Washington Post
• Dan Lamothe
The Asia-based USS George Washington has begun operating in the Middle East, relieving the USS Abraham Lincoln after a nine-month deployment largely supporting U.S. operations against Iran. The Nimitz-class carrier recorded its 200,000th fixed-wing aircraft recovery while transiting to the region.
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A U.S. aircraft carrier has departed the Middle East after an extended deployment, marking a shift in the region’s naval posture as Washington manages carrier availability and ongoing security demands.
A U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III returned to Christchurch, New Zealand, after receiving notice of a potentially hazardous Russian aerospace activity, reportedly linked to a planned missile launch. The episode highlights how launch-related warnings can affect military air operations far beyond the launch site.
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The Asia-based USS George Washington has begun operating in the Middle East, relieving the USS Abraham Lincoln after a nine-month deployment largely supporting U.S. operations against Iran. The Nimitz-class carrier recorded its 200,000th fixed-wing aircraft recovery while transiting to the region.
Romania used an F-16 to destroy a drifting marine drone near the Neptun Deep gas project after a NATO-level command handover, while Latvia attributed a separate airspace incursion to Ukraine. The incidents highlight how Russia’s war is creating cross-border risks for critical infrastructure and airspace security.
The Iran war has sharply reduced connecting traffic through Middle Eastern airports, including major long-haul hubs, as airlines and passengers seek alternatives. Seoul and other airports in Asia and beyond are capturing some of the displaced demand, though the shift may prove temporary if regional conditions stabilize.
Iran lost 100 civilian aircraft during the war, according to Commercial Aviation News. The reported fleet loss underscores the direct impact of armed conflict on civil aviation assets and raises immediate questions about the country’s remaining operating capacity and eventual fleet-recovery requirements.
flydubai and Air Arabia have resumed operations through Iranian airspace, restoring a previously unavailable routing option for the two Gulf-based carriers. The decision reflects a change in operating conditions affecting regional flight paths and has implications for network planning, routing efficiency and operational risk management.
Qilin Wu was sentenced to six months in federal custody after returning to Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the U.S. B-2 fleet, to film the installation despite having received a security warning. The case was prosecuted under a 1950 Truman-era order.
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