EXCLUSIVE: Ukrainian Antonov Aircraft Spotted Picking Up F-16s On Tucson, Arizona Runway, Operating Under Biden’s TSA Special Permit

On Saturday, Laura Loomer obtained photographs of a Ukrainian-owned aircraft loading F-16s on a runway in Tucson, Arizona. Following this discovery, her investigation confirmed that the aircraft belongs to Antonov Airlines, a division of the Ukrainian state-owned Antonov Company. Notably, both the Obama and Biden administrations granted the airline special permits through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In fact, the Biden TSA issued its most recent “special permit” in November 2024—just days after President Donald Trump secured his historic election victory.

Additionally, the aircraft displayed a visible email address—sales@antonov.kiev.ua—which matches the official Antonov Airlines website, antonov.kiev.ua. According to the site, “Antonov Airlines is a division of Antonov Company, headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine.” The Ukrainian state-owned enterprise operates a large fleet of cargo aircraft. This includes five AN-124-100 Ruslan planes, one of which is capable of carrying up to 150 tonnes. Furthermore, Antonov’s fleet continues global operations. Its logistics and maintenance teams were temporarily relocated to Leipzig, Germany, in order to ensure the continued safe deployment of its AN-124-100(150) aircraft. As a result, Ukrainian Antonov aircraft have built a longstanding reputation for heavy-lift capabilities.

Importantly, Antonov Airlines has a history of operating in the United States under special exemptions. These exemptions, granted by Democrat presidents, provided the company with significant operational latitude. For example, according to a September 2016 article from Air Cargo Weekly, the Obama administration’s Department of Transportation approved broad air charter exemptions for Antonov’s U.S. flights. The article stated, “The Antonov Company no longer needs to obtain US DOT statements of authorization. This follows non-objections from US operators. However, normal US Customs notifications and approvals are required for flights.” Moreover, it explained, “Antonov Airlines specializes in air transport of oversized and superheavy cargoes worldwide. Antonov became the first airline in the world that started operation of the AN-124 aircraft type on the commercial market.” Clearly, the role of Ukrainian Antonov aircraft in global air transport remains significant.

More recently, on November 15, 2024—again, just days after President Trump’s election win—the Biden administration’s TSA issued a new special permit to Antonov Airlines. This permit, valid through 2027, authorizes the transportation of hazardous materials. In a telling detail, the TSA document repeated much of the same language from previous authorizations: “The Antonov Company no longer needs to obtain US DOT statements of authorization. This follows non-objections from US operators. However, normal US Customs notifications and approvals are required for flights.” Additionally, the document reiterated, “Antonov Airlines specializes in air transportation of oversized and superheavy cargoes worldwide. Antonov became the first airline in the world that started operation of the AN-124 aircraft type on the commercial market.” Strikingly, the TSA language under both the Obama and Biden administrations appears nearly identical. This continuity underscores the enduring global reach of Antonov’s operations.

Meanwhile, flight data from FlightAware confirms that an Antonov aircraft departed Tucson on Saturday. This aircraft matches the one photographed during the F-16 loading operation. It later landed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, before continuing to Rzeszów, Poland, where it arrived on Sunday. Coincidentally, as the plane was onboarding F-16s in Tucson, President Trump was in Rome meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Taken together, these movements highlight the strategic importance of Antonov Aircraft within ongoing geopolitical developments.

Ultimately, the presence of the Ukrainian Antonov aircraft in Tucson—and its rapid international departure—has raised serious questions about the nature of its cargo and mission. This operation unfolds at a pivotal time, as President Trump moves closer to brokering an end to the war in Ukraine. Laura Loomer directly pressed the Department of Defense for answers. However, officials refused to explain why a Ukrainian-owned aircraft was collecting F-16s on U.S. soil.