Numerous reports popped up on Monday on the deployment of additional U.S. aircraft to the region. The U.S. plans to send additional F-16 and F-35 fighter jets from bases in Europe, as well as additional aerial refueling tankers, unnamed U.S. officials told CNN. An Israeli source added that dozens more air refueling tankers had arrived in recent days and more are coming. During March, the number of U.S. tanker aircraft had reached 94, dropped to 40 afterwards, but is rising again, the source added.
Fourteen U.S. air refueling aircraft arrived in Israel over the weekend, Middle East Monitor reported, citing Israeli media. An unnamed Israeli Air Force source told the Walla News site that the U.S. military plans to deploy 100 refueling aircraft to Israeli military bases and Ramon Airport in southern Israel.
