February 9, 2026 - 18:05 AMT
U.S. deploys at least 20 military planes to Yerevan, Baku

Ahead of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s official visit, the United States Air Force has deployed at least 20 military transport aircraft to Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to Sputnik Armenia.

The majority of the flights occurred between February 4 and 8, with 12 aircraft flying to Armenia and 9 to Azerbaijan. Most of them departed from U.S. military bases and refueled at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base.

Almost all the flights involved Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, designed to carry up to 77.5 tons of cargo. Additionally, Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II planes, used by U.S. special operations forces, were also seen landing in both Yerevan and Baku. Two U.S. military flights were also tracked heading to Georgia.

Notably, Vice President Vance previously traveled to the Olympic Games in Italy with a 14-plane air fleet. However, this level of U.S. military air traffic into Armenia and Azerbaijan just ahead of his visit has drawn attention, especially in the context of rising tensions around Iran and increased U.S. activity near its borders.