Latest news with #KC-46A
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Air Force Training for Pacific War
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States conducted aerial refueling training earlier this month, deploying aircraft from bases across the Pacific to demonstrate the reach of its air power in the vast region. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters The training exercise comes against the backdrop of the Pentagon's designation of the Indo-Pacific as its "priority theater," where China continues to challenge U.S. military dominance. The U.S. Air Force has deployed various types of aircraft—including stealth fighter jets, bombers, and spy planes—in allied Pacific nations near China, including at Kadena Air Base and Misawa Air Base in Japan, which serve as front line staging areas for power projection. While combat aircraft play a major role in both offensive and defensive operations, aerial refueling aircraft—also known as tanker aircraft—provide critical support, as shown during U.S. bomber strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in Operation Midnight Hammer over the weekend. What To Know Aircrews assigned to Travis Air Force Base in California were deployed to Misawa Air Base in Japan with a KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft—which has a fuel capacity of over 212,000 pounds—for off-station training, according to a U.S. Air Force news release on June 18. A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet receives fuel from a KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft near Misawa Air Base in Japan on June 5, 2025. A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet receives fuel from a KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft near Misawa Air Base in Japan on June 5, 2025. Senior Airman Robert Nichols/U.S. Air Force The U.S. West Coast-based tanker transited the Pacific and conducted aerial refueling with Misawa Air Base's F-16 fighter jets upon entering Japanese airspace, demonstrating what the U.S. Air Force described as "worldwide mission capability" to extend operational readiness. Aerial refueling serves as the critical enabler of air superiority, stated the U.S. Air Force. It is an indispensable capability for global operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where it is essential for mission execution. The ability to rapidly redeploy fighter aircraft and keep them fueled in flight is a cornerstone of strategy, as regional tensions and contingencies continue to evolve, the news release read. U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bradford Waldie, who serves as director of operations of the 14th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, said distance is the "greatest challenge" to projecting power in the Pacific, noting that the tanker took 10 hours to reach its destination. The KC-46A—which is also capable of carrying passengers and cargo, as well as performing medical evacuations—is equipped with a number of self-protection, defensive, and communication features that enhance its survivability in contested environments, according to an official fact sheet. A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet receives fuel from a KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft near Misawa Air Base in Japan on June 5, 2025. A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet receives fuel from a KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft near Misawa Air Base in Japan on June 5, 2025. Senior Airman Robert Nichols/U.S. Air Force What People Are Saying U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bradford Waldie, director of operations of the 14th Fighter Squadron, said in a news release: "Seeing the KC-46 successfully launch from Travis [Air Force Base] and meet us on time after a 10-hour sortie builds confidence in our ability to overcome the challenge of distance and deliver combat power anywhere it is required in the area of responsibility." The U.S. Air Force said in a news release: "The KC-46, the newest tanker aircraft in the Department of Defense, with advanced refueling systems and defensive capabilities, delivered critical fuel support to the F-16's midair—extending their range, preserving their combat readiness and reinforcing the Air Force's commitment to global power projection." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Air Force will forward-deploy some of its KC-46A aircraft to bases in the western Pacific to enhance overall operational flexibility.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Major U.S. Middle East-Focused Buildup Confirmed (Updated)
The U.S. Navy is sending the supercarrier USS Nimitz and the rest of its strike group to the Middle East amid a new buildup of forces in the region ostensibly for defensive purposes, U.S. officials have told TWZ. Overnight, dozens of U.S. Air Force KC-135R and KC-46A tankers had already been tracked heading east over the Atlantic Ocean. That has prompted speculation about the potential start of a major contingency operation, possibly around a shift in U.S. policy toward the ongoing Israel-Iran war, as you can read about in more detail here. U.S. air, naval, and ground forces have already been aiding in the defense of Israel since the start of the current hostilities last week. Readers can first get up to speed on the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Iran in our reporting here. Though currently sailing in the Western Pacific, 'the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is heading to the Middle East without delay,' a U.S. official told TWZ. The U.S. official added that this is a scheduled deployment to replace the USS Carl Vinson and its strike group, which is currently on station in the Middle East. However, they would not say when Vinson might now be expected to leave the region. USS Nimitz is about to transit Malacca Strait, likely heading to CENTCOM AOR. — Duan Dang (@duandang) June 16, 2025 Fox News has separately reported that the decision to send Nimitz to the Middle East, though previously planned, has been accelerated by multiple months, and that it and Vinson will be in the region together for at least a period of time. In addition to the carrier and its air wing, Nimitz's strike group is currently known to include four Arleigh Burke class destroyers. At least one fast attack submarine also typically accompanies Navy carriers on deployments. CONFIRMED: The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group is on its way to the Middle East from the South China Sea, a U.S. official tells Fox News. The Nimitz was previously scheduled to replace the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group which has been deployed for several months,… — Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) June 16, 2025 When asked, a second U.S. official could not comment specifically on the recent movement of KC-135R and KC-46A tankers, but told TWZ that 'additional defensive forces are moving to the region to provide flexible options for leadership.' They declined to elaborate on the exact composition of those forces. Other reports have linked the flights directly to this 'defensive' buildup. A U.S. official confirms to me a wave of tanker flights across the Atlantic in the last 24 hours, in part to have resources closer to the Middle East and provide options to defend U.S. assets and interests. — Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) June 16, 2025 Both U.S. officials spoke to TWZ on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. The Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC), which oversees the bulk of the service's tanker and airlifter fleets, declined to comment in response to queries from TWZ, citing operational security concerns. We have also reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), and the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) headquarters for more information. CENTCOM directed us to contact the White House, which we have also done. Just having an additional aircraft carrier strike group in the region will offer an important boost in available defensive and offensive capacity to U.S. commanders. As part of any regional contingency operation, Nimitz's air wing could be tasked with helping to intercept aerial threats, including drones and cruise missiles, as well as striking targets on land and at sea. Naval F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, like the F-35Cs currently embarked upon the USS Carl Vinson, are known to have shot down drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen in recent months, something TWZ was first to report. The other ships in a carrier strike group offer significant air and missile defense capabilities, as well as their own ability to target enemy vessels and/or ground-based assets. Collectively, a carrier and its escorts can provide a wide array of other forms of valuable support, including in terms of surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as command and control and battle management. A senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told TWZ over the weekend that Aegis combat system-equipped ships, which would be Arleigh Burke class destroyers and/or Ticonderoga class cruisers, have already been helping to intercept missiles heading toward Israel since the current conflict erupted. There is also evidence of the use of SM-3-series anti-ballistic missile interceptors, which U.S. warships with Aegis systems specially configured to support the ballistic missile defense mission employ. The Third-Stage Rocket Motor for a U.S. Navy RIM-161 SM-3 Block lB Surface-to-Air Missile was apparently discovered yesterday in Iran, confirming that Arleigh Burke-Class Guided-Missile Destroyers with the U.S. Navy, likely stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean, are assisting in… — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 15, 2025 U.S. officials had previously told us that an additional Arleigh Burke, the USS Thomas Hudner, was moving into the Eastern Mediterranean in light of current events. Another destroyer of this type was also reportedly repositioned for a potential forward deployment to the region, if requested. Thomas Hudner is notably a BMD configured Arleigh Burke, which would bring additional SM-3s to the theater along with other munitions. U.S. stockpiles of SM-3s, in general, are relatively limited, and the Navy also currently has no operational way of re-loading vertical launch systems on warships like Arleigh Burke at sea. In terms of observed U.S. airpower movements, online flight tracking software shows that at least 32 Air Force tankers have now arrived at locations across Europe and the Middle East. It remains unclear whether any of the tankers were 'dragging' combat jets with them across the Atlantic. Good the addition of 4 tankers out of New Jersey, there are now at least 32 tankers observed in the overnight group. A considerable portion went to Morón Air Base in Spain, with others on to UK, Germany, Italy and 1 to Estonia. A few pressed on to CENTCOM AOR. — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 16, 2025 4 of the 32+ tankers that crossed the Atlantic overnight are still en route to their destinations. KC-46A Pegasus RCH026 and RCH027 are heading to the Pegasus convention at Ramstein, while KC-135s RCH032 and RCH033 join the party in Chania, Greece. — TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) June 16, 2025 Distribution map. Moron, Spain had the most at 11-12 tankers. — RivetJoint (@SpeckleBelly64) June 16, 2025 The aforementioned senior IDF official also told TWZ that U.S. fighter aircraft in the region have been taking part in defensive operations already. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles played key roles in defending Israel from incoming missile and drone attacks last year. F-15Es recently saw their counter-drone capabilities, in particular, significantly expand through the addition of laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets to their available arsenal. Air Force F-16s in the Middle East had already been using APKWS IIs to down drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen since last year, which we were first to report. From bases in Europe, the armada of aerial refueling aircraft would also be positioned to support long-range flights by cargo aircraft, movement of fighters, or even global airpower bombers, from the United States to the Middle East and back. TWZ has previously highlighted the potential role that the unique combination of Air Force B-2 bombers carrying 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs could play in procuring deeply buried Iranian facilities, including the nuclear enrichment plant at Fordo, should the U.S. government make the decision to join Israel's campaign on a kinetic level. Just moving additional ground-based air and missile defense assets, or replenishing stocks of interceptors for units already forward deployed, by air, also requires significant resources, as you can read more about here. U.S. Army Patriot surface-to-air missile systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense systems in the Middle East are also among the assets already being employed in the defense of Israel. Third, Anniston. RCH313 is C-17A 07-7172 # — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 16, 2025 Whether the new U.S. military buildup presages a new phase of American participation in the conflict remains to be seen. As TWZ noted when the armada of tankers first appeared heading east over the Atlantic, that movement is something one expects to see in a number of different contingency scenarios. Beyond increasing options for defending Israel, there remains the prospect that U.S. interests across the region come under more direct threat. Iran has notably reiterated long-standing threats to close the highly strategic Strait of Hormuz, though there are questions about its ability to and interest in doing so given the global ramifications of such action, as we recently explored in detail. Anti-ballistic missile defense, in particular, would be key to responding to any Iranian strikes aimed at bases hosting U.S. forces in the Middle East, as well as an attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Contingencies include: -opting to provide AR to IAF.-Joining the kinetic offensive fight (offensive) -Dealing countering an attempt to close the strait (defensive)-Providing BM left of launch interdiction/hunt (defensive) -Providing a robust bridge for global airpower bomber… — Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 16, 2025 Pressure also reportedly continues to build on U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration to enter the conflict more actively in support of Israel and its objectives. In particular, Israeli forces have significantly more options for attempting to neutralize deeply buried facilities in Iran, especially the Fordo enrichment plant. Knocking out Fordo is widely seen as essential for putting a real hold on Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons. Even just providing the Israeli Air Force (IAF) with U.S. aerial refueling support would give that country's ongoing campaign a major boost, as we have noted before. In the meantime, the scope of Israel's campaign against Iran is also steadily moving beyond its initial focus on nuclear targets. This has been driven in part by what Iran has targeted in Israel, including energy-related sites, in retaliation. Whether or not a major shift in U.S. policy toward the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict occurs, the U.S. military is now engaged in a major buildup of forces that could be poised to help with any future offensive, as well as defensive operations, in the Middle East.'Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility,' U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has now said in a statement. 'Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in there region.' — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 16, 2025'Consistent with the duty to protect U.S. forces in the Middle East, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel,' a U.S. defense official has now also told TWZ directly. ' In the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) AOR the U.S. Navy continues to conduct operations in the Eastern Mediterranean in support of U.S. national security objectives.' They also reiterated a previous statement that 'the U.S. is assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel on land and by sea.' Contact the author: joe@
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Air Force Fighters Deploy To Reinforce Middle East
As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues, the U.S. Air Force is now in the process of deploying fighters to bases within the Middle East. The fighter movements follow the arrival in Europe of more than two-dozen U.S. Air Force KC-135R and KC-46A tankers that flew across from the United States in recent days, as you can read about here. Three unnamed U.S. officials confirmed to Reuters that the United States was deploying more fighters to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes already in the region. One of the officials said the deployments include F-16, F-22, and F-35 aircraft. The U.S. military is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes. Story coming. w/@idreesali114 U.S. officials stress the defensive nature of the deployment. — Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 17, 2025 In the latest move, the U.S. military is moving fighter jets to the Middle East and extending the deployment of warplanes to bolster defenses amid the Israel-Iran conflict, officials say. W/@phildstewart — Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) June 17, 2025 Today, flight-tracking software revealed at least 17 U.S. Air Force tankers heading south from bases in Europe, indicating that they are 'dragging' fighters to the Middle East. This was backed up by eyewitness sightings as well as air traffic control communications. As it stands today, at least 31 tankers have been noted heading across the Atlantic, based on publicly available flight-tracking data. Now 17 tankers moving east over Europe. — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 17, 2025 Previously, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on X that he 'directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility.' 'Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority, and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,' Hegseth added. — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 16, 2025 Since Hegseth's comments yesterday, additional tankers have been noted on flight-tracking software leaving bases in the United States. These aircraft have been flying with 'GOLD' callsigns, typically used for Coronet flights that deploy fighters across the Atlantic or Pacific. There are indications that F-22s may be coming to the Middle East from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, while F-35s are likely drawn from either the Vermont Air National Guard — as suggested by tanker tacks in the vicinity — and/or RAF Lakenheath in England. Five additional tankers lifting and heading for the east routes. — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 17, 2025 Instagram user provided TWZ with photographs that show F-35s from Lakenheath heading south over the United Kingdom today, toward the Middle East. The stealth fighters were split into three flights of four, each supported by a KC-135 tanker, reportedly flying from RAF Mildenhall in England and Morón Air Base in Spain. As for the F-16s mentioned by one U.S. official, these may well involve the jets at Aviano Air Base in Italy. Reports of movements of some of these F-16s emerged today, based on sightings and air traffic control communications. When U.S. Air Force tankers began their migration across the Atlantic, we noted that one of the possible reasons was to prepare for the influx of additional major assets into the region, and especially fighters. At this point, this is very likely being done for contingency needs and to give the president multiple options, as we outlined in our previous feature on the tanker movements. Any involvement in the kinetic conflict remains pre-decisional, at least publicly. However, having all these assets in the region would allow the United States to respond in force if Iran attacks U.S. interests or if the administration decides to get involved directly. At the same time, the Air Force can use these fighters for shooting down drones and cruise missiles, something they have been doing in this theater for months now. In particular, the F-16s reportedly now being deployed to the Middle East have already been using APKWS IIs to down drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen since last year, which we were the first to report. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles played key roles in defending Israel from incoming missile and drone attacks last year. F-15Es recently saw their counter-drone capabilities, in particular, significantly expand through the addition of laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets to their available arsenal. Air Force F-16s in the Middle East had already been using APKWS IIs to down drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen since last year, which we were first to report. The movement of such large numbers of tankers could also indicate support for global airpower bomber missions from the United States to Iran and back, although there has been no sign of Air Force Global Strike Command involvement so far. As of today, Planet Labs satellite imagery reviewed by TWZ revealed that four B-52s and six F-15Es, plus other aircraft, were still at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. There has been speculation that the U.S. Air Force could use B-2 stealth bombers to assist Israel in its attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities. In particular, the deep-lying nuclear enrichment site at Fordow could require Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs, designed to penetrate just this type of target, and only carried by the B-2. This is a scenario that we have repeatedly highlighted and discussed for many years. As well as the apparent deployment of U.S. Air Force fighters to the Middle East, a second aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Nimitz, was sent from East Asia toward the Middle East earlier this week, as you can read about in this previous article. It will join the carrier USS Carl Vinson, which is already operating relatively close to Iran, around the Arabian Sea. Already, U.S. Navy warships in the region are understood to have been helping shoot down Iranian ballistic missiles headed toward Israel. This is in addition to the U.S. Army Patriot surface-to-air missile systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense systems that have been helping defend Israel, too. This is a fast-developing story, and we will bring more updates when we have information about these highly unusual aircraft movements. Contact the author: thomas@
Economic Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Israel-Iran war: Massive USAF tanker armada spotted heading east over Atlantic — what move is U.S planning next?
More than two dozen US Air Force tankers are flying east, the tankers took off from bases across the United States. This movement coincides with rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The US might be preparing to support Israel's air strikes. Another possibility includes preparing for direct US military involvement. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US Offering refueling support to Israel Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Preparing for direct US military involvement Preparing for Iran's threat of Closing Strait of Hormuz FAQs A sudden wave of US Air Force activity raised alarm bells among military observers and on social media as more than two dozen refuelling tankers took off from bases throughout the United States and started flying east over the Atlantic, as per TWZ least 28 KC-135R and KC-46A tankers were seen on public flight-tracking programmes in a nearly simultaneous movement, posing urgent questions during the heightening war between Israel and Iran, according to the are the possible reasons for this level of relocation of refuelling assets from the US, according to TWZ report:One possibility is that the United States is moving to assist Israel's air force with aerial refuelling capability, something Israel needs amid its airstrikes in Iran , according to the report. With only some seven old 707-based refuelers in Israel's fleet, the country has long had trouble with the logistics of extended long-range attacks, particularly deep into Iran, as per fuelling aid would enable Israeli combat jets to strike farther away, stay longer over critical zones, and potentially drop heavy bunker-penetrating bombs on hardened targets such as missile storage and nuclear installations, according to reason could be that this is a setup for more direct US involvement in the war, TWZ reported. If American assets or personnel are targeted, or if Washington opts to enter the war, these tankers would be crucial to maintain air operations, according to the Iran tried to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint in international oil shipping, American forces would probably counter with military action, as per TWZ. That mission would be much more than sinking boats, it would require neutralising enemy air defences, spying on the area, and pursuing mobile missile sites along Iran's coast, reported needs fighter jets, drones, and bombers to be in the air for hours on end, which means tankers would be running nonstop, so US might be pre-positioning them now. This might be an indicator that the Pentagon is preparing for this very scenario, as per the US has deployed over two dozen aerial refuelling tankers, likely in response to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, but the exact mission is not known, according to the possible. Israel's limited refuelling capacity restricts its ability to strike deep into Iran. US tankers could allow Israeli jets to fly farther and stay over targets longer.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Israel-Iran war: Massive USAF tanker armada spotted heading east over Atlantic — what move is U.S planning next?
US Offering refueling support to Israel Live Events Preparing for direct US military involvement Preparing for Iran's threat of Closing Strait of Hormuz FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A sudden wave of US Air Force activity raised alarm bells among military observers and on social media as more than two dozen refuelling tankers took off from bases throughout the United States and started flying east over the Atlantic, as per TWZ least 28 KC-135R and KC-46A tankers were seen on public flight-tracking programmes in a nearly simultaneous movement, posing urgent questions during the heightening war between Israel and Iran, according to the are the possible reasons for this level of relocation of refuelling assets from the US, according to TWZ report:One possibility is that the United States is moving to assist Israel's air force with aerial refuelling capability, something Israel needs amid its airstrikes in Iran , according to the report. With only some seven old 707-based refuelers in Israel's fleet, the country has long had trouble with the logistics of extended long-range attacks, particularly deep into Iran, as per fuelling aid would enable Israeli combat jets to strike farther away, stay longer over critical zones, and potentially drop heavy bunker-penetrating bombs on hardened targets such as missile storage and nuclear installations, according to reason could be that this is a setup for more direct US involvement in the war, TWZ reported. If American assets or personnel are targeted, or if Washington opts to enter the war, these tankers would be crucial to maintain air operations, according to the Iran tried to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint in international oil shipping, American forces would probably counter with military action, as per TWZ. That mission would be much more than sinking boats, it would require neutralising enemy air defences, spying on the area, and pursuing mobile missile sites along Iran's coast, reported needs fighter jets, drones, and bombers to be in the air for hours on end, which means tankers would be running nonstop, so US might be pre-positioning them now. This might be an indicator that the Pentagon is preparing for this very scenario, as per the US has deployed over two dozen aerial refuelling tankers, likely in response to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, but the exact mission is not known, according to the possible. Israel's limited refuelling capacity restricts its ability to strike deep into Iran. US tankers could allow Israeli jets to fly farther and stay over targets longer.
