For the first time since the start of the U.S. "Operation Epic Fury" in February 2026, American Air Force tanker planes have once again landed at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. New satellite imagery shows at least twelve U.S. refueling aircraft now stationed at the base, whereas none were observed there a week ago. The buildup suggests a gradual normalization of U.S. air operations in the region. A week before the conflict began, the base had been completely evacuated.