"I Will Unleash Angry Kittens On You": No, Not an SNL or Monty Python Skit

2/20/26 TWZ:

A group of Block 52 F-16CJ Vipers belonging to the South Carolina Air National Guard was recently spotted heading east across the Atlantic as part of a huge build-up of U.S. forces ahead of potential strikes on Iran. Each of the Vipers was notably seen carrying an Angry Kitten pod, a new electronic warfare system that helps defend against anti-air threats, and that may now be headed for its first use in real combat. Angry Kitten also has a very unique genesis, which we will dive into in a moment. These particular F-16s are primarily tasked with the Wild Weasel mission and are optimized for neutralizing enemy air defenses, something that would be crucial in any future operation aimed at the regime in Tehran. They can fulfill many other types of missions, as well.

The 12 F-16CJs arrived at Lajes on the island of Terceira in the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the mid-Atlantic, on February 17 and left the next day. The Vipers are readily identifiable as ones assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing by the “South Carolina” emblazoned on many of their tails, as well as distinctive markings reflecting the wing’s nickname, the “Swamp Foxes.” They were accompanied by at least one KC-46A Pegasus tanker. A substantial U.S. Air Force tanker force is now also forward-deployed in Lajes to support the ongoing build-up.

Prepping the Battlespace?

6/16/25 TWZ:

"Over two dozen U.S. Air Force KC-135R and KC-46A tankers from across the United States appeared on flight-tracking software yesterday evening, taking off from their bases and heading east over the Atlantic. It isn’t clear if they were ‘dragging’ any combat aircraft with them, but there wasn’t any obvious signs of that.

"While tanker movements in this direction are far from abnormal, such a large, near-simultaneous migration of the jets was very peculiar, especially at a time of extreme crisis in the Middle East. The exact reason for the mass deployment is unclear, although many of the potential answers would indicate a change, or preparations for a potential change, in the current conflict between Israel and Iran."

Israel has limited aerial refueling capacity.  We do not.  As Gen. Omar Bradley is alleged to have said: ""amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics "  Modern warfare is about exhausting rhe other side with materiel, delivered to combatants faster than they can.  The series Wsr Factorirs captures well how America as "Thr Arsenal of Democracy" doomed the Axis powers.  I am not sure how many fighters each tanker can refuel at a time. but I am sure it is several.

UPDATE: The USAF in Europe website mentions an exercise over Finland which could be where everyone is going.

UPDATE 2: This suggests it is not the NATO exercise:

"President Trump has ordered the National Security Council to convene and remain on standby in the Situation Room."

I Was Wondering About This

I was assuming the uranium was being contributed as some liquid for such as uranium chloride or uranium iodide but ChatGPT says Iran is centrifuging uranium hexafluoride 

If so, those bunker busters will do enormous damage even after the explosions end.  UF6 is so corrosive that DuPont invented Teflon to withstand the corrosion of valves and surfaces.  This is done at pretty temperatures, I think so releasing several thousand liters of UF6 is going to look like a Hollywood action movie thst is really over the top.  I doubt there will be many survivors of the explosions, either human or machine. 

Why Now?

Israel attacks Iran, degrading Iranian air defenses. Iran retaliates against U.S. bases in the Middle East.  B2s at Diego Garcia drops bunker busters that Israel cannot deliver. 

Disarming Iran

6/3/25 Rasmussen Reports:

"While many of President Donald Trump’s initiatives have been controversial, his vow to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons is supported by a landslide majority of voters.

"The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 84% of Likely U.S. Voters agree Iran must “never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon” – as Trump has repeatedly warned – including 63% who Strongly Agree. Just nine percent (9%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)"

Odd.  You hear your nation called, "The Great Satan" for a couple generations and it makes you nervous.  Who would have guessed?  The 9%?  I had no idea that many Americans were Ivy League.  Or doea that include the Obama and Biden officials who threw hundreds of billions of dollars into our most vvociferous, least mentally stable, and most misogynistic enemy?

Remember, War in the Middle East is Our Fault

I see Pakistan has retaliated for Iranian strikes by bombing Iran.  1/17/24 New York Times.

Why you might even imagine that Iran is the problem.

Pakistan has nuclear weapons and Iran may have nuclear weapons.  This could get bad.