Executive Summary
The past 24 hours saw significant US military air activity centered on POTUS travel support, with multiple E-3 AWACS and KC-135 tanker orbits over the UK/Ireland region. A notable partial drawdown of USAF KC-135 tankers from Europe was identified (~7% of EUCOM/CENTCOM fleet strength), raising questions about force posture shifts. B-1B Lancer operations continued from RAF Fairford, where a security incident occurred after a civilian Cessna mistakenly landed at the bomber base. Turkey's Akinci UCAV achieved a milestone with the first live launch of the UAV-300 air-launched ballistic missile. Multiple P-8 Poseidon movements were tracked globally, and an ADS-B spoofing incident involving a VC-25A off Ireland highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in flight tracking data.
Key Events
- USAF E-3 AWACS NORSE42 sustained long-duration orbits supporting POTUS Ireland visit, refueled by KC-135 REACH069 and LAGER58 over UK AAR areas; airframe 80-0138 completed a 20-hour mission before swapping back after an unknown issue. → link → link
- Partial drawdown of USAF KC-135 tanker fleet from Europe identified — 14 airframes departed to CONUS without apparent replacement, representing ~7% of EUCOM/CENTCOM tanker strength. → link
- B-1B Lancers (PART 36/37) launched from RAF Fairford, routing to training areas; a separate Coronet East 113 movement was preparing to position. → link → link
- Security alert at RAF Fairford after civilian Cessna 560XLS+ (D-CJMK, VistaJet) mistakenly landed at the US bomber base instead of nearby Cotswold Airport (Kemble), 11 miles west. → link
- Turkey's Baykar Akinci UCAV fired the UAV-300 air-launched ballistic missile for the first time, striking a maritime target over 250 km away. → link → link
- ADS-B spoofing of a VC-25A (Air Force One callsign) detected off the coast of Ireland — hex #ADFDF8 showing squawk 1776 on a single receiver with very strong signal, indicating spoof rather than genuine aircraft. → link
- Multiple P-8 Poseidon movements tracked worldwide: US Navy SHINER31 (169567) tracking west of Ireland from Dallas via Bangor ANGB; Australian P-8s BLKT06, BLKT24 (Philippines), BLKT35; Indian P-8s GM22S and FM21S; New Zealand P-8 KIW806 at Marton, NZ. → link → link
- MC-130Js returned to RAF Mildenhall from Paphos overnight; 5x CV-22Bs still deployed from the same base. → link
- Vilnius International Airport closed (10:26–13:30 UTC) due to "unidentified objects" — possible drone over Lithuania triggered NATO fighter scramble and yellow air raid alert across Vilnius region. → link → link
- US "Vanilla" long-endurance surveillance drone spotted flying from a Jordanian base — first known public sighting of the platform in the region. → link
- Oklahoma ANG F-16C (89-145, 125th FS/138th FW) departed as Thunder1 — Block 42 Viper from Tulsa. → link
- Royal Saudi Air Force conducted airstrikes targeting Ansar Allah forces/vehicles in Mokha and west of Taiz, Yemen, in response to Houthi coastal advances. → link
- Air Force Two (SAM070, Boeing C-32A 99-0004) detected at 38.8453, -76.9756. → link
Analysis
The most notable pattern is the sustained high-tempo US airborne command-and-control and tanker activity over the UK/European theater tied to the POTUS Ireland visit, with NORSE42 AWACS conducting marathon 20-hour orbits refueled by multiple KC-135s. Simultaneously, the identified partial drawdown of ~14 KC-135s from Europe to CONUS without replacement is significant — if it continues, it could indicate a deliberate force posture adjustment rather than routine rotation. The B-1B activity from RAF Fairford continues the established pattern of bomber task force operations in Europe, though the erroneous civilian landing at the base highlights security concerns at sensitive US-operated facilities.
The Vilnius airspace closure and NATO fighter scramble over a possible drone incursion underscores the persistent air-defense challenge along NATO's eastern flank. The VC-25A ADS-B spoofing incident off Ireland is a reminder that OSINT flight tracking remains vulnerable to deliberate data manipulation. Turkey's Akinci UCAV milestone with the UAV-300 air-launched ballistic missile marks a significant advancement in drone strike capability, extending UCAV reach to over 250 km. The appearance of the "Vanilla" drone in Jordan suggests continued expansion of US long-endurance ISR coverage in the Middle East.
What to watch next: Whether the KC-135 drawdown from Europe continues or accelerates; further B-1B sortie generation from RAF Fairford; any additional drone incursions triggering NATO air policing responses in the Baltics; follow-up on the RAF Fairford security incident; and any new Coronet East movements signaling redeployments.
Tweet Feed
USAF AWACS & Command/Control Operations
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T15:27
USAF United States Air Force
Presidential Close Air Support Ops
Boeing E-3 Sentry 1x
AE11EB 80-0138 - NORSE 42
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 1x
AE058B 57-1514 - REACH 069
REACH 069 is heading to AARA10W to refuel NORSE 42, which has been on station since this morning. They have already been refuelled by LAGER 58 earlier today. → tweet link
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T09:05
USAF United States Air Force
Presidential Close Air Support Ops
Boeing E-3 Sentry 1x
AE11EB 80-0138 - NORSE 42
NORSE 42 is back airborne this morning after swapping back to 80-0138 due to an unknown issue. They're are heading back to AARA12. This airframe completed a 20 hour long mission yesterday, flying in the orbit areas near AARA12. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T16:44
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 NORSE42 [ E3TF ] OFF Ground : Par GB
The aircraft NORSE42 is a U.S. military E-3 TAC (AWACS), indicating its primary mission is airborne radar surveillance, command, and control. Registered in the U.S. and detected off ground near Britain, its presence suggests rotational or rotational training, reconnaissance, or strategic command functions within allied airspace. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T11:43
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 NORSE42 [ E3TF ] OFF Ground : Helston GB
A US-registered E-3T AWACS aircraft, NORSE42, just took off from Helston, GB. Its mission likely involves surveillance, reconnaissance, or command and control support within the UK or European theater. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T15:55
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 SCOUT01 [ E3TF ] OFF Ground : Midwest City Oklahoma US
The E3TF, an USAF Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, just took off from Midwest City, Oklahoma. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T02:07
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 NORSE42 [ E3TF ] ON Ground : Mildenhall GB
The aircraft is a U.S. military E3TF, an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, likely tasked with strategic surveillance, command, and control missions. → tweet link
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T15:50
RT @Andyyyyrrrr: 16:42 REACH 069 x1 USAF KC-135/R Stratotanker (57-1514) + NORSE 42 x1 USAF E-3/G Sentry Routing to AARA10W to conduct AAR… → tweet link
KC-135 Tanker Drawdown from Europe
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-13T13:41
UPDATE: Partial Draw-Down of US Tankers Fleet? #IranWar
Since my post yesterday, a number of additional USAF tanker aircraft have departed Europe back to CONUS, seemingly without replacement. There may be further aircraft I've missed but the ones I have noted are:
KC-135T "REACH161" 58-0074 #AE0238 KC-135R "REACH162" 60-0349 #AE0687 KC-135T "REACH163" 58-0049 #AE0650 KC-135R "REACH164" 63-8039 #AE0391 KC-135R "REACH461" 57-1456 #AE0156 KC-135R "?" 57-1454 #AE0380 KC-135T "REACH561" 58-0047 #AE0243 KC-135R "?" 58-1488 #AE013A KC-135R "?" 59-1521 #AE0598 KC-135R "?" 60-0328 #AE0686 KC-135R "REACH562" 62-3523 #AE0668 KC-135R "REACH121" 63-8007 #AE0489 KC-135R "REACH047" 63-8022 #AE0162 KC-135T "?" 60-0337 #AE0482
These airframes represent ~7% of the overall strength across EUCOM/CENTCOM as it stood a few days ago. → tweet link
B-1B Lancer Operations from RAF Fairford
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-13T15:27
RT @Andyyyyrrrr: 14:24 PART 36/37 x2 USAF B-1/B Lancer
PART37 airborne from RAF Fairford, routing direct to RATKA expecting to go due rega…
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-13T13:23
RT @jamjake01: 14.06 PART 37 single B-1B airborne from Fairford working Brize 231.950 → tweet link
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-13T13:53
RT @Aviation_Movies: PART 36 B-1B Lancer blasting off just now 🔥 → tweet link
RAF Fairford Security Incident
@TheAviationist · 2026-09-13T16:11
Security Alert at RAF Fairford After Civilian Jet Mistakenly Lands at U.S. Bomber Base
An odd incident unfolded on Sep. 12, 2026 when Cessna 560XLS+ D-CJMK operated by VistaJet landed at the U.S.-operated RAF Fairford instead of Cotswold Airport (Kemble), just 11 miles to the west. → tweet link
P-8 Poseidon Global Movements
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T11:20
USNavy United States Navy
Boeing P-8 Poseidon 1x
AE5F50 169567 - SHINER 31 [#AE6838]
SHINER 31 is tracking West of Ireland from Dallas Love Field, via Bangor Air National Guard Base. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T18:29
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 KIW806 [ P8 ] ON Ground : Marton NZ
A New Zealand-registered military P8 aircraft (KIW806) is currently on the ground near Marton, NZ. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T13:48
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 GM22S [ P8 ] OFF Ground : Naliya IN
A Malaysian-registered P8 maritime patrol aircraft, likely conducting reconnaissance or intelligence gathering, was recently off ground near Naliya, India. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T13:24
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 BLKT06 [ P8 ] ON Ground : Burton AU
The Australian-registered P8 aircraft (BLKT06) is a military asset likely engaged in maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, or ISR missions in the Burton, AU area. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T02:10
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 BLKT24 [ P8 ] OFF Ground : Concepcion PH
The Australian-registered P8 aircraft, part of the military classification, likely serves an ISR or maritime patrol mission. Its recent "Off Ground" status near Concepcion, PH, suggests deployment for regional maritime domain awareness. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-12T21:53
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 BLKT35 [ P8 ] OFF Ground : Palmerston AU
The Australian-registered P-8 aircraft, under military classification, indicates a maritime patrol or reconnaissance mission near Palmerston. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-12T20:50
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 FM21S [ P8 ] OFF Ground : Bedi IN
A military P-8 aircraft registered in India, originating from Bedi, indicates a maritime patrol, reconnaissance, or surveillance mission. → tweet link
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T12:03
RT @NavyRecognition: Australia Pushes P-8A Poseidon Beyond Maritime Patrol With AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Strike Capability. → tweet link
Turkey's Akinci UCAV — UAV-300 Missile First Launch
@TheAviationist · 2026-09-13T16:08
Turkey's Akinci UCAV Fires UAV-300 Air-Launched Ballistic Missile for the First Time
The UAV-300 had also been carried by the Akinci during a recent UAV-122 firing test, foreshadowing its first live launch. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T00:00
TURKEY'S AKINCI MAKES STRIKE HISTORY
Turkey's Baykar Akinci UCAV just fired the UAV-300 air-launched ballistic missile for the first time, hitting a maritime target over 250 km away. → tweet link
MC-130J / CV-22B Movements at RAF Mildenhall
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T07:21
RT @DefenceGeek: Looks like the 4x MC-130Js have returned to RAF Mildenhall from Paphos during the night, while the 5x CV-22Bs are still out… → tweet link
US "Vanilla" Surveillance Drone in Jordan
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-13T12:00
U.S. SPY DRONE IN JORDAN
A new long-endurance U.S. surveillance drone, known as Vanilla, has been spotted flying from a Jordanian base used by American forces. This is the first known public sighting of this advanced platform in the region. → tweet link
VC-25A ADS-B Spoofing Incident
@TheIntelFrog · 2026-09-13T00:27
Someone appears to be spoofing a US Air Force VC-25A off the coast of Ireland.
ADFDF8 is currently showing as AIR FORCE 1 crossing the Atlantic with a squawk code of 1776, pinging on 1 ADS-B receiver with an RSSI (received signal strength indicator) of -2.1 (VERY strong).
@TieDyeIntel · 2026-09-13T00:40
One of the most worrying things about this is the possibility of misinformation. We've seen this before, with people making art, but the difference is this is not that obvious at first glance. This same type could be used to misinform people about VC-25B, or world events. → tweet link
VIP Aircraft Tracking
@DeepTraceAlerts · 2026-09-13T15:55
🚨 POTUS FLEET DETECTED 🚨 ✈️ Aircraft: Air Force Two (99-0004) 🆔 Callsign: SAM070 📦 Fleet: AF2 | Model: Boeing C-32A 📍 Location: 38.8453, -76.9756 → tweet link
@DeepTraceAlerts · 2026-09-12T22:59
🚨 POTUS FLEET DETECTED 🚨 ✈️ Aircraft: Air Force One (82-8000) 🆔 Callsign: AIR FORC 📦 Fleet: AF1 | Model: Boeing VC25A 📍 Location: 51.4425, -8.9211 → tweet link
@TheIntelFrog · 2026-09-12T20:56
.@BloodyPolitics spotted this trip's evacuation aircraft.
On every POTUS trip, there's a third aircraft, usually a C-32, that follows discretely and stations itself within a certain distance. It's mission is to evacuate POTUS if the primary and backup become disabled. The last visible track for 09-0016/#AE4AE8 was 8/26 arriving back to JB Andrews. → tweet link
Fighter Jet Movements
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T09:25
RT @MAGPhotoOK: Oklahoma ANG Block 42 F-16C S/N 89-145 Tulsa Viper assigned to the 125th FS/138th FW on departure as Thunder1 earlier today… → tweet link
Vilnius Airspace Closure — Drone Incursion
@FaytuksNetwork · 2026-09-13T10:37
A NOTAM has been issued for Vilnius International Airport prohibiting all flights in its control zone and terminal area due to "unidentified objects," effective from 10:26 UTC to 13:30 UTC. → tweet link
@FaytuksNetwork · 2026-09-13T10:19
A possible drone was detected over Lithuania, triggering a yellow air raid alert across Vilnius city, Vilnius district, Trakai district, and Elektrėnai district, according to Lithuanian media. → tweet link
@FaytuksNetwork · 2026-09-13T10:47
Lithuanian authorities have cancelled the air danger alert, saying that the danger is over. NATO fighter jets were reportedly scrambled in response to the aerial risk, and flights at Vilnius Airport were suspended and diverted. → tweet link
Russian Drone Strike Near Polish Border — Airspace Alerts
@GlobalOSINTHQ · 2026-09-13T15:57
BREAKING Russian drone strikes Kyiv–Warsaw train near Polish border; VIP train carrying Boris Johnson and European security advisers halted and partially evacuated. Poland scrambled fighter jets and issued air-raid alerts in eastern regions. Sirens sounded on the Polish side of the border.
@Osinttechnical · 2026-09-13T15:08
Early this morning, Russian attack drones targeted the Ukrainian-Polish border crossing at Yahodyn, barely missing a train carrying a European delegation including Boris Johnson, former Swedish PM Carl Bildt and German national security adviser Günter Sautter. → tweet link
Saudi Airstrikes in Yemen
@GlobalOSINTHQ · 2026-09-13T18:55
Footage shows Yemeni Air Force or Royal Saudi Air Force airstrikes targeting Ansar Allah vehicles and positions in Al-Mukha (Mokha) and Dhubab, western Yemen. → tweet link
@GlobalOSINTHQ · 2026-09-12T23:36
BREAKING Footage shows Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) airstrikes targeting Ansar Allah fighters and military vehicles in the coastal city of Mokha, southwestern Yemen.
@GlobalOSINTHQ · 2026-09-12T22:47
BREAKING Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) airstrikes targeted areas west of Taiz city in an attempt to halt the advance of Yemen's Ansar Allah forces.
Coronet East Movements
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-13T08:11 (via RT)
RT @DefenceGeek: NEW: Coronet East 113 Preparing to Move #IranWar Another new Coronet East has begun positioning in the last 12-24hrs ahead… → tweet link
Lockheed Vectis CCA Teaser
@TheAviationist · 2026-09-12T19:17
Lockheed Martin's Latest Teaser Hints at Vectis Update
A shadowy aircraft in Lockheed Martin's latest teaser appears consistent with published Vectis designs, hinting at a possible update on the Skunk Works Collaborative Combat Aircraft. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-12T20:00
LOCKHEED MARTIN TEASES VECTIS UPDATE
A glimpse into the future of Group 5 Collaborative Combat Aircraft is on the horizon, as Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works drops hints about the next Vectis update. → tweet link
Russian Air Defense Depletion
@UKDefJournal · 2026-09-13T08:09
Russian long-range air defence interceptor stocks have been depleted to the point where Moscow is having to make serious decisions about where it deploys them, a Western official has told the UK Defence Journal. → tweet link
US SOAR in the Philippines
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-13T08:37 (via RT)
RT @ReHorizon3: US 160th SOAR, Night Stalkers, spotted in the Philippines. 🇺🇲🇵🇭 → tweet link
RAF Chinook Training
@UKDefJournal · 2026-09-13T08:09
Police Scotland officers flew aboard RAF Chinook helicopters between force headquarters during a joint training exercise with military personnel and the emergency services on Friday. → tweet link
Hourly Sitrep Summaries
@WarWatchIntel · 2026-09-13T18:00
📡 HOURLY UPDATE Busier than usual over Korea / Japan. 6 notable military aircraft in the air. No coded US Air Force radio broadcasts heard today. → tweet link
@WarWatchIntel · 2026-09-13T06:00
📡 HOURLY UPDATE Busier than usual over WestPac / Taiwan. 6 notable military aircraft in the air. No coded US Air Force radio broadcasts heard today. → tweet link
@WarWatchIntel · 2026-09-13T05:00
📡 HOURLY UPDATE Busier than usual over UK / North Sea. 6 notable military aircraft in the air. No coded US Air Force radio broadcasts heard today. → tweet link