US is Sending Tanker Aircrafts to Europe. Is This Related to Israel’s Attacks on Iran?

The US Air Force simultaneously scrambled 24 tanker aircraft, which were directed towards Europe.

The mass takeoff of tanker aircraft was recorded by Flightradar24.

Among the recorded aircraft were Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker and Boeing KC-46A Pegasus, which made a transatlantic flight and are currently in the airspace of the United Kingdom.

The activation of such a large number of refueling aircraft is related to the start of the large-scale Atlantic Trident 25 exercises, which will be held in Finnish airspace for the first time in history.

The exercises will take place from June 16 to 27, 2025, and will involve Finnish F-18 Hornet, American F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle, British Typhoon, French Rafale fighter jets, as well as refueling aircraft, transport aircraft, and AWACS aircraft.

In total, more than 40 aircraft and over 1,000 military personnel will be involved in the exercises. The aircraft and personnel will be stationed at air bases in Tikkakoski (Jyväskylä), Pirkala (Satakunta), Rissala (Kuopio), Rovaniemi (Lapland), and at the Halli forward operating site (Jämsä).

It should be noted that such large-scale exercises in Finnish airspace became possible after the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), thereby expanding its capabilities for the joint defense of both its own borders and those of other eastern allies.

In addition, the exercises will provide Finnish pilots with an excellent opportunity to improve their air-to-air refueling skills, a complex procedure, especially at night, which requires maximum concentration, attention, and precise actions from the pilot while flying the aircraft.

It is also possible that after the completion of these exercises, the aircraft may be involved in a potential air operation against Iran or to support the US, British, and French air forces in repelling missile attacks on Israel.

At the same time, it is worth recalling that, according to the official position of the Pentagon and the US government, the United States has not participated and will not participate in strikes against Iran in the near future, despite certain hints from Israel.

In addition, according to information available to Reuters, the Donald Trump administration has banned Israel from killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the United States had sent additional A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to the Middle East. They may join the strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

These combat aircraft are part of the 124th Fighter Wing of the Idaho Air National Guard.

The exact number of attack aircraft has not been disclosed, but it is reported that more than 300 airmen had been sent on March 29 to Southwest Asia, the area of responsibility of the US Central Command.