Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Tankers didn't refuel Israeli jets in anti-Iran drills: CENTCOM

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The War Zone
  • 22 May 2022 15:41
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

US CENTCOM Spokesperson says US tankers are not taking part in Israeli drills to strike Iran.

  • x
  • Some Israeli media outlets had reported that the US military was taking part in the maneuvers for the first time
    Some Israeli media outlets had reported that the US military was taking part in the maneuvers for the first time.

A spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM) told The War Zone that there is no connection between a US Air Force refueling training flight spotted off the coast of occupied Palestine and the Israeli maneuvers aimed at simulating an attack on Iran.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli media outlets reported that the US military was taking part in the exercises for the first time.

However, the spokesperson, Army Colonel Joe Buccino, said this flight was not tied to the Israeli "Chariots of Fire" exercises.

American tankers are reportedly taking part in the Israeli military’s Chariots of Fire drill. As part of the drill simulating a prolonged multi-front military campaign, the IAF will practice striking targets far from its borders (ie.Iran) https://t.co/jPqGq7CEnV

— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) May 18, 2022

Related News

CENTCOM voices uncertainty despite US claims of total success

Trump aides pushed war on Iran with Mossad-fed intel, ignoring dissent

A number of tweets suggested a link between the two events; however, CENTCOM's Spokesperson said the timing was only coincidental.

“We routinely do these kinds of operations with partners in the region,” Buccino said. “For us, this kind of training builds interoperability and familiarity with partnered forces," further adding that the exercise involved a dry refueling of two US Air Force F-15s and four Israeli Air Force F-16s.

When asked whether the US military would help "Israel" with refueling if it were to attack Iran, Buccino declined to comment, saying, "Any war plans involving such things are classified."

CENTCOM Commander visiting "Israel"

Suspicions regarding the US' involvement in the Israeli maneuvers are popping up amid a visit to "Israel" by the recently-appointed CENTCOM commander, General Michael Kurilla, who is coming to "observe" the "Chariots of Fire" maneuvers.

LTG Aviv Kohavi and the IDF General Staff Forum led an honor guard to receive the new @CENTCOM Commander, General Michael Kurilla, this morning.

As part of his visit, the General will observe the IDF’s "Chariots of Fire" Exercise. pic.twitter.com/uMgSxJC2PR

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 18, 2022

One of the weaknesses of the Israeli military is that it is not able to provide enough fuel to sustain a major campaign against Iran. The New York Times reported last year that the US government declined "Israel's" request to speed up the delivery of new refuelers. This means that "Israel" has to make additional calculations when evaluating the risks of an attack on Iran with a relatively small refueling fleet that consists of seven Boeing 707-based tankers, three of which were retired.

  • CENTCOM
  • US
  • United States
  • Israel
  • Israeli Air Force
  • Israeli maneuvers
  • Iran

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS