Jon. Flight tracking, military news, Counter-Terror & geo-politics Founder @MATA_osint & @TheOsintBunker Podcast. All views my own. Senior Editor @UKDefJournal.
Glasgow, Scotland
Joined January 2019
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UPDATE: They're Coming Back Now... #IranWar
As of this morning, we're now at 17 tankers returned to Europe, and 3 more moved from US west coast to east coast in preparation to cross.
That's just in the last 48-72hrs.
Most of the airframes are ones that left in September...
@MATA_osint
They're Coming Back Now... #IranWar
As those of you who have been following me for a while know, one of the areas of build-up/monitoring I focus on is the USAF KC-135/KC-46 tanker fleets. Recently I noted a significant reduction in the numbers across Europe, while the number in CENTCOM remained relatively steady at ~100.
Well, following news that the Trump administration is considering new strikes at/around the midterm elections, I've noticed an increase in the number of tankers returning to Europe. In the last 36hrs alone, I've noted 11 returns specifically to European bases.
It is likely an indicator that preparations for further combat operations are indeed underway - ultimately the fast-jets and ISTAR platforms are still in place so things could start moving quite quickly!!
@MATA_osint
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
On Saturday, the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial opens in Washington, D.C., honoring the courage and sacrifice of American servicemembers who answered the call to defend freedom and helped liberate Kuwait.
Their service will never be forgotten.
ALT Close-up of a stone sculpture featuring a detailed airplane and two smaller aircraft in flight.
ALT Memorial wall inscribed with 'To honor the service and the sacrifice' dedicated to Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, surrounded by green trees.
ALT Close-up of a metallic eagle sculpture head against a clear blue sky, highlighting detailed feathers and sharp beak.
A short hop for Air Force One!
VC-25B Bridge "AF1" 25-33000 #AF83F3
@MATA_osint
Further context:
xitter.cf/SecRubio/status/211373…
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba - now is the time.
The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA.
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
RAF Typhoons took part in a French nuclear exercise for the first time.
Three jets participated in Exercise Rummy, alongside French nuclear-capable Rafale-B, where they provided escort for the French aircraft.
(Src: @DefenceGeek, @Etienne_Marcuz)
I'm gonna keep posting this until NATO starts responding to Russia properly...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nato…
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
The Finnish Defence Forces' F-35A fighter jets JF-509 and JF-511 arrived at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi on 23 October at 5:56 pm. This marks the 2nd delivery of new fighter jets to Finland. A total of four 🇫🇮 F-35s have now arrived in Finland.
➡️ ilmavoimat.info/JF-509-and-5…
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
#USAF United States Air Force
Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint 1x
#AE01D7 62-4128 - COBRA 28
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 1x
#AE0668 62-3523 - FIST 52
An RC-135 has departed Offutt Air Force Base for Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, along with a tanker as FIST 52.
ACARS indicates the existence of a FIST 51.
@MATA_osint
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
1) Tiens, le Falcon 8X ARCHANGE a réalisé son premier atterrissage sur la Base aérienne 105 Evreux, sa future base d’accueil. 😉
Successeur du Transall Gabriel, cet appareil de nouvelle génération renforcera les capacités de renseignement électromagnétique de l'AAE. 👍
📷FB AAE
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
📝 POTUS TO SPEND TIME IN FLORIDA
🌴 PALM BEACH | MAR-A-LAGO
📆 OCT 23-24, 2026
The images circulated by numerous accounts earlier today of a suspect in the Trappes shooting are reportedly NOT of the actual suspect...!!!
❌ Attaque terroriste de #Trappes : de source judiciaire à BFMTV, l’individu en garde à vue n’est pas Kévin Tertrais. Les photos non-vérifiées qui circulent partout depuis ce midi sont celles d'un individu qui n'a absolument rien à voir avec cette affaire.
DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 retweeted
The speed limits on Starlink and Starshield are still there. The speed has not been restored. And the delivery of interceptors to protect us against Russian ballistic missiles is still delayed. We’re waiting for interceptors that were already agreed on. But they are still not coming. This is a real problem, because the Russians attack us almost every single day.
All of this is happening while we continue our quite successful operations on the front. We keep defending positions. Things have become harder – partly because of the Starlink and Starshield policies and speed limits. But our frontline is still holding and I am proud of how strong our people are.
From an address at the Hudson Institute. (2/3)