US Military Flights Surge into Northern Ghana Amid Intelligence Push on Nigeria’s Christian Killings

Last update:

March 3: for the first time since weeks USAF C-17 flies to Tamale
January 4: added information on visit of C-37A 01-0030 to Accra. Added visits of USAF C-130’s to Tamale and Abuja
December 17: added two more USAF flights to Tamale, one which took a detour.
December 9 (paragraph US Government Team Lands in Nigeria )

Since late October, an unusual spike in U.S. military flights has been observed moving in and out of a small airport in northern Ghana. The uptick appears closely linked to comments made by President Trump in early November, when he said he was contemplating military action in Africa’s most populous nation in response to what he called a “mass slaughter” of Christians by Islamist insurgents.

From Tamale Airport in northern Ghana, it is roughly 800 kilometers to a region in Nigeria where large numbers of attacks against Christian communities are reported.

Based on detailed flight movements analyzed by this website, the U.S. has begun laying the groundwork for an intelligence-gathering operation targeting terrorist networks in Nigeria. Large U.S. transport aircraft have been delivering equipment—likely drones—from Djibouti to Tamale.

Early Arrivals: C-130s and the First Signs of Activity

One of the earliest sightings came on November 3, when a USAF C-130 (registration 93-1459) arrived in Accra from Djibouti, routing via Entebbe. On November 4, the aircraft almost certainly continued north to Tamale Airport.

That same day, another C-130 (15-5831) departed Ramstein Air Base in Germany and routed through Rota, Dakar, Abidjan, Cotonou, Parakou in northern Benin, back to Cotonou, and onward to Accra. The aircraft was seen in Accra on November 7 before returning to Ramstein via multiple stops. Callsign used was LION468.

Also on November 7, A C-12C operated by the USAF with registration 76-0171 flies from Accra direction to Tamale and returns to Accra a few hours later. This aircraft is based in West Africa and is used for Special Mission and Embassy support

Sensitive Assets Appear: A Special P-8A and a Secretive C-40

A mysterious C-40 Clipper appeared at Accra early November . This is 21-0024, also known as N972BJ. This website earlier published an article about this mysterious C-40.

The picture became more intriguing on November 7 with the arrival of a highly specialized U.S. Navy P-8A in Accra. This variant is equipped with enhanced sensors not found on standard P-8As. Both aircraft are invisible on civilian flight-tracking platforms, raising further questions about their mission profiles.

That same combination of a highly unusual USAF C-40A and a US NAVY P-8A was also observed operating out of an airfield in El Salvador. The reason for their presence is most likely the interception of drug-running vessels. This website reported on those operations earlier.

C-40 21-0024 is seen here parked at the ramp of Kotoka International Airport neat Accra. The aircraft left at an unknown date. It returned to Accra at November 18.

Heavy-Lift Transporters Follow the Intelligence Aircraft

After these intelligence assets arrived, a series of large transport aircraft began shuttling between Djibouti, Europe, and northern Ghana.

• November 13: C-17 (01-0188) landed at Kotoka Airport in Accra. It had been in Djibouti on November 10, then flew—via Ramstein and Gran Canaria—to Ghana, before continuing to Tamale.
• November 14: C-17 (01-0192) arrived in Accra after beginning its mission in Djibouti and routing via Ramstein and Gran Canaria. It also proceeded to Tamale.
• November 14: Another C-17 (07-7182) landed at Kotoka and continued the next day to Tamale. This aircraft, too, had been in Djibouti several days earlier.
• November 15: A C-146A Wolfhound (97-3093), an aircraft used for special operations, arrived in Accra after leaving Djibouti the day prior. On November 16 it flew to Dakar and returned the same day. On November 18 it departed Accra heading east. Its role in the broader pattern remains unclear.
• November 20: A C-12C operated by the USAF with registration 76-0171 flies from Accra direction to Tamale and returns to Accra a few hours later. This aircraft is based in West Africa and is used for Special Mission and Embassy support

After 14 November, no additional USAF C-17 aircraft have landed in Ghana. Yet activity has continued.

ISR capable G1159 arrives at Accra

On 15 November, a remarkable G1159 Gulfstream departed from Manassas Airport on the east coast of the United States. The aircraft, registered as N529RL, flew nonstop to Accra. It does not appear on Flightradar, but it is visible on ADSBexchange. In August 2025, the aircraft conducted what appear to be several test flights in the central United States.

The image below is made by 314aviation at Instgram.

After arriving in Accra, the aircraft remained parked there until 21 November. On that day, it flew northbound, made a 180-degree turn near Tamale, and returned to Accra to land. The same flight was repeated on 23 November.

On 24 November at around 10:04 UTC, the aircraft carried out its first mission. It flew to northeastern Nigeria, near the border with Chad. There it orbited for six hours at 20,000 feet. It then returned to Accra and climbed to 43,000 feet.

On 26 November, the aircraft conducted its second mission since arriving in Accra. It departed at 10:23 UTC and reached the area in central Nigeria, close to the border with Benin, around 11:24. While circling, it descended to 20,000 feet. At around 18:30 UTC, the aircraft left the surveillance area and returned to Accra.

In the following days, the aircraft departed every morning from Accra. It flew to the border with Chad. There are terrorist groups active around Lake Chad. The aircraft then spent six to eight hours flying circles to gather intelligence. At the end of the day, it returned to Accra.

Below the flight pattern made on December 1. It flew circles for 7 hours. The aircraft flew every day a mission in Nigerian airspace, gathering intelligence on different area’s. December 8 was the first day the aircraft did not operate.

The aircraft is operated by Tenax Aerospace LLC, a contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense. The company conducted several intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ISR flights in Africa in 2024.

The aircraft previously carried the registration N529RE. Until 2023, it was flying as an executive jet, after which it was offered for sale for a period of time. In August 2023, it was registered to Tenax. After being acquired by Tenax Aerospace, the aircraft was equipped with various systems for ISR missions. This was probably done in in Saint Louis. Gulfstream N36GV is another aircraft used for ISR mission. It was modified in Saint Louis. The first test flight after its modifications was at July 3, 2025 from Spirit of Saint Louis airport (SUS/KSUS). It could be Avmats Jet Support installed the equipment.

On November 5, 2025 the aircraft flew from KSUS to Manassas, where Tenax is based. On November 7 it flew to MacDill Airforce Bases in Florida and returned the same day to Manassas. MacDill is a command & control / mission headquarter (U.S. Central Command CENTCOM, U.S. Special Operations Command SOCOM , JCSE) — meaning that classified ISR missions (UAVs, COMINT, etc.) could be planned, directed or supported from there even if based elsewhere. So signals, satellite-comm, planning and control for ISR activity might emanate from MacDill even if the “aircraft leg” of the mission is home-based elsewhere.

On November 25, USAF C-130 08-5683 lands at Accra inbound from Dakar as LION444. The aircraft started its trip from Ramstein via stops at Rota and Dakar. At November 26, around 08:15 UTC the C-130 departed Accra and headed north. Likely to Tamale as LION444. The C-130 landed again at around 11:30 UTC at Accra. The flight time Accra to Tamale is around 1 hour. So it arrived at 09:15 UTC at Tamale, and departed around 10:30.

Unusual Routing and Repeat Visits to Benin

On November 16, C-17 (07-7184) arrived in Accra after a series of irregular movements. Unlike the other C-17s, it did not stop at Ramstein. Instead, it diverted to Athens, appeared to head toward Varna, then reversed course back to Athens before flying to Gran Canaria and on to Accra. It subsequently operated a round trip to Tamale. This aircraft had also been in Djibouti days earlier.

That same day, C-130 (11-5740) arrived in Accra from Ramstein after multiple stops. On November 17, it flew to northern Benin—most likely Parakou—before returning to Accra. A nearly identical mission was flown in October 2024.
(See: https://x.com/fabsenbln/status/1847587708228534312 and https://www.africom.mil/pressrelease/35650/ace-visits-benin)

Continuous Flow of Djibouti-Sourced Aircraft

On November 17, C-17 (00-0178) arrived in Accra from Gran Canaria, then flew to Tamale and returned after several hours. This aircraft had also originated from Djibouti, routing via Ramstein and Gran Canaria.

Another C-17 to Tamale

After a long time with no USAF movements to Tamale, at December 7 an USAF C-17 with registration 03-3113 using flight RCH636 departs Dover, makes a stop at Gran Canaria and arrives at Accra. After less than half an hour the aircraft continues to Tamale. The stop at Accra is likely to pass customs.

US Government Team Lands in Nigeria

During the night of Friday 4 December, another notable aircraft arrived in Nigeria: a C-37B (Gulfstream), registration 09-0525, which had departed Edwards AFB in the United States. It landed around 23:30 at Abuja, home to many of Nigeria’s senior military headquarters. Abuja is also the political capital. After a stop of about three hours, the aircraft continued to Accra.

The passengers aboard the Gulfstream were members of the U.S. Congress. The delegation included Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Scott Franklin, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, and Rep. Riley M. Moore.
US lawmakers have accused the Nigerian government of not doing enough to address the rising insecurity and killings in the country.

The C-37B left Abuja on December 7 and returned to Andrews AFB near Washington.

Congressman Moore stated after the visit to Nigeria that Washington sees a willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to deepen counterterrorism efforts, but stressed that commitment must be followed by implementation.

A C-130 to Tamale

On 12 December, a USAF C-130 with registration 08-8602, operating under the callsign LION418, departed from Ramstein for Rota. On 13 December, the aircraft continued on to Dakar. After a stop, it flew on to Accra.

On 14 December, the aircraft operated a flight to Tamale and then returned to Accra. On 15 December, it flew to Parakou via Cotonou (Benin) before returning to Accra. The flight on 16 December appears unusual.

Another C-17 to Ghana. Now via a remarkable detour

On 17 December, USAF C-17 06-6156 landed in Accra. The aircraft had departed a day earlier from Ramstein under the callsign RCH695. Instead of taking a direct route through French airspace, the aircraft initially headed north after departure, deliberately avoiding the airspace of Belgium, France and Spain.

The C-17 likely made an intermediate stop in the Cape Verde Islands. Following an overnight stop, the aircraft continued to Accra, where it landed at 08:35 UTC. The reason for this detour remains unclear, but it may indicate that the aircraft was carrying sensitive cargo, such as weapons, or other goods that France in particular does not permit to transit through its airspace.

By contrast, C-17 01-0188 did operate via the shorter, direct route. That aircraft flew from Ramstein through the airspace of France and Spain to Accra, and subsequently continued on to Tamale.

The mission code in the ACARS messages was likely AJM315001350. Not sure what this means.

The reason for the visit was to provide airlift to support Ghana’s mission to deliver equipment to Jamaica relief operations in response to hurricane Melissa.

Visit of an USAF C-37A

On 31 December, a USAF C-37A bearing registration 01-0030 flew from Accra to an unknown destination in Nigeria. After several hours, the aircraft departed again for Accra. Notably, the callsign used was AAAAAA instead of the almost always employed callsign VALOR30.

Also striking is that the flight from the aircraft’s home base, Ramstein, to Accra was not recorded by either Flightradar24 or ADSBexchange. The last registered flight dated back to 19 December, until the aircraft suddenly appeared in Accra on 31 December.

On 4 January, the aircraft was briefly visible on FR24 once more, still located at Accra Airport.

The role of this aircraft remains unclear. Throughout 2024 and part of 2025, the aircraft was not fitted with a registration. It has since been registered again, but otherwise remains incognito. There are no titles, no roundels. Nothing indicates that it is operating on behalf of the United States Air Force. Based on the fact that the aircraft is based at Ramstein, is frequently observed at Stuttgart, and was present at Munich Airport during the 2020 Security Conference, it can be concluded that senior military officials are transported using this aircraft.

Photo: Ian Howat

Another visit of an C-130 to Tamale

On January 3, 2026 USAF C-130 11-5740 flew from Accra to Tamale. The mission of the aircraft started in Ramstein. Aircraft made stops in Rota and Dakar. At January 4 the aircraft departed Tamale. Made a short stop at Accra, likely for customs, and departed to Dakar. After a stop in Rota it flew to Ramstein

Pause.

After weeks of no activity USAF C-17 03-3113 arrived at Tamale March 3. The aircraft came via a stop at Accra. The mission started in Hopkinsville and made a stop in Dover and Dakar. Based on the mission code JMZA100UR057 the aircraft carried cargo to Tamale.

Likely Mission: Drone Deployment to Northern Ghana

Taken together, the flight patterns strongly suggest that U.S. forces are transporting equipment—likely unmanned aerial systems—from Djibouti to northern Ghana. At Chabelley Airfield near Djibouti, U.S. drones are permanently based and clearly visible on satellite imagery:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Lwt58MVTyDHVV5x77

The combination of intelligence-gathering aircraft, special operations transports, and repeated logistics flights points to an emerging U.S. surveillance and counter-terrorism effort focused on northern Nigeria, staged quietly from Ghana.

Based on the mission codes transmitted via ACARS by the C-17 aircraft, it becomes clear that the flights to Djibouti are so-called positioning flights—empty legs to a specific destination where cargo will be picked up.

From Djibouti to Tamale, a different mission code is used, indicating that the aircraft is carrying cargo. From Tamale onward, the code changes again, showing that the aircraft is empty and returning to base.

You can read the full explanation of the mission codes here.

Special thanks to @armchairAdml on X for sharing key insights into ACARS and the flights.