Activity of several US aerial refueling aircraft has been detected alongside an E-3 AWACS airborne early warning and control aircraft near Iran, according to reports. This movement follows an extended US air campaign against IRGC positions in Iran.
Activity of several US aerial refueling aircraft has been detected alongside an E-3 Sentry (AWACS) airborne early warning and control aircraft operating near Iran, according to reports. The E-3 AWACS patrols adjacent to southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, a pattern previously reported by The Zioneer as recently as Jun 12. This latest activity comes amid the ongoing US air campaign against IRGC positions, dubbed Operation Epic Fury. Over the past several days, The Zioneer has tracked an intense US aerial buildup in the region: on Jun 9, multiple US tankers and fighter jets were reported en route toward Iran; by Jun 11, at least ten US aerial tankers were active over the Persian Gulf, and a UAE refueling aircraft was spotted east of Abu Dhabi supporting the mission. Earlier today (Jun 12 at 00:06), an E-3B Sentry was already patrolling near southern Iran. The current positioning of both tankers and the AWACS suggests sustained US combat air patrols or ongoing strike operations, though specific mission details and whether combat aircraft are being accompanied remain unconfirmed.
3 developments
- StrongUnusual tanker aircraft movement detected over the Persian Gulf
- StrongFour refueling tankers and AWACS aircraft identified in unusual aerial activity over the region
- DevelopingUS drones reportedly conducting intelligence-gathering flights over the Persian Gulf
- DevelopingSeven US aerial refueling tankers reported over Persian Gulf, tracking source says
Source and signal
- Open-source intake