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Chris Gordon

@bychrisgordon

Pentagon Editor/National Security Correspondent, Air & Space Forces Magazine AirandSpaceForces.com | Board, Military Reporters & Editors | Member, CFR | “Subject Matter Expert.” [Redacted] F-16D flight hours. | CGordon@afa.org/Signal chrisgordon.24

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Latest posts by Chris Gordon @bychrisgordon

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Still More Fighters, Bombers Set to Join Iran Air War The U.S. is surging firepower over Iran, including bombers and fighters, defense officials said March 4 at U.S. Central Command headquarters.

MACDILL AFB, Fla.—The U.S. is moving to surge firepower over Iran, including its capital of Tehran, officials leading the campaign said at CENTCOM’s headquarters here. Bomber strikes are being stepped up and additional fighter squadrons are being deployed. www.airandspaceforces.com/more-fighter...

06.03.2026 15:29 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Weapons of 'Epic Fury': Fighters, Missiles, and 'Special Capabilities' The U.S. employed an arsenal of aircraft and weapons against Iran, including—for the first time ever—one-way drones.

Weapons of Operation Epic Fury: Fighters, Missiles, and ‘Special Capabilities’

www.airandspaceforces.com/weapons-of-e...

The U.S. military struck over 1,000 targets on the first day of its air campaign against Iran, unleashing enormous firepower in the opening 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury.

02.03.2026 02:24 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 1

Four B-2s conducted strikes against Iran yesterday on a round trip mission from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo, I’m told.

Jennifer Griffin of Fox News first reported the use of the B-2s.

01.03.2026 16:08 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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US, Israel Attack Iran; Trump Vows 'Massive' Air Campaign The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran overnight Feb. 28. The U.S. struck targets using aircraft and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.

A senior administration official said the U.S. believed the American and Israeli militaries needed to strike first to blunt Iran’s retaliation. The official said Iran’s refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program led the U.S. to attack.

28.02.2026 22:55 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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US, Israel Attack Iran; Trump Vows 'Massive' Air Campaign The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran overnight Feb. 28. The U.S. struck targets using aircraft and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.

The Israeli Defense Forces said they launched an “opening strike” against high-level officials that also killed the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s defense minister, and other senior officials. www.airandspaceforces.com/us-israel-at...

28.02.2026 22:55 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
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US, Israel Attack Iran; Trump Vows 'Massive' Air Campaign The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran overnight Feb. 28. The U.S. struck targets using aircraft and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.

The U.S. and Israel attacked hundreds of targets in Iran on Feb. 28 with aircraft, one-way attack drones, and Tomahawk cruise missiles in what the U.S. called “Operation Epic Fury.” www.airandspaceforces.com/us-israel-at...

28.02.2026 22:55 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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US, Israel Attack Iran; Trump Vows 'Massive' Air Campaign The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran overnight Feb. 28. The U.S. struck targets using aircraft and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.

Israeli officials say they killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. U.S. officials also believe Khamenei is dead, but are still assessing the situation. Trump said the U.S. offered intelligence support to Israelis for the strike. www.airandspaceforces.com/us-israel-at...

28.02.2026 22:55 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
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Life or Death Over Yemen: How F-16 Pilots Survived Houthi Ambush About 15 seconds separated F-16 pilots Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks and Maj. Michael “Danger” Blea from life or death over Yemen.

Life or Death Over Yemen: How 2 F-16 Pilots Survived a Houthi SAMbush

www.airandspaceforces.com/life-death-y...

23.02.2026 05:19 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Pentagon to Restock Massive Bombs Dropped by B-2s on Iran The U.S. military is moving to restock its supply of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs it used against Iran's nuclear facilities.

The U.S. military is moving to restock its supply of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busting bombs it used against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities last June, according to Air Force documents. www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-res...

13.02.2026 01:44 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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F-35s En Route to Middle East, Trump and Iran Talk Nuclear Deal U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighters were observed headed toward the Middle East on Feb. 11 amid the possibility of U.S. strikes on Iran.

U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighter jets were observed flying toward the Middle East today, the latest step in the U.S. military buildup in the region as the Trump administration weighs possible strikes on Iran. www.airandspaceforces.com/f-35s-middle...

11.02.2026 19:57 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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F-35s Deploy Closer to Middle East After US Talks with Iran Stealthy U.S. fighter jets moved closer to the Middle East Feb. 9, with six F–35As landing at RAF Lakenheath, U.K. after U.S. talks with Iran.

More stealthy U.S. fighter jets moved closer to the Middle East as 6 F–35As from the Vermont ANG landed at RAF Lakenheath, U.K. after crossing the Atlantic. www.airandspaceforces.com/f-35s-deploy... Trump admin has threatened to strike Iran if a deal constraining its nuclear program is not reached.

10.02.2026 02:47 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Failure to Alert Judge to Press Law for Reporter Search Draws Ethical Scrutiny

Failure to Alert Judge to Press Law for Reporter Search Draws Ethical Scrutiny

The Justice Department may have violated a candor rule by not disclosing a 1980 law when seeking a warrant for a Washington Post reporter’s home.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...

06.02.2026 01:41 👍 259 🔁 99 💬 7 📌 4
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US Launches Renewed Strikes Against ISIS in Syria U.S. aircraft, drones, and attack helicopters have launched airstrikes against ISIS in Syria as part of a renewed campaign against the group.

The U.S. has launched significant airstrikes in recent days against ISIS in Syria in a renewed air campaign against remnants of the group. The strikes have been carried out by AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and U.S. warplanes, I’m told. www.airandspaceforces.com/us-launches-...

05.02.2026 19:06 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Next Up in Pentagon's Push for Defense Industry Reforms: Space Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exhorted U.S. industry to step up in a Feb. 2 speech in which he called for American “space dominance."

Next Up in Pentagon’s Push for Defense Industry Reforms: Space www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-def...

04.02.2026 22:16 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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American F-35 Shoots Down Iranian Drone Near Aircraft Carrier A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near an aircraft carrier in an incident that U.S. military officials cautioned could lead to conflict.

Two U.S. Air Force F-16s, along with the guided missile destroyer USS McFaul, helped escort a U.S. tanker threatened by Iranian gunboats just hours before a U.S. F-35 shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, I’m told. www.airandspaceforces.com/american-f-3...

03.02.2026 20:05 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Air Force One Carrying Trump Diverts Forcing Switch to Backup Jet Air Force One carrying President Trump diverted over the Atlantic late Jan. 20 and returned to Joint Base Andrews due to an electrical issue.

The Air Force One jet carrying President Trump to a high-stakes gathering in Switzerland diverted over the Atlantic last night and returned to Joint Base Andrews due to an issue with the Boeing VC-25, forcing the president to use a backup plane, a USAF C-32. www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-on...

21.01.2026 12:38 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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US Sends F-15s to Middle East as Trump Weighs Action Against Iran The Pentagon moved F-15E Strike Eagles to the Middle East as the U.S. military is increasing its forces while tensions with Iran rise.

The Pentagon rushed more F-15E Strike Eagles to the Middle East in recent days as the U.S. military is reinforcing its airpower in the region amid high tensions with Iran. President Trump has been weighing military action against the country. www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-f-1...

21.01.2026 01:34 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 2
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2025 MRE Conference Agenda - Military Reporters and Editors Military Reporters & Editors announces its 2025 MRE Conference Agenda to be held Friday, Nov. 7 for journalists covering the military.

Military Reporters & Editors’ annual conference is right around the corner on Nov. 7! Please register here if you plan to attend. We can’t wait to see you all there! The keynote speaker is the new Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. www.militaryreporters.org/2025/10/2025...

30.10.2025 13:31 👍 4 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
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Allvin Departs as Air Force Chief: How He Sees His Legacy Gen. David W. Allvin completed two years as Chief of Staff, half the tour length, but long enough to have made a mark on the Air Force.

Gen. Dave Allvin completed two years as Chief of Staff, half the tour length—but long enough, he says, to have made a mark on the Air Force.

“We can’t always pick when we’re asked to lead. We can’t always pick when we’re asked to leave,” Allvin told me. www.airandspaceforces.com/allvin-depar...

30.10.2025 00:54 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Air Force B-1 Bombers Fly Near Venezuela in Latest Show of Force Air Force B-1 Lancer bombers flew near Venezuela Oct. 27 in the latest show of force by the Pentagon aimed at Caracas and drug cartels.

Multiple Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flew towards Venezuela today in the latest U.S. show of force aimed at Caracas and drug cartels from the Latin American country. This is the third bomber flight in the region since Oct. 15. Expect that pace to continue. www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-b-...

27.10.2025 19:55 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
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Pentagon reporters could be seen leaving the sprawling U.S. military headquarters with boxes after at least 30 news organizations declined to sign a new Pentagon access policy for journalists, warning of the potential for less coverage of the world's most powerful military.

16.10.2025 04:30 👍 766 🔁 342 💬 42 📌 48
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Air Force Downgrading USAFE Commander Job to 3 Stars The Pentagon is downgrading the position of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander into a three-star billet.

Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds, the current 3-star deputy commander, has been nominated to become commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command at his current rank. www.airandspaceforces.com/usafe-nato-a...

01.10.2025 20:20 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Air Force Downgrading USAFE Commander Job to 3 Stars The Pentagon is downgrading the position of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander into a three-star billet.

The job is currently vacant following the retirement of Gen. James Hecker over the summer. That made the change easier to carry out as it didn’t require removing a currently serving officer from the position. www.airandspaceforces.com/usafe-nato-a...

01.10.2025 20:20 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 2 📌 0
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Air Force Downgrading USAFE Commander Job to 3 Stars The Pentagon is downgrading the position of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander into a three-star billet.

The Pentagon is downgrading a significant 4-star Air Force position, making the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, who is also head of NATO Allied Air Command, a 3-star job, effectively demoting the U.S. commander below his or her NATO counterparts. www.airandspaceforces.com/usafe-nato-a...

01.10.2025 20:20 👍 24 🔁 12 💬 4 📌 1
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Inside the Room for Trump and Hegseth Speeches to Military Brass President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed senior military officials in Quantico, Va., as they revamp the Pentagon.

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.—President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed hundreds of senior military officials today. Air & Space Forces Magazine takes you inside the room. www.airandspaceforces.com/inside-the-r...

01.10.2025 01:31 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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How F-15s Tried to Take Down Iranian Drones with Laser-Guided Bombs Air Force F-15Es tried blunt Iran’s attack on Israel in April 2024 by trying to blow Iranian drones out of the sky with laser-guided bombs.

When U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles headed out to blunt Iran’s attack on Israel last April, they tried an unusual tactic: Knock Iranian drones out of the sky with laser-guided bombs. www.airandspaceforces.com/how-f-15s-tr...

24.09.2025 00:03 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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CSO Saltzman Looks at the Future of the Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman reflected on the challenges and growth facing the Space Force in the next 10 years or so.

What does the future hold for the Space Force?

Here’s my interview with Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman: www.airandspaceforces.com/cso-saltzman...

20.09.2025 14:49 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The U.S. military is deploying significant airpower in the Caribbean one week after carrying out an airstrike on what it said was a boat operated by a Venezuelan drug cartel.
www.airandspaceforces.com/airpower-car...
Airpower in the Caribbean: US Bulks Up Presence with MQ-9s, F-35s, and More

12.09.2025 02:47 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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12.09.2025 00:45 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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NATO Fighters Shoot Down Russian Drones Over Poland Russian drones were shot down by NATO fighter jets over Poland Sept. 10, the first time allied aircraft used force to defend its airspace.

The Russian drones entered Polish airspace during a large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine, prompting NATO to scramble Dutch F-35 and Polish F-16 fighters and activate air defenses, officials said, in a dramatic escalation of tensions on the continent. www.airandspaceforces.com/nato-fighter...

10.09.2025 11:40 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0