USAF Fighter Redeployment Continues as Additional Tankers Support Return Flights from CENTCOM

The U.S. Air Force’s Coronet East redeployment remains underway today, with another wave of KC-135 Stratotankers supporting fighter aircraft returning from the CENTCOM area. After yesterday’s recovery of part of the Aviano-based F-16 contingent, flight tracking data shows that additional assets are now making their way back to Europe, highlighting that the withdrawal is being conducted in several phases.

Four KC-135 Stratotankers are involved in today’s operation. The first pair, operating from Larissa AB, Greece, consists of 62-3540 (callsign RAKE 31) and 60-0353 (RAKE 32). Both aircraft departed this morning to rendezvous with as-yet unidentified receiver aircraft returning from the Middle East.

A second pair of tankers later departed RAF Mildenhall to continue the refueling effort: 61-0315 (RAKE 41) and 60-0335 (RAKE 42). Their routing suggests they will assume tanker support as the fighters continue their transit across Europe.

Yesterday, RAKE 31 and RAKE 32 provided aerial refueling to Aviano-based F-16s returning from Jordan. In contrast, F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing appear to have completed their journey without tanker support, making only a stop at NAS Sigonella before continuing to the United Kingdom.

What makes today’s activity particularly noteworthy is that it indicates the redeployment is not yet complete. Current indications suggest that another group of Lakenheath-based F-15Es, two F-35As from the same wing, and additional Aviano-based F-16s are still awaiting their return from the CENTCOM theater.