OSINT
OSINTdefender RT @ArmchairAdml: #USAF United States Air Force 29 January 2026 - 0115z There is now activity around Robert Gray Army Airfield/Fort Hood, with one of the diverted C-17's arriving on the 28th. I'm starting to record C-5 flights as well, with…
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#AE690F 18-5906 - KING 40 (Patrick SFB)
As noticed by @DefenceGeek, two HC-130's departed Patrick Space Force Base and have made their way to Rota Naval Air Station in Spain, and appear to be headed further East. The HC-130 is the Air Force combat search and rescue aircraft, with AAR capabilities to refuel helicopters.
Tanker Activity
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 1x
#AE0149 57-1468 - REACH 037 (Moron)
One of the four tankers that positioned at Moron has returned back to Al Udeid after almost a week. The reason is unknown, and there are no ACARS for REACH 037.
Airlifter Activity
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 2x
#AE0808 99-0062 - REACH 814 (Charleston AFB)
#AE2FA3 08-8191 - REACH 635 (Moody AFB)
Two notable C-17 movements since this morning. Particularly REACH 635 from Moody Air Force Base, home to two A-10C Thunderbolt II squadrons, as well as the 41st Rescue Squadron operating the HH-60W Pave Hawk, and the 71st Rescue Squadron, operating the HC-130J Combat King II.
Given the movement of two HC-130's eastwards, it's likely this flight is related to those.
Summary
Based on the current movements it looks that the United States are looking to begin moving the required combat aircraft into position, aside from the Fort Hood flights that are *still* stuck on the ground.
E/A-18's were used extensively in the lead up to the operation in Venezeula, as well as deployments of HC-130's. The next stages of the build-up I expect to be those Fort Hood flights finally making a move, and the deployment of fifth generation fighter aircraft.
Given the flights from Hill AFB, I believe the most likely candidate now for deployment is the 388th Fighter Wing, operating F-35A's. Although, like with the last two operations in Iran and Venezuela, I believe we will see a deploymnet of F-22 Raptor's a few days before the strikes are launched.
Any additions or corrections please let me know. Thanks!
Photos: @havoc_aviation
@MATA_osint @DefenceGeek @sipjack1776 @TheIntelFrog @Andyyyyrrrr @vcdgf555 @sentdefender @Osinttechnical @FaytuksNetwork @Faytuks - Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 tweet
#AE690F 18-5906 - KING 40 (Patrick SFB)
As noticed by @DefenceGeek, two HC-130's departed Patrick Space Force Base and have made their way to Rota Naval Air Station in Spain, and appear to be headed further East. The HC-130 is the Air Force combat search and rescue aircraft, with AAR capabilities to refuel helicopters.
Tanker Activity
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 1x
#AE0149 57-1468 - REACH 037 (Moron)
One of the four tankers that positioned at Moron has returned back to Al Udeid after almost a week. The reason is unknown, and there are no ACARS for REACH 037.
Airlifter Activity
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 2x
#AE0808 99-0062 - REACH 814 (Charleston AFB)
#AE2FA3 08-8191 - REACH 635 (Moody AFB)
Two notable C-17 movements since this morning. Particularly REACH 635 from Moody Air Force Base, home to two A-10C Thunderbolt II squadrons, as well as the 41st Rescue Squadron operating the HH-60W Pave Hawk, and the 71st Rescue Squadron, operating the HC-130J Combat King II.
Given the movement of two HC-130's eastwards, it's likely this flight is related to those.
Summary
Based on the current movements it looks that the United States are looking to begin moving the required combat aircraft into position, aside from the Fort Hood flights that are *still* stuck on the ground.
E/A-18's were used extensively in the lead up to the operation in Venezeula, as well as deployments of HC-130's. The next stages of the build-up I expect to be those Fort Hood flights finally making a move, and the deployment of fifth generation fighter aircraft.
Given the flights from Hill AFB, I believe the most likely candidate now for deployment is the 388th Fighter Wing, operating F-35A's. Although, like with the last two operations in Iran and Venezuela, I believe we will see a deploymnet of F-22 Raptor's a few days before the strikes are launched.
Any additions or corrections please let me know. Thanks!
Photos: @havoc_aviation
@MATA_osint @DefenceGeek @sipjack1776 @TheIntelFrog @Andyyyyrrrr @vcdgf555 @sentdefender @Osinttechnical @FaytuksNetwork @Faytuks - Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 tweet