BEAR Tu-95.

This is coolbert:

Through Harry at Sharkhunters from Marconi:

* " There are two Russian Air Force IL-78 MIDAS tankers in Egypt, spotted at the Cairo Airport. One wonders why they are there - and how did they get there - through the Gibraltar Strait or over Middle East countries? This type of aerial tanker is used to refuel Russian Air Force TU-95 BEAR bombers. It is speculated that it is possible we will see TU-95 BEAR bombers soon flying over the Mediterranean."

And we already have the answer from the Aviationist:

 "There are chances that the Russians deployed the tankers to Egypt in support of the long range missions flown across northern Europe as far as the Atlantic off Portugal on both Oct. 30 and 31: most probably they were using the tankers to support the trip of the Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers, intercepted and escorted by several air forces including the Portuguese along their way, to the southern Atlantic."

"One radio enthusiast on Twitter noted a message being relayed to Bort 94290 (IL-78M) and passing (Heading Easterly) waypoint EVIRA (East of Malta)".

THAT AIR FORCE OF PORTUGAL [AMONG OTHERS] INTERCEPTING AND ESCORTING THE BEAR ON THEIR MERRY WAY!

During that period of the Cold War Soviet Tu-95 operating on a regular basis from the airfield of Conakry, Guinea/Bissau. That communist government in power at the time favorably disposed toward the Soviet. Even the southern Atlantic was fair game for the BEAR!

coolbert.