A Sky News analysis of flight tracking data reveals that more than 30 U.S. military aircraft have been active over parts of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea in the past three days.
The aircraft include those used for reconnaissance, aerial refueling, and cargo transport. Among them were 12 F-35 fighter jets that traveled from the United Kingdom to the region on Tuesday.
Images taken by photographer Glenn Lockett in Suffolk show three American refueling aircraft each escorting four F-35 fighter jets.
Flight tracking data shows that the refueling aircraft headed toward the Mediterranean before returning to the UK.
According to Flightradar24, most tracked U.S. military aircraft regularly disable their location signals and final destinations, making their operations more discreet.
Some of the aircraft were redeployed from the U.S. to Europe, while others appear to have moved closer to the Middle East. At least five of the aircraft landed at Chania Airport on the Greek island of Crete.
In one image, a Boeing KC-46A Pegasus, primarily used for aerial refueling, is shown being tracked over the eastern Mediterranean.
