Continued U.S. Military Presence in Rabat
On August 21, 2026, it was announced that the United States will extend its support for its C-12 military aircraft stationed in Rabat, Morocco, until 2031. A recent document from the U.S. Air Force has confirmed the presence of a C-12C/D aircraft in the Moroccan capital, which is now incorporated into a new logistics contract awarded by the Pentagon. This contract, which was made public on June 26, 2026, involves Vertex Aerospace and is aimed at providing logistical support for the U.S. fleet of C-12 aircraft. Rabat has been specifically cited as one of the locations where these services will be available up to June 30, 2031.
The financial scope of this contract can reach up to $500 million; however, it is important to note that this figure encompasses the entire U.S. military apparatus globally, rather than being limited to operations in Morocco alone. An additional official document from the U.S. Air Force clarifies the rationale behind Rabat's inclusion in this contract, as it is listed in the inventory of aircraft and their locations, explicitly stating: "Rabat, Morocco: (1) C-12C/D." This signifies that there is indeed a military C-12 aircraft present in Rabat, a twin-engine plane derived from the Beechcraft King Air, primarily utilized for the rapid transport of personnel and cargo.
Strategic Importance and Mission Support
The new contract entails maintenance and support essential for the operations of this aircraft fleet, which include urgent transport of personnel and materials, medical evacuations, and various support operations for testing. The Pentagon has also indicated that the C-12 aircraft in question serve multiple U.S. agencies, including the Air Force Materiel Command, the Pacific Air Forces, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). However, the specific assignment of the C-12 based in Rabat to the DIA remains unspecified, as Washington does not disclose which aircraft is allocated to which agency.
The U.S. military presence associated with the C-12 aircraft in Rabat is not a new development; previous Pentagon contracts have referenced the Moroccan capital for several years. What distinguishes the 2026 contract is its extended duration, which confirms Rabat's ongoing integration into the U.S. support framework, now guaranteed until June 30, 2031. The Air Force document provides a rare glimpse into the specifics of this arrangement, confirming the presence of a C-12C/D at Rabat.
As reported by bladi.net.
