Washington: More than 160 US military tankers have been deployed to aid in attacks on Iran, as part of 'Operation Epic Fury,

According to Anadolu Agency, the tankers are stationed within the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and European Command (EUCOM) to support hundreds of military aircraft two weeks into the operation.

According to open-source tracking data, a total of 17 KC-46A "Pegasus" and 62 KC-135 "Stratotanker" aircraft have been identified near the operation zone. These aircraft are positioned on CENTCOM-controlled airfields and at Diego Garcia Air Base, a strategic joint UK-US military base in the Chagos Archipelago. Notably, over 40 of these aircraft are based at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.

In addition to these deployments, 36 KC-135s and one KC-46A are stationed at bases in southern Europe and the Mediterranean. These are likely tasked with refueling aircraft coming from the UK. Following the UK's approval for the use of its bases, a significant number of US bombers have commenced operations from RAF Fairford in the UK, conducting bombing runs in Iran. Furthermore, 15 KC-46A and 33 KC-135 tankers are deployed across the UK, Lajes Air Base in Portugal, and bases in northern Europe, facilitating long-range bombing operations and refueling aircraft traveling from the US towards the Middle East.

As of December 2025, the United States Air Force boasts the world's largest tanker fleet, comprising 396 KC-135 and 100 KC-46A tankers. According to open-source tracking data, 75% of this fleet has been active in the last four weeks, reflecting a high operational tempo even before the current operations commenced.

Tragically, a US Air Force KC-135 crashed in western Iraq during an operation on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of four crew members. Another tanker involved in the operation managed to land safely, according to the US military. Additionally, five US Air Force refueling planes were damaged on the ground at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia late Friday.