US refueling aircraft spotted in Israel ahead of expected arrival of USS Gerald Ford later this week

The USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy, arrived in Souda Bay, on the island of Crete, on Monday evening ahead of its expected trip to Israel's Haifa Bay later this week. 

The large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford was ordered to the region by U.S. President Donald Trump despite already being extensively deployed – the vessel had been operating in the Caribbean Sea as part of a major U.S. military buildup and took part in operations that culminated in the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

The ship was spotted entering the Mediterranean Sea on Friday as it passed through the Strait of Gibraltar. While reports indicated that the carrier would likely anchor off the coast of Israel – to aid with the Jewish state’s air defense systems in the event of an Iranian attack – there has been no official confirmation of the vessel’s destination. 

According to a report in Greek City Times, the carrier is expected to remain at Souda Bay for approximately four days to resupply and for the crew to rest, while Israeli reports on Monday stated the USS Gerald Ford would resupply at Haifa Bay. 

The simultaneous presence of two U.S. aircraft carriers in the Middle East is unusual; the last such occurrence took place in June 2025 during Israel’s Operation Rising Lion and U.S. Operation Midnight Hammer.

Meanwhile, Walla News reported that several KC-135 refueling planes, along with a C-17 Globemaster, had arrived at the Ben Gurion International Airport outside of Tel Aviv on Sunday. The refueling planes, commonly called tankers in the military, are necessary for sustaining multiple fighter jet combat sorties, allowing them to fly farther or reposition to different arenas without having to land and refuel, which takes more time. 

Israeli officials declined to comment on the presence of the U.S. aircraft. It remains unclear whether the tankers will stay in Israel to support potential Israeli participation in a strike or whether they will assist U.S. aircraft based in Jordan that are expected to play a role in aerial defense.

Previous Globemaster flights to Israel have delivered components, including interceptors, for the THAAD air defense systems deployed in the country.

The buildup of American forces continues ahead of the next round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday. Trump has reportedly demanded that Iran present a draft proposal agreement as a condition for the third round of talks.

The 10-day deadline for a deal, mentioned by Trump during last week's Board of Peace meeting, is set to expire early next week. The USS Gerald Ford is expected to remain in the Mediterranean through that period.