US pulls KC-135 refueling tankers from Bulgaria ahead of schedule

Two Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft have left Bezmer Air Base in southeastern Bulgaria, cutting short a deployment that had been authorized to run through early October 2026. Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said the aircraft departed on August 21, 2026, according to the Bulgarian News Agency.

US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa confirmed the departure over the weekend. It attributed the move to other operational requirements but did not elaborate. A US defense official separately confirmed the withdrawal to an independent military news outlet on August 24.

The tankers had arrived at Bezmer on July 31, after the US Embassy in Sofia requested support for American operations in the Middle East. Bulgaria's parliament had approved the deployment on July 22, authorizing up to eight KC-135s and 250 personnel at the base for the period from July 24 through October 1.

While in Bulgaria, the tankers reportedly flew only training missions within allied airspace to the west and northwest of the country. The deployment had drawn criticism from Iran, though the nature of that criticism is not detailed.

An Air Force spokesperson said US military aircraft routinely transit and are hosted by allied and partner nations, including Bulgaria, under existing access, basing and overflight agreements. The spokesperson added that the United States valued Bulgaria's support for regional security.

The departure comes weeks ahead of the October 1 deadline set by Bulgaria's parliament. No official reason for the shortened timeline has been made public beyond the reference to other operational needs.