According to flight tracking services and military observers, in recent hours, dozens of U.S. air refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft (C-5 and C-17) have departed from bases in the U.S. and from a U.S. airbase in the United Kingdom, heading east — presumably toward Middle Eastern deployment points.

The aircraft involved include KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46A Pegasus tankers, as well as C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Galaxy transporters, which are typically used in such operations to move personnel, equipment, and special units.