Τhere is a big mobilization of US aircraft in the Air Base of Souda on the island of Crete after the USA requested Greece for the use of military facilities with the aim of parking large American aircraft, as well as for the hosting of Special Operations Forces.
The Souda Bay Naval and Air Base by Chania, western Crete, is a major naval base of the Hellenic Navy and NATO.
In an exclusive report, news website cnngreece.gr reported of dozens of military aircraft, transports and flying tankers that have been deployed to 115 Combat Wing with the Americans asking Greece for a second air base to park their aircraft.
In exclusive images published by CNN Greece, there are at least 7 flying tankers, 10 C-130 special operations aircraft, 1 KC-135 electronic warfare aircraft and 1 state-of-the-art naval operations aircraft Boeing P-8 Poseidon as well as an AC-130ö that have been stationed there.
According to CNNGreece information, a large numbers of US Marines have already landed in Souda there as well.
At 112 Combat Wing in Air base of Eleusina, western Attica, the second base requested and approved for the relocation of American large aircraft, as there is available space and suitable hangars for the large heavy aircraft, the first aircraft landings have already started over the weekend.
Aviation sources told CNN Greece that it is not excluded that other Greek air bases, such as the one on Karpathos, will be used if the Americans approve the infrastructures that exist on the island.
Another reason why permission was requested for the use of 112 Combat Wing is for the needs of the possible evacuation of citizens from the war zone, as well as neighboring countries, such as Lebanon.
USS Eisenhower arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean
Night Ops, Flight Ops🌙🛫#MightyIKE carrier strike group conducts night-flight operations during a scheduled deployment. Day and night, IKE is launching and recovering aircraft.#WeLikeIKE #GreaterEachDay @flynavy pic.twitter.com/z6mKTraY9u
— USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (IKE) (@TheCVN69) October 23, 2023
The deployment of a second US aircraft carrier to the Eastern Mediterranean is a sign of the US’s “ironclad commitment to Israel’s security”, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said recently, referring to the USS Eisenhower and its escort ships, which in the coming hours will enter in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Eisenhower will join the first aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, deployed to the region after Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7.
CNNGreece recalled that the last time the United States mobilized two aircraft carriers in the Middle East was in 2020, after the rocket attack on Camp Taji in Iraq, which killed two American soldiers.
The news website noted that the deployment of US forces aims to send a strong signal to Iran.