On Monday, June 16th, according to Reuters, citing two anonymous US officials, as tensions escalate in the Middle East to a conflict between Iran and Israel, the US military has deployed a significant number of refueling aircraft to Europe to support military options for deployment in the Middle East.
The officials also mentioned that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier is en route to the Middle East, with one stating that it is a pre-planned deployment. The Nimitz can accommodate 5,000 personnel and over 60 aircraft, including fighter jets.
These deployments indicate that as Iran and Israel engage in unprecedented open warfare, the US is significantly bolstering its airpower to respond to potential ongoing military actions.
Israel began bombing Iran last Friday, killing several military leaders and nuclear scientists. Subsequently, Iran and Israel engaged in mutual large-scale shelling, resulting in civilian casualties and raising concerns about broader regional conflicts.
Flight tracking website AirNav Systems reported that over 31 US Air Force refueling aircraft (primarily KC-135 and KC-46) departed the US on Sunday, flying eastward.
US officials declined to comment on the number of aircraft. The Pentagon suggested Reuters contact the White House, but the White House has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Eric Schouten of Dyami Security Intelligence told Reuters, “The sudden deployment of over 20 refueling aircraft to the East by the US Air Force is not a common move. It is a clear signal of strategic preparedness. Logistics are crucial whether to support Israel or prepare for long-range operations. This move indicates that if tensions between (Israel) and Iran escalate, the US is getting ready for a rapid escalation.”
AirNav Systems indicated that US military aircraft have landed in Europe, including Ramstein Air Base in Germany, as well as airports in the UK, Estonia, and Greece.
So far, the Trump administration has been cautious in its response, only assisting Israel in shooting down incoming Iranian missiles.
A interviewed official stated that as long as Americans are not targeted in attacks, the US does not support Israel attacking the political leadership of Iran.
President Trump praised Israel’s defensive actions and warned Iran not to expand retaliatory actions to target Americans or assets.
Another unnamed US official refused to comment on the refueling aircraft deployment but emphasized that US military activity in the region is fundamentally defensive.
Another source indicated that the US has informed countries in the region that it is preparing defensive measures and that if Iran attacks any US facilities, the US would transition to offensive operations.
The US already has a significant military presence in the Middle East, with nearly 40,000 soldiers deployed, including air defense systems, fighter jets, and naval vessels capable of assisting in missile interceptions.
(Partial content based on reporting by Reuters)