This Is What We Know About the U.S. Military Buildup Flowing Into Bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

Euro Times / Middle East

The United States continues a significant military buildup in the Middle East, with at least 152 U.S. Air Force C-17 and C-5 strategic airlift flights recorded from the United States as of 13 February, 2300z. Additional arrivals were confirmed in Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while combat aircraft deployments from Europe are also underway.

According to open-source flight tracking and military aviation monitoring, three additional C-17 aircraft arrived at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. One C-17 landed at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and one C-5 Super Galaxy arrived at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The buildup comes amid Reuters reporting that the United States is preparing for what officials described as “sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran.” If accurate, the current number of 152 heavy airlift flights is expected to rise significantly, with operations potentially shifting from U.S. Army airfields toward major U.S. Air Force bases and expanded support for U.S. Navy deployments.

Jordan – Muwaffaq Salti Air Base

Three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft were recorded:

• 08-8197 – REACH 798 (Roosevelt Roads NAS)
• 06-6157 – REACH 789 (Robert Gray AAF)
• 08-8201 – REACH 837 (Anniston Army Depot)

Flights from Roosevelt Roads and Anniston Army Depot remain active, alongside routine traffic from Robert Gray Army Airfield. Analysts note that Roosevelt Roads activity may slow once support equipment for deployed F-35 and E/A-18 aircraft is fully delivered.

Kuwait – Ali Al Salem Air Base

One Boeing C-17 Globemaster III:

• 07-7176 – REACH 702 (Robert Gray AAF)

Saudi Arabia – Prince Sultan Air Base

One Lockheed C-5 Super Galaxy:

• 87-0032 – REACH 1819 (Robert Gray AAF)

Additional Airlift Movements

Five additional C-17 flights were tracked from Robert Gray AAF and Biggs Army Airfield.
Two C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft were also recorded, including one from Pope Army Airfield that reportedly filed a flight plan toward Ramstein Air Base in Germany under a similar mission code used in the broader airlift operation.

Fighter and Refueling Deployments

Under “Coronet East” ferry operations:

Two KC-46 Pegasus tankers (GOLD 42 and GOLD 32) departed Morón Air Base.
Two E/A-18G Growlers (TABOR 62 and TABOR 63) continued toward Jordan.

In a separate Coronet East 035 mission:

One KC-46 Pegasus (GOLD 72) supported the transfer of six F-35A Lightning II aircraft from Burlington Air National Guard Base, part of the Vermont Air National Guard:

• TABOR 31
• TABOR 32
• TABOR 33
• TABOR 34
• TABOR 35
• TABOR 36

A third tanker also departed Morón, supporting the transatlantic movement.

Military aviation observers indicate that the scale and tempo of airlift operations suggest preparations beyond routine rotation deployments, particularly given the combination of heavy transport aircraft, fighter movements, tanker support and naval reinforcements in the region.

At this stage, U.S. officials have not publicly detailed the operational objectives beyond reinforcing regional posture.