US Refueling Jets Depart Bulgarian Air Base Ahead of Schedule

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft have departed the Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria, concluding their deployment well ahead of the approved timeframe. Bulgarian officials confirmed the departure, stating the mission was complete.

Bulgarian President Elina Yotova informed reporters during a ceremony that the aircraft had left and their mission had ended. Bulgarian Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov further reported that the jets departed the air base on Friday.

Previously, the Bulgarian Parliament had approved the stationing of up to eight American KC-135 refueling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 to October 1, 2026. This deployment was intended to support U.S. operations in the Middle East.

However, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense clarified that only two of these aircraft, which arrived on July 31, were actually stationed at the base. According to the Defense Minister, these two American aircraft conducted no flights southward during their stay at Bezmer Air Base. All their flights were restricted to training purposes within the airspace of allied nations to the west and northwest.

Bezmer Air Base is situated approximately 300 kilometers east of Sofia and is among the military facilities where the United States is permitted to station personnel and equipment under a bilateral defense agreement.