A U.S. military transport aircraft, identified by the call sign N496MC and CMB317, landed in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 15th, 2025, at approximately 12:35 AM UTC, parking at the military ramp. The flight originated from Hill Air Force Base in Utah and operated under a USTRANSCOM call sign for its entire journey. CAMBER call signs are utilized for military transport flights, including troop and cargo carriers, operated by civilian airlines on behalf of the U.S. military. The Department of Defense has stated it has no official presence in Lebanon. This development occurred during a three-hour reporting window from 9:35:40 PM on October 14th to 12:35:40 AM on October 15th, 2025. The arrival of the transport aircraft in Beirut follows reports from the previous evening, October 14th, of Israeli military aircraft hovering over southern Lebanon between Wadi Gilo and Yanouh, an area described as being near coordinates 33°15'21.7"N 35°17'43.3"E. Social media reports at that time also indicated a raid targeted the area between Wadi Gilo and Yanouh, though details were not immediately available. The Intel Frog, a source tracking aviation activity, reported the arrival of N496MC as CMB317 into Beirut and its parking at the military ramp. They further clarified that CAMBER call signs are associated with military transport flights operated by civilian airlines for the U.S. military, encompassing troop carriers and cargo operations.
