AIR FORCE OPERATIONS
What happened to US airlines today? Over 15,000 flights cancelled after longest nationwide ground stop in 25 years
On November 14, a telecommunications failure caused the cancellation of over 2,000 flights across the United States, leading to the most extensive nationwide ground stop in a quarter-century. This event affected more than 15,000 flights, leaving many passengers stranded with long delays. Those impacted are eligible for refunds according to regulations from the US Department of Transportation.
FAA flights grounded: 44,000 daily flights, 5,500 planes in the air, 3 million passengers a day and how US skies work
The US aviation network manages tens of thousands of flights daily through a chain of airport towers, radar facilities and regional control centres. The November 13 FAA outage exposed how dependent this network is on reliable communications and ageing technology. Here is a look at the scale of US air traffic, how controllers manage aircraft movements and the modernisation funding sought by the Trump administration.
Microsoft 365: Teams out of office, Outlook grim; co reroutes traffic as it works on recovery
Microsoft faced a global outage affecting Outlook and Exchange Online services, which disrupted communication for various organizations. Financial institutions in India dealt with impairments in email-based communication, requiring alternative channels for continuity. Banks reportedly continued operations through other platforms like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. Airlines also experienced issues with email support for customer assistance but maintained flight operations and other communication channels.
Air India, Air India Express suspend Riyadh, Dammam flights till Nov 30; Jeddah till Nov 21
Air India and Air India Express have suspended all flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah until late November. The airlines are offering refunds or one-time free rescheduling for affected customers with prior bookings. Passengers can rebook flights to other active destinations in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain as per the revised guidelines. The suspensions are in response to threats from Yemen's Houthi militia targeting Saudi facilities.
China stages massive, unannounced military drills around Taiwan in 'silent intimidation'
China executed extensive military drills in the western Pacific and around Taiwan, aiming to exert pressure. These unannounced exercises involved over 100 vessels and included simulated attacks on various targets. Taiwanese officials described the drills as a tactic of silent intimidation before key international meetings. While the number of active vessels has decreased, air force activity near Taiwan remains high.
Houthis claim drone strikes on Riyadh, Saudi military sites; coalition says drones intercepted
Yemen's Houthi militia announced a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including key facilities. They claimed to have successfully hit Aramco in Riyadh and a military cargo plane at Sharurah Airport. Additionally, the Houthis targeted Khamis Mushait Air Base, asserting their operations achieved their objectives. The Saudi-led Coalition Forces reported intercepting and destroying several drones launched by the Houthi militia.
Agnipath tweaked after armed forces' feedback, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the decision to extend the tour of duty for Agniveers was based on feedback from the armed forces. The government’s November 4 overhaul of the Agnipath scheme opens a route to permanent service for all recruits. Singh also called for stronger intelligence and surveillance capabilities, technological superiority and greater jointness among the armed forces.
Rajnath Singh calls for stronger defensive capabilities to maintain 'element of surprise' in future warfare; launches UDAAN-developed AI applications
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on the armed forces to strengthen offensive and defensive capabilities in modern warfare. He highlighted the need for improved integration and intelligence mechanisms to counter unexpected threats. The Defence Minister urged the Indian Air Force to develop doctrines for evolving warfare domains, including cyber and space. He launched in-house developed Artificial Intelligence applications to enhance operational capabilities across various domains.
Indian Navy conducts fifth edition of pan-India coastal defence exercise 'Sea Vigil-26'
The Indian Navy is set to execute the fifth iteration of the Coastal Defence Exercise 'Sea Vigil-26' this month. This crucial exercise aims to assess the effectiveness of coastal security measures while pinpointing weaknesses in the current defence systems. It brings together personnel from various maritime agencies to evaluate readiness along the coast. Later, a tactical simulation will mirror possible security attacks, reinforcing India's maritime security against emerging threats.
Iran unveils underground 'missile city', warns US bases in Europe could face strikes if war resumes
Iran has unveiled an underground facility displaying ballistic and cruise missiles as senior officials warn that any renewed US attack could trigger strikes on American military bases across the Middle East and Europe. Tehran has also claimed that its missile production capabilities remain protected underground and ruled out transferring its enriched nuclear material abroad.
Senior American soldier accused of being a Russian spy arrested in UK just days after US moved its warplanes from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk to Germany following Iranian threats
A US Army soldier faces allegations of help for Russian intelligence, while more than a dozen US military aircraft have left a British airbase after a reported threat from Iran. The arrest took place near Gloucester on November 10, while the aircraft departures from RAF Mildenhall followed a report of a further threat from Iran. British police and US officials have commented on the espionage allegations.
US Air Force evacuates tankers from base in England due to Iran threat, Wall Street Journal reports
Two tankers stationed at RAF Mildenhall were diverted to Germany on Monday, and several other tankers were relocated to other bases in Europe later in the day, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the decision. U.S. officials decided to redeploy the aircraft after being alerted about the new threat on Monday, the Journal said.
Iran shot down 260 US aircraft, captured 7 MQM-170 drones, building underground weapons facility: IRGC's spokesman details capabilities
Iran's IRGC has claimed that it shot down 260 hostile aircraft during the conflict initiated by the US and captured seven MQM-170 reconnaissance drones intact last week. The force has also highlighted how it is shifting missile and drone production underground while expanding indigenous manufacturing of missiles, drones and air-defence systems to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
LG Ladakh congratulates IAF on successful landing of IL-76MD aircraft at Nyoma airbase
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena congratulated the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday on the successful landing of its heavy-lift IL-76MD aircraft at the newly developed Nyoma Airbase in Changthang district, describing it as a significant achievement for India’s military preparedness and forward-deployment capabilities in high-altitude regions.
From eastern airbase, Rajnath Singh calls for highest readiness
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed air warriors at Bagdogra Air Force station regarding national security threats. He highlighted the need for armed forces to maintain high operational readiness amid complex security challenges. Singh noted that adversaries may exploit vulnerabilities through misinformation instead of direct confrontation.
Warfare now extends beyond borders to cyberattacks, drone swarms and information operations: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Indian Air Force personnel at Bagdogra airfield recently. He highlighted the complexities of modern warfare, which now includes cyberattacks and information operations. Singh warned that adversaries exploit vulnerabilities without direct conflict and spread misleading information via social media. He urged soldiers to maintain vigilance against emerging threats while emphasizing the importance of discipline and conduct.
Pralay missile test: How India's new weapon, twice as fast as BrahMos, could counter China-Pakistan threats and strengthen its upcoming Rocket Force
India's indigenous Pralay missile recently underwent a successful user evaluation trial, moving closer to deployment. With a range of 150 to 500 km, it is designed for precision strikes on military targets. The missile is expected to play a critical role in India's planned Rocket Force, enhancing conventional deterrence capabilities. Additionally, the Pralay missile will complement the BrahMos system, adding operational flexibility to the armed forces.
Pete Hegseth might meet the fate of top military officers he fired as Trump considers removing him after Republicans lose midterms: Here’s a list of all those the Secretary of Defense sacked
Following a lackluster midterm performance, President Trump is rumored to be weighing the dismissal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Concerns about Hegseth's grasp on the Iran war are growing, prompting official deliberations about his future. With Democrats signaling intentions to launch investigations, the specter of impeachment looms for Hegseth due to the controversies surrounding his leadership, which has already seen multiple military officials dismissed.
Pakistan tests indigenous Fa'az air-to-air missile, says new weapon will boost air force capabilities
Fa'az is Pakistan's first locally developed air-to-air missile. It will improve the operational flexibility of its air force, the Pakistan Army said in a statement.
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