X user @vcdgf555 reported nine U.S. Air Force tankers active for Operation Southern Spear refueling mission (40CG) from Cecil Airport in Florida, MacDill Air Force Base and McConnell Air Force Base during the 59-minute period ending 6:15 a.m. UTC on Dec. 26, 2025, with four confirmed on the mission, in a post at https://x.com/vcdgf555/status/2004426554546499627. The tankers include five Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aircraft—AE5E13 (17-46038, SMUG 32), AE5E11 (17-46036, SMUG 31), AE574F (15-46009, LAVIC 22), AE5F97 (18-46044, REACH 032) and AE63B7 (20-46075, REACH 030)—one Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker AE0506 (61-0293, GERM 11), three additional KC-135s AE0654 (58-0071), AE014C (63-8025) and AE0374 (57-1508) with unknown callsigns, and two unknown types LAVIC 21 and GERM 12 plus 40CG 7S, @vcdgf555 stated. It is unconfirmed if all nine are airborne. Four tankers are confirmed on the active refueling mission: SMUG 31, SMUG 32, LAVIC 22 and GERM 11, according to the post. Earlier ACARS data showed KC-46s REACH 030 and REACH 032 in positions three and four of positioning flights. This update aligns with prior reports of the same nine tankers activated earlier on Dec. 26 by X user @ArmchairAdml. It follows departures of six MC-130 aircraft and four CV-22 Ospreys from Homestead Air Reserve Base heading south on Dec. 25 afternoon, as reported by @HHunternight citing multiple X accounts including @AirAssets during the prior reporting window ending 5:15 a.m. UTC.
