Major fighter movements by the U.S. Air Force towards the Middle East are currently underway this morning, with 3 KC-46A “Pegasus” Aerial-Refueling Tankers, ROMA01/02/03, currently up over the Northeastern United States, supporting the transfer of 12 F-22 Raptors with the 1st Fighter Wing stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia to RAF Lakenheath in Europe.
While 6 KC-135R Stratotankers and a KC-46A Pegasus, CLEAN21/22/23/31/32/33, are preparing for the crossing of 12 F-16CJ with the “Swamp Foxes” of the the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base to Naval Station Rota in Spain.
In addition to the crossing of at least 24 fighter jets from the United States to Europe, 4 KC-135 Stratotankers from bases in Europe, LAGER12/13 and LAGER10/14, are actively in the process of towing 12 F-16C Fighting Falcons with the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base in Italy and 12 F-16CJs with the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, to air bases in the Middle East.
