The KC-135 aircraft landed in Bucharest as part of the refueling missions of the United States Air Force.

The United States Air Force conducted a new air refueling mission in the Middle East, on the night of March 21 to 22, 2026, using three Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. These aircraft refueled military planes in the eastern Mediterranean, lasting approximately six hours. Additionally, a sixth KC-135 landed in Bucharest, coming from Mississippi, to support the refueling operations.

The first missions took place on the night of March 19 to 20, when the planes refueled military aircraft south of Cyprus. These actions come in the context of the United States' request to deploy forces and military equipment on Romanian territory, approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The refueling planes are essential for supporting F15, F22, and F35 fighter jets, in the context of tensions in the Middle East.