🇺🇸⚡️🇵🇰 "Pakistan is developing, increasingly sophisticated and significantly larger (range) ballistic missiles that could target the US, including ICBMs,"

US Deputy National Security Advisor, John Finer says.

This feels like a stretch. Pakistan’s focus has always been on regional security, mainly India, not the US. Building ICBMs to target the US doesn’t make sense, it’s expensive and way outside Pakistan’s defence priorities.

This sounds more like an excuse to justify sanctions, maybe because of Pakistan’s growing ties with China or its neutral stance in global rivalries. It’s not about a real threat it’s just geopolitics.

@planenerd

Folks I will not be available for some time due to familial obligations. My friends will post here in my place. Stay safe.

⚡️🇺🇸🇾🇪 BREAKING: a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet was shot down over the Red Sea in a Friendly Fire incident.

According to multiple sources, the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class Guided Missile Cruiser of the US Navy engaged an F/A-18 Super Hornet by accident as it took off from the USS Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class Nuclear-Powered Supercarrier.

@Medmannews

⚡️🇺🇸 While the CENTCOM statement didn’t specify the squadron, the only two-seater F/A-18F squadron embarked aboard Truman are the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

The strike group was tasked as part of the US led Operation Prosperity Guardian, the mission to protect merchant traffic in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks from Yemen.

The Cruiser, Gettysburg only deployed to this operational theatre a week ago. In only a week it has managed to do over $40 Million in damages to the US effort. Bravo.

PS: Detailed analysis later, when more information is available.

@planenerd

⚡⚡🇾🇪🇺🇸 Yemeni Houthie group has claimed the downing of US F/A-18 jet in the Red Sea.

The operation was carried out with eight cruise missiles and 17 drones. With the help of God Almighty, the operation resulted in:

First: Shooting down an F-18 aircraft while the destroyers were trying to confront the Yemeni drones and missiles.

Second: Most of the enemy warplanes left Yemeni airspace for international waters in the Red Sea to defend the aircraft carrier while it was being targeted.
Third: The failure of the hostile attack on Yemeni territory

Fourth: The withdrawal of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman after being targeted from its previous location towards the northern Red Sea, after being subjected to more than one attack by the missile force, naval forces, and the air force.

@medmannews

Ah yes

For those who have suffered at the hands of these extremists, this is a small measure of justice. The fight against terrorism is relentless, and vengeance, when necessary, is delivered with precision.

— Fox News says that second F/A-18 was close to being shotdown by the same US cruiser in the same night. It seems that the US air defense crew wasn't the best one.

🇨🇿 | @czaktuality

Oh for fuck sakes. This is worse then I imagined.

⚡️🇵🇰 Today is Jinnah Day, also known as Quad e Azam day. It is celebrated on the 25th of December every year in Pakistan, honoring the life and achievements of the founder of Pakistan.

His foresight was tremendous.

During his stay in Europe, he had watched the emergence of air power very closely. From its limited role in the First World War to the unprecedented death and destruction unleashed on humanity by the use of this new weapon, the Quaid perceived the overriding role that airpower would play in future conflicts. Pakistan Air Force has been lucky to have received the Quaid’s special attention.

In 1936, Quaid-i-Azam met the Muslim officers and men of the Royal Air Force at Lahore. He was very keen to discuss their progress and participation in the Air Force. He urged them to work hard and acquire the knowledge requisite to flying and maintaining aircraft. This evinces his interest in air power and its emerging potentials.

@planenerd

Continued

⚡️🇵🇰 It was the Quaid’s amazing prescience that convinced him of the inseparable link between survival and air power which would guarantee the security of Pakistan in the shadow of the neighbouring implacable enemy.

It was his love of PAF which, on 13 April, 1948 brought him to the Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) Flying School at Risalpur despite his poor health.

Accompanied by his sister, Miss Fatima Jinnah, the Father of the Nation arrived at Risalpur. He was received by Air Marshal Asghar Khan "PAF’s first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief" who was then Wing Commander and Officer Commanding of the RPAF Flying Training School and reviewed the ceremonial parade that comprised Flight Cadets of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th GD (P) courses.

As the Quaid stood before this small band of adoring PAF Officers and Cadets of his, fledgling nation’s air force, despite his frail health, the air reverberated with his famous speech which became a source of inspiration for PAF in the trials and tribulations of the years to come. It's merits being quoted here.

“I am well aware of air developments in other countries and my government is determined that the Royal Pakistan Air Force will not lag behind. The Royal Pakistan Air Force has started with very few assets except loyalty and determination to succeed. But the Royal Pakistan Air Force is already taking shape; this school formed only seven months ago is a worthy example of this."

“I know you are short of personnel but I understand recruitment is brisk and good material is coming forward. To fill the gaps in the meantime the Royal Air Force Volunteers are coming forward and are welcome."

"I know also that you are short of aircraft and equipment, but efforts are being made to procure the necessary equipment and orders for modern aircraft have also been placed."

"But aircraft and personnel in any numbers are of little use, unless there is a team spirit within the Air force and a strict sense of discipline prevails. I charge you to remember that only with discipline and self- reliance can the Royal Pakistan Air Force be worthy of Pakistan."

"I am pleased to learn of the progress which this school has made and as desired by the Air Commander and yourselves I name it from today ’The Royal Pakistan Air Force College. I thank you all and wish your school and yourselves all success.”

The opening paragraph of the speech that he delivered on the occasion of his first visit to a Royal Pakistan Air Force unit must also be quoted as stirring words have rightly become enshrined in the creed of the Pakistan Air Force.

“There is no doubt that a country without a strong Air Force is at the mercy of any aggressor. Pakistan must build up her air force as quickly as possible. It must be an efficient air force second to none and must take its right place with the Army and the Navy in securing Pakistan’s Defence.”

@planenerd