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DefenseNews.com • Linus Höller

US flies 120+ warplanes to Bulgaria amid Iran nuclear talks as Tehran warns of strikes; Sofia says it's an exercise

The US Air Force sent 120+ aircraft to Bulgaria amid renewed nuclear talks with Iran, as Tehran signals a possible "fast deal" while warning it could strike U.S. bases if attacked. Bulgaria says the movements are a US‑Bulgarian exercise focused on logistics and aerial refuelling.

2026-02-23T03:00:53.711227-08:00

politico.eu

USS Gerald R. Ford Anchors U.S. Carrier and Air Buildup in Middle East as Tensions With Iran Rise

2026-02-19T06:11:12.857821-08:00

Wall Street Journal

Extended USS Gerald R. Ford Deployment Strains Crew, Families and Raises Readiness Concerns

2026-02-21T10:46:16.976949-08:00

Associated Press

U.S. Navy CNO pushes shift to smaller, faster assets instead of aircraft carriers

2026-02-09T15:52:53.236325-08:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

US flies 120+ warplanes to Bulgaria amid Iran nuclear talks as Tehran warns of strikes; Sofia says it's an exercise The US Air Force sent 120+ aircraft to Bulgaria amid renewed nuclear talks with Iran, as Tehran signals a possible "fast deal" while warning it could strike U.S. bases if attacked. Bulgaria says the movements are a US‑Bulgarian exercise focused on logistics and aerial refuelling.

2026-02-23T03:00:53.711227-08:00

US flies 120+ warplanes to Bulgaria amid Iran nuclear talks as Tehran warns of strikes; Sofia says it's an exercise

Wall Street Journal

Extended USS Gerald R. Ford Deployment Strains Crew, Families and Raises Readiness Concerns An extended deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is producing sustained strain on sailors and their families, prompting concerns about crew morale, fatigue and the ship's operational readiness as leadership weighs the impact of prolonged missions on carrier effectiveness.

2026-02-21T10:46:16.976949-08:00

Extended USS Gerald R. Ford Deployment Strains Crew, Families and Raises Readiness Concerns

politico.eu

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USS Gerald R. Ford Anchors U.S. Carrier and Air Buildup in Middle East as Tensions With Iran Rise The USS Gerald R. Ford is deploying to the Middle East as the centerpiece of a larger U.S. naval and air buildup. The movement includes a second carrier strike group, fighters, tankers and a substantial AWACS rotation amid heightened U.S. pressure on Iran.

2026-02-19T06:11:12.857821-08:00

USS Gerald R. Ford Anchors U.S. Carrier and Air Buildup in Middle East as Tensions With Iran Rise

FlightGlobal

Bayraktar TB3 conducts autonomous carrier strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO Steadfast Dart 2026 Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 UCAV performed autonomous short‑deck launches from TCG Anadolu and executed live naval strikes with MAM‑L munitions during NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026. The sortie — the TB3’s first overseas operational demo — highlights shipboard strike capability and reported export interest, including Indonesia’s plan for 60.

2026-02-16T21:49:51.434744-08:00

Bayraktar TB3 conducts autonomous carrier strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO Steadfast Dart 2026

AeroTime

UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group and F‑35s to North Atlantic and High North to deter Russia Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will deploy its Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, to the North Atlantic and High North this year, including embarked F‑35s, as a “powerful show of force” to deter rising Russian aggression in the Arctic.

2026-02-16T02:10:59.343943-08:00

UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group and F‑35s to North Atlantic and High North to deter Russia

Breaking Defense

US Navy to deploy a medium unmanned surface vessel with USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group Vice Adm. Brendan McLane said a medium unmanned surface vessel will deploy alongside the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group during a deployment later this year, testing a tailored force‑pairing concept to integrate surface unmanned platforms into carrier operations.

2026-02-12T14:35:57.259099-08:00

US Navy to deploy a medium unmanned surface vessel with USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group

CNN

Indonesia tests F-16 and Super Tucano landings on toll roads to create emergency runways Indonesia’s air force has trialled F-16 and A-29 Super Tucano landings on a public toll road, testing conversion of highways into emergency runways to enable dispersed operations across the archipelago. The demonstrations aim to provide mobile, carrier-like basing options for combat aircraft.

2026-02-11T21:24:10.989219-08:00

Indonesia tests F-16 and Super Tucano landings on toll roads to create emergency runways

DefenseNews.com

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US Navy, DIU seek runway‑independent long‑range strike drones for austere sites and any surface warship The U.S. Navy, working with the Defense Innovation Unit, has solicited runway‑independent, long‑range armed UAS that can launch from austere shore sites or any surface warship — not just aircraft carriers. The effort prioritizes strike‑capable, shipboard‑compatible systems to support distributed maritime operations and increase at‑sea lethality.

2026-02-11T12:49:42.170668-08:00

US Navy, DIU seek runway‑independent long‑range strike drones for austere sites and any surface warship

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Aircraft Carrier News

US flies 120+ warplanes to Bulgaria amid Iran nuclear talks as Tehran warns of strikes; Sofia says it's an exercise

USS Gerald R. Ford Anchors U.S. Carrier and Air Buildup in Middle East as Tensions With Iran Rise

Extended USS Gerald R. Ford Deployment Strains Crew, Families and Raises Readiness Concerns

U.S. Navy CNO pushes shift to smaller, faster assets instead of aircraft carriers

News Timeline