A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber, tail number 86-0107 from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, departed airborne heading southeast toward the Caribbean during the 30-minute period ending at 3:45 a.m. UTC on January 2, 2026, according to an X post by @HHunternight. @AirAssets reported 4-6 Stratotankers airborne during this window, citing a report received at 7 a.m. local time and a post by @Elconde7th confirming preparations. These movements follow at least three B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing departing toward the Bahamas area in the prior hour ending at 3:15 a.m. UTC, as noted by @HHunternight. The Stratotankers were observed near AILA with preparations underway, per multiple X accounts including @r4streando, @SA_Defensa, and @Flightwatcher1 quoted in prior posts. These developments occur amid Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's denunciation earlier on January 2 of U.S. Caribbean presence as an oil plunder attempt, according to AFP reports shared on X by @AZ_Intel_.
