Executive Summary
Military flight tracking over the last 24 hours highlights a significant rotation of US Air Force fighter and tanker assets across the Atlantic to the CENTCOM area of responsibility via "Coronet East" movements, involving multiple KC-46s, KC-135s, and F-16s. Persistent ISR operations were noted, with US Navy P-8 Poseidons transiting RAF Mildenhall, NATO E-3 AWACS positioned in Germany, and multiple E-2 Hawkeye and P-8 sorties originating from the US East and Gulf coasts. In the Middle East, declassified footage and the first interview from the F-15E "DUDE 44" Weapon Systems Officer shot down over Iran provided new insights into combat search and rescue operations. Meanwhile, regional air activity remains high, with Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s scrambling amid Houthi strikes on King Khalid Air Base and a reported Iranian downing of a US MQ-1 Predator over the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Events
- Coronet East Fighter/Tanker Rotations: Multiple KC-46A and KC-135R tankers are currently escorting 12x F-16Cs across the Atlantic to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, as the first leg of a CENTCOM deployment, replacing returning Coronet East 115 aircraft. → link
- Massive POTUS VIP Aviation Deployment Concludes: The President's visit to Ireland involved an extraordinarily large military aviation footprint, including 29 C-17s, 2 VC-25s, an E-4B Nightwatch, E-3 Sentry AWACS, and numerous tankers/support helicopters, with Air Force One departing Shannon. → link
- F-15E "DUDE 44" Shootdown Details Emerge: Declassified 60 Minutes footage and the first public interview of the Weapon Systems Officer highlighted the dramatic shootdown over Iran and the massive CSAR operation involving 90+ special operators. → link
- USN P-8 Poseidon Operations at Mildenhall: Two US Navy P-8A Poseidons (COYOTE 41 and SHINER 41) departed RAF Mildenhall using tactical hex codes, heading in opposite directions. → link
- RSAF F-15s Scramble Amid Air Base Strikes: Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s were observed taking off from King Fahd AB as Houthis announced a large-scale strike wave against King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. → link
- Iran Claims MQ-1 Drone Shootdown: Iran's IRGC announced the downing of a US MQ-1 Predator drone over the Strait of Hormuz, adding to recent US UAV losses in the region. → link
Analysis
The tempo of US Air Force tanker and fighter rotations across the Atlantic suggests a sustained, high-demand posture for air power in the CENTCOM region, consistent with ongoing tensions with Iran and Houthi threats to Saudi infrastructure. ISR presence remains robust, with extensive maritime patrol activity (P-8s) in both European and US coastal theaters, as well as continuous AWACS coverage (E-3s, E-2s) over the Atlantic and Europe. The massive aviation logistics footprint required for the recent presidential trip underscores the heavy airlift and support demands placed on AMC assets. Looking forward, watch for the continuation of Coronet East rotations, further satellite imagery assessing damage to Saudi air bases, and potential US responses to the loss of the MQ-1 over the Strait of Hormuz.
Tweet Feed
Fighter & Tanker Deployments (Coronet East)
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-14T18:24
UPDATE: Coronet East 113 Atlantic Crossing Underway #IranWar The tankers are now confirmed and are with their jets. → tweet link
@DefenceGeek · 2026-09-14T12:45
UPDATE: Coronet East 113 Atlantic Crossing Underway #IranWar The tankers are now confirmed and are with their jets: Cell 1: KC-46A "BORA71", KC-46A "BORA72", KC-135R "BORA73", F-16C (x6) "TABOR31" to "TABOR36" Cell 2: KC-46A "BORA81", KC-46A "BORA82", KC-135R "BORA83", F-16C (x6) "TABOR41" to "TABOR46" → tweet link
@MATA_osint · 2026-09-14T10:36
UPDATE: Partial Draw-Down of US Tankers Fleet? #IranWar The movements are continuing today, with a significant number of... → tweet link
@MATA_osint · 2026-09-14T07:08
NEW Coronet East 115 - Units Going Home #IranWar This morning, tankers from Romania are supporting the rotation of US f... → tweet link
ISR & Maritime Patrol (P-8, E-3, E-2)
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-14T11:31
USNavy United States Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon 1x #AE5C60 169334 - COYOTE 41 [#AE680D] #AE5F50 169567 - SHINER 41 [#AE6838] Both U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon's that arrived at RAF Mildenhall over the weekend have now departed.
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-14T18:40
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 GRYHK05 [ E2 ] OFF Ground : Norfolk Virginia US. The E2 aircraft from the U.S. Navy is an AEW&C platform likely conducting early warning, surveillance, or command & control missions. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-14T16:54
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 NATO02 [ E3TF ] ON Ground : Gangelt DE. NATO02 is a Luxembourg-registered E3TF AWACS aircraft, likely part of NATO's airborne radar surveillance and command network. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-14T14:44
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 HR24M [ P8 ] OFF Ground : Naliya IN. A military-registered P8 aircraft from India, operating near Naliya, likely engaged in maritime patrol, reconnaissance, or surveillance missions. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-14T12:56
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 [ NA ] [ P8 ] OFF Ground : Fraserburgh GB. A UK-registered military P-8 aircraft at Fraserburgh is likely conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, or maritime patrol missions in the North Atlantic. → tweet link
@MATA_osint · 2026-09-14T08:24
NORSE 09 x1 USAF E-3/G Sentry + REACH 067 x1 USAF KC-135/R Stratotanker. Meeting in TOWLINE 12 to conduct AAR. → tweet link
Strategic Aviation & VIP Movements
@ArmchairAdml · 2026-09-13T19:40
USAF United States Air Force - VIP Movements POTUS 2026 Visit to Ireland Summary. The U.S. President has now departed the Republic of Ireland. Total assets: 29 C-17s, 5 KC-135s, 4 CH-47s, 2 VC-25s, 2 E-3s, 2 VH-3s, 2 KC-46s, 1 VH-60, 1 C-32, 1 E-4B.
@TheIntelFrog · 2026-09-13T19:28
For real this time. POTUS & company are on the way back to the US from Ireland. US Air Force VC-25B Bridge #AF83F3 as AIR FORCE 1 and VC-25A #ADFDF9 as SAM47 have departed from Shannon, Ireland as E-4B National Airborne Operations Center #ADFEB6 warms up at RAF Mildenhall. → tweet link
@TieDyeIntel · 2026-09-13T19:39
Shout out to @RobertB21544660 who pointed out that someone spoofed the same plane a day before. Someone is testing something for VC-25s. Be careful when posting planes, and be sure to check for spoofs. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-14T16:54
🚨 Overwatch Alert 🚨 00000000 [ B52 ] OFF Ground : Midwest City Oklahoma US. A U.S. military B-52 bomber currently off ground in Midwest City, Oklahoma, likely engaged in strategic training, patrol, or bomber escort missions. → tweet link
Middle East Air Operations & Incidents
@TheAviationist · 2026-09-14T15:16
New Details About DUDE 44 Shootdown Emerge in First Interview of WSO. For the first time, the Weapon Systems Officer of the F-15E Strike Eagle shot down in Iran appeared in public and shared his story. → tweet link
@GlobalOSINTHQ · 2026-09-14T02:45
BREAKING Newly declassified footage broadcasted by 60 Minutes shows the rescue of two U.S. Air Force officers, identified by the call signs “Alpha” and “Bravo,” after their F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran back in April.
@GlobalOSINTHQ · 2026-09-14T02:48
BREAKING Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C Eagle/F-15SA Eagle II fighter jet takeoffs from King Fahd AB, Saudi Arabia. Possibly in the air to conduct airstrikes against Ansarallah if these are F-15SA fighters.
@sentdefender · 2026-09-14T11:36
According to a statement from Iran’s IRGC, a U.S. MQ-1 “Predator” drone was recently shot down over the Strait of Hormuz. → tweet link
@WarScopeGlobal · 2026-09-14T14:54
🇾🇪 Yemeni armed forces say they conducted a large-scale military operation against King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, southwestern Saudi Arabia. → tweet link
Air Defense & Drone Programs
@Osinttechnical · 2026-09-14T05:24
First good look at a UK-supplied RapidRanger air defense system in Ukrainian service with the 1030th Adair Defense Regiment. The RapidRanger is a lightweight platform mounting four low-cost LMM Martlet SAMs. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-14T16:03
VECTIS DRONE PROGRAM EXPANDS. Lockheed Martin’s top-secret Vectis drone project moves forward with four new combat drones in development, signaling a leap in unmanned aerial warfare capabilities. → tweet link
@SkyGlass12 · 2026-09-14T16:03
500 DRONES TO DOMINATE AIRSPACE. The U.S. Air Force plans to deploy 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones by 2032—ushering in a new era of unmanned combat capability and transforming future battle tactics. → tweet link
@airsuperiorx · 2026-09-14T13:36
The Air Force also plans 100 of the new MMAs (MQ-9 replacement) in service by 2029, 500 by 2032. → tweet link