CIA Analyst Captured | 🚨TOD: DF-26 "Guam Express" | U.S. Authorizes Strike Weapon

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Edited by: Sidney McAlear

HISTORY OF THE DAY

November 15, 1957 – The B-52 Stratofortress Joins SAC
The iconic Boeing B-52 Stratofortress officially became part of the U.S. Strategic Air Command (SAC). Designed for long-range nuclear deterrence during the Cold War, the B-52 proved to be more than just a bomber. With a range of over 8,800 miles and the ability to carry massive payloads, it became a symbol of American airpower.

Over six decades later, the B-52 is still flying, continually upgraded to meet modern mission requirements. The U.S. Air Force plans to keep the Stratofortress in service through the 2050s, making it one of the longest-serving aircraft in history—a testament to its adaptability and enduring design.

THREAT OF THE DAY…via Wikipedia

DF-26 "Carrier Killer" Missile

Country of Origin: China
Nickname: “Guam Express”
First Operational: 2016
Proliferation Countries: Exclusively operated by China
Range: 3,000–5,000 km (3,100 miles)
Warhead Options: Nuclear or conventional
Guidance System: Inertial and satellite navigation with terminal guidance
Capabilities: Designed to target ships — including aircraft carriers — as well as land-based infrastructure

“Fun” Facts: The DF-26 is a road-mobile, intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of striking U.S. bases in the Pacific, including Guam. Dubbed the "Carrier Killer," it poses a significant threat to naval assets, especially in contested areas like the South China Sea. The missile’s dual-capability (nuclear and conventional) and long range allow China to project power far beyond its shores. It has become a centerpiece of China’s Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy, challenging U.S. dominance in the Indo-Pacific.

FLIGHT LINE

🎯 Pentagon Document Leaker Jack Teixeira Sentenced to 15 Years | Jack Teixeira, a 22-year-old US Air National Guardsman, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaking top-secret Pentagon documents. Teixeira shared classified materials, including intelligence on Ukraine and US allies, on a Discord server popular with gamers in 2022. These documents later spread to pro-Kremlin Telegram channels and military blogs. Prosecutors labeled it one of the most consequential Espionage Act violations in US history, while Teixeira apologized, acknowledging full responsibility. His actions prompted a Pentagon review of its classified information handling processes.

🎯 Ukraine Uses US-Made ATACMS Missiles to Strike Inside Russia | Ukraine launched a major escalation in its war with Russia by using US-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles to strike a weapons facility in Bryansk, marking the first use of these long-range weapons across the border. The attack came days after the Biden administration approved Kyiv’s use of ATACMS against targets inside Russia. Of the six missiles fired, Russian air defenses reportedly intercepted five, while fragments of the sixth caused a fire. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for potential nuclear weapon use in cases of aggression involving nuclear-armed nations.

🎯 Russian S-70 Drone Shot Down in Ukraine Contains U.S. Components | Ukraine recovered a downed Russian S-70 Okhotnik stealth drone near Kostyantynivka, revealing Western-made components from U.S. and European companies such as Texas Instruments and Infineon. The S-70, Russia's advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle, debuted in 2019 and costs $15 million per system. Despite sanctions, over 4,000 foreign parts have been found in Russian weapons. Companies claim compliance with sanctions, yet controlling the flow of such technologies remains a challenge.

🎯 Ukrainian F-16 Pilots Intercept Russian Missiles and Drones | Ukrainian F-16 pilots shot down nearly 10 aerial targets during a massive Russian missile and drone attack on November 17. The assault involved 210 missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with air defenses destroying 144. Cities including Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv suffered damage, leading to emergency power outages. President Zelenskyy emphasized unity and international support as Ukraine counters continued Russian aggression. This marks a significant use of F-16s in defending against large-scale aerial threats.

🎯 Pentagon Fails Audit for 7th Consecutive Year, Targets 2028 for Success | The Pentagon’s fiscal 2024 audit marks its seventh consecutive failure, with only 9 of 28 entities receiving clean opinions. The Department of Defense assessed $4.1 trillion in assets and $4.3 trillion in liabilities but continues to struggle with accounting for material items and financial management. Comptroller Mike McCord highlighted incremental progress, such as balancing treasury funds, but achieving a clean audit by the 2028 deadline remains uncertain.

🎯 Experts Testify on U.S. Secret UAP Programs Before Congress | During a House Oversight Committee hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), experts claimed the U.S. government runs secret programs to recover and reverse-engineer non-human technology. Former Pentagon official Luis Elizondo confirmed the existence of crash retrieval programs and advanced monitoring technologies. Witnesses stressed the need for transparency, with journalist Michael Shellenberger alleging "Immaculate Constellation," a classified operation, uses high-grade tools to track UAPs. The Pentagon’s UAP office, AARO, continues to standardize reporting, but the call for openness intensifies as UAPs remain unexplained.

🎯 CIA Employee Charged with Leaking Classified Info on Israeli Attack Plans | Asif William Rahman, a CIA employee, has been indicted on charges of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information. Arrested in Cambodia, Rahman is accused of leaking top-secret documents assessing Israel's military preparations for a strike against Iran. The documents, attributed to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and NSA, appeared on Telegram and detailed Israel's response to Iran’s missile attack on October 1. The breach, shared within the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance, prompted an FBI investigation into how the leak occurred and its broader implications.

🎯 China’s Deadliest Car Attack in Decades Sparks Outcry and Censorship | A car attack in Zhuhai killed 35 people, making it China’s deadliest public act of violence in decades. Authorities say the 62-year-old driver, unhappy with a divorce settlement, deliberately drove into crowds at a stadium. The incident has ignited discussions about “revenge on society,” a term used for individuals targeting strangers due to personal grievances. President Xi Jinping vowed severe punishment, while social media platforms censored discussions of deeper societal pressures. The slow release of casualty figures and limited state media coverage have further fueled public frustration.

🎯 FAA Grounds Flights to Haiti Amid Gang Violence and Aircraft Attacks | The FAA has halted flights to Haiti for 30 days after three U.S. airline planes were hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince. A Spirit Airlines flight sustained bullet damage, injuring a crew member, while JetBlue and American Airlines discovered gunfire-related damage post-flight.

🎯 Spirit Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection | Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, months after a federal judge blocked its merger with JetBlue. The Florida-based budget carrier assured passengers that flights, bookings, and operations would continue without interruption. The airline seeks to restructure and reduce debt, supported by a majority of bondholders. CEO Ted Christie described the move as a "vote of confidence" in Spirit’s long-term viability, with restructuring expected to conclude by Q1 2025.

🎯 Chinese Ship Investigated for Severed Baltic Data Cables | Investigators are scrutinizing the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 for its possible role in severing two undersea data cables in the Baltic Sea. The ship passed near the cables when they were cut on Sunday and Monday. Sweden and Germany are probing the incident, with Germany's Defense Minister suggesting sabotage or "hybrid warfare." The ship, owned by Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, has not commented. The Danish Navy is reportedly monitoring the vessel as it attempts to leave the Baltic.

Trivia:

Answer: C-130

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules first entered service in 1956 as a versatile military transport aircraft designed for tactical airlift. It first flew April 7th, 1955. Known for its rugged reliability, the C-130 has served the U.S. Air Force and over 70 other nations in a wide variety of roles, including cargo transport, troop deployment, medical evacuation, and even firefighting.