Amid Rising Tensions, Misbar Tracks U.S. Military Buildup at Diego Garcia Base

Misbar monitored movements at Diego Garcia base | Misbar

As tensions escalate in the Middle East and speculation grows over the possibility of a military strike on Iran, the United States continues to bolster its military presence in the region—moves that add further uncertainty to an already volatile security landscape.

Alongside the arrival of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, Washington has intensified its military buildup in the region, a step widely viewed as an additional pressure signal directed at Tehran.

In this context, Diego Garcia stands out as one of the most critical strategic pillars for any potential military escalation, given its vital location in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV documented signs of U.S. military mobilization at the base by analyzing satellite imagery and tracking recent air and maritime traffic bound for the island.

Military Buildup at the Diego Garcia Base

Satellite images captured by Sentinel Hub on Feb. 1, 2026, show at least six aircraft on the runway, as illustrated below.

Misbar identified the presence of six aircraft at Diego Garcia based on an image captured by Sentinel Hub. — Misbar identified the presence of six aircraft at Diego Garcia based on an image captured by Sentinel Hub

These indicators align with recent high-resolution images taken on Feb. 1, 2026, by the Chinese satellite MizarVision.

The images show several new military aircraft positioned on the runway of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Five military aircraft appear in a configuration similar to those observed in lower-resolution satellite imagery.

By comparing the aircraft visible in the image, three were identified as KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft, along with two MC-130J special operations aircraft. A white aircraft on the left side of the image was identified as a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft used for surveillance and reconnaissance.

Images of the base captured by the Chinese satellite MizarVision. — Images of the base captured by the Chinese satellite MizarVision

A review of satellite imagery from January shows that, in an image taken on Jan. 12, 2026—the last clear image from that month—only a single aircraft was present in the aircraft parking area adjacent to the runway.

In the last clear image from Jan. 12, Misbar observed only one aircraft at the base. — In the last clear image from Jan. 12, Misbar observed only one aircraft at the base

The base contains four hangars for B-2 strategic bombers, used for storage and maintenance. It remains unclear whether any bombers are currently stationed there.

Air and Maritime Traffic to the Diego Garcia Base

On Jan. 26, 2026, a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft, registration ZZ175 and operated by the British Army, arrived at the base from Brunei International Airport on the island of Borneo.

The following day, the aircraft departed for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, according to navigation data.

The C-17A is a large military transport aircraft originally designed for the U.S. Air Force, capable of conducting global strategic airlift missions for troops and cargo.

طائرة شحن عسكرية من طراز بوينغ سي-17 إيه غلوب ماستر 3

Misbar tracked the route of the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft that arrived at the base on Jan. 26, 2026. — Misbar tracked the route of the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft that arrived at the base on Jan. 26, 2026

On Feb. 2, a U.S.-flagged cargo vessel named SLNC STAR (IMO: 9415325) entered the base’s port.

Misbar observed the U.S.-flagged cargo vessel entering the base. — Misbar observed the U.S.-flagged cargo vessel entering the base

The vessel followed its usual route, with voyage records showing regular trips between the island and Singapore’s SINGAPORE ANCH anchorage.

يظهر سجل رحلاتها أنها تقوم برحلات دورية بين الجزيرة وميناء سنغافورة

The ship's voyage log shows that it made regular trips between the island and the port of Singapore. — The ship's voyage log shows that it made regular trips between the island and the port of Singapore

The ship has a cargo capacity of 7,751 tons and is currently drawing 6.6 meters—the same draft recorded when it departed its last port—indicating that its cargo has not yet been unloaded.

Comparing the ship's cargo and its sailing depth reveals that it has not yet unloaded its cargo. — Comparing the ship's cargo and its sailing depth reveals that it has not yet unloaded its cargo

Why the Diego Garcia Base Matters

The base occupies a strategic location in the Indian Ocean, more than 4,000 kilometers from Iran’s borders, according to measurements based on Sentinel Hub satellite maps.

The base is more than 4,000 km from the Iranian border, according to measurements from Sentinel Hub satellite maps. — The base is more than 4,000 km from the Iranian border, according to measurements from Sentinel Hub satellite maps

The United States—particularly under President Donald Trump—has previously relied on this recurring pattern of military buildup. Prior to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025, heightened activity was recorded at the base, including the deployment of strategic bombers of the B-52 and B-2 types ahead of the strikes. Satellite images from that period show at least six bombers and two aerial refueling aircraft at the base in May 2025.

Satellite imagery shows at least six bombers and two refueling aircraft at the base as of May 2025. — Satellite imagery shows at least six bombers and two refueling aircraft at the base as of May 2025

A similar deployment followed the U.S. airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Baghdad on Jan. 3, 2020. At that time, the U.S. Air Force deployed at least six B-52 bombers to Diego Garcia as a deterrent against potential Iranian retaliation.

The U.S. Air Force deployed at least six B-52 bombers to Diego Garcia Island in conjunction with the assassination of Qassem Soleimani. — The U.S. Air Force deployed at least six B-52 bombers to Diego Garcia Island in conjunction with the assassination of Qassem Soleimani

Satellite images captured on Jan. 27, 2020, support this assessment, showing six military aircraft positioned near the runway. According to satellite data, the aircraft arrived at the base between Jan. 20 and Jan. 27, 2020.