After the Pentagon announced an increase in the deployment of U.S. forces in the Middle East, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the arrival of a group of F-22 fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to the region, with the main goal of deterring Iran from carrying out attacks against Israel. Specifically, the group of stealth aircraft arrived yesterday, primarily in response to Iranian threats to launch retaliatory attacks against Israeli territory following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, one of the leaders of the Hamas terrorist group, in Tehran.
More specifically, a total of six F-22s were deployed by the USAF on this occasion, arriving in the Middle East from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the state of Alaska. In what was a journey of more than 10,300 kilometers, the stealth fighters were supported by refueling aircraft and made a stop at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. Regarding their new base in the region, CENTCOM has not disclosed it, citing security reasons to keep it secret.
It is worth noting that the United States anticipates two major scenarios regarding a potential Iranian attack: a direct attack by Iran on Israel using various types of drones and cruise missiles, as occurred in April, or an indirect attack using the terrorist groups it finances and controls, such as Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon, Shia militias in Iraq, and Houthi rebel groups in Yemen.
In this context, it should be noted that U.S. bases in the region have suffered attacks from the latter in recent weeks (for example, the Al Asad airbase in Iraq), while the Houthi attempt to undermine maritime trade has persisted, as in previous months. According to the Pentagon, since Hamas’s incursion into Israeli territory last October, there have been a total of 180 attacks against its troops stationed in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.
The deployment of the F-22s is therefore in response to this situation, as stated by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III: “The United States will not tolerate attacks on our personnel in the region (…) We have adjusted our military posture to strengthen force protection and reinforce our unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense and remain prepared to respond to any contingency.”
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also stated: “They can be a very valuable defensive platform (referring to the F-22 fighter). They bring maneuverability and additional systems that give the commander more versatile options. And I think it sends a very clear signal to the region that we want tensions to de-escalate. And it sends a really powerful message of deterrence.”
On the U.S. deployment in the region
While the major news of the day is the arrival of the previously mentioned squadron of F-22 fighter jets, it should be noted that this is by no means the only asset deployed by the United States in the region, nor the only temporary reinforcement it has deployed to bolster deterrence with Iran in recent times. In this regard, it is crucial to consider the mobilization of F/A-18 fighters from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which will be replaced in about a week by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its own embarked air wing.
Considering other U.S. air assets deployed in the region, it is important to mention the F-15E fighters from the 335th Fighter Squadron (from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina), the F-16s from the 510th Fighter Squadron (originally stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy), and the A-10 aircraft from the 107th Fighter Wing (arriving from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan). This is complemented by a group of tanker aircraft, which has also been increased in recent days.
Image credits: Airman 1st Class Alexander Vázquez, CENTCOM
