Citation :
U.S. MILITARY AIRLIFT SURGE TO MIDDLE EAST, SAME PATTERN AS JUNE'S IRAN STRIKE
Dozens of C-17 Globemasters flying from US bases through UK to Al Udeid Qatar and Saudi Arabia since January 1st.
160th SOAR (Night Stalkers) special ops at RAF Fairford. AC-130J gunships landed nearby. MQ-4C drones running daily recon over Strait of Hormuz.
Two carriers in theater: USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz. 180 aircraft total, F-35Cs and F/A-18s.
In short: This exact playbook ran in June 2025 before Operation Midnight Hammer - when B-2s dropped 30,000-pound bunker busters on Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites.
Trump said January 2nd: if Iran kills protestors, "we will come to their rescue."
Pentagon won't comment. Iran's already boosted air defenses nationwide.
Reports: Khamenei's inner circle moving gold and families to Moscow. Not fleeing yet, but building the exit.
Could be deterrence. Could be prep. But when Night Stalkers stage in UK heading east, it's never just a drill.
Source: Caliber .az, The Week, Defence Matters, WaPo, FT
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