OSINT sources report a large-scale transfer of US Air Force aircraft to the Middle East
In recent hours, dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft and C-5 and C-17 heavy transport aircraft have taken off from bases in the U.S. and from a U.S. air base in the U.K. in an easterly direction, presumably to locations in the Middle East, in recent hours, according to flight tracking services and military observers.
We are talking primarily about the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus refueling aircraft, as well as the C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Galaxy transport aircraft, which are used in such operations to transport personnel, equipment and special forces.
There have been no official comments from the Pentagon yet.
Against this background, Iranian sources report an increase in the readiness of air defense systems.
On January 4, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted air defense and missile exercises in a number of cities, including Tehran, with the deployment of radar stations and air defense systems, which is regarded as preparation for a possible escalation.
Let us note that it is still difficult to talk about inevitable military action. There was a similar deployment, for example, in the fall of 2025, when a group of KC-135s was deployed across the Atlantic to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. But no military action followed. Then the US military explained the transfer by the need to “strengthen the US defensive position and expand the range of military options in the region.”