Sh1n (@hey_itsmyturn) reposted an OSINT assessment by @DefenceGeek reporting that overall tracked U.S. Air Force tanker numbers have fallen by 24% since the April ceasefire in the Iran war.

While the number in CENTCOM remains consistent at just over 100 tankers, a steady decline across Europe accelerated during the past two weeks. More than 20 tankers reportedly returned to the United States without being replaced.

  • April peak: 223 tracked tankers
  • September 19 total: 169 tracked tankers in CENTCOM and EUCOM
  • RAF Mildenhall (EGUN): 14 tankers permanently deployed under the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, with up to five additional airframes currently in the United States for maintenance
  • Deployed since February 2026: 326 KC-135 and KC-46 tankers sent into CENTCOM or EUCOM
  • Estimated current inventory: Around 482 tankers

Of the 169 aircraft on the tracker’s current CENTCOM/EUCOM list, one is believed to have been destroyed in the March 2026 attack on Prince Sultan Airbase, while five have not been tracked for more than two months. Of the remaining aircraft, 124 have flown at least once in September.

The original post also tagged @MATA_osint, @vcdgf555, and @boomers_ass.