Dozens of U.S. Refueling Jets Depart for Overseas Missions Amid Rising Tensions

At least 32 U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft, including KC-135R and KC-46A tankers, departed from bases across the United States on June 16, flying eastward across the Atlantic toward destinations in Europe and the Middle East, according to civilian flight tracking data.

Photos taken in the UK on June 17 showed at least 12 F-35 stealth fighters flying in formation with some of the KC-135Rs.

While aerial tankers are routinely deployed to these regions, the sheer scale of this movement is “highly unusual,” said Tyler Rogoway, editor of military news site The War Zone, especially given the ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran. “The reason for this mass deployment is still unclear, but it suggests a major shift may be coming in the current conflict.”

One theory: the U.S. may be providing critical support to Israel’s air campaign against Iran. The Israeli Air Force reportedly operates only seven aging refueling planes, all based on the Boeing 707 platform—insufficient for sustained long-range bombing missions.

“This significantly limits how long Israeli fighter jets can stay over their targets in Iran, and how deep they can penetrate Iranian airspace,” Rogoway noted.

Enhanced aerial refueling would also enable Israeli jets to use guided bombs—cheaper but shorter in range than missiles—and deploy bunker-busting munitions needed to hit fortified underground facilities.

Another possibility is direct U.S. military involvement. If American aircraft join Israeli strikes, refueling support would be essential. “A U.S.-led strike on Iran would represent a major policy shift with wide regional consequences and would likely provoke retaliatory attacks on American assets,” Rogoway warned.

The tankers might also be preparing for a potential Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a key artery for global oil shipments.

“In that scenario, the U.S. and its allies would need to deploy fighters to suppress Iranian air defenses and continuously monitor the strait, hunting for mobile missile and anti-ship platforms,” Rogoway explained. “That would require a massive tanker presence.”

Finally, the Pentagon could be staging tankers for a major air bridge—supporting rapid deployment of U.S. forces to the Middle East. On the evening of June 16, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the U.S. was sending additional assets to the region to bolster defensive capabilities and protect American forces.

The current conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” a surprise strike on Iranian nuclear sites and high-ranking military officials. Iran quickly retaliated with “True Promise 3,” a missile barrage that has extended the fighting into its fifth day with no signs of de-escalation.

Both countries have reported civilian casualties. Iran says 224 people have been killed and 1,227 injured—most of them civilians. In Israel, at least 24 civilians have died and nearly 600 have been wounded.

Sources: The War Zone, AFP, AP

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