The US Navy retired the AIM-54 Phoenix in 2004, and the Tomcat kept flying without the Phoenix as a recon and strike platform until 22 Sep 2006.

The Iranians have also been strapping Hawk SAMs to the Tomcat. Can’t seem to upload pics now so have a look: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=iriaf+f-14+hawk&t=brave&iax=images&ia=images

That’s the neat part, you don’t!

And the drones kept tumbling down in the city that we love

MAN-Portable Air Defense (System). Basically a tube with optics that you can use to fire an anti-air missile from your shoulder. Stinger and Strela are some examples

Sure, some probably do. And you can be sceptical and discuss why that’s a dangerous and undemocratic direction. Effective Altruism is a question, not an answer. In thr community, asking for and being open to critical feedback is encouraged as the main tenet of good culture.

But if you look at the amounts, most EAs donate most to helping the poorest people alive today. Because it is so obviously good, and proven to work with high certainty.

If you are interested in learning more about Effective Altruism, check out https://www.effectivealtruism.org/articles/introduction-to-effective-altruism

Source for distribution of donations: https://80000hours.org/2021/08/effective-altruism-allocation-resources-cause-areas/

Mostly yes. Iraq has a democratically elected Shia government. But Iraq has very good reasons to hate Iran too.

For the others, it seems to be Iran’s stirring up of Shia rebellions inside their territory and how easily they will unilaterally decide to shoot at ships when they need their population to hate the US more than their own government.

Buy a second hand joystick for 30 bucks. Download DCS World (free), in the meantime book the week off and start binging Chucks Guide, then trial a full fidelity jet (2 weeks free trial). We have F-14A and B, F-15E, F-16C, F/A-18C, Harrier II, Mirage 2000C, Mirage F1, F-5E, MiG-21, MiG-19, MiG-15, F-86 and the JF-17. Proceed to dive into the rabbit hole, it should go effortlessly from there on.

You will not only understand, you will hear memes about Sidewinders. rrrrG iiiiiiiiP

AUKUS

Missed opportunity to use the acronym “AUS, U SUK”

Thanks for the correction!

You win

It has a negative magnification: it’s a fisheye lens.

This works marvelously with the mechanics of the “spell”.

The “Shield” spell blocks weapon attacks AND Magic Missile. Maybe that’s because the missile is not that magical in actuality.

The only thing that is magical about it, is that it always hits. But IDK, if you use a modern anti-tank or anti-air missile against a fantasy monster, they’d need to have some very specific countermeasures to make it miss. So basically, the non-magic missile always hits.

Oh and it does “force damage”, meaning nothing is immune to it. I don’t know how much depleted uranium is needed to bypass immunities, but I’m sure that can be arranged.

Navigating at night using nothing but maps, compass, altitude and speed indicator is pretty difficult. Especially when the hostile territory you are flying over is forcing everyone to keep their curtains closed and minimize light leaks.

And even then, they often hit the wrong city

Thank you for your service! Great material. You could have posted it here too… or attach a license :P