---
title: "Bunker Talk: Let’s Chat About All The Stories We Did And Didn’t Report On This Week"
description: "We can talk about advanced towed decoys, Cold War-era supersonic drones, geopolitics, Russians flying over Area 51, strategy—you know, no big whoop."
date: "2019-03-30"
modified: "2019-03-30"
authors:
  - name: "Tyler Rogoway"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway.md"
url: "https://www.twz.com/27224/bunker-talk-lets-chat-about-all-the-stories-we-did-and-didnt-report-on-this-week-15"
categories:
  - "Bunker Talk"
  - "News & Features"
tags:
  - "BSing"
  - "Bunker Talk"
  - "Off Topic"
  - "Open Forum"
  - "Open Thread"
  - "Weekend Chat"
---

# Bunker Talk: Let’s Chat About All The Stories We Did And Didn’t Report On This Week

![](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-twz/content/2019/03/asdadsd111.jpg>)
*www.twz.com*

This week rocketed by. We had some fun material to work with news-wise. From an [F-22 elephant walk](<https://www.twz.com/27197/air-force-plan-to-move-f-22-training-could-make-langley-air-force-base-raptor-central.md>), to [Russia's new military excursion in Venezuela](<https://www.twz.com/27143/russian-transport-aircraft-deliver-men-and-materiel-to-venezuela-direct-from-syria.md>), to freedom of navigation sorties [through the Taiwan Strait](<https://www.twz.com/27131/u-s-sends-navy-destroyer-and-coast-guard-cutter-through-tense-taiwan-strait.md>), and [more](<https://www.twz.com/27151/heres-whats-in-moroccoss-deal-to-buy-25-advanced-f-16s-and-upgrade-its-existing-fleet.md>). [Unfortunate news about](<https://www.twz.com/27166/navys-troubled-new-carrier-delayed-again-as-power-plant-issues-become-a-concern.md>) the *USS Gerald R. Ford* and the Army's plan to [replace half its Apache fleet](<https://www.twz.com/27170/army-to-replace-nearly-half-of-its-apache-gunships-with-future-high-speed-scout-helo.md>) with a new, high-speed, armed scout helicopter also grabbed eyeballs. But the posts that got the most attention had to do with the [recent flight of a 747](<https://www.twz.com/27179/exclusive-photos-future-air-force-one-747-has-left-california-to-begin-modification-in-texas.md>) destined to become Air Force One, Russia's string of Open Skies [missions over America's most sensitive](<https://www.twz.com/27206/the-russians-just-did-a-fly-by-of-area-51.md>) military installations out west, our history piece on a [potential alternative role](<https://www.twz.com/27178/air-force-wanted-to-turn-skunk-works-mach-3-capable-recon-drone-into-a-nuclear-bomber.md>) for the Skunk Works' D-21 drone, and especially our big piece on a little known, but potent feature of the F-35's—[built-in advanced towed decoys.](<https://www.twz.com/27185/f-35s-most-sinister-capability-are-towed-decoys-that-unreel-from-inside-its-stealthy-skin.md>)

Still, there were many subjects we didn't get to, but it's not too late.

Welcome to Bunker Talk!

This is a weekend open discussion post for the best commenting crew on the net, in which we can chat about all the stuff that went on this week that we didn't get to. In other words, literally an off-topic thread.

We can discuss India's anti-satellite weapon test:

https://twitter.com/_/status/1111257399103537153

Or what about the fact that these AH-1Zs still haven't made it to Pakistan:

https://twitter.com/_/status/1111708247470338048

We can talk about this curious Kilo:

https://twitter.com/_/status/1111343003292053507

Or why don't we just marvel at this MiG-23's landing gear cycling:

https://twitter.com/_/status/1111776455338479616

Then there is this awesome shot of an Il-76's glazed navigator's station. It has a serious Willy Wonka glass elevator vibe doesn't it?:

https://twitter.com/_/status/1110246598523740160

Did you know *USS Thomas A. Edison* had a piano?:

https://twitter.com/_/status/1109898127111323649

What about this clip? Super eerie lighting! Looks like it is from *Starship Troopers!*:

https://twitter.com/_/status/1110005339502579713

The Bunker doors are open.

Discuss!

*Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com*

## Author
Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel>)