U.S. Air Force refueling planes took off one after another from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England on Monday, with several heading to other American bases in Europe in a burst of unusual activity that comes as Washington weighs a possible strike on Iran.
Flight trackers and open-source monitors watching the base reported a rapid series of departures of KC-135 Stratotankers, the workhorse aerial refueling planes of the U.S. Air Force. According to one count, at least seven had already left, with more preparing to take off. Some of the tankers were seen heading to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and to Prestwick in Scotland.
At the same time, CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flown by the Air Force’s special operations units were moved from Mildenhall to nearby RAF Lakenheath. The Ospreys are used to carry special forces troops and for complex rescue missions.
The movements came as personnel at Lakenheath were told to immediately report any suspicious drone activity. No reason was given for the instruction, and it is not known whether it is connected to the aircraft movements.
The KC-135s are a key strategic asset that allow fighter jets and bombers to refuel in midair and greatly extend their range. Gathering a number of tankers and spreading them to different bases can fit preparations for a large-scale air operation, but it can also be a defensive dispersal or a planned exercise. There has been no official confirmation that the moves are linked to preparations for a strike on Iran.
The activity follows days of heavy American military air traffic through Europe toward the Middle East, with C-17 cargo planes and KC-135 tankers flying a steady corridor from U.S. bases through Europe and into Central Command’s region, including tankers out of Mildenhall flying to Tel Aviv over the weekend.
