Mid-Air Collision Kills Four Airmen Over Iraq

Former ISIS Supporter Kills One at Old Dominion Before Students Stop Him

Attacker Rams Synagogue Near Detroit, Dies in Shootout With Guards

Treasury Eases Russia Sanctions, Opens Window for Stranded Oil Sales

Iran Revives 1980s Tanker War Playbook as Hormuz Attacks Mount

Mid-Air Collision Kills Four Airmen Over Iraq

A U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker operated by the 459th Air Refueling Wing out of Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, crashed in western Iraq on Wednesday after colliding with another tanker during a mid-air refueling operation supporting the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. U.S. Central Command confirmed four of the six crew members aboard the downed aircraft were killed, with rescue efforts continuing for the remaining two. The second KC-135, operated by the 940th Air Refueling Wing out of Beale Air Force Base in California, landed safely in Tel Aviv with the top portion of its tail sheared off. Central Command said the crash occurred at approximately 2 p.m. ET and was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. The incident is under investigation, and the identities of the deceased are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

Planespotters / CENTCOM3

Former ISIS Supporter Kills One at Old Dominion Before Students Stop Him

A man previously imprisoned for attempting to support the Islamic State opened fire Thursday in a classroom at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, killing one person and wounding two others before ROTC students tackled and subdued him. The FBI identified the gunman as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen and former Army National Guard member in his mid-30s who shouted "Allahu akbar" before shooting. Jalloh was found dead when officers arrived, though the FBI said he was not shot. The bureau is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism. Jalloh had served part of an 11-year federal sentence for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and was released from prison two days before Christmas in 2024.

Washington Post

Attacker Rams Synagogue Near Detroit, Dies in Shootout With Guards

A 41-year-old man rammed his vehicle into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on Thursday and exchanged gunfire with security guards in what police described as a targeted attack on the Jewish community. Federal officials identified the attacker as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, who was killed by guards at the scene. One security guard was injured, and about 140 students and staff at the temple's preschool were safely evacuated. Authorities said they were still investigating a motive. Police departments across the country responded by increasing patrols at houses of worship.

NYT

Treasury Eases Russia Sanctions, Opens Window for Stranded Oil Sales

The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday issued General License 134, authorizing all countries to purchase and take delivery of Russian crude oil and petroleum products already loaded on vessels as of March 12. The license opens a 30-day transaction window through April 11. The move represents a further relaxation of sanctions on Russian energy exports at a moment when the Strait of Hormuz conflict has driven global oil prices higher. The timing allows Russia to sell stranded barrels at elevated prices to a wider pool of buyers.

U.S. Treasury

Iran Revives 1980s Tanker War Playbook as Hormuz Attacks Mount

Iran claimed this week to have formally closed the Strait of Hormuz, the 21-mile-wide chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world's daily oil supply flows. Three more commercial vessels — the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree, the Japanese ONE Majesty and the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth — were struck by projectiles on Wednesday, bringing the total number of ships attacked since Feb. 28 to at least 14. Iranian officials warned the strait will be a passage "of peace for all or of defeat for warmongers," with military leaders vowing not to allow oil shipments to pass for the benefit of the United States or its allies.

The escalation echoes Iran's tanker war tactics from the late 1980s, when Tehran targeted Gulf shipping during the Iran-Iraq War. That crisis prompted the Reagan administration to re-flag Kuwaiti tankers under the American flag and escort them through the Gulf under Operation Earnest Will. When Iran continued its provocations in 1988, the U.S. Navy destroyed nearly half of Iran's operational fleet in a single day during Operation Praying Mantis, the largest American surface naval engagement since World War II. Iran subsequently accepted a ceasefire.

FDD

March 13 1781: William Herschel discovers Uranus

The first new planet found with a telescope, expanding the known boundaries of the solar system beyond the traditional naked-eye planets. His discovery reshaped astronomy by proving the solar system was larger than previously thought and helped cement the use of telescopic surveys in finding new celestial bodies.

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Sources

1. Planespotters.net / CENTCOM
2. Washington Post
3. NYT
4. U.S. Treasury
5. FDD