What American aircraft has Lajes Air Base received in the last few hours? The KC-46 Pegasus tanker force has been reinforced with three more units, bringing the total to 18 platforms stationed there. Six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft have also arrived, which are highly advanced and designed to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, five Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft are present. While the tanker force remains, the F-16 Viper fighters and P-8 anti-submarine aircraft previously spotted have departed. Armando Mendes notes that while current activity is significant, it remains lower in scale compared to the 2003 Iraq War deployment.