On Monday, June 16, 2025, in the early morning hours (Polish time), a total of 28 aerial refueling aircraft—Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers and Boeing KC-46A Pegasus transport-refuelers—belonging to the United States Air Force (USAF) were spotted on commercial flight tracking maps via ADS-B Exchange, heading east across the Atlantic.
So-called “elephant walk” performed by KC-46A Pegasus aircraft / Senior Master Sgt. Timm Huffman, US Air National Guard
The observed formation consisted primarily of older KC-135R aircraft—24 in total—and only 4 of the newest KC-46A tankers. Neither the USAF command nor any regional command in the direction the aircraft were heading—namely the European Command (EUCOM) or the Central Command (CENTCOM)—issued any official statements on the matter.
Ultimately, the aircraft landed at bases within EUCOM’s area of responsibility: most at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, as well as at Morón Air Base and NAS Rota in Spain. Two landed at Aviano Air Base in Italy, and at least one landed at Prestwick International Airport in the United Kingdom. Some continued southeast over the Balkans, likely heading toward Souda Bay in Greece or Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.
On one hand, EUCOM-assigned forces and assets are currently involved in several allied exercises, such as Saber Guardian 25 (part of the broader DEFENDER-Europe 25) or Atlantic Trident 25 in Finland (June 16–27). On the other hand, the 100th Air Refueling Squadron, operating KC-135R Stratotankers, is permanently stationed at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, United Kingdom.
About 30 US Air Force aircraft, mostly KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, that left the US last night are starting to reach Europe. The final destination is unknown. pic.twitter.com/8qUqzh9qBm
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 16, 2025
RARE: Major U.S. military airlift underway as unprecedented numbers of KC-135 and KC-46 tankers depart U.S. bases, heading toward Europe. pic.twitter.com/9t670atMmr
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 16, 2025
Now counting 23 KC-135s and 4 KC-46s, with some just starting to depart from their airbases. https://t.co/Bc1VVXxMvi
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 16, 2025
Quick video from adsbexchange showing tonight’s tanker movement over the northeast. pic.twitter.com/MqyyIKrf4y
— RivetJoint (@SpeckleBelly64) June 16, 2025
26 now.
Note the swing due east at the edge of the Atlantic.
Wouldn't likely do that if you were going to Finland. https://t.co/OFvwhIdi92 pic.twitter.com/r1jCf9t7Lr
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 16, 2025
On the other hand, the possibility of support for Israel in its ongoing war with Iran, aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear program, cannot be ruled out. This could be part of the operation Rising Lion.
Especially since additional flights have also been observed. Two heavy Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft landed at the airfield near the Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) in Bynum, Alabama—a U.S. Army storage base that houses the Anniston Defense Munitions Center (ADMC). According to OSINT analysis, the aircraft may have loaded interceptor missiles intended for U.S. MIM-104 Patriot and THAAD air defense systems deployed in Israel.
Two U.S. Air Force C-17s landed at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama earlier tonight, which operates the Anniston Defense Munitions Center (ADMC). The C-17s likely picked up air-defense missiles, possibly Patriot or THAAD, before now preparing to cross the Atlantic towards… pic.twitter.com/p5lyYlFEwq
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 16, 2025
A Carrier Strike Group led by the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is also being deployed to the Middle East region. The Nimitz is currently on its final combat deployment and is scheduled to be retired next year.
NEW: US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz sails for the Middle East
Source: Channel 12 pic.twitter.com/IWVmLJpkb2
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 15, 2025
UPDATE
At the G7 Summit in Canada, President Donald Trump stated that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons and urged Iranians to leave Tehran, while cutting short his own participation in the event.
U.S. President Trump answered additional questions earlier from reporters about Iran during the G7 Summit in Canada, with him stating, “I want to see no nuclear weapon in Iran, and we’re well on our way to making sure that happens.” Asked if he believed Israel could suppress the… pic.twitter.com/PmHBo5HmIM
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 16, 2025
Speaking to reporters earlier about Iran at the G7 Summit in Canada, U.S. President Trump said, “We will do something after leaving the G7.”
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 16, 2025
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the deployment of additional forces to the CENTCOM area of responsibility:
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed in a post earlier that he has ordered the deployment of additional military capabilities to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Area-of-Responsibility, adding that these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in… pic.twitter.com/HCTl0RZna3
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 16, 2025
Additional tankers have departed from the United States:
Several more U.S. Air Force KC-135 Aerial-Refueling Tankers have departed from airbases in the United States heading northeast towards the Atlantic in the last hour or so, including several of the KC-135s and KC-46s which prepositioned last night to bases in the U.S. Northeast. pic.twitter.com/GFf8IjS170
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 17, 2025