The United States is currently executing one of its largest sustained military airlifts to the Middle East in recent history.
Overnight, aviation monitors tracked a significant package of U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tankers moving northeast across the U.S. toward Bangor, Maine, the primary staging point for transatlantic flights:
KC-46 Pegasuses were tracked from Travis AFB, California to Bangor ANGB, while KC-135 stratotankers repositioned from Fairchild AFB, Washington to Bangor.
Indicators suggest a package of up to eight tankers (Callsigns ROMA 01-04 and 11-14). While the receivers (fighters) are currently unknown, this movement is consistent with a "Coronet" mission to drag fighter squadrons to the European or Middle Eastern theaters.
Massive Heavy Airlift: 163 Flights Since January 15
Data confirms that at least 163 flights involving C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft have operated from the U.S. and Japan to the Middle East via European air corridors.
Primary Strategic Hubs:
- Muwaffaq Salti AB, Jordan (98 flights): Serving as the central logistics hub and currently hosting multiple U.S. fighter squadrons (including F-15Es and F-35As).
- Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia (20 flights): Secondary hub for air defense and regional logistics.
- Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait (18 flights): Tactical receiving point for equipment.
Recent Arrivals (Feb 15–16):
- To Jordan (C-17s): REACH 547, 337, 873, and 334, originating from Robert Gray AAF (Fort Cavazos) and Biggs AAF (Fort Bliss), bases known for housing heavy THAAD and Patriot air defense units.
- Special Mission (SAAM): REACH 403 (C-17) arrived at Muwaffaq Salti from Roosevelt Roads NAS, marking the first noted "Special Assignment Airlift Mission" in this package.
The nature of the cargo remains focused on air defense assets. The high volume of flights from Army airfields (Biggs and Robert Gray) rather than standard Air Force logistics bases indicates a massive surge in ground-based missile defense systems to protect regional allies.
Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan has been confirmed as a primary concentration point, with recent satellite imagery and NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions) showing restricted taxiways to accommodate the influx of heavy cargo aircraft and newly arrived fighter squadrons.
