✈️ The United States has reportedly significantly increased its military airlift operations to the Middle East amid rising political tensions with Iran. The scale of the flights is being described as the most extensive air deployment to the region since the Iraq War.
🛫 U.S. Air Force transport aircraft, including the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, and C-130 Hercules, along with aerial refueling tankers such as the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus, have reportedly conducted intensive flights to the region. As part of the deployment, air defense systems, strike assets, fighter jets, and various military equipment are said to have been transferred to U.S. bases across the Middle East.
🛩️ As part of the heightened military activity, U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, F-15 Eagle, and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft have reportedly been deployed to Jordan, while an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft is stationed in Saudi Arabia. In addition, numerous tanker aircraft are said to be positioned and on standby at bases and airfields including Lajes in Portugal, the Greek island of Crete, Sofia in Bulgaria, as well as in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
⚠️ Meanwhile, Sofia International Airport is expected to temporarily suspend certain civilian flight operations during specific hours on the nights of February 23 and 24 due to heavy U.S. military air traffic. Developments regarding the military buildup in the region continue to be closely monitored.
