U.S. and British military aircraft continue repositioning toward the Middle East
By Bernie,
U.S. and British military aircraft continue repositioning toward the Middle East, according to flight tracking data from the Military Air Tracking Alliance.
A C-17 cargo aircraft is en route to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan from Hill Air Force Base, where F-35A fighters are based. This marks the second flight from Hill AFB to Jordan. Five additional C-17 cargo aircraft remain waiting to access Fort Hood, Texas, where two THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) batteries are stationed. The THAAD systems are designed to intercept ballistic missiles and are a priority for U.S. allies in the Middle East concerned about a potential Iranian counter-strike or preemptive attack.
A TC-135 training aircraft arrived at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar after stops at RAF Waddington and Mildenhall, likely ferrying crew from Offutt AFB. An RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft, used for signals intelligence, arrived at RAF Mildenhall in the UK from Offutt AFB. The aircraft may deploy directly to Al Udeid or conduct operations from a distance using refueling tankers to remain out of range of Iranian strikes.
Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters deployed to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, though one diverted back to Lossiemouth due to a fuel probe issue. The successful deployment increases RAF strength at Akrotiri to five Typhoons and one Voyager tanker.
Additional fighter movements eastward are likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Topics: Iran
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