Two Israeli Air Force KC-46A “Gideon” aerial refueling aircraft are visible working together off the coast of Israel. The Gideon is Israel’s name for the U.S. Air Force KC-46A "Pegasus". The aircraft shown, DEXTER1 (serial number 301) and DEXTER2 (serial number 312), both arrived at Nevatim Air Base this year, the first on May 27th and the second on August 20th. They fly with the Gideon Squadron, formerly Squadron 46, and will replace Israel’s roughly 60 year old Boeing 707 “Re’em” tankers while carrying about 15% more fuel. Israel has ordered six aircraft, though the U.S. State Department has approved up to eight.
Source: https://x.com/DefenceGeek/status/2114332210635440525?s=20
Source: https://x.com/DefenceGeek/status/2114332210635440525?s=20
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Earlier this week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a memo directing the establishment of a new Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron in Florida.
Special Tactics is the Air Force’s special operations ground force, including combat controllers who manage airspace and call in air strikes, pararescuemen who recover personnel, and special reconnaissance operators. The Pentagon says the unit will bolster those capabilities using experienced National Guard personnel, and will be positioned near U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base and Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field.
Special Tactics is the Air Force’s special operations ground force, including combat controllers who manage airspace and call in air strikes, pararescuemen who recover personnel, and special reconnaissance operators. The Pentagon says the unit will bolster those capabilities using experienced National Guard personnel, and will be positioned near U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base and Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field.
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Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado posts has reportedly entered Venezuela from Columbia according to reports.
The Trump administration had previously clashed with Machado and her team over a potential return, citing potential unrest as a result of the proposed move, with the administration citing the unstable situation and the recent double earthquakes in Venezuela for their reticence.
The Trump administration had previously clashed with Machado and her team over a potential return, citing potential unrest as a result of the proposed move, with the administration citing the unstable situation and the recent double earthquakes in Venezuela for their reticence.
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CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper visited the AOR recently and conducted meeting with servicemembers involved in mine clearance operations, the ongoing U.S. blockade of vessels traveling to and from Iran, and other efforts. The visit follows U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s visit to the region, amidst rising indications that the Trump administration is mulling renewed large-scale strikes on Iran in the near term.
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Construction continues at Iran's mountain airbase with underground hangars, known as 'Eagle 44', despite at least three rounds of strikes this year, according to TWZ, which reviewed Planet Labs satellite imagery from September 29th. TWZ’s account of the strikes is based on imagery, a New York Times report and an analysis by imagery provider Soar Atlas.
Eagle 44, also called Oghab 44, is an Iranian Air Force base in Hormozgan province, about 100 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state media unveiled it in February 2023.
TWZ says the September imagery shows a new taxiway section completed on the western side, with the next segment prepared but not yet paved, and obstacles removed from the runway.
The imagery also shows what appears to be damage from Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. Craters are visible near the western tunnel entrances. Two support buildings are destroyed and a third is damaged, with no rebuilding visible. The four tunnel entrances appear intact, but it’s unclear whether they are open or sealed. TWZ says a second taxiway would ease a bottleneck for launching and recovering aircraft. That is its interpretation.
What’s inside the mountain, and how many Iranian fighters remain, is unknown. TWZ notes administration statements that Iran’s air force has been destroyed, including U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper telling Congress in May that Iranian sorties were “zero,” and says U.S. and Western officials have also said Iran has rebuilt faster than expected.
Source: https://www.twz.com/news-features/construction-of-irans-eagle-44-underground-airbase-hasnt-stopped-despite-war
Eagle 44, also called Oghab 44, is an Iranian Air Force base in Hormozgan province, about 100 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state media unveiled it in February 2023.
TWZ says the September imagery shows a new taxiway section completed on the western side, with the next segment prepared but not yet paved, and obstacles removed from the runway.
The imagery also shows what appears to be damage from Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. Craters are visible near the western tunnel entrances. Two support buildings are destroyed and a third is damaged, with no rebuilding visible. The four tunnel entrances appear intact, but it’s unclear whether they are open or sealed. TWZ says a second taxiway would ease a bottleneck for launching and recovering aircraft. That is its interpretation.
What’s inside the mountain, and how many Iranian fighters remain, is unknown. TWZ notes administration statements that Iran’s air force has been destroyed, including U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper telling Congress in May that Iranian sorties were “zero,” and says U.S. and Western officials have also said Iran has rebuilt faster than expected.
Source: https://www.twz.com/news-features/construction-of-irans-eagle-44-underground-airbase-hasnt-stopped-despite-war
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Center has issued a warning after receiving a verified report that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile on Friday while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz. The strike disabled the vessel in Omani waters. The crew is reported safe, and no damage assessment or environmental impact report is available yet.
The incident came in the southern route through Omani waters, the corridor the U.S. military has been using to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO says 55 of the 74 projectile strikes since July 6 have occurred on that route. It has logged at least 23 attacks since the start of October, and says the true number is higher because most attacked vessels don’t report to it. Iran, which calls the southern route unauthorized, has claimed some of the attacks including on two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) on Friday.
The incident came in the southern route through Omani waters, the corridor the U.S. military has been using to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO says 55 of the 74 projectile strikes since July 6 have occurred on that route. It has logged at least 23 attacks since the start of October, and says the true number is higher because most attacked vessels don’t report to it. Iran, which calls the southern route unauthorized, has claimed some of the attacks including on two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) on Friday.
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U.S. forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch new, potentially major operations against Iran “within 96 hours of receiving” an order from President Donald J. Trump, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to CNN. The officials say sufficient forces are in the region and the scope would go beyond “mowing the lawn,” meaning strikes on radars and launchers that can be quickly rebuilt.
CNN reports officials believe an order could come before the end of the year, most likely after the November 3rd midterm elections. Officials also said President Trump has not made a final decision, appears to lean toward major action, and has backed off at the last moment before. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Pentagon leaders have built a target list covering Iranian energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities.
Sources told CNN that Iran and the Houthis would likely retaliate immediately against U.S. personnel and facilities in the region but are unlikely to launch preemptive attacks now. Only the embassy in Riyadh is currently under ordered departure, but one source says others are expected to follow or face personnel caps.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/26/politics/us-iran-strike-plans-trump
CNN reports officials believe an order could come before the end of the year, most likely after the November 3rd midterm elections. Officials also said President Trump has not made a final decision, appears to lean toward major action, and has backed off at the last moment before. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Pentagon leaders have built a target list covering Iranian energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities.
Sources told CNN that Iran and the Houthis would likely retaliate immediately against U.S. personnel and facilities in the region but are unlikely to launch preemptive attacks now. Only the embassy in Riyadh is currently under ordered departure, but one source says others are expected to follow or face personnel caps.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/26/politics/us-iran-strike-plans-trump
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Traders on Polymarket.com are placing Benjamin Netanyahu’s odds of remaining Israeli Prime Minister at just 27% ahead of tomorrow’s election, as former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot surges to 58%.
Eisenkot, who led the IDF from 2015–2019 and served in Netanyahu’s wartime government after October 7th until his departure in 2024, heads the Yashar party and has emerged as Netanyahu’s main challenger. Israelis vote Tuesday, October 27th.
Eisenkot, who led the IDF from 2015–2019 and served in Netanyahu’s wartime government after October 7th until his departure in 2024, heads the Yashar party and has emerged as Netanyahu’s main challenger. Israelis vote Tuesday, October 27th.
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Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged with two federal counts over the alleged disclosure of national defense information to a reporter in 2016. The criminal information was filed under seal October 5th and unsealed Today by U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden at Comey’s request.
Count one charges unlawful transmission of national defense information under 18 U.S.C. § 793(d) on or about October 5th, 2016. Count two charges conspiracy, alleging Comey, through one or more co-conspirators, directed an unnamed individual, "Individual 1", to disclose national defense information to a reporter for a national news publication.
Comey has moved to dismiss, arguing the 10 year statute of limitations prosecutors say applies covers only indictments, not a criminal information, which was filed exactly 10 years after the alleged disclosure. Prosecutors say the law allows an information to meet the deadline and that his motion is premature. McFadden said he will address the issues “in due course.”
Source: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.297298/gov.uscourts.dcd.297298.1.0.pdf
Count one charges unlawful transmission of national defense information under 18 U.S.C. § 793(d) on or about October 5th, 2016. Count two charges conspiracy, alleging Comey, through one or more co-conspirators, directed an unnamed individual, "Individual 1", to disclose national defense information to a reporter for a national news publication.
Comey has moved to dismiss, arguing the 10 year statute of limitations prosecutors say applies covers only indictments, not a criminal information, which was filed exactly 10 years after the alleged disclosure. Prosecutors say the law allows an information to meet the deadline and that his motion is premature. McFadden said he will address the issues “in due course.”
Source: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.297298/gov.uscourts.dcd.297298.1.0.pdf
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Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and then Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, Reuters reports. Stubb’s office said the call with Putin related to upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi. Zelensky said Friday that negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. agreed to hold technical level meetings there in early November.
Stubb said the Putin call was “frank and substantive,” adding “We are neighboring countries to Russia. The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and broader European security. Ending the war requires direct discussions.” A Zelenskyy aide said the president spoke with both leaders afterward. The two said they took part as leaders of their own countries, not on behalf of Europe, and that Finland and Norway will continue supporting Ukraine.
The report from Reuters notes that Western European leaders have mostly avoided contact with Putin since he launched Russia's full scale invasion in February 2022. Stubb and Støre met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Zelensky in Oslo last week, a day before Witkoff met Putin in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin said afterward that it was willing to resume U.S. mediated peace talks with Ukraine in November, the first since February.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/norways-prime-minister-finlands-president-phone-call-with-putin-2026-10-27/
Stubb said the Putin call was “frank and substantive,” adding “We are neighboring countries to Russia. The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and broader European security. Ending the war requires direct discussions.” A Zelenskyy aide said the president spoke with both leaders afterward. The two said they took part as leaders of their own countries, not on behalf of Europe, and that Finland and Norway will continue supporting Ukraine.
The report from Reuters notes that Western European leaders have mostly avoided contact with Putin since he launched Russia's full scale invasion in February 2022. Stubb and Støre met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Zelensky in Oslo last week, a day before Witkoff met Putin in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin said afterward that it was willing to resume U.S. mediated peace talks with Ukraine in November, the first since February.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/norways-prime-minister-finlands-president-phone-call-with-putin-2026-10-27/
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According to a release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the claim by the IRGC-N that U.S. vessels have retreated from the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz is false, and U.S. forces continue to operate in the locality and the blockade of vessels traveling to and from Oran remains in effect. Per the last CENTCOM update on the blockade, which has now passed 100 days of operations, 138 vessels have been redirected since the renewed blockade began.
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The Department of War, in coordination with Lockheed Martin and European allies, has selected Poland to host a European PAC-3 Missile Maintenance Facility, the Pentagon announced October 27th, on the margins of NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors. Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden will lead supply chain integration, according to the release.
PAC-3 is the interceptor missile fired by Patriot air defense systems. The facility will conduct maintenance, repair and overhaul in Europe. It is not for building new missiles. The Pentagon says doing that work in the region will “dramatically shorten turnaround times” and give allies surge capacity in a crisis, but does not quantify either. Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey said allies are investing national resources “to establish this critical sustainment capability on NATO’s Eastern Front.”
The decision follows a July 7th agreement, signed at the NATO summit in Ankara by the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, to explore such a facility. Lockheed Martin said at the time it would support allies operating both PAC-3 MSE and PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative interceptors.
Source: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4634407/poland-selected-to-host-historic-pac-3-missile-maintenance-facility-strengtheni/
PAC-3 is the interceptor missile fired by Patriot air defense systems. The facility will conduct maintenance, repair and overhaul in Europe. It is not for building new missiles. The Pentagon says doing that work in the region will “dramatically shorten turnaround times” and give allies surge capacity in a crisis, but does not quantify either. Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey said allies are investing national resources “to establish this critical sustainment capability on NATO’s Eastern Front.”
The decision follows a July 7th agreement, signed at the NATO summit in Ankara by the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, to explore such a facility. Lockheed Martin said at the time it would support allies operating both PAC-3 MSE and PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative interceptors.
Source: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4634407/poland-selected-to-host-historic-pac-3-missile-maintenance-facility-strengtheni/
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Traders on Polymarket.com give former Israeli Defense Force chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot a 64% chance of becoming Israel’s next prime minister, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu. Turnout reached 55.7% at 4 p.m., the highest ever recorded at that hour.
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A U.S. Navy Chief Master at Arms waves U.S. and Republic of Korea flags as the Republic of Korea Ship ROKS Hansando (ATH-81) moors at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola's Allegheny Pier during a welcome ceremony on the installation October 26th. Hansando, and its embarked Cruise Task Training Group (CTTG) arrived at NAS Pensacola for a scheduled port visit.
📷- CPO Ian Cotter (DVIDS)
📷- CPO Ian Cotter (DVIDS)
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