Aviation Daily Brief - February 15, 2026

US Navy Aircraft Carrier Deployment

• The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is being redirected from the Caribbean to the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean.
• It will join the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea amid rising tensions with Iran.
• Approximately 150 C-17 and C-5 transport aircraft and fighter jets have been repositioned to US Central Command bases.
• President Trump indicated a potential need for military readiness "in case we don’t make a deal" with Iran.
• Sources include @Globalsurv, @FoxNews, and @War_Radar2, with high engagement on social media.
• Impact: Significant naval aviation buildup suggests potential operations against Iran.

India's Defence Developments

• India's Defence Ministry has signed a ₹2,312 crore deal with HAL for the acquisition of 8 Dornier aircraft for the Coast Guard.
• This deal aims to enhance India's coastal surveillance capabilities.
• Source: @PMOIndia (official).

Emergency Landing Facility in Assam

• India has activated an emergency landing facility on the Dibrugarh-Moran Highway in Assam.
• The new airstrip is designed for fighter jets and emergency operations, reflecting the region's infrastructure development.
• A video showcasing an operational test flight has been released.
• Source: @JM_Scindia (Civil Aviation Minister).

Human Interest Story

• Figure skater Maxim Naumov is competing at the Winter Olympics, honoring his parents who were killed in a plane crash in Washington, D.C. in 2025.
• He is now leading their skating school, sharing an emotional journey that has resonated widely on social media.
• Sources include @espn and @FatherChrisVor1, with the story gaining over 9,000 likes.

Commercial Aviation Update

• No major commercial aviation incidents, such as crashes or delays, have been reported during this timeframe.
• Military aviation continues to dominate the headlines.