A-10s Stranded | 🚨 MiG-29 | Boeing Takes $5B Hit

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Edited by: Sidney McAlear

HISTORY OF THE DAY

Tower 22 Attack - January 28, 2024
An Iranian-backed militia, operating under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, launched adeadly drone strike on Tower 22, a U.S. military outpost near Rukban in northeastern Jordan. The strike, carried out by a Shahed drone, killed three U.S. Army soldiers and injured 47 others, marking the first U.S. fatalities from enemy fire in the region since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the first U.S. troops killed by an aerial attack in over 70 years.

Tower 22, originally a Jordanian border outpost, has been a key U.S. base since 2015, hosting personnel engaged in engineering, logistics, and counter-ISIS operations.

In response to the attack, the U.S. launched retaliatory strikes on February 2, hitting 85 targets across Iraq and Syria linked to pro-Iranian militias.

 Lowdown Featuring Threat of Day: Shahed Drones.

THREAT OF THE DAY (TOD)…via Wikipedia

Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum
Country of Origin: Soviet Union/Russia
NATO Designation: Fulcrum
Initial Operating Capability (IOC): 1982
Proliferation Countries: Russia, India, Poland, Ukraine, and numerous other nations across Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa
Produced: Over 1,600 units since its introduction
Variants:
🔺MiG-29A: Original production model with basic avionics and weapons systems
🔺MiG-29M/M2: Multirole variant with enhanced avionics, radar, and weapons capabilities
🔺MiG-29SMT: Upgraded version with improved fuel capacity, avionics, and precision-guided munitions capability
🔺MiG-29K/KUB: Carrier-based variant designed for naval operations
Speed: Mach 2.25
Engine(s): Two Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, each generating approximately 18,300 lbs. of thrust
Range: Approximately 1,430 kilometers (772 nautical miles) without external fuel tanks
Radar and Targeting: Equipped with advanced radars like the Phazotron N019M Topaz in modern variants, capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously at ranges up to 80 kilometers (43 nautical miles).
Armament:
🔺Air-to-Air Missiles: AA-11 (Archer) IR with off-boresight, AA-12 (Adder) active radar-guided, AA-10 (Alamo) semi-active radar-guided, AA-8 (Aphid) IR guided.
🔺Air-to-Ground Weapons: Precision-guided munitions in upgraded variants for multirole capabilities.
“Fun” Facts
The MiG-29 Fulcrum first saw combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 as part of Iraq's air defense forces. During Operation Desert Storm, U.S. F-15s shot down five Iraqi MiG-29s. In various conflicts, including the Balkans and more recent engagements in Ukraine, the MiG-29 has been involved in offensive and defensive operations.

FLIGHT LINE

🎯  Boeing’s $1.7B Defense Hit | Boeing revealed it will log $1.7 billion in losses from defense programs in Q4 2024, including setbacks with the KC-46 Pegasus tanker, VC-25B (Air Force One), T-7, and MQ-25 Stingray. Losses in 2024 totaled to nearly $5 billion in the Boeing defense business.

🎯 Hawgs Stranded | Six A-10C have arrived home following being “stuck” (editor note: never stop anywhere you aren’t willing to break) at NAS Sigonella. In November 2024, the six jets were returning to the States following a deployment to continue to decimate ISIS but, due to maintenance issues, were grounded after their stop at Sigonella. The six jets are now home. Four A-10s from the Maryland Air National Guard returned to Warfield ANG Base, while two from the Michigan ANG headed to Selfridge ANG Base.

🎯 Philippines Expands FA-50 Fleet Amid Rising Tensions | The Philippines plans to bolster its FA-50 fleet as part of broader defense upgrades that include naval and ground assets aimed at countering Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The FA-50 is a light combat aircraft developed in South Korea.

🎯 F-22 Raptors with Advanced Infrared Threat Detection | The U.S. Air Force's F-22 stealth fighters are set to receive the advanced Tactical Infrared Search and Track System (TacIRST) from Lockheed Martin, significantly enhancing their situational awareness and target tracking capabilities. TacIRST provides long-range infrared detection and tracking of airborne threats — including stealth aircraft — without emitting radar signals, ensuring greater operational stealth.

🎯  TSA to Sunset Known Crewmember Program | The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will phase out the Known Crewmember (KCM) program by late November 2025, transitioning to the Crewmember Access Point Program (CMAP). Established in 2011, KCM has allowed registered airline crew to bypass standard TSA screening via nearly 200 dedicated access points at 112 U.S. airports.

 🎯 United Flight Encounters Severe Turbulence | A United Airlines flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Washington Dulles International Airport encountered severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to 38 passengers and crew. The flight returned to Lagos approximately three hours after takeoff.

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