Mon Jun 23 18:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the Flightradar24 blog post you provided:

**Headline: Online Sleuths Track US Air Force Tankers, Infer B-2 Stealth Bomber Deployment**

**[Date]** – Aviation enthusiasts worldwide turned flight tracking into a real-time intelligence operation last week, using online platforms like Flightradar24 to monitor the movements of US Air Force aerial refueling tankers. Their efforts led to speculation about the deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.

The unusual activity began around June 15th, sparking increased interest in US Air Force tanker and transport flights. However, the intensity peaked on June 21st when two groups of KC-135 Stratotankers departed Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. The tankers flew toward Missouri, then turned west and dispersed near Whiteman Air Force Base, the home of the B-2 fleet. This prompted a surge of online trackers.

As the Altus-based tankers returned, a second wave of tankers launched from Travis Air Force Base in California. Flightradar24 users spotted a group of KC-135s west of Chania in the Mediterranean Sea around 03:35 UTC on June 22. Approximately six hours later, a mix of KC-135 and KC-46 tankers was spotted northeast of the Azores, positioned at Lajes Field.

While the B-2s themselves remained invisible to Flightradar24, as they do not broadcast ADS-B signals, the location and flight paths of the tankers, which are vital for long-range B-2 operations, fueled speculation of a possible deployment, potentially linked to rising tensions in the Middle East.

The surge in online flight tracking highlights the increasing accessibility of aviation data and the ability of citizen observers to analyze and interpret complex flight patterns. It also underscores the strategic significance of aerial refueling in modern military operations, with tankers providing a telltale clue to potential deployments of advanced aircraft like the B-2 Spirit.

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