly covered already in the thread, but how come if I lose my phone I can track it to about 5 yards of its location. Likewise I have a 300 quid drone that if it malfunctions and lands a km away in a field I can find it due to tracking functionality
So how come they can't find an airman within 10 min? Obviously finding him and extracting him are different things...
They are unlikely to confirm they know where their aviator is until they're in the back of an aircraft. It wouldn't take a genius to figure it out a location if there was a pair of helicopters circling an area. It may be the rear-seater has gone to ground, especially if there's a concentration of personnel, civilian or otherwise nearby.
Direct comms with the person on the ground may be difficult due to a risk of compromise via the equipment they need to use. Could be complicated further if the rear-seater sustained any injuries. Especially anything that compromises their cognitive function, there's a lot of shit that needs to be remembered and processes to follow to be extracted safely.
They wouldn't go off a transponder alone without some form of confirmation, either by codeword or number from the individual. This is doctrine to prevent any rescue being lured into an ambush.
Makes sense..
I guess I was asking the question as I'd have thought if they knew where the guy was (or had a good idea) they'd be in and out quick sharpish..ie not flying round the area refulling whilst looking for him, and making themselves a target
But then again, maybe I've been watching too much delta force with Chuck Norris from the 80s.
Makes sense..
I guess I was asking the question as I'd have thought if they knew where the guy was (or had a good idea) they'd be in and out quick sharpish..ie not flying round the area refulling whilst looking for him, and making themselves a target
But then again, maybe I've been watching too much delta force with Chuck Norris from the 80s.
The Combat Search and Rescue bods in the US Air Force know their onions, many years of real experience of doing this with lessons learned from Vietnam through many modern conflicts. Lots of unknowns and information delays, so by the time the world hears an update, we're probably lagging quite a bit.