U.S. Air Force E-3G Sentry (hex AE11DC, reg 76-1605) from the 552nd Air Control Wing and KC-46 Pegasus tanker (hex AE5F96, reg 18-46043) were reported present with the B-1B Lancer force package in the Caribbean during the 29-minute period ending at 4:45 a.m. UTC on January 2, 2026, according to X posts by @HHunternight. The KC-46 cruised at high altitudes between FL320 and FL400 from 21:26 to 22:27 UTC, @HHunternight stated, noting the same E-3G from a previous B-1B package and KC-46 RCH008 also present operating from KMCF in the Caribbean. Separately, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro dodged a question about an alleged U.S. attack on a dock in Venezuela during a Thursday interview but expressed openness to cooperation with Washington after weeks of American military pressure, according to an AFP update shared on X by @AFP during this reporting window. These developments follow a B-1B Lancer (86-0107) departing Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, airborne southeast toward the Caribbean before 3:45 a.m. UTC and X user @Elconde7th's report of very high military activity across the region ending at 4:15 a.m. UTC, as noted in prior periods.
