WarMonitor (Twitter)
RT @no_itsmyturn: 2357Z
#USAF 🇺🇸 KC-135R
63-8025 | #AE014C
Over #UAE 🇦🇪 HDG W
https://aleph.wtf/7677/ https://twitter.com/no_itsmyturn/status/1345157308507164675/photo/1
RT @no_itsmyturn: 2357Z
#USAF 🇺🇸 KC-135R
63-8025 | #AE014C
Over #UAE 🇦🇪 HDG W
https://aleph.wtf/7677/ https://twitter.com/no_itsmyturn/status/1345157308507164675/photo/1
OSINT
Photo
OSINTdefender
RT @ArmchairAdml: #USAF United States Air Force / #RAF Royal Air Force - Middle East Activity
22 January 2026 - 2300z
In the past few hours there has been confirmation from the British Ministry of Defence that No. 12 Squadron RAF has deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Additionally, a third tanker from MacDill AFB has filed, this time for Ramstein.
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Royal Air Force Deployment
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 4x
#43C6D5 ZK322 - ASCOT 9614 (RAF Coningsby)
#43C70C ZK350 - ASCOT 9613 (RAF Coningsby)
#43C7A9 ZK432 - ASCOT 9612 (RAF Coningsby)
#43C77D ZK354 - ASCOT 9611 (RAF Coningsby)
Airbus KC.2 Voyager 1x
#43C6F3 ZZ330 - ASCOT 9203 (RAF Akrotiri)
Four Typhoon FGR.4's as ASCOT 9611 flight which arrived at RAF Akrotiri on 20 January have now moved on to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, supported by ASCOT 9203. According to the Ministry of Defence, this deployment of No 12 Squadron (joint RAF-Qatari), was at the invitation of the Government of Qatar in order to boost their defences.
This should leave four Typhoon's in Saudi Arabia for exercises, four in Qatar, and at least three at Akrotiri, a total of 11 Typhoon's deployed in the Middle East. Additionally, ZZ330 is based at Akrotiri to provide tanker support.
Tanker Movements
#AE014C 63-8025 - REACH 893 (MacDill AFB)
REACH 893 has filed for Ramstein Air Base in Germany, on the same mission code as REACH 892/891 which arrived in Qatar today via RAF Mildenhall. Interestingly this flight is going via Ramstein, despite Mildenhall now being empty of visitors.
Summary
By my estimates there are at least 79 United States Air Force and Royal Air Force aircraft in the Middle East.
Fighters: ~47
F-15E Strike Eagle: 36
Typhoon FGR.4: 11/12
Tankers: ~21
KC-135 Stratotanker: 19 (inc REACH 893)
KC-46 Pegasus: 1
KC.2 Voyager: 1
Transport: ~10
C-17 Globemaster: 5
C-130 Super Hercules: 5
Any additions or corrections please let me know. Thanks!
Photos: @havoc_aviation
@MATA_osint @DefenceGeek @sipjack1776 @TheIntelFrog @CivIntelUK @Andyyyyrrrr @vcdgf555 @USAF_VIP_LGX @TBrit90 @Osinttechnical @UKForcesTracker
#USAF United States Air Force - Middle East Activity
22 January 2026 - 1100z
Things have begun to calm down slightly over the past 24 hours. We've seen two tanker movements into the Middle East, and I've discounted two from the list. Additionally, more C-17's between RAF Lakenheath, Ramstein and Jordan.
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Tanker Movements
#AE0152 63-8034 - REACH 892 (MacDill AFB)
#AE07AE 61-0267 - REACH 891 (MacDill AFB)
#AE07A9 59-1515 - REACH 312 (Fairchild AFB)
#AE049B 61-0313 - REACH 313 (Fairchild AFB)
REACH 891/892 which arrived over the past two days at RAF Mildenhall have now departed for Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. REACH 892 had underwing drogue pods, and REACH 891 had a boom-drogue adapter. Both aircraft were unmarked.
REACH 312/313 appear to have flown to Greenland - see post in replies for more details on this.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
#AE146E 07-7176 - REACH 417 (Dover AFB)
#AE145F 06-6161 - REACH 842 (RAF Lakenheath)
Two arrivals into Salti, REACH 417 from Dover AFB that doesn't appear to have gone anywhere else interesting on it's journey, and another flight from RAF Lakenheath - REACH 842.
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
#AE1198 03-3115 - REACH 869 (RAF Lakenheath)
REACH 869 has returned to Ramstein from RAF Lakenheath. It had been on the ground at Lakenheath since 20 January.
Unknown Final Location / Potential Involvement
#AE1467 07-7169 - REACH 344 (Hill AFB)
REACH 344 from Hill AFB arrived at Dover yesterday. This is an interesting flight as it has the same mission code as the flights in-and-out of RAF Lakenheath.
Summary
Current numbers since 16 Ja[...]
RT @ArmchairAdml: #USAF United States Air Force / #RAF Royal Air Force - Middle East Activity
22 January 2026 - 2300z
In the past few hours there has been confirmation from the British Ministry of Defence that No. 12 Squadron RAF has deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Additionally, a third tanker from MacDill AFB has filed, this time for Ramstein.
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Royal Air Force Deployment
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 4x
#43C6D5 ZK322 - ASCOT 9614 (RAF Coningsby)
#43C70C ZK350 - ASCOT 9613 (RAF Coningsby)
#43C7A9 ZK432 - ASCOT 9612 (RAF Coningsby)
#43C77D ZK354 - ASCOT 9611 (RAF Coningsby)
Airbus KC.2 Voyager 1x
#43C6F3 ZZ330 - ASCOT 9203 (RAF Akrotiri)
Four Typhoon FGR.4's as ASCOT 9611 flight which arrived at RAF Akrotiri on 20 January have now moved on to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, supported by ASCOT 9203. According to the Ministry of Defence, this deployment of No 12 Squadron (joint RAF-Qatari), was at the invitation of the Government of Qatar in order to boost their defences.
This should leave four Typhoon's in Saudi Arabia for exercises, four in Qatar, and at least three at Akrotiri, a total of 11 Typhoon's deployed in the Middle East. Additionally, ZZ330 is based at Akrotiri to provide tanker support.
Tanker Movements
#AE014C 63-8025 - REACH 893 (MacDill AFB)
REACH 893 has filed for Ramstein Air Base in Germany, on the same mission code as REACH 892/891 which arrived in Qatar today via RAF Mildenhall. Interestingly this flight is going via Ramstein, despite Mildenhall now being empty of visitors.
Summary
By my estimates there are at least 79 United States Air Force and Royal Air Force aircraft in the Middle East.
Fighters: ~47
F-15E Strike Eagle: 36
Typhoon FGR.4: 11/12
Tankers: ~21
KC-135 Stratotanker: 19 (inc REACH 893)
KC-46 Pegasus: 1
KC.2 Voyager: 1
Transport: ~10
C-17 Globemaster: 5
C-130 Super Hercules: 5
Any additions or corrections please let me know. Thanks!
Photos: @havoc_aviation
@MATA_osint @DefenceGeek @sipjack1776 @TheIntelFrog @CivIntelUK @Andyyyyrrrr @vcdgf555 @USAF_VIP_LGX @TBrit90 @Osinttechnical @UKForcesTracker
#USAF United States Air Force - Middle East Activity
22 January 2026 - 1100z
Things have begun to calm down slightly over the past 24 hours. We've seen two tanker movements into the Middle East, and I've discounted two from the list. Additionally, more C-17's between RAF Lakenheath, Ramstein and Jordan.
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Tanker Movements
#AE0152 63-8034 - REACH 892 (MacDill AFB)
#AE07AE 61-0267 - REACH 891 (MacDill AFB)
#AE07A9 59-1515 - REACH 312 (Fairchild AFB)
#AE049B 61-0313 - REACH 313 (Fairchild AFB)
REACH 891/892 which arrived over the past two days at RAF Mildenhall have now departed for Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. REACH 892 had underwing drogue pods, and REACH 891 had a boom-drogue adapter. Both aircraft were unmarked.
REACH 312/313 appear to have flown to Greenland - see post in replies for more details on this.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
#AE146E 07-7176 - REACH 417 (Dover AFB)
#AE145F 06-6161 - REACH 842 (RAF Lakenheath)
Two arrivals into Salti, REACH 417 from Dover AFB that doesn't appear to have gone anywhere else interesting on it's journey, and another flight from RAF Lakenheath - REACH 842.
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
#AE1198 03-3115 - REACH 869 (RAF Lakenheath)
REACH 869 has returned to Ramstein from RAF Lakenheath. It had been on the ground at Lakenheath since 20 January.
Unknown Final Location / Potential Involvement
#AE1467 07-7169 - REACH 344 (Hill AFB)
REACH 344 from Hill AFB arrived at Dover yesterday. This is an interesting flight as it has the same mission code as the flights in-and-out of RAF Lakenheath.
Summary
Current numbers since 16 Ja[...]
OSINT
Photo
OSINTdefender
RT @ArmchairAdml: #USAF United States Air Force / #RAF Royal Air Force - Middle East Activity
24 January 2026 - 1300z
There has again been an increase in both tanker and transport activity in the past 18 hours. Currently, no additional fighter aircraft have been moved, nor tankers positioning on CORONET missions, but tankers do seem to be repositioning.
I've changed the format of the table as it's getting complicated. It is now split between Transport Movements (C-17/C-5), Tankers (KC-135/KC-46/KC.2/KC.3), and Fighter Movements (RAF/USAF).
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 1x
#AE1467 07-7169 - REACH 344 (Hill AFB)
REACH 344 has arrived in Jordan from Hill AFB, confirming it's involvement in the build-up. Reminder that Hill AFB is home to three squadrons of F-35A's. This brings the total number of C-17's from bases housing F-15E's and F-35A's to fourteen, and twenty-five to this one base in Jordan in total.
Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 3x
#AE2FA6 08-8194 - REACH 857 (Kadena AB)
#AE10B5 01-0186 - REACH 930 (Dover AFB)
#AE1459 06-6155 - REACH 345 (Pearl Harbor)
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x
#AE05A8 62-3551 - REACH 894 (MacDill AFB)
#AE014C 63-8025 - REACH 893 (MacDill AFB)
An additional three C-17's have arrived in Qatar, from Kadena Air Base in Japan, Dover AFB, and Pearl Harbor. Reminder there are two flights on the same mission code from Pearl, with the other currently at Ramstein.
Two more KC-135's from MacDill AFB, bringing the total to four in the past two days.
Tanker Positioning
#AE063F 57-1441 - Unknown C/S (Al Udeid)
#AE0859 59-1506 - Unknown C/S (Al Udeid)
#AE025F 61-0280 - REACH 135 (March ARB)
Two KC-135 have repositioned from Al Udeid to Moron in Spain, as well as REACH 135 deploying out from March ARB.
Other Locations
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 2x
#AE1465 06-6167 - REACH 577 (Robert Gray AA)
#AE080E 99-0168 - REACH 253 (Offutt AFB)
The first of six flights from Robert Gray Army Airfield have arrived at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Additionally, REACH 253 from Offutt AFB has arrived at RAF Mildenhall, possibly suggesting a deployment of RC-135 aircraft is upcoming to either Europe or the Middle East.
Summary
I believe the most interesting movement of the past 24 hours is the two KC-135's positioning to Moron from Al Udeid. Hypothetically, a bombing run from CONUS would need to refuel around the point of Moron. There were four refuelling points for the B-2's during midnight hammer, but given the mission here it's unlikely they'd be carrying such a heavy payload, and therefore require less fuel.
Finally, it appears that two KC-135's are returning home from Al Udeid. They arrived in Belfast this morning.
Any additions or corrections please let me know. Thanks!
Photos: @havoc_aviation
@MATA_osint @DefenceGeek @sipjack1776 @TheIntelFrog @Andyyyyrrrr @vcdgf555 @sentdefender @Osinttechnical @FaytuksNetwork @Faytuks
#USAF United States Air Force / #RAF Royal Air Force - Middle East Activity
23 January 2026 - 1750z
Busy day of C-17 movements, primarily from Robert Gray Army Airfield to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as well as others.
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Tanker/Fighter Movements
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x
#AE05A8 62-3551 - REACH 894 (MacDill AFB)
#AE04C4 59-1475 - GOLD 13 (RAF Mildenhall)
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle 1x
#AE17A0 91-0326 - TABOR 87
An additional KC-135 departed MacDill AFB shortly after my update yesterday, also to Ramstein. Also, what looks to be a replacement F-15E headed to Jordan, supported by GOLD 13 from RAF Mildenhall this morning.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
#AE1198 03-3115 - REACH 869 (RAF Lakenheath)
REACH 869 arrived[...]
RT @ArmchairAdml: #USAF United States Air Force / #RAF Royal Air Force - Middle East Activity
24 January 2026 - 1300z
There has again been an increase in both tanker and transport activity in the past 18 hours. Currently, no additional fighter aircraft have been moved, nor tankers positioning on CORONET missions, but tankers do seem to be repositioning.
I've changed the format of the table as it's getting complicated. It is now split between Transport Movements (C-17/C-5), Tankers (KC-135/KC-46/KC.2/KC.3), and Fighter Movements (RAF/USAF).
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 1x
#AE1467 07-7169 - REACH 344 (Hill AFB)
REACH 344 has arrived in Jordan from Hill AFB, confirming it's involvement in the build-up. Reminder that Hill AFB is home to three squadrons of F-35A's. This brings the total number of C-17's from bases housing F-15E's and F-35A's to fourteen, and twenty-five to this one base in Jordan in total.
Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 3x
#AE2FA6 08-8194 - REACH 857 (Kadena AB)
#AE10B5 01-0186 - REACH 930 (Dover AFB)
#AE1459 06-6155 - REACH 345 (Pearl Harbor)
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x
#AE05A8 62-3551 - REACH 894 (MacDill AFB)
#AE014C 63-8025 - REACH 893 (MacDill AFB)
An additional three C-17's have arrived in Qatar, from Kadena Air Base in Japan, Dover AFB, and Pearl Harbor. Reminder there are two flights on the same mission code from Pearl, with the other currently at Ramstein.
Two more KC-135's from MacDill AFB, bringing the total to four in the past two days.
Tanker Positioning
#AE063F 57-1441 - Unknown C/S (Al Udeid)
#AE0859 59-1506 - Unknown C/S (Al Udeid)
#AE025F 61-0280 - REACH 135 (March ARB)
Two KC-135 have repositioned from Al Udeid to Moron in Spain, as well as REACH 135 deploying out from March ARB.
Other Locations
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 2x
#AE1465 06-6167 - REACH 577 (Robert Gray AA)
#AE080E 99-0168 - REACH 253 (Offutt AFB)
The first of six flights from Robert Gray Army Airfield have arrived at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Additionally, REACH 253 from Offutt AFB has arrived at RAF Mildenhall, possibly suggesting a deployment of RC-135 aircraft is upcoming to either Europe or the Middle East.
Summary
I believe the most interesting movement of the past 24 hours is the two KC-135's positioning to Moron from Al Udeid. Hypothetically, a bombing run from CONUS would need to refuel around the point of Moron. There were four refuelling points for the B-2's during midnight hammer, but given the mission here it's unlikely they'd be carrying such a heavy payload, and therefore require less fuel.
Finally, it appears that two KC-135's are returning home from Al Udeid. They arrived in Belfast this morning.
Any additions or corrections please let me know. Thanks!
Photos: @havoc_aviation
@MATA_osint @DefenceGeek @sipjack1776 @TheIntelFrog @Andyyyyrrrr @vcdgf555 @sentdefender @Osinttechnical @FaytuksNetwork @Faytuks
#USAF United States Air Force / #RAF Royal Air Force - Middle East Activity
23 January 2026 - 1750z
Busy day of C-17 movements, primarily from Robert Gray Army Airfield to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as well as others.
Note: All the information in these posts is obtained via public sources (FlightRadar24/ADS-B/ACARS), and discrete movements are omitted.
Tanker/Fighter Movements
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x
#AE05A8 62-3551 - REACH 894 (MacDill AFB)
#AE04C4 59-1475 - GOLD 13 (RAF Mildenhall)
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle 1x
#AE17A0 91-0326 - TABOR 87
An additional KC-135 departed MacDill AFB shortly after my update yesterday, also to Ramstein. Also, what looks to be a replacement F-15E headed to Jordan, supported by GOLD 13 from RAF Mildenhall this morning.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
#AE1198 03-3115 - REACH 869 (RAF Lakenheath)
REACH 869 arrived[...]