Several United States military transport aircraft and specialized aviation units have arrived at Royal Air Force (RAF) stations in the United Kingdom following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Large-scale movements involving C-17 Globemaster III aircraft were recorded at RAF Fairford and RAF Mildenhall, with some assets reportedly transiting toward Germany after delivering cargo.
Open-source intelligence and aviation observers have noted the presence of assets associated with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. This unit recently participated in the operation in Caracas that resulted in the removal of the Venezuelan president. Additionally, CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft in special operations configurations have been observed relocating within the UK, moving from Mildenhall to Fairford.
The deployment coincides with the ongoing tracking of a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker, the Bella 1, which recently appeared in Russian shipping registries under the name Marinera. The vessel, which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 for alleged ties to Iran, reportedly refused to comply with U.S. Coast Guard boarding attempts in the Caribbean. The tanker is currently transiting the Atlantic toward European waters and has reportedly requested Russian protection.
P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have been observed departing Mildenhall to conduct reconnaissance over the Atlantic. These movements occur amid heightened tensions following the U.S. blockade of Venezuelan oil exports. The U.S. government has previously seized two other tankers in the Caribbean since the blockade was established, actions that the previous Venezuelan administration characterized as international piracy.
The Pentagon has not issued a formal statement regarding the specific purpose of the current UK deployments. However, the arrival of specialized units often precedes regional operations or joint exercises. The situation remains developing as the Marinera approaches British maritime zones.
