Key Points
- The U.S. Air Force flew at least 41 C-17A and one C-5M cargo aircraft into Middle East bases between Jan. 18 and Jan. 26, according to flight tracking data.
- The airlift surge coincides with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group entering the Indian Ocean as U.S. forces adjust posture amid tensions with Iran.
The United States Air Force has moved at least 42 heavy transport aircraft into the Middle East between January 18 and January 26, 2026, according to open-source flight tracking data and analyst reports monitoring U.S. military air movements.
Data compiled from publicly available flight trackers shows that 41 C-17A Globemaster III aircraft and one C-5M Super Galaxy landed at air bases across the region during the eight-day period. The flights originated primarily from U.S. and allied bases in Germany and the United Kingdom and were routed toward key U.S. hubs in Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
MenchOSINT, an open-source analysis, reported that several U.S. Air Force C-17A aircraft and one C-5M arrived in the region on January 25 alone. The group noted that the sustained tempo of airlift operations represents one of the largest short-term cargo movements into the Middle East in recent months.
Flight tracking data shows that aircraft departed from Ramstein and Spangdahlem air bases in Germany, as well as RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, before landing at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Additional aircraft were observed landing at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and facilities in Bahrain.
The C-17A Globemaster III is the U.S. Air Force’s primary strategic airlifter, capable of transporting armored vehicles, air defense systems, and large quantities of munitions over intercontinental distances. The C-5M Super Galaxy is the largest aircraft in the U.S. inventory and is used for outsized cargo such as missile components, radar systems, and heavy equipment that cannot be carried by other platforms.
The U.S. Air Force has not released details on the cargo carried aboard the aircraft. However, the scale and destination of the flights indicate a major logistics operation focused on reinforcing U.S. and allied forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
At the same time, U.S. naval forces have adjusted their posture in the region. According to CNN, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has entered the Indian Ocean, placing it closer to the Middle East and within the operational area of U.S. Central Command. Two sources told the network the carrier’s position allows it to support potential U.S. military operations in the region if directed.
CNN reported that President Donald Trump continues to consider options for responding to Iran, though no decision has been made and the carrier group is not confirmed to be in a final operational position. A carrier strike group typically includes an aircraft carrier, guided-missile cruisers, and destroyers capable of air defense, strike, and anti-submarine operations.
Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar remains the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East and serves as the headquarters for U.S. Central Command’s forward operations. The base is a primary hub for air operations, logistics, and command-and-control across the region. Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan also plays a key role in regional air operations and has hosted U.S. aircraft during previous crises.
The current airlift activity follows a pattern seen ahead of major U.S. deployments in the region, when air defense systems, precision-guided munitions, and aviation support equipment are moved forward to reduce response times and increase operational flexibility.
