The United States Air Force (USAF) categorically denied providing refueling support to Israeli jets during its recent 12-day military campaign against Iran.
Despite speculation about possible secret assistance, a USAF spokesperson stated that American tanker aircraft did not conduct refueling operations with Israeli jets, even in previous joint exercises. With only seven outdated KC-707 tankers, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) faced the logistical challenge of sustaining attacks over 1,000 km away, raising questions about how it managed to maintain operations.
Experts suggest that Israel adopted strategies such as maximizing the use of external fuel tanks on its F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s, as well as launching long-range weapons to reduce the need for extended flights. Reports indicate that some aircraft returned with tanks nearly empty, reinforcing the theory of extremely efficient planning.
Despite limitations, Israeli strikes penetrated increasingly deeper into Iranian territory, hitting strategic targets for nearly two weeks without significant interruption.
The absence of external support raises questions about possible undisclosed partnerships, such as the use of bases in Arab countries or Azerbaijan, but there is no concrete evidence of this. The campaign, which ended after a US strike on an Iranian nuclear facility, remains shrouded in mystery, especially regarding how Israel overcame its operational restrictions without declared external aid.
The USAF insists that the IAF acted independently, highlighting a remarkable logistical and strategic feat.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @IAFsite | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
