Dumb Tactical Vehicle 🚨TOD: S-400 Triumf | 🇺🇦 F-16s Destroyed

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Edited by Sidney McAlear

IN HISTORY

Colonel Joe M. Jackson: A Hero of Three Wars

Colonel Joe M. Jackson (1923-2019) is celebrated for his extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War, earning him the Medal of Honor. Born on March 14, 1923, in Newnan, Georgia, Jackson's military career spanned over three decades and three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Military Career
Jackson enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1941 and began his aviation career as a crew chief on a B-25 bomber during World War II. His early experiences with aircraft mechanics and pilots drove him to become a commissioned officer and pilot later in his career. During the Korean War, he flew 107 combat missions in the F-84 Thunderjet, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals.

In 1956, Jackson became one of the first U-2 pilots, conducting reconnaissance missions during the Cold War.

Vietnam War Heroics
In 1968, as a lieutenant colonel with the 311th Air Commando Squadron, Jackson volunteered for service in Vietnam. On May 12 of that year, during the Battle of Kham Duc, he executed a daring rescue mission that would earn him the nation's highest military honor. With enemy forces overrunning the Kham Duc Special Forces camp, Jackson piloted his C-123 Provider through intense enemy fire to rescue a three-man Air Force Combat Control Team left behind during an evacuation. Despite hostile conditions—including small arms fire and exploding ammunition dumps—Jackson landed his aircraft on a debris-strewn airstrip and successfully extracted the team. Remarkably, his plane sustained no damage during this perilous mission.

Legacy
President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Jackson the Medal of Honor on January 16, 1969. His citation praised Jackson’s "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." Jackson retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a colonel after serving as Chief of Strategic Forces Studies at the Air War College.

THREAT OF THE DAY (TOD)…via Wikipedia

Name: S-400 Triumf
Country of Origin: Russia
NATO Designation: SA-21 Growler
Initial Operating Capability (IOC): 2007
Proliferation Countries: Russia, China, Turkey, India
Range: Up to 400 kilometers (approximately 216 nautical miles)
Altitude: Capable of engaging targets at altitudes up to 30 kilometers (98,000+ feet)
Targeting Capabilities: The S-400 Triumf can track up to 300 targets simultaneously and engage up to 80 of them at once. This makes it highly effective against a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, drones, and ballistic and cruise missiles.
Mobility: The system is highly mobile. It is mounted on various transport vehicles, allowing for rapid deployment and repositioning. This mobility enables “shoot and scoot," making it difficult for adversaries to target.

 “Fun” Facts:The S-400 Triumf is a highly advanced surface-to-air missile system known for its long-range and versatile target engagement capabilities, including aircraft, UAVs, and ballistic and cruise missiles. Despite its sophistication, the system has faced vulnerabilities, as evidenced by recent losses in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have successfully targeted and destroyed several S-400 units.

FLIGHT LINE

🎯 U.S. Proposes S-400 Transfer for Turkey's F-35 Program Reentry | In an effort to resolve tensions over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system, the U.S. has proposed that Turkey transfer control of the S-400s to the U.S., potentially storing them at Incirlik Air Base. This move could allow Turkey to rejoin the F-35 program, from which it was removed in 2019 due to security concerns. Discussions are ongoing, with Turkey initially rejecting the proposal, but talks are expected to continue at the U.N. General Assembly.

🎯 Missile Strike on Ukrainian Airbase Destroys F-16s | Unconfirmed reports suggest that a missile strike on a Ukrainian airbase destroyed four newly supplied F-16 fighter jets on the ground. The attack reportedly involved Russian Kinzhal ballistic missiles targeting an airfield in Strakonstantinov, Western Ukraine.

🎯 New Security Assistance Package for Ukraine | The Biden administration has unveiled a new $2.4 billion dollar security assistance package for Ukraine, aimed at bolstering its defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict with Russia. This package includes military equipment, training, and support to enhance Ukraine's ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

🎯 F-16 Pilot Awarded Kolligian Trophy for Exceptional Airmanship | Capt. Harry "Butcher" McMahon of the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing, received the 2024 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy for his outstanding airmanship during a training sortie on July 28, 2023. After experiencing an in-flight engine failure, McMahon skillfully executed a "flameout approach" landing at a Korean air base, avoiding a collision with two Korean F-35s and preventing injuries or damage.

🎯 NORAD Detects Russian Aircraft Near Alaska | The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on September 23, 2024.

🎯 USNS Big Horn Runs Aground, Disrupting Carrier Strike Group Operations | The US Navy oiler USNS Big Horn has run aground, causing logistical challenges for a carrier strike group that relies on it for fuel. The incident has forced the group to scramble for alternative refueling options.

🎯 Felons For Sale | Russia's efforts to sell its fifth-generation, the Su-57 "Felon" stealth fighter, appear to be succeeding, with reports indicating that Algeria is close to acquiring the aircraft. Algeria is considering transferring its aging MiG-29 fleet to Sudan while purchasing an undisclosed number of Su-57s and up to 70 Su-30 jets.

🎯 Chechen Leader Accuses Elon Musk of Disabling Cybertruck | Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has accused Elon Musk of remotely disabling a Tesla Cybertruck that Kadyrov claimed was gifted by Musk. Kadyrov had previously showcased the modified Cybertruck, equipped with a machine gun, asserting its potential use in the conflict against Ukraine. Musk denied gifting the vehicle, calling the claim a lie.

🎯 $567 Million Security Aid Package to Taiwan | The United States is finalizing a $567 million security assistance package for Taiwan, marking the largest aid package to date and utilizing direct shipments from U.S. stocks to expedite delivery. This move, likely to provoke China, aims to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities amid rising tensions, with the aid funding training, stockpiles, anti-armor weapons, air defense, and drones.

🎯 Azerbaijan Confirms Purchase of JF-17 Fighter Jets from Pakistan | Azerbaijan has officially added JF-17 Block III fighter jets to its air force, purchased from Pakistan in a deal reportedly worth $1.6 billion. The JF-17 is developed in a joint venture between Pakistan and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft were presented to President Ilham Aliyev at a ceremony in Baku, showcasing their advanced avionics and capabilities. This acquisition makes Azerbaijan the third country to operate the JF-17s, following Myanmar and Nigeria.

🎯 U.S. Air Force to Slash Aggressor F-16 Fleet at Nellis AFB | The U.S. Air Force is set to significantly reduce the number of F-16 Viper aggressor jets at Nellis Air Force Base, cutting 26 pre-Block F-16s despite an increasing demand for adversary air support. This decision raises concerns about the Air Force's ability to provide organic "red air" training and testing, as these older jets are phased out in favor of newer mission sets and reallocated to other bases like Homestead Air Reserve Base.

🎯 Coal Mine Blast in Iran | A devastating explosion at a coal mine in northern Iran has resulted in the deaths of at least 31 workers, with several others injured. The incident occurred at the Zemestan-Yurt mine in Golestan province.

🎯 China's Navy Deploys | The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), is deploying a fleet of aircraft carriers, icebreakers, and over 400 joint warships. This expansion is part of China's strategy to assert its naval presence globally, particularly in contested regions such as the South China Sea and the Arctic.

🎯 Italian Eurofighter Jets Intercept Russian MiG-31s in Baltic | Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets intercepted Russian MiG-31 fighter jets from Russia over the Baltic Sea. The Eurofighters were operating out of a detachment in Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania. This interception is part of NATO's ongoing air policing efforts to monitor and respond to Russian military aircraft operating near alliance airspace without transponder codes or flight plans.

🎯 Japan Scrambles Jets to Warn Off Russian Spy Plane | Japan scrambled F-15 and F-35 fighter jets and used flares to warn a Russian Il-38 reconnaissance aircraft that breached its airspace over Rebun Island, near Hokkaido. The incident, which occurred three times during the aircraft's five-hour flight, prompted Japan to lodge a strong protest with Russia.

🎯 China Test-Fires ICBM | On September 25, 2024, China launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean, marking its first such test since the 1980s. The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force conducted the test with a "dummy warhead," describing it as part of routine annual training.

🎯 Chinese Nuclear Submarine Sinks During Construction | Satellite imagery has revealed that China's newest Zhou-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank while under construction at a shipyard, likely between May and June. There has been no official acknowledgment from Beijing regarding the sinking.

🎯 Army Meets Recruiting Goals with Innovative Prep Course | The U.S. Army has achieved its fiscal year 2024 recruiting targets by enlisting over 55,300 soldiers, thanks in part to the Future Soldier Prep Course. The course gives recruits who do not meet fitness or academic standards an opportunity to improve over 90 days. Approximately 25% of the recruits attended in 2024 with a 90% pass rate.

🎯 Faulty Welds on Naval Vessels | Newport News Shipbuilding has reported to the Department of Justice that faulty welds, potentially made intentionally, were found on non-critical components of submarines and aircraft carriers. The discovery was made through internal quality assurance systems, prompting immediate corrective actions and an investigation to determine the root cause.

🎯 Air Force Bids Farewell to Last KC-10 Tanker | The U.S. Air Force has retired its last KC-10 Extender tanker, marking the end of an era for the aircraft known for its significant fuel capacity and versatility. The final KC-10, tail number 79-1948, took off from Travis Air Force Base on September 26, 2024, heading to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, known as The Boneyard. The KC-10 played a crucial role in operations like El Dorado Canyon and the Afghanistan war, and its retirement paves the way for the transition to the newer KC-46 Pegasus.