The US Air Force has deployed 6 E-3G Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft to Europe, according to civilian aviation tracking data. Two of these aircraft landed at Mildenhall base in the UK, while four others touched down at Ramstein base in Germany. Steffan Watkins, a researcher specializing in open-source aviation data, stated today that the 4 aircraft at Ramstein are maneuvering towards Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. It remains unclear if the two at Mildenhall will follow suit.

US E-3 early warning aircraft over Spain in july 2025. Photo: USAF

The E-3 Sentry, often called an "eye in the sky," can detect aircraft hundreds of kilometers away. Developed from the Boeing 707 passenger aircraft frame, it is distinctive for its large radar dome. While the US Air Force once operated a substantial number of E-3 aircraft, only 16 remain in its inventory.

"The 6 E-3G aircraft represent 37,5% of the US Air Force's total Sentry fleet," commented Tyler Rogoway, editor of the US military specialized website War Zone. He added, "This deployment highlights the continued importance of these aircraft, and also reflects the challenges of meeting high-intensity operational demands with a rapidly aging and shrinking fleet." Furthermore, not all US E-3 Sentry aircraft are mission-ready at any given time. Air & Space Forces magazine reported last year that the average mission readiness rate for the US E-3 fleet in fiscal year 2024 was 55,68%, meaning only about 8-9 aircraft were capable of immediate takeoff when ordered. "This situation indicates that the US Air Force has mobilized a very large proportion of its actually operational E-3 aircraft," Rogoway emphasized.

Beyond the E-3s, open-source data also shows other significant deployments. On 17/2, 12 US F-22 stealth fighters departed Langley Air Force Base and moved eastbound, with six landing at Lakenheath airport in the UK. Lakenheath serves as a critical transit point between the US mainland and military facilities in the Middle East. Additionally, at least 36 F-16 fighter jets from the US, Germany, and Italy appear to be en route to the region. One day earlier, 18 F-35A stealth fighters departed Lakenheath base for Muwaffaq Salti military airport in Jordan, a hub for tactical aircraft and other US Air Force assets.

The US Department of Defense has not commented on the information.

Military bases with US forces in the Middle East. Graphic: BBC

These military movements occur amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts and escalating tensions. The second round of negotiations between Iran and the US, mediated by Oman, recently took place in Switzerland. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that both sides had reached a "set of guiding principles" for negotiating and drafting an agreement. However, CNN reported on 18/2, citing informed sources, that the US military has prepared for a potential strike on Iran, possibly as early as this weekend, though President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision.