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6 more refueling tankers set to depart for Israel as part of US buildup in Mideast

27 February 2026 08:39 (UTC +04:00)

Six more American refueling tankers are scheduled to head for Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport today as part of the United States’s massive buildup of military forces in the Middle East, according to analysts monitoring open-source flight tracking data, APA reports, citing The Times of Israel.

This week, several American refuelers and cargo planes were spotted at Ben Gurion Airport, and 11 F-22 stealth fighter jets — along with accompanying logistical support planes and aircrews — landed at Ovda Airbase in southern Israel.

According to analysts tracking the movement of military aircraft, five American KC-46 refueling planes will depart Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire, and a sixth tanker will depart from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. All are scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport.

US United States Israel Middle East Ben Gurion Airport Ovda Airbase US Air Force Military buildup KC-46 tanker F-22 fighter jets Aerial refueling Defense Security Military aircraft Open-source intelligence